Stay True To Yourself

Ever since The Beatles were launched onto the world stage, the music industry has been obsessed with overnight success. The reality is, you have to work on building careers long-term. It's a lifelong process to become an artist with the stature and longevity. Eric Clapton is a classic example. Overnight success is a great way of destroying a band.


Instill a sense of pride in your band. Build some character within the band. Make them believe they are a great band and fans love their shows.  You have to instil the belief that if nobody comes to see you play, it's because they are not performing to their fullest potential. It's not the fault of the promoter, manager, record label and so forth.


Don't live the rock'n'roll lifestyle. It's a surefire way to end up on the scrapheap (or in rehab). It is, however, an easy 'trap' to fall into. There you are on stage waving your hands in one direction or screaming out one line from a chorus and instantly 20,000 people are mimicking you. From personal experience, this sort of reaction is a rush. Fortunately I didn't take the 'power' side of it at all seriously after the show was over.

If you have a manager and he tells you that a show was rubbish, take it on-board. It's his job to make these comments. He's not doing it to irritate you. He's doing it  because he knows how good you are. 


Receiving a professional and objective critique is all to often misinterpreted by some musicians/bands as a 'criticism.' To the musician who really cares about their career, these critiques give them a sense of value. If they're great, you tell them. If they suck, you tell them. Most bands will take it to heart. If it does't, then it's time for them to quit.


As a musician, conduct yourself in 'real-life' as you wish to be portrayed because you never know who that guy in the suit drinking coffee across from you may be.


Take responsibility for your actions, on-stage and off.