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A service from 'The Serious Writers Guild' at MAKEHITS.COM Written by Dec Cluskey with a little bit opf help from his friends.
This Email first mailed to all Members of 'The Serious Writers Guild' and
subscribers to 'One Minute With Dec' on 23.06.02
"Our radio plugger (Mike Irving) is currently out with Lewd’s first single, “Porno Star”. We are getting good reception to it and it looks likely to be playlisted at XFM"
Mark
Gordon
"One Minute With Dec"
"My Emails are written in good humour, and should be read with a smile"
I am always fascinated with other Music Sites as we are so proud that we offer genuine help, genuine ways forward to music guys seeking sell that latest bit of brilliant writing and production. I just love to help fellow music folk, in gaining recognition, success, earning that $fortune.
A new phenomenon is taking hold, in the UK, particularly. There are now sites who are saying that unemployed 18-30 year olds can now get artist development loans (no upfront fees!) and photoshoot, video, demo recording and first gigs advances from Government...[I will have info from the proper authorities during next week]
It would seem that the idea these sites have is for the unemployed guys to get a 'grant' from the Government, then hand it over to the college/web site/correspondence course. I would have to say that I would be suspicious of the 'knowledge' that you would get after handing over the 'dosh'. In my experience any music guys I have ever met who have done these sort of courses have gained no 'real' knowledge at all that will help them make a success of their music careers. One guy that my band employed, after a three year course, could not wire a plug! Unbelievable.
I have been approached this week by one such operation to let my 'How To Make A $Million From your Music' ten month program be available to one of their courses...do you think I should?
I am all in favour of guys 'learning their profession', but I am not sure about them getting it 'for free'. In my experience:
Anything you get for nothing is worth nothing.
For instance I had an Email from a medical student....just read this:
"Dear Dec,
I'm an Edinburgh based rapper known as M.C Bane. I honestly believe that I am quite talented, and although I've only done a few live shows, I've always had positive feedback.
Recently I've recorded some minidisks (live - using other people's instrumentals) and have handed them out 8 to independent record labels and 4 to other Edinburgh-based DJs and rappers. So far NONE have replied -and I'm starting to feel a little disheartened. I've since seen 2 of the DJs, and asked them what they thought - neither of them had bothered to listen to them yet. Another factor against me is that I don't have good equipment, and I'm using 'stolen' instrumentals. Also, as a 4th year medical student I have less and less free time.
Hip-hop being an acquired taste, coupled to the fact that most of the crews in and around Edinburgh are so tight and feel threatened by newcomers. I find them unwilling to listen to people they don't know, and I'm not prepared to kiss ass just for some half-arsed compliments. Although I've only been doing this for a couple of years, I feel like I've made no progress. I was wondering if you could give me some advice, particularly on entering some unsigned awards. I feel if I entered these, I would have a fairly good chance of getting some success, and more importantly, some publicity. I'll send a minidisk in to KlubKat - but do you know of any others ? I would really appreciate any help you could give me.
Cheers-
Sohom (BANE)."
My Reply:
Sohom...
Nice to hear from you...and your enthusiasm is going to be your greatest asset.
Sadly you are forgetting the most basic point in becoming a part of a highly skilled and highly prestigious profession: YOU HAVE TO STUDY.
You are in your 4th year at medical school...I would imagine you are attending lectures all day long and then revising all evening preparing for exams. Then you will spend years as a hospital junior and then maybe specialize. That specialty will take how many years to cover? Then how many years as junior consultant and, then, maybe in 10-18 years you could practice as a fully fledged fully qualified consultant....
Now look at what you have told me....
You have been tinkering with the music business for "two years with 'stolen' music all put onto mini-disc"....and you expect the industry to sit up and listen?
Would a patient allow you to perform a brain operation on them with your 4 years study? Answer: "certainly not!"
So, why should the music industry allow you to perform a record with your 2 years 'spare time' tinkering? Same thing really!
No Sohom, you have to learn your craft...three/four years minimum with a mentor like me....ten years minimum making all the mistakes that most amateurs make...and then either give up or moan that the business is 'fixed'.
Check out my web-site www.makehits.co.uk you will get more eye-opening help there than anywhere on the net or at music college...then I would suggest you seriously think about joining 'The Serious Writers Guild' at www.makehits.co.uk/swgapp.htm
Let me have your snail mail (postal) address and I will send you an info pack.
PS: no one will listen to a mini disc presentation...trust me!
================
My thoughts on that Email?
He is treating this unique Industry with the contempt that most of the public treats it. He assumes that this is a business you drift into in your spare time, just pop down to a local music store, buy a few cheap bits of kit, throw a few ideas together, meet the chairman of Sony by chance at the local pub and he will whisk you to instant stardom....if you can spare the afternoon off next Tuesday.
By the way, you don't have to study at all, you don't have to practice, you don't have to slave for hours, weeks months on end, you don't have to sweat your socks off analysing, learning, reasoning what successful, selling, Pop music is. Nope, you just have to sit back, dream a dream, meet the right guy and VOILE! you are a Superstar!
Nothing Could Be Further From The Truth.
Just like Mick Jagger studied at Primary School, then Grammar School, then University....then works his socks off studying the genre of music he knew he could have success at. Then Grafted like H*ll. Up and down the backroads of the UK in a broken down wagon playing all the sh*t holes to less than interested clubbers. Then mixing with the best around and nicking every good idea that came his way. Talk to Ry Cooder, hear his side of the 'Stones' story. Then a** licking everyone of importance to get an 'in'. Mick was more at home with a calculator and a date sheet than with a guitar...does that tell you something? He learned his business and learned it well.
So....
My guy in the Email...do you think he has the commitment that Mick had? That I had? By the way 'The Stones' played support to my band...yep!
To err is human, but to really f***
things up requires a computer.
Farmers' Almanac, 1978
Regards
Dec
"A man with a watch knows what time it is.
A man
with two watches is never sure."
Segal's Law
Tip of the week: In any kind of written communication, a letter, an Email, a flyer, poster, advertisement...make absolutely sure that you 'spellcheck' it to death. Nothing ruins credibility more than bad spelling and bad grammar. It's easy...it's usually as easy as clicking on 'tools' in the taskbar to access 'spellcheck'.
============================================
Gag of the Week: PRODUCT PACKAGING GEMS
ON SAINSBURY'S PEANUTS - Warning: contains nuts
ON AN AMERICAN AIRLINES PACKET OF NUTS - Instructions: open packet, eat nuts.
ON A SWEDISH CHAINSAW - Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands
ON A PACKET OF SUNMAID RAISINS - Why not try tossing over your favourite breakfast cereal
============================================
One Moment with Stuart Goldsmith
"Nothing is more important to the future of an idea than the first step you take to try it out."
www.medina.co.ukthe website of my good friend - Stuart Goldsmith
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Heard enough, want to apply to join 'The Serious Writers Guild' and receive the award winning ten month program: "How To Make A $Million From Your Music" now?
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This is not only a guarantee - it's a personal promise. There's no catch, and there's no risk - I personally take ALL the risk.
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When you sign up I'll tell you EXACTLY how to go about recommending this program to others and receiving your commissions - in fact, it's all a completely automatic process and I'll give you everything you need to get started!
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