So, you want to rock & roll all night and party every day? Every has dreams of being a rock star hidden somewhere in their brain. Add to that the rise of internet celebrities, and people with more obscure musical interests, like polka or revivalist gangsta rap, can also make it big in the world. The problem for a lot of people is that before you can get big, you have to start small. In order to build a house you need a foundation. The Nation's Journal is here to provide a guide on just how to do that.
1. Pick a Genre
Luckily, this is multiple choice. Modern music can't be exclusive to one vision. You need a crossover hit. Look at the current biggest songs on the radio. We have a funk number composed by French robots dominating pop culture. There's a current hit track that's a mix of electronic dance music and country twang. If you like a sound, go with it. If you like two, go with them. Don't go full Brian Williams, however, and try to match together way way too many sounds. You need a balance of too much and not enough. If you hit all the right notes, then all the music listeners will absolutely love you.
2. Have "Talent"
Having some sort of musical talent is needed. Thanks to modern technology, however, it's less necessary than ever before. Now you mostly just need a vision. Can't sing? You can either autotune yourself or go the punk route and scream/shout until everyone's on their feet with you. Can't play an instrument? Grab a computer. A synthesizer program can emulate almost any instrument for you, or you can go full 80s and just play wild synth tunes that could never come from anything natural. Just keep pounding random notes together until something catchy emerges.
3. Getting the Band Together
Assuming you either become successful or want to become successful, you're going to have to get on the road and perform at some point. Touring with your band isn't like the days of old. Wild parties and hotel destrution just aren't in vogue. What you need to keep yourself going on the road is a good group of people to travel with. Even solo acts have a manager, an agent, a caterer, and so on. Make sure everyone in your band is someone you can stand to travel with, practice with, live with, and share a bathroom with for weeks at a time. Talent only goes so far if the talented member sucks to be around.
4. Creating an Image
Don't combine band and bland. Your band has to have an edge about them. Something cool and relatable to the kids and the rich. Make sure to give yourself and your band mates flaws and archetypal characteristics in interviews and press releases. It was good enough for the Beatles, and it's good enough for you. Have a bad boy, a rebel, a sensitive guy, and so on. Maybe invent a tragic recovery story for yourself. You overcame a fear of music or high ticket prices. People love an underdog and backstage drama means you can sell your movie and biography rights for huge money later on.
5. Always Have a Backup Plan
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. That's common wisdom. If you have a band, even if it's all your own music, always keep a side project or two. If you're a rock group, have a bluegrass collective on the side. If you're a rapper, maybe consider a spoken word album. This way, if your popularity ever fades or a key member of your band decides to leave the life behind to become an accountant in Cleveland, you have an out. Many rock stars have proven that you can keep a career alive with just reputation and guest appearances alone. Keep your name on the top of the game, always.
6. Sell Out
Don't have artistic integrity. Sell out every chance you get. More money means more art later. Commodify yourself. Be the merchandise. Your retirement will thank you.
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