5 Music Industry Things I’m Grateful For This Thanksgiving (and 5 I’d Rather Leave on the Table)

by Cari Cole

 

5 Music Industry Things I’m Grateful For This Thanksgiving (and 5 I’d Rather Leave on the Table)


1. Adele

If you’re like me, you’ve been listening on loop to Adele’s new record, 25 over the past 6 days. I’m so grateful that such a gifted and vulnerable artist such as herself managed to break through the industry maze to us. May she inspire many others to come forward with their truths and transparency and stop trying to please the industry. I dare you!

 

2. Independent Music

I’m grateful for independent artists who have the courage and determination to slog through the onslaught of potential poverty and failure to follow their vision. Without this independent spirit, dreams die in infancy. I plan on being a force in independent music as long as I am breathing. May no artist go undiscovered.

 

3. CCVM Artist Community: Music is a Community Not a Competition

I am incredibly grateful for the incredible artists in our CCVM Artist Community. And I am so very proud of the generous professional natures and the “artists helping artists” attitude that has sprung forth. It brings a tear to my eye to see it manifesting before me ;). Why should music be a competition, when it can be a community. There are over 7 billion people on the planet, there’s enough room for every artist to find their tribe. This has been a lifetime goal of mine to bring this kind of professional camaraderie to the music industry and it brings tears to my eyes to see it manifesting ;).

 

4. Artist Friendly Companies

I am so grateful for our many industry collaborative partners and fellow comrades-in-arms whose similar mission makes a difference in the lives of artists without ripping them off. I praise you, I bless you, I am honored to be in your company. Keep on keeping on, it matters big time. If enough of us rise, we’ll reach a critical mass and the industry will stop controlling artists but inspire them to reach higher and raise the bar on recorded music, not continue to lower it.

 

5. Female Music Industry Professionals Rising (music producers, engineers, mentors etc.)

I am grateful for my music industry sisters who are on the rise! The music industry has long been ruled by men, and not that that’s a bad thing, it’s just us girls need more estrogen in the room. Primarily because it’s easier to honor our voices amongst each other, it helps us grow stronger. Hard to believe, but we are still second class citizens in the free world (I do NOT subscribe to this, but we still make less per hour than men and our opinions are considered less valid than a man’s…#timeforchange).I am also incredibly grateful for our new team of songwriters at Thirst For Life Publishing and the building out of our new publishing company ;). This too has been a dream for a long while and I can’t wait to share the catalog and artists with you in 2016!!


5 Music Industry Things I’d Rather Leave on the Table

 

1. Big Label Mentality

Well, one of the things I am glad to leave on the table is the big label mentality that says it’s okay to bully artists, get them to do their bidding, rip them off by taking all of their publishing and licensing and owning their masters forever and worse, controlling their artistic content by telling them what to write (as if they know what the public wants from their corporate view) and what a hit is, and how much they should weigh (on the scale… pathetic). Clearly Adele defies everything on the list. Keep scratching your heads guys.

 

2. Ripping Off Artists

Greed is ugly. Greed is so, well, yessssssterday. One thing that Millennials have brought to the table is their rights and a healthy sense of entitlement. While there are those out there that will always help themselves to more than they should, it’s tougher to fool an artist today. Hopefully the heartbreaking stories from the past (Sly, blues singers… ) will continue to fade as artists learn the business and walk with more worth in the world, less vulnerable to the vultures of the music biz.

 

3. Bullying and Sexual Harassment of Female Artists

This is a big one. Long overdue. As artists like Ke$ha (and Lady Gaga and way too many others…) fearlessly brave the waters and come out about the incessant and insidious bullying and sexual harassment of female artists (and the rise of female producers and engineers), I have great hopes to put this tragically hurtful and outrageous behavior to bed (no pun intended). A safe one.

 

4. The Popifying of Genres

Notice that some of our genres – like real R&B and real country, are disappearing into Pop? Pressured by commerce, are artists like Taylor Swift, Beyonce and others — and the big labels — pushing for the pop market and impacting diversity in music? This is not where I (or the public) wants to see music going. I vote to leave this one on the table.

 

5. The End of DIY

DIY was a great transitional bridge to bring independents into the marketplace. But, it is a misnomer that has misguided many artists out there and kept them from evolving. The truth is, no one does it themselves, you do it together. Being an independent means you build a team and work with others to grow your career. Glad to see this era ending, it’s held a lot of great artists back.

 

Here’s to a powerful year in independent music in 2016! HELL YES!

Share this post

Categories

Hi, I’m Cari Cole.

You’ve got talent, but you want to become great at it. You’re in the right place! My mission is to help you refine your unique artist vision to bring to the world.

About Cari Cole

Cari Cole is the CEO / Founder of caricole.com and CCVM: Label Without Walls. She is a Holistic Vocal Coach, Artist Development Expert, A&R Director, and Songwriter based in New York City helping artists for the past 38 years. She is a mentor for Women in Music and The Association of Independent Music Publishers.

Her latest venture, CCVM a label services company, provides artists with a seamless path from creation to completion. After 30+ years of observing the overwhelm and challenges that artists face, Cari pulled together the best top creative professionals and designed a new approach to supporting our artists.

Disclaimer:
The information provided on Cari Cole's website is informational only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on Cari Cole's website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Worried About Losing Your
Voice During a Performance?

In a few minutes you'll learn:

  • Where your voice rates on the vocal health scale
  • How to realign your voice and regain vocal health
  • How to stay healthy and vocally fit throughout your career

Get Your Free Vocal Health Quiz

A Gift from Holistic Vocal Coach, Cari Cole.

Assess your vocal health + get my proven techniques and holistic remedies to support your vocal health.

INSTANT ACCESS

FREE DAY TRIAL

FREE DAY TRIAL

... I’ll show you how to manifest your music and get on track to the career of your dreams.

Kickstart your craft + career with FREE access to my Step Up to the Spotlight Artist Development Program

30 Videos      30+ Worksheets      52 Week Artist Plan

INSTANT ACCESS

FREE DAY TRIAL

FREE DAY TRIAL

... I’ll show you how to manifest your music and get on track to the career of your dreams.

Kickstart your craft + career with FREE access to my Step Up to the Spotlight Artist Development Program

30 Videos      30+ Worksheets      52 Week Artist Plan

Announcing a brand new experience...

Cari Signature_White

Presents:

VOCAL PERFORMANCE CIRCLE

8 weeks to your best performance, ever.

Ease. Execution. Excellence.

Cari Cole Vocal Coach Signature

free vocal workshop

The Power of the
Singing Voice

Thursday, May 4th at 2:30pm ET
*Limited seats available

Held LIVE on

Untitled design (3)

WORLD VOICE DAY

SAVe up to

50% OFF

ENDS APRIL 17!

Love yourself with a special gift...

VALENTINE’S DAY

SAVE UP TO

30% Off

ENDS FEBRUARY 15!

CCVM
Monthly Musician

MEMBERSHIP

CCVM

VOCAL
EXERCISES

CCVM

PROGRAMS

with Cari Cole

CCVM

PRIVATE
SESSIONS

with Cari Cole

Cari Cole Vocal Coach Signature
Cari Signature_White

Black Friday

SAVE UP TO

50% OFF

ENDS NOVEMBER 28!

CCVM
Monthly Musician

MEMBERSHIP

CCVM

VOCAL
EXERCISES

CCVM

PROGRAMS

with Cari Cole

CCVM

PRIVATE
SESSIONS

with Cari Cole

Back by popular demand!

Cari Cole Presents:

VOCAL FREEDOM CIRCLE

20 minutes a day.
3 months.
Your best voice ever.

*Program starts February 7 - April 10, 2024

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions