The Quickest Way To The Top I Know Of
April 10, 2021
The top artists in the world hire pros to get their music out there.
They do it because it works so incredibly well.
Problem is, they can afford to do it and you can’t, right?
Think again.
The bigger question is, should you even think of doing this in the first place as an indie musician?
In this short video, I explain why this might be the very next best thing you should do (no matter your budget).
I figured this out a little late in life, but it has made massive changes to what I do since.
Find out how it can work for you too.
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Hey! Give us a shout about anything really.
contact Sync Songwriter
Our goal is for you to start getting your music into TV & film.
This was a great reminder to stop wasting time and money and focus on your goals. Thanks Chris!
Cool!
Good advice Chris. Thanks.
Great to hear, Doug!
I sort of figured this out over this last year. I’ve been trying to handle every task of my music career, from playing all instruments, production, branding, graphic design.. everything. Mind you, with the current pandemic, some things you just can’t get around with certain business restrictions of in-person contact. But after many months of trying to do everything myself and getting totally stressed out, I have come to the conclusion that I need to start looking at bringing in other creative professionals and other service providers and hire out some of workload. The stress and time wasted just isn’t worth it. I would sooner spend the money and lessen some of the stress and make a far better, more professional music project. I started to realize that even the music artists that appear to be completely a solo artist often have many other people they collaborate with and teams of creatives that they work with to put out a final music project. It is no shame to admit that I need others to fill in the areas that I am not the most top skilled at. In fact, it will just make the music that much more polished when I will bring in other pros to bring things up a notch. Cheers, Chris!
Absolutely, Shayne. You are on the right track.
Nice! Yup. i can relate to this. My band and I hired a couple session players for some tunes recently. It was great. The players we hired, both had set ups at home so with a little zoom back and forth we got to a great result quickly. It’s hard to wear all the hats all the time. Thanks for the vid!
Cool!
Excellent advice! Thank you.
Carmelita Clark
You bet, Carmelita.
Great advice, Chris. Speaking of hiring pros, I’m so happy with the productions of my tunes from Sundown Sessions Studio, which far exceed what I could do on my own. I’m also fully signed up with a number of Bobby O’s books and courses, which are excellent. So much to learn, but I’m gradually getting better at recognizing my strengths and then finding the right pros to teach me or otherwise help me navigate through/offset my weaknesses. Thanks so much!
Excellent, George, and we aim to please at Sundown.
Hey Chris,It’s so interesting that you did this video because I am at that point right now. I have been in a very creative tie in my life and am writing new songs. I am not proficient with recording or mixing so I decided to have one of my songs produced by Sundown Sessions Studios. The way I look at it is that it is worth paying for the service and have my song ready to be pitched. I am looking forward to hearing the song after it is done and thinking this will be the way for me to go in the future. Thanks for all you do and for your video’s they are very helpful and inspiring.
It is great working with you, Joseph. Thank you for the kind words.
Thanks Chris I’ve learned a ton from Bobby Owsinski. He helped fill in a lot of questions and challenges with my mixing. I now have the confidence that I never had before and…I just got shortlisted for a new Zombie movie! They loved the four tracks I sent. I did not have this confidence or skillset until I took AOSP! Thanks for everything Chris. Oh and I love Catalina! My wife and I went there for our 15th wedding anniversary. F***ing Catalina Winemixer!
Amazing, Brent! Keep me in the loop if you get some of those songs placed.
Thanks for that Chris. I agree completely. I tend to hire professionals for everything except singing. I would never have imagined this would be possible for me so soon in my career, but it all flowed as a result of taking a college Songwriting and Performance Program last year and being introduced to some of the best players in Canada. Included in the Program was a production course with studio time with these top notch players/engineers/producers. We made my first single together and they did things that completely surprised me and blew my hair back. That song has since been played on a beloved internet radio show and the quality gives me confidence to apply for sync placements. That experience set the bar (and helped me believe that my songwriting is worth investing in) and it’s why I continue to find ways to invest in professionals (or my amazing classmates) when I’m creating new songs. I consider myself very lucky. PS – Now I’m also considering NOT doing my own accounting this year 🙂
Great to hear, Lisa!
Great reminder! I love hiring pros. It’s so good for getting out of my own head and allowing more room in the creative process. Seeing my music elevated higher than I could ever do myself is so gratifying! There are times in my past I couldn’t afford to hire pros and collaborated with others for free for fun, but nothing compares to having top notch help and being on the same page / timeline. It’s all a part of the journey, I guess. Love the beautiful scenery!
Very cool, Karen.
I totally agree. I had to let go of some of my pride to let this happen, personally. But it rings true, especially when I need a videographer. Hah.
Don’t forget that you are still the chef in the kitchen. 🙂
I felt like you were talking directly me!!!!! I was going to jump right into production but instead hired a great producer and musicians while I’m learning. I saved up for awhile for this. I pay what I can when I can and it is slow but so worth it! Thank you for the reminder about wasting time and mo etc. I k ow I could be doing so much more.
Hey we could all be doing better, but I think it is just important to know when we are doing the best we can.
Good advice. I still use a local studio and musicians on my creations. As I get older I’m starting to think about using other vocalists (I’ve always sang my own songs)
Thanks Chris.
You bet, Cynthia.
Hi Chris
Agreed. For me..it’s production, vocals and a contact (could be producer) to help me put the songs together as in arrangement collaboration. Sundown Sessions did just that with my first track with vocals/lyrics and I usually do instrumentals. Providing a reference track with a reference vocals(my controlled wail and invested in session vocalist) helped. I’m working on more (instrumentals) and I need to REALLY consider looking for the right…those who can. Always appreciate the nudges.
Great working with you Dennis, and am stoked to hear it is working for you!
This is the best advice I have heard since deciding to become a Singer SongWriter. Budget is low however I always can find a way to do the money for a Pro. My experience is in the business world. Decided to give music a try after many years in business. Not only is this great advice. I will do this and see where it takes me.
Great to hear!
Super resonate with this. I was learning mixing on my own tracks and became unwilling to sacrifice my tracks to my own learning. I hired a pro I met on Craigslist and what he did to the first track he mixed was exactly what I wanted and couldn’t achieve myself or in a less experienced mixer I was paying. I also switched from fake instruments to hiring real musicians (drummers, sax, cellist) and the results are incredible. I just realized I put $610 into the song I’m working on and thought "Am I crazy for doing this," but have to tell myself it’s an investment that has the potential to pay off…and if not, what better place to put my money than into my art… and to give it my best shot. Thanks for the wise words:)
Love it!
I totally agree Chris. Over the last few years I’ve hired a guitar instructor, a vocal coach, a professional songwriter and a producer, all to learn how to make my music the best that it can be. I’ve learned so much from these 4 people and through their teaching put together my first album. It is a song from that album that I will be pitching soon. So, yes, it definitely pays to hire the right people who can help you get to where you want to go. You may not get there overnight but if you keep at it you will.
Awesome! So great to hear Tracy.
Thanks Chris. It makes total sense.
Good to hear, Kathy!
Thanks Chris! Appreciate the info…"99 miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is a waiting for me… Beautiful in Avalon…we got to play at a gig in the Casino Ballroom in Avalon…years ago…great time! Enjoy…Brother
So cool!
think it was ’26 miles across the sea…oops!
Closer to that. 🙂
Hey, Chris. I TOTALLY relate, and have always hired pros.
Great to hear, Scott.
I agree with the sentiment of what you’re saying Chris – it really does make sense. Even though I can’t really afford it I have an accountant do my taxes because she finds money and savings that I had no idea were available.
But when it comes to producing your music I did find a problem with involving others – especially a singer. I came to the point where I really couldn’t be the singer for my material if I wanted to take it further, so I put together a band of some really talented people.
However pretty soon we did less and less of my material because the singer really didn’t like what wrote, and less and less of the material I wanted to do. And pretty soon we were going from a band doing original material to just being another ‘cover band.’
So back to the drawing board as I learned more about singing. Can’t say I’m great but that’s the way it goes.
The lesson from this is that if you can’t ‘hire people’ to be the band and keep control, then you have to make sure they are really, really behind you on your vision.
I thought that was what I had, but turned out to be a wasted year of my life.
Yes, so it just might be a case of trying to find another singer who is psyched about your stuff.
Good point Chris. After working a long time mixing my latest Spud Bucket EP my engineer was relieved when I said "let’s get some other ears on it for mastering" Tom T.
Nice!
yes
Great to hear!
Yes Chris!
I hired a vocalist for the song that I pitched to Chris M.
My instrumentation was sparse and I felt the vocal really needed to be strong.
I will be hiring out when needed again. (probably sooner than latter)
Thanks!!
👍
Yep u hit the nail in da head big time I’ve had the money n spent it on equipment month later realised I forgot a Sound-card cis I’m a rapper. So as u say I’ve got everything I need n when I comes to re-recording leave that to the professionals . Cos I know every track every albums I’ve got 4sure every track has to b re-vamped or Quantised or Lifted so u can hear every arrangement cos my voice is soft I’ve got like 100 styles that sounds the same fast or slow warm or manic . Just Versatility… I’m the new world rapper Veteran
Great to hear, LeShadow. Glad you thought that was valuable advice.
Hey Chris, makes total sense. I have been following you for 6 months or so, jumped on board the course this round, knowing full well I have no experience on the recording/engineering side. I have made several equipment purchases on your recommendation and plan on continue to pursue the path but based on my current ability I will likely need to reach out in order to have something acceptable for the pitch sessions. Am I able to correspond directly with you regarding the offer to make a decision on next steps? Professional, is what I need and I hope you can help. Love the course and the folks involved are incredibly awesome artists and people in general. Thanks Bill
Very cool to hear, Bill. Yes certainly reach out. Happy to talk to you if you need some help with your music at Sundown Sessions Studio.
Good advice. Who would you hire to get you music “out there”?
Myself. 🙂 That’s what we do in The Art Of The Song Pitch.
Thanks Chris, I’ve been at it for 7 years learned a lot but still
have never gotten a placement. I use a professional recording
engineer. Any thoughts?
Ed
I have a lot of thoughts, Edward. There are a lot of pieces that have to go together and you may be missing one or more of them. It is hard to comment on this without knowing more about your situation.
Chris,
I enjoyed your comments regarding production. It was exactly how I have felt and for the longest time I knew that would be the first step to get my music noticed. I am now very happy with a production company in Argentina and they have done about 20 of my songs that I have on EltonHendrix.com I guess my next step would be now to begin promoting them and that is where I will need direction. I have had so many offers at promoting I am just not sure which one is better at getting my music on the right sites and and when is the appropriate time to pull the trigger. Thanks , Elton Hendrix
The online promotion world can be tough. I have found getting music into TV & film reaches a much bigger audience much faster and you get paid for it. I’d highly suggest pursuing licensing your music.
Hi, This makes all kinds of sense. Right now I have gotten to a point where I am ready to start pitching some songs to other artists, but the presentation part is where I need a professional demo studio to record the songs so they sound their very best when someone else hears the songs for the first time – for the songs to make a great first impression! Thanks for the video, it it encouraging.
Great to hear, Kris!
Sorry my computer spell checked me… Kriz.
Thanks Chris, i’m just not sure who/where to turn. I think i’ve got some fairly good recordings but nothing has hit to this point. My music is through CD Baby and on about 40 media sites. Any ideas/people that you can recommend? Thanks, Bill
Just cutting and pasting my answer above here, Bill. It is the best way I know how to help indie musicians break through…. The way I help indie artists is to introduce them to music supervisors to get into TV & film. This is the quickest way to massive exposure and getting paid for your music. The Art Of The Song Pitch isn’t open for registration right now, but if you are interested, we’ll be sure to let you know.
My name is cherry Givens I’m an independent gospel artist. How can I get my songs promoted more. I have great music. I’m presently working on cd #6. You can go to cherry Givens music. My biggest dream is to be nominee for Gospel music stellar award and Grammy award. I feel like my songs 🎵 are good enough. My dad told me before he passed that the only difference between good and great is exposure. Can you help?
.
The way I help indie artists is to introduce them to music supervisors to get into TV & film. This is the quickest way to massive exposure and getting paid for your music. The Art Of The Song Pitch isn’t open for registration right now, but if you are interested, we’ll be sure to let you know.
Hi Chris.
I never met you b4, but right on time! I have been learning my new DAW over the last month, putting together my 1st full song on it, MAGIC. But realise there’s SO much to get to grips with mixing and mastering. It feels like a weight off my head! yes i WILL get someone great to help me with this. Thankyou so much for your words. And the calming waters around you! 🙂
Great to hear, Jaquelina. You are on the right track.
It is absolutely right. It’s about being focused and planning the path. It starts with Why you do it and whether you are willing to invest in yourself and your music the best way possible.
Stay safe.
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Thx Chris for the advice …. I did that with my song with SUNDOWNSESSION Studio and it really was suprised what it is possible within song regarding production as well under understand the process of working with a professional production house …. thank you so much for that great experience and production 🙂
Hey great to work on your great music. It was a pleasure.
Hi Chris this is the best advice you have ever given. It didn’t take me long to figure out what you’re saying is the absolute truth. I floundered for about a year before I did exactly what you are saying. Hired a wonderful producer Frank Ralls. We have been working hand in hand for about 15 years now and have had great success with my music. We have won many awards and my music is now playing world wide on Sires XM, Soundscapes and many New Age internet stations. I also took your course awhile back and it also helped me understand how the music industry works. Your a great teacher and I very glad you share your knowledge to help others, it’s a calling you have
Hope you the best in your future endeavors.
Bill Wren billwrenmusic.com
Yes, I remember you, Bill! Congrats on the airplay, that is really great to hear. Thanks for the kind words too.
Hi Chris. Thank you for the sound advice! Would you know of any sources or platforms to find good professionals (reliable, honest, integrous, skilled, etc.)? I was reassured of the "to be wise, walk with the wise" principle from a well-known successful financial advisor, who practices what he preaches, that purported to outsource your own inefficiencies/weaknesses to specialists. In searching primarily for a minimal team of co-audio engineer, visual artist, and (co-)marketer, I’ve become exasperated over the last several years looking for help, i.e. partnerships – hoping to establish long-term relationships so each party involved, built on trust, gets to know each other’s style, preference, work method, etc. Thus, the entire process becomes as mutually beneficial as possible for everyone. Any advice on this?
The best thing to do when looking for talent like that is to find out who worked on projects you really admire. If they are too expensive to work with, work your way down your list.
Hi Chris,
Thanks for those insightful suggestions on hiring professionals. I’m not too sure if one of the reasons my music has not been pitched for TV/Movies is not the quality of the mastering. I did get one comment from a radio station that mentioned that my music needs mastering to meet the requirement of being rotated on their radio station. My thoughts are, if it does not have the sound quality to be played in radio rotations, it does not meet the sound requirement to be placed in TV ads, commercials nor movies.
I suer would like to get your opinion on this, so I am posting a link to my music. I would gratefully appreciate it if you would return your opinion to my email address @ calvinallen450@yahoo.com.
My Youtube link is https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=brother+calvin+allen+send+him+now. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
Hi Calvin, you are right about that. Your music has to sound broadcast quality to get into TV & film. I suggest you find a good mastering engineer to do this for you. I unfortunately just don’t have time to listen to all the music that gets sent to me. I would trust what the radio station is telling you.
Good points. But two of my albums went through this:
1) An album with vocals. A professional (?) mastering facility mastered (?) it. I couldn’t hear any improvement on the album, but on one song which featured a slide guitar and vocals, was so compressed that the attack of the slide guitar sounded bad (overcompressed)!
2) the other one I left for mastering by a guy who earlier did a good job recording some tracks on my ex-band’s LP (this was in the 80’s). But I ended up having him only write the metadata onto my tracks. Each improvement he suggested sounded – in my ears – worse than the original!
So go figure!
Not all people who call themselves professionals are professionals. Sounds like you need to do some more due diligence to find someone who can get what you are looking for.
Addition: My ex-band’s last CD was mixed at the Finnish Broadcasting company’s studio and some tracks at home on my computer. Now I don’t have subwoofers, so I put tons of bass on the bass track (foolishly). The material then went to a professional (?) mastering facility, but no one there reacted to the crazily overdone bass, so when the CD was played on radio, the broadcast company’s broadcasting compressors reacted to the (inaudible) bass information, and so the record was hardly even played on radio (which used to happen with all our earlier records!).
So, again, go figure!
It sounds like you need to find someone else to work with, Stani.
I have worked with big named producers before, and they tried to mix my music and it was… well, to put it lightly: sad. OR I’ve had issues of love and desire, and work is not work anymore… SO watch out, even the pros are not pros at love or mixing either… <3 Be Solid. Make sure you are aware of who you are in process, because the process is not always "easy." This is Workkkkkkk, and it "feels" like it too. Chris, Yes! I agree…. :] I have taken this last six months to figure out who I am gonna work with for PR, besides AMWGroup. A lot of their campaigns are $1500 and up and that’s cheap! ;D And so what about the inbetween? SO just a last week, I found a wonderful team to work with for a more affordable option for promotion! And I’m Locked-in. Thankfully. It takes a while to find the "right" fit, if you will…. I am ReADY Chris! I have ALL the pieces to the pie in place, and always open, I took this entire 6 months, from start with your class to prepare… And Glad I did. The answers do not come easy. And when they do come, it should "fit" the picture of the goal and music and on and on with detail… Yes, you know. :] There is a lot of moving parts to this… And it takes your mind in it all.
Yes it sounds like you just had to find the right people out there. Great to hear!
I’m releasing a new album this year. As a 20-year road warrior I’ve made friends with some of the the greatest working musicians in the business. I asked them to help me create my album. What they did was to help elevate my project. For instance, the original Stacy Jaxx from Broadway’s Rock of Ages contributed to backing vocals on some tracks, haha. I’ve got Nashville talents, I’ve got LA session guys, and best yet, I went back to the bars and clubs of Chicago where I cut my teeth, asking a few of my golden gods to record with me. They said yes! The result has exceeded my own expectations and should also that of the listener. Can’t wait to release! One more song to finish. Hi Chris! I’m trying to keep up baby but life is full of challenges! I look forward to connecting fully with this class by the time of it’s zenith 🙂
Really cool, Steve!
Thank you very much for that message. I really needed to hear it! So far i feel blessed with my production partner and he has absolutely helped me to take my music to the pro level. It costs but it’s worth it and it left me a lot more time and space to write and compose my songs authentically. I do also have a few bad experiences with others that i hired before especially when it comes to making music videos. I guess it’s just to keep searching for the right people while learning to do the stuff yourself as you said.
Exactly! Don’t settle until you find the right person. Great point about having so much more time to write music.
I totally agree, you cant do it all and besides music is intended to be a made by a group of people because you connect at a deep level and great things happen in the room. When you have someone great on your team, you become great and also you can focus on 1 task at a time instead of having to think about every single detail which in the end is exhausting.
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Thanks Chris, it is always a blessing and a pleasure to receive these tips from you, sometimes, especially this one; I feel you had me in mind when you cut it. Once again, gratitude for your time and respect for your knowledge and willingness to help others.
Great to hear, Terry!
should you be travelling with Covid 19 regs or are you exempt? Having had it myself and been in hospital it irks one intensely to see deniers around. Presumably you’ve had your vaccinations and if so sorry to moan. Our band has lost many gigs in the last year like many others and times are hard money wise. Just a thought Chris…..stay safe!
Fair enough, David, but sailing on a sailboat and walking around outside is pretty much about as socially distanced as you can get. Secondly, I already got it. Sorry to hear it was harder on you and great to hear you are ok.
Your reaffirming what i know but also what i need to hear Chris. Wasting money when i should be focused on the tasks at hand but im getting better at it. If your not good at certain things such as "Beats" then hire someone to do it. Absolutely. That definately resonated with me but i think its because i always hated programming drums but i think having a good workflow is very important so it shouldn`t be overlooked. Im more a songwriter than an engineer but its the small steps that lead to greater things.
Great advice once again. Thanks 🙂
I think that makes perfect sense, Ray!
Excellent advice – I’ve had the same experience. If you can afford the pro, go for it – don’t try to do everything yourself. Recognize what you’re not the best at – don’t let your ego delay you. ‘DIY’ applies to doing only what you’re good at.
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Hi Chris. Always inspired to hear you talk and get to see the ocean. Nothing better then sunshine and salt water therapy :). Anyway your class has really inspired me to write. It’s like the flood gates of heaven have been pouring down. In the past 4 months I think I have written 150 new songs. So I am going to just keep at it and keep working toward this goal to get some sync placements. Thanks for the wisdom and for the opportunity! Much appreciated
Jim Vilandre
http://www.jimvilandre.com
Wow! Great to hear, Jim.