BEHIND THE MUSIC: Music industry Jobs

Hi lovely musicians, music lovers, journalists, and even those who love to be informed! As a singer and songwriter, I know exactly what it is like to have a passion for music but only know of a few ways to jump into it and make it a career. When it comes to music, we only see the performers and hear their work of art without knowing all that goes into creating something so special in the background. With that being said, I’ve decided to do a blog informing those of you reading on some of the jobs you can get into with a passion for music. I’ve also gone as far as including what education you may need to pursue them. However, in the music industry, the salary and education route can vary from time to time depending on your experience and ability to network with the industry but it guarantees you happiness if music is what you love. Here is my list of great careers in the music industry!

Music Producer

The first position in the music industry we will discuss is a Music Producer. As you know, all forms of songwriters have the biggest responsibility when it comes to the creative process of music. Music producers are the ones who are responsible for putting together an abundance of sound recordings to develop one body of work. They are the ones who create the content for the track and assist the artists with the project at hand. However, that's not all their job consists of. Many times people make the mistake of assuming that a music producer ONLY creates and is only responsible for staying in that one position of the musical process. However, producers can have the responsibility of handling several tasks such as engineering, mixing, and mastering. They can also be the ones creating the topline and lyrics for the track. No one is limited to just one thing when it comes to getting great music out. One ear can have a great ear for many things. Just as any other career, it takes hard work, dedication, and practicing to secure your spot in the game! It also takes getting out and getting to know others who enjoy doing what you love. You have to be open minded to meeting, collaborating, and working with others. If you are an introverted person you may find it a little more difficult to do so. However, this is how several people got their break in the industry. Believe it or not! For example,producer and songwriter, Nija Charles got her break after she met her now manager while engaging in studies at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music in New York. Wayno, who is an A&R, also got his break into the industry by helping out around a major label. His work ethnic was noticed and he was eventually promoted. This is your warning to use those connections!

Recording Engineer

A recording Engineer is the person in a session who operates recording equipment, sets it up, and makes sure everything is set to run smoothly. As a recording engineer you should know how every piece of equipment operates, what it is called, and how you and other musicians in the room can make it work to the best of your advantage. This is important if you want your session to end in a result of the best sound and the best quality. Equipment should be the least of your worries and no one should have to stress about why something is not working right or etc.

Anyone involved in the session can have the job of doing so and if you are a songwriter in the game, knowing how to set up equipment can put you 10 steps ahead of every other songwriter or artist in the game. This is important when it comes to securing your spot in the industry. “Every year someone new will step up to the plate to make a name for themselves so you will have to go hard every year to ensure that you still belong, “ said Young Guru. Young Guru is mixing industry for Jay Z and many other well-known artists in the industry. His statement can apply to all fields. Be mindful of this in everything you do. Don't let them forget your name!

Artist Manager

Many people are aware that artists have a manager, however, they are not very sure of what a manager's job is on a day to day basis as it pertains to an artist. The thing is...they have several! An artist manager's job is to shape an artist's career on a long term and day to day basis. They can also hold the responsibility of booking gigs, helping plan projects, and establish long term career goals. Collecting fees and payments from contracts and more are included in an artist manager's plans as well. Most music managers are known to receive a degree in music business to ensure that they are able to make the best decisions legally for their clients going forward.

Tour manager

Shows and performances are a huge part of an artist's branding and upcoming season in the industry. It's part of their fame when fans get the opportunity to see them be great live and right in front of their eyes. Anyone can captivate a fan through a recording but can they still connect with fans on a stage. Fans are always eager to see what their favorite artists are like in person. They are eager to see if they are able to deliver in the same way they heard via track. They also want to be captivated by their performance skills. A popular way for an artist to make money and for fans to witness their creative process live is for the artist to go on tour. However, touring isn't as easy as it sounds and there is a leader needed for every part of our lives. A tour manager is to make sure everything runs smoothly during the process. They arrange all travel plans and coordinate with venues that the artist will be performing at. They are also responsible for focusing on media interactions. Social media is another huge way for artists to connect with artists and it isn't always easy for artists to stay consistent on their socials while also preparing for major shows.

Booking agent

As mentioned before, artists managers are responsible for many things when it comes to an artist. One of them being to make sure that venue booking and contracts are taken care of. Booking Agents are meant to further carry out these responsibilities. They are to book everything an artist needs to continue to be successful and gain a full audience. They are to book concerts, gigs, tours, radio, TV performances, Dj’s and more. They are expected to develop an artist's career as it pertains to them having the best live performance experience possible!

Songwriter

A songwriter is responsible for developing strong lyrics and melodies for a track. They are expected to create catchy rhymes and rhythms to keep listeners engaged throughout the duration of the song. One of the main expectations of a songwriter is to keep in mind who they are creating for. What would the artist say? How does their daily life or brand relate to the feel of the song? How can I do my best to speak from the artist's perspective through my music? On the flip side, a songwriter can also be creating in their own space and not have an artist in mind while still having the idea of pitching the song to an artist. If a songwriter takes this route, it is up to them and those around them to decide who the song would best suit if they have no intent of performing it themselves. It is also the people in the industry such as A&R’s and labels' job to communicate on behalf of the artist and songwriter to make sure everyone is on the same page of the song getting pitched to the artist. However, this can vary if the songwriter has a direct relationship with the artist. With that being said, there must be a reference track or demo recorded for the singer to follow the flow of the song they will be performing. Now onto the part everyone loves: the money! Percentages and royalties are how songwriters are paid and that salary can vary each time you and other creatives step into a room together.

A&R

Ever wondered what A&R stands for and what people of this profession specialize in? A&R stands for Artist and Repertoire. This person in the industry is known to have an exceptional eye and listening ear for talent. Their job is to keep an eye out for the best talent they can get their hands on and scout new and upcoming artists. They must be able to scout out uncanny potential and also be able to connect the artists they obtain with other great individuals in the industry to give their career a boost. An A&R is the primary communicator between the artist and the label. When it comes to music, contracts and other legal tasks that may need to be taken care of are important as well. The A&R not only has to make sure their artist receives the best opportunities but they must also make sure that all of their legal tasks are taken care of and everything flows well with the artist's career. There are several ways to insure your spot in this field and silly enough there is no specific way to get into it. Many A&R’s have received their opportunities through networking which is a great strategy to have when working in the music industry. Networking can help you in just about every field in the industry you could imagine. Get out there and introduce yourself! Who are you and what do you specialize in?

Music franchise owner

A music franchise owner is the owner of an academy or school that works to help talented people perfect their musical talents. They can also be owners of a shop that provides or repairs instruments. Examples of these shops or academies would be School Of Rock, Guitar Center, or even Amro Music. Music franchise owners can make at least up to $60,000 a year and often obtain a bachelor's degree.

Music journalist

Although a Music Journalist is not directly part of the recording process or any other creative process of music, they play a huge part in the marketing of the music industry. A music journalist is the source that keeps the world in touch with new releases and even past and upcoming concerts or shows. They keep in touch through all outlets such as media broadcasts, social media, magazines, and online journals and blogs. As today’s innovations have changed, many journalists now must be proficient in many areas of media, not only writing. They must learn to work with and obtain experience in video and photography. People in this field typically have degrees in communications, marketing, and journalism.

Music photographer

A Music photographer's job is to capture images of an artist during shows and other special moments. They even sometimes appear in studio sessions with artists while they are working. They are responsible for creating iconic imagery of an artist which can also build the artist’s brand. Although most artists prefer their fans to pay attention solely to their art, fans love to see the person they are listening to. They become invested with the personal interests of the artists, their passion, and more. Photos allow artists to gain a greater fan base just from their appearance that goes along with their bomb creations and musical skill. With that being said, music photographers have the amazing job of further capturing an artist's brand.

Public relations specialist

A Public relation specialist is in charge of developing promotional campaign strategies. They must help attract fans of an artist and promote them to the public, media, and record companies. They are also expected to keep up with an artist's social media posts and suggest to them the best ways for them to promote themselves. Most public relation specialists have a degree in public relations, journalism, communications, English, or business.

Entertainment Lawyer

Entertainment lawyers are in place to ensure that musicians have all of their contracts and licenses signed and all ready to go. They are also responsible for taking care of any conflicts or disagreements that may arise during the process of handling contracts. If any legal conflicts arise between two people in the industry the entertainment lawyer must take on the role of being the communicator between the two. Most people in this field have a Master of Laws .

This concludes the music business series. I hope you were able to pick up great information to help you take your career to the next level and help you become a better you. If you found this blog helpful, stay tuned for the next part of my new series, ‘Behind the Music’