The Modern Musician: Orchestrating Success in the Digital Age
In the ever-evolving digital age, musicians are navigating a transformed landscape where social media and the internet wield immense influence on their art, career, and livelihood. This post explores the profound impact on musicians' careers and sheds light on the strategies employed in adapting to the dynamic digital era.
The Evolutionary Change of a Musician’s Expectations
As the curtain rises on the digital era, musicians are faced with a new set of challenges and opportunities. Social media platforms and the internet as a whole have fundamentally altered the trajectory of musical careers, necessitating a blend of artistic capacity and technological savviness. Decades ago, the idea of the “successful” musician was based on the process of going through a professional training program (conservatory/university/college), networking with colleagues, and finding a band to play in for the rest of their careers. Today, with the culmination of both the change in society’s musical taste and the Internet Age, that layout is obsolete. Individuals who simply had to learn the craft of their field (performing/educating/etc.) now have to learn how to use social media platforms, streaming services, website builders, and much more. This Musician’s Institute article talks about the changing industry and skills modern day artist need to have.
Navigating & Building a Presence on Social Media
A crucial aspect of this digital evolution is the role of social media. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook have provided musicians with not only an outlet for self-expression but also powerful tools for them to engage with fans and peers directly. Previously, musicians relied on competitive and expensive record companies to share their music on a large scale. These resources open the doors to much younger and upcoming artists, making it easier to share their talent with a larger audience with very limited resources. Platforms like the ever-popular TikTok and YouTube Shorts thrive on public engagement which encourages exploration and the building of a global fanbase. This Sprout Social article explores how to optimize your social media profiles to build a strong and growing following.
Beyond the Vinyl: Redefining Success in the Digital Metrics Era
In the digital age, success is no longer solely defined by traditional metrics like record sales. Online streaming platforms, such as YouTube and Apple Music, have democratized the music industry, providing independent artists with unprecedented visibility. Today, artists are embracing change, diversifying revenue streams through virtual concerts, and leveraging data analytics to understand and engage their audience better. This Apple Music for Artists article explores how musicians can navigate this detailed data, highlighting information about the number of plays, average daily listeners, purchases, Shazams, milestones, and video views.
The Technological Arsenal
To stay ahead in the music production game, artists are investing in sophisticated hardware setups, from high-end audio interfaces to advanced MIDI controllers. In addition, many musicians are moving into the audio engineering and music technology sectors, purchasing their own recording devices and building home studios. On the software front, the digital era has birthed a plethora of digital audio workstations (DAWs) and plugins. Musicians are delving into a virtual realm of possibilities, sculpting their sonic landscapes with software that ranges from industry standards to avant-garde experimental tools. As mentioned previously, this is an investment. All of this is in addition to the tens of thousands of dollars in musical instruments and years of collegiate education (in most cases).
Conclusion
In today’s society, musicians are not just performers but digital architects sculpting their careers. Social media and the internet have redefined success, turning the spotlight towards adaptability and innovation. As we witness this transformative time, it's clear that the ability to navigate the digital landscape is as crucial as mastering any musical instrument.
