Building A Team For the Indie Musician
Building a team for any indie musician is critical at any stage if an artist wants to grow.
You can only do so much alone, however if you want your talents to reach the stars and beyond–build your team will be the backbone of your success.
Below are three categories of what I think a team should be composed of. It’s based off my own perspective and experience of things I’ve had to do too make sure I have synergy in anything I do regarding music and business.
Your Core Team
These are the primary people you work with, your bottom line. The core team will comprise of your accountants, publisher, agents, A&R’s, manager, main co-writes and collaborators, and etc. These are the people that you depend on and that depend on you directly to make things happen.
For example, a person like Britney Spears has all of those things plus more. Without any of those people she couldn’t have been where she is. You might not need a team as big as she does, however make sure that you have established your core with the people you need.
The Backup
You should always have back ups. In the music business people won’t show up, tell lies, suddenly quit and go on a life pursuit, move, and etc.
I remember a few months back, I had scheduled a session with this producer, signed paperwork and paid him. When it was time to work, he told me was in Texas working on some stuff for Warner Chappell.
Luckily, I know a lot of people in Miami, I made a few phone calls and I was back in business within thirty minutes (he gave me back my money without problem)!
You have to be ready for curve balls. Working in a business with lots of ego, you’re going come across some unexpected and weird things. My advice, network with as many people and those names to call up upon.
Advisors and mentors
Unless they have worked and have real experience in the music business, be careful of taking advice from people who have never worked in it. Instead, find somebody who has, but also accomplished way more than you. From my experience someone who has greater experience, likes and is willing to guide you, can shorten your learning curve but also keep you from making mistakes.
Tip: Not everybody has the willing to give you free advice or mentor you, however there are plenty out there who will embrace you with open arms. Sometimes, it’s as simple as sending an email and asking them directly.
I sent someone an Instagram message a few week back, and he surely took my proposal on. There will be assholes, you might get no responses, but there’s lots of people who be more than open to do this for you.
