Is The Music Business Over Saturated?

1/5/2017

Today I have a really short post. I’m slammed this week. Between working on my new course, scheduling and making calls for my latest 180 Day Music Licensing Challenge, interviewing people for my podcast, editing my podcasts, rehearsing for shows, making youtube videos, pitching artists and working on my own recording project, I barely have time to come up for air.

But there’s a topic that’s been on my mind and I want to give you something to think about…

Something I’ve been hearing a lot of lately, in one form or another, is that the music business is over saturated. I’ve heard this same idea expressed to me by a few different musicians I’ve worked with this week alone. It got me thinking... Shit, is there simply too much music out there? It sure seems like that sometimes. Could it be that the reason so many musicians don’t go further is because there’s just too many of us reaching for the same goals?

It’s kind of a depressing thought. The idea that there’s just too much music and that even though we’re all writing amazing, earth shattering, ground breaking music, some of it will inevitably get lost in the shuffle.

But. Is it true? We can all agree that the market is flooded with a lot of music. There's definitely a lot of music being made. But what I want you to consider is how much of it is really good. How much of it is great? How much of it is amazing?

There’s no shortage of music. That’s for sure. But really. Let’s be honest. Most of it isn’t AMAZING. Most of it isn’t even great. Some of it is, but it’s a small percentage. A lot of the music that’s out there is pretty mediocre and average. Most of it probably falls in this category in my opinion.

What’s my point? The point is that although there's a lot of music, there’s no surplus of great music. Great art, whether it’s music, film, visual art or poetry (ok maybe not poetry), but great art will find an audience. It might take a few years, but if it’s truly great, people will take notice.

Yes, we have new challenges in this era, compared to previous eras, but was it ever really easy? Before perhaps there was less competition but it was hard and more expensive to record and distribute music. Now it’s easier than ever to record and distribute music, but perhaps harder than ever to monetize. It’s always been hard! There has always been challenges.

In a weird way, the challenge and struggle is half the fun. It forces you to pursue it for the right reasons. How much do you really love music? Are you really in this for pure reasons? Pursue music for a few years and you’ll figure it out.

As we enter 2017, I’m incredidbly optimistic and excited about this year. I'm more excited about my own music and music in general than I have been in a really long time. I plan to push things further this year, both with my own music and the work I’m doing with my website and podcast. I’m creating a lot of new content this year and I’m excited to bring it to you.

One of the new things I’m doing this year is adding a new segment to my podcast where I’ll be featuring other great artists and promoting their music. If you’d like to be considered to be featured on my podcast, send me a link to your music below.

I’m looking for great, innovative, original music filled with passion and soul. I know it’s out there.

11 Comments

Rorie link

1/6/2017 09:25:59 am

I really agree with that perspective -- that though there is a big saturation of people making music, and people who want to "make it" in music, there is a lower percentage of them who are truly making awesome music.

From my perspective though here's an even more reassuring thing: most of the people who want to "make it" in music aren't willing to work as hard as me, and also aren't as welling to learn from their mistakes and be flexible in their approach. Many people view making music as a lottery and give up when they don't get the mysterious Big Win. Personally, I may not have made an instant Big Win in my 20s, but I'm in it for the long haul.

Aaron Davison

1/6/2017 09:39:13 am

Exactly. There's a lot of people dabbling in music, but a pretty low percentage that are truly dedicated, hard working, ambitious, relentless and so on.

Andy Fediw link

1/23/2017 07:47:03 pm

The only tough part is when you go through the times when you feel like you're the only one who believes but if you don't.....who will.

Jonathan Fischer

1/6/2017 09:26:54 am

I found this post inspiring. Thank you.

1/6/2017 09:47:09 am

Awesome, glad to hear it!

Michael Clayton

1/6/2017 10:19:14 am

I have looking for any opportunities that presents its self but I am more focused on licensing placements for tech rock , smooth groove , work it out and ya ya instrumental compositions at https://SoundCloud.com/spidermic

Tom Lazarich link

1/6/2017 10:34:15 am

Making awesome music is only the beginning--and not the most important aspect, although it certainly helps. Marketing, production, computer/technology knowledge, music theory, and on and on, are all part of the equation.. But probably the most important of all is persistence. Having a thick skin, or a parent that's a doctor, (James Taylor) or producer, or studio musician (Paul Simon) also helps. (As for me, my Daddy was a fisherman. My Momma was a Fisherman's friend. No wait. That was Lincoln Duncan. But it's also close to true for me too.)

James Taylor and I were born the same day (Same year, and almost the same time.) I'm still working on a career in music. Which may, or may not mean that astrology plays a roll. I could write more, but I think I'll go take a nap.

1/6/2017 11:02:01 am

Maybe you should write a book. "The Astrological Guide To A Career In The Music Business". I think there's probably a market for that!

CherieO link

1/6/2017 11:04:30 am

Who sets the standards... the listener? To me, comparing music is like comparing desserts. They are all unique and great. I love apple pie the most, but it is not expensive, nor difficult to make, not gourmet.

When I was a kid, I listened to cheap am radio. I didn't need perfect sound quality and I could not afford it. The song, the charisma of the singer, the lyrics that connected to me personally, and the catchy riff were important. Today, I cannot afford to listen to every song on Youtube for lack of time.

If we left it to the experts, probably only opera, jazz and maybe a few geniuses like Prince, who played 72 instruments, danced up a storm and wrote 500 songs a year, would be considered. There would be no Rolling Stones. I love the Rolling Stones, but they never won any awards for decades, did they? Yet they are still around, going strong. Most everybody says the Beatles are the greatest rock band, but I rarely listened to them. The Rolling Stones were much higher on my list.

It is all so very subjective, personal and mixed with the nostalgia of our youth. If we were born long ago, maybe Mozart would be our superhero.

Tryezz link

1/8/2017 02:17:42 am

While there is a lot of music out there, I believe functionality plays a role as well. Depending on the function that the music serves in a given situation/environment, there is always a tune that will be needed. But, with that being said, there is no shortcut for effort, passion, and hard work. Much thanks for the post.

Bless up.
Stay cool.

Jason Gonzalez

8/20/2017 08:31:30 am

The problem is that every musician putting their music out ALL think they're music is "GREAT", and therein lies the rub. The herd needs to be thinned, and without a gatekeeper, this problem will continue to grow and implode the industry.

Is The Music Business Over Saturated?

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