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A review by fipah
How to Make It in the New Music Business: Practical Tips on Building a Loyal Following and Making a Living as a Musician by Ari Herstand
3.0
3 stars = I liked it, do read this if you're a country/rock/pop-rock US-based touring musician or a band or if you already are playing venues
However, if you're a solo act not playing venues yet, not from the US, there is not that much to benefit from here. The best advice is given on:
- how to play venues and organise everything
- how to pick a manager
- how to network
- how to organise your band
- how to press releases, promos, buzz, music blogs
- how LA music scene works and how to make it work for you
However, most of the information is nothing new, nothing surprising, though you will definitely get practical info – even with email examples. This really is helpful when you're learning how to pitch and promote your music. I was disappointed that the royalties section was very basic. Again, the focus of this book is the practicalities of actually playing venues, working well as a band/business (organising Google spreadsheets) and pitching music blogs and writers. It is not rocket science, though you will sure benefit from someone actually showing you in layman's terms how to organise your musical journey.
It is not bad, however, to me it still feels very PDF-ish. You know the feeling. Everyone today has their own PDF e-book. This has that vibe. Also, the author's underlying experience comes from a rock/pop-rock/jazz/country-ish background (my oversimplification, read: not EDM, not Bjork, not classical), he is very knowledgable there.
He also is a bit wiser (i.e. not in his twenties) and you can... feel it. Nothing against the author, it just does not work for me. The vibe is a bit dated, I can't help it, the advice feels like as if your dad wrote a book for teens about being a teen while not being a teen himself. Gosh, this is so hard to phrase. It just feels... safe. Nostalgic. Older. Like as if he studied what works but there still is his dated background and foundation that no longer can keep up with all that the present can offer?
Don't get me wrong, Ari sure offers up-to-date advice. But the book is basically a handbook for a band from the 90's or early 2000's who suddenly appeared in 2020 and have to learn how to tour, pitch their work, learn about handy music websites and 101 organise their band business structure. Like a handbook from someone who writes about how things are now, while being one tiny step behind. It lacks that innovation aspect. It has that nostalgia feelings of how music was played back in the days. As such, it also serves well a demographic trying to stay in that era while still utilising today's perks like the internet.
Maybe this simplification will help: this book is for those who want to go on a tour with their band and gain traction, find their rock/pop-rock/jazz/country fans. This is not a book for musicians in the vein of Arca, Bjork, Sophie, PC Music etc. (probably because the innovators do not need to read books about how to make a living as musicians).
Just my feelings, again, this will be helpful if you're a touring US-based band 100%.
However, if you're a solo act not playing venues yet, not from the US, there is not that much to benefit from here. The best advice is given on:
- how to play venues and organise everything
- how to pick a manager
- how to network
- how to organise your band
- how to press releases, promos, buzz, music blogs
- how LA music scene works and how to make it work for you
However, most of the information is nothing new, nothing surprising, though you will definitely get practical info – even with email examples. This really is helpful when you're learning how to pitch and promote your music. I was disappointed that the royalties section was very basic. Again, the focus of this book is the practicalities of actually playing venues, working well as a band/business (organising Google spreadsheets) and pitching music blogs and writers. It is not rocket science, though you will sure benefit from someone actually showing you in layman's terms how to organise your musical journey.
It is not bad, however, to me it still feels very PDF-ish. You know the feeling. Everyone today has their own PDF e-book. This has that vibe. Also, the author's underlying experience comes from a rock/pop-rock/jazz/country-ish background (my oversimplification, read: not EDM, not Bjork, not classical), he is very knowledgable there.
He also is a bit wiser (i.e. not in his twenties) and you can... feel it. Nothing against the author, it just does not work for me. The vibe is a bit dated, I can't help it, the advice feels like as if your dad wrote a book for teens about being a teen while not being a teen himself. Gosh, this is so hard to phrase. It just feels... safe. Nostalgic. Older. Like as if he studied what works but there still is his dated background and foundation that no longer can keep up with all that the present can offer?
Don't get me wrong, Ari sure offers up-to-date advice. But the book is basically a handbook for a band from the 90's or early 2000's who suddenly appeared in 2020 and have to learn how to tour, pitch their work, learn about handy music websites and 101 organise their band business structure. Like a handbook from someone who writes about how things are now, while being one tiny step behind. It lacks that innovation aspect. It has that nostalgia feelings of how music was played back in the days. As such, it also serves well a demographic trying to stay in that era while still utilising today's perks like the internet.
Maybe this simplification will help: this book is for those who want to go on a tour with their band and gain traction, find their rock/pop-rock/jazz/country fans. This is not a book for musicians in the vein of Arca, Bjork, Sophie, PC Music etc. (probably because the innovators do not need to read books about how to make a living as musicians).
Just my feelings, again, this will be helpful if you're a touring US-based band 100%.