Common Myths About Indie Music
Ever wonder what some of the myths about Indie music are real or fake? Keep reading and find out.

One of the biggest problems in today’s world is misinformation. Way too many people fail for lack of the right information. As an upcoming indie artist, you’re not excluded. You have to be wary of fake news (in Donald Trump’s voice). The wrong information will set you on the wrong path and cost you plenty of time and effort, maybe even money, to correct.

In this article, I’ve compiled ten of the most common myths I’ve seen about indie music. These myths look simple, but so many artists have fallen prey. You won’t be one of them. Let’s do it…

All you need is one hit

Honestly, it’s baffling that people still think this way. With all the bright flames that have been put out in this music industry, you’d think upcoming artists would be more prepared for the pressure that comes after the first hit. Getting your first hit can be a long journey, but the real work begins afterward. One hit could be a fluke. What comes after the first hit is the true test of a great artist.

So congratulations on the first hit, but now your work has begun. You’re no longer a baby artist, you must prove that you belong at the top with consistency.

It's impossible to make it

When you decided to start your journey as an indie artist, I’m sure the news must’ve gotten different reactions. There are two very loud groups that you need to be wary of. Firstly, the naysayers. Some people just don’t see how you can succeed. The competition is too high. The industry is full of sharks. There’s no way you can make it.

Don’t listen to them. Success is possible and it’s within your reach. Don’t let anybody tell you you need a record deal to succeed. You can succeed on your terms. Now let’s talk about the second category.

It's easy to make it

While the naysayers whisper their prophecies of doom, the second group of people will be doing the opposite. I call them the optimists. They’ll tell you how easy it is to make it in the music industry. Just meet a few people at events and you’re on your way. Don’t fall for it.

Success in the music industry is not impossible but it’s no easy feat. You have to be prepared to go through it all. There will be good and bad days, but you can come out on top in the end. It’s no walk in the park, but you can do it.

Good music is enough

If your music is good enough, the attention will come. I’m sorry, but this is simply not true. The industry doesn’t work that way. Maybe it should, but that’s a different conversation. You have to work hard at putting your music out and spreading the word. Build your social media presence, run ads, and push your content. Market yourself shamelessly.

Good music is necessary, but it’s not enough. If you look well enough, you’ll realize that the biggest artists aren’t necessarily the most talented.

I don’t need social media

As my Christian mother would say, this is a lie from the pit of hell. As you make your good music, you need an audience to present it to. Long ago, you would’ve needed the record labels to help push your song, but today we have the internet. You need an audience so you need social media.

Master your music, but building a massive following on social media can shoot you to heights you’ve never imagined.

Social media is all I need

As important as social media is, don’t overestimate it. Some artists tap into the potential of social media and dismiss everything else. That’s a mistake you must avoid. Social media is great, but so are live shows. Real events where you meet people face to face are still the most effective way of building connections.

So don’t neglect live shows. Don’t neglect artist meetups. Don’t dismiss partnership deals. Don’t ignore the real world in a bid to establish yourself on social media.

Doing covers is unoriginal

If you want to introduce yourself to the music-loving people of the world by making covers of your favorite songs, some people will call you unoriginal. Some people will scream at you to write your own songs. When that happens, remember this. They’re not worth your sweat.

Making covers is a legitimate way to start making a name for yourself. We’re spoilt for examples of big artists who started by making covers. Pentatonix is a good example. They remade our favorite songs and we loved them for it, at least those of us who are sane.

Make your covers, my friend. It’s a good way to start.

I don’t need to learn about music business

Don’t set yourself up for failure, my friend. You absolutely have to know the fundamentals of business in the music industry. Learn what the terms mean. Understand how record deals and royalties work. Learn as much as you can about music business.

It’s good to have a lawyer or manager around, but if you’re completely clueless, you could be taken advantage of. Acquaint yourself with these things, and be your first manager.

I can do it on my own

Indie music is a community. When you start your journey, you have your friends and family around you. As you grow, you must deliberately surround yourself with people who are headed in the same direction as you. Don’t try to go it alone or you will fall along the way.

Indie artists/labels are the good guys

The popular narrative is that the big labels are the bad guys while the indie labels and artists are the good guys. That’s not true. It’s very possible to be taken advantage of by an indie label. You must remember that whatever the label they operate under, people are people. Some will be kind and helpful. Others will be a lot less so. Keep your wits about you at all times.

Final Thoughts

In your journey as an indie artist, avoiding the wrong information is as important as finding the right information. There are many other myths going around in the music industry that will derail you from your path if you allow them. I hope you find this helpful, and I hope you stay away from these myths.

Stay safe, my friend.