The Stupidest Blog Post I Ever Wrote
August 23rd, 2010 by Lior Shamir“Quit your day job. Start a label.” has to be the stupidest blog post I ever published. And yet, it’s the second most visited post on this blog.
(For your information, “Katy Perry” is the most popular post on this blog but that’s just because Google picked up on the image tag so when Katy Perry fans (of which there are many) search for Kary Perry images, my blog shows up. There’s no value in it for me whatsoever. I’m confident that zero Katy Perry fans care about this blog.)
But with “Quit your day job. Start a label.“, there’s no fabricated traffic. It’s all real visitors searching for authoritative content which, to my disgrace, leads them to the worst post on this site.
How do you explain it?
August 24th, 2010 at 6:39 am
Hahahaha!!! That is a very funny post Lior!
I actually like it since it’s so frank & has a good deal of truth to it. I really don’t think it’s “Stupid” But I’ve been accused of liking stuff others say is stupid before… like the movie Wedding Crashers.
Bottom line is most musicians in my estimation would LOVE to quit their day jobs. SO, in a nut shell that’s why it’s so popular, the title. Keep doin you man. Musicians on every level of skill are desperate out here for answers insight and a little wisdom from vets who have been artistically AND finically successful. Thanks!
August 24th, 2010 at 8:27 am
I’m not being funny. What am I supposed to live on while I do this? I have done, years ago, the “living on the couch circuit” deal traveling around to any gig I could find, staying with people etc. It drove me nuts not having privacy (including, to write). I tried “doing music full time” and I ended up not being able to pay people back, not having money to eat, buy gas — is there some minimum amount one needs to “get started”? Do I store all my stuff and live on the street or try to find someone to stay with for free? What about my dog? I am very, very serious about these questions. I would love nothing more than to make music (on “my own label” is fine!!) I dream of nothing else. I know all that stuff about “leap and the net will appear,” I have leapt many times, no net showed up. I actually know people very well who have “made it.” Frankly they are great talents (I acknowledge) but they have also stuck it to people, done whatever they had to do to “get ahead” despite the cost to band members who had stuck it out (fired!) labels who had extended expense (stiffed) etc. Others (most in fact) had supportive spouses or significant others (or even parents) who helped with money, moral support, even management in some cases. I have none of these at the moment. Can I get ahead while not “using” and sticking it to them? Again I’m serious. I’m not bitter (!) I just can’t figure out how to make this work without taking advantage of other people. Do I need to feel more “worthy” or “entitled”? I believe in my work and my (musical) ability, and so do others who hear it (people say, “Why haven’t I heard of you”)? I do the usual social networks, request if it seems relevant but don’t “bomb” people with my own ads or promo, that seems rude (and feels rude when others do it to me). Thanks for your comments in response.
Lior Reply:
August 24th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
I think you answered your own question somewhere in there, Mandy.
August 24th, 2010 at 8:33 am
Maybe I misunderstood the question. I would say the reason most people visit this post is that they dream of doing just that, but (like me) (see previous comment) can’t figure out, logistically, how. I have a small house but need to pay taxes and a small mortgage on it; I have stuff from my parents (art, etc.) I’d rather not throw away; I have (as I say) a dog; other than that I don’t own anything physically except some books, poster art and guitars; my furniture is all from thrift shops or found at dumpsters, etc. I’m not materialistic but feel like I gotta live somewhere or at least, store my stuff. I’d love to know how to do this. Am I just fearful? I’ve tried having faith and “going ahead anyway” and landed on my face. Thanks, this forum is always interesting.