MUSIC PRODUCERS. YOU NEED A WAKEUP CALL.

www.makethatlo...
• The Secret to Landing ...

[@atomicvinylreviews3420]

Wait. I have a career ? This is news to me lol...

[@nyrman]

Yes bro, a wakeup call to go to my job tomorrow morning. 😢 Edit: I was backlog brigade bro, i realeased 90 music videos in 1.5 years. 37k subs. Still got 500 tracks left.

[@AdamSliger]

Inspiring stuff

[@nyrman]

@@AdamSliger yeah, I'll sub bro, see you sometimes 🤘

[@thenathanstone]

brother how bout a video for us dorks who have never released and have no idea how to get in the business at all lol

[@morbidmanmusic]

Get a band camp page. Then sell it on social media.

[@johnviera3884]

@@morbidmanmusic Practice being efficient at creating and finishing songs. Then reach out and collaborate with as many artists as you can

[@AVDRE]

You posted this right after I slept all afternoon lmao

[@AdamSliger]

Literal wake up call

[@AnomieDomine]

6. Too tired to wake up

[@AlexSaheli]

I'm kind of good, 100 mixes done & I kind of like the sound at this point. One of them even brought me 10k $ so far. But I'm not entirely sure how to make it a business, so I enrolled into a course. Also got a burn out. 6 unfinished songs that I can't even sit myself down to finish.

[@LowSkyStudios]

I'm the revisionist. Been working on that album for... some time now. I believe in the songs 100%. Some of them are maybe just realy my taste, but a couple I think could have real mass appeal. I know these are good songs and that I am a good writer and an okay producer. I think I'm most afraid of releasing them and... crickets, which of course gets worse with every minute I'm not releasing. Great video as usual, I like how real you are.

[@puebloruizrecords8255]

release it. do not be afraid.

[@AdamSliger]

Everyone starts with crickets!!!! You got this

[@hannahsarradet2735]

You’re so good at the delivery with this type of stuff

[@AdamSliger]

Thank ya!!

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

I would love to see how far someone could go with no way to afford a distribution service of sorts, because this is talked about nowadays to the point of almost being a requirement. I've watched a few of those audio courses and they don't actually teach you anything but recipes of how to do stuff, which can be a bit useless especially if you're not gonna produce specific pieces of music.

[@AdamSliger]

Do you mean distribution, to get your music on streaming services? Or promotion?

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

@@AdamSliger Both.

[@DaxPegels]

I am all of them, but none of them. I want to make music, but not for business. I think i like it and I have some tracks from 10 years ago I finished. But nothing new has been done. I have been busy, work family life blabla. And then figured out I had ADHD so that needed dealing with and I wonder if my meds killed my creativity or if I just dont really like making music. I get so critical. I need to challenge myself in a not too difficult way but challenging enough. Got any tips for that?

[@GdpJapan]

I've been there, and I get what you're going through. I won't focus on the money side now because, whether you're aiming to make money from your music or not, the key issue is getting past the creative block, which is where you're stuck. You mentioned juggling work and family. Honestly, that’s already a lot to handle, especially with ADHD. It’s draining both mentally and physically, and it’s no surprise you're feeling exhausted. You likely just need to give yourself a break and start fresh, like how I always tell myself I’ll do the laundry tomorrow because I’m too tired today. But tomorrow turns to be the same over and over again. What you’re experiencing is totally normal for people with ADHD, and it’s okay to feel this way. Now, about the meds. Yes, they can affect creativity for some people. If you're on Strattera, it increases norepinephrine, which helps with attention and mood regulation, but it might also dampen your brain’s reward system. If your older tracks were driven by intense emotions, you might find it harder to tap into that creative spark now that you’re more stable. I mention Strattera because people often overlook how it might impact creative "flow." But the fact that you’re here thinking about this shows the creative urge is still there. If you're on stimulant medications, they boost dopamine and focus, which can be great for productivity, but I’ve found they sometimes take away spontaneity or emotional depth. It’s like they kill the wave before it happens. Hyperfocus can also be an issue, where you get stuck on one detail of a song and lose sight of the bigger picture. Every med has its pros and cons, and since you mentioned you have a job, you probably benefit from the focus and productivity they bring. But I totally understand the creative downside, which you described perfectly. If you're on Strattera, stopping it won’t bring immediate changes for it can take months to rebalance. With stimulants, there’s some flexibility. You can skip a dose if you’re doing something that requires more creativity, but that’s something to talk to your doctor about first. I’ve done it myself, but everyone’s situation is different, especially if you have other conditions like bipolar type 2 or narcolepsy that your meds are managing. As for challenging yourself in a balanced way, that’s a great insight. Self-awareness is key, and knowing you want a challenge without overwhelming yourself is a good place to start. There are tons of cliche tips out there that may or may not work for musicians like us, and it can be frustrating when they don't. But you're definitely not a failure for struggling with this. Talking to others with similar experiences helps a lot. Collaborating on projects, for example, worked wonders for me. It’s like having a “body double” who helps bring out the creativity that’s been blocked by meds or everyday obligations. What do you think? Do you feel like that might help? I took my time with this because it really resonates with me. I'm sure Adam will have great ideas and tips too.

[@DaxPegels]

@GdpJapan thanks man, that comment is really nice. I never really enjoyed body doubling. In fact, I feel I can only make music when I am alone. Which I never am, haha. I have been thinking about the meds but I think most likely for me is the fact that I really want to make GOOD music. Like it's a hobby that I MUST do and be good at. What i have been trying lately is actually learning music, not notes per se but sound design. Because I do enjoy the learning process. I am looking for stuff like a 30 day (but not necessarily every day) challenges. I don't know of it'll work tho. But I think stuff like "create a 20 second song with only a sound effect" to that end might help. But there is also the fear that It would frustrate me. And about meds. I take elvanse (vyvanse) and I talked to my doc about trying a "holiday" but I also kind of need them. Haha just so many decisions the whole time.

[@AdamSliger]

I’ll make a vid about this!!!

[@DaxPegels]

@@AdamSliger that's dope! Looking forward to it.

[@GdpJapan]

@@DaxPegels Thank you for your reply. I completely understand how you feel about working alone, especially when it comes to writing songs that are deeply personal. When you're expressing your own emotions, it makes sense to do it alone, as it's your own creative expression. Having someone else involved can feel like the song is being partially detached from you. I also prefer to write alone when I'm doing something personal, and I don’t recall ever writing something meaningful with anyone else present. What I was suggesting, though, is to mess around with producers or musicians you know, not necessarily to collaborate on personal projects, but more to break out of the creative block you're facing. Think of it as a way to push past that stuck feeling. Personally, I'm not a fan of body doubling, either. Maybe it helps for really tedious tasks, but I doubt anyone would want to sit next to me while I’m editing, especially when I’m tuning Japanese idols. My wife once offered to sit with me for support, but she lasted less than ten minutes! As for being alone, I spend most of the day that way. I have a high-end, soundproof, professional studio at home with suspended floors. I hired the top company in Japan to build it while our house was being constructed, to save on costs. It's my safe haven. However, my wife doesn't seem to understand that just because I'm at home doesn’t mean I’m not working. In fact, constant interruptions can completely throw off my focus. She works for an airline and isn’t home much, but when she is, and she gets her two days off, she’ll interrupt me for the smallest things. Today, I was really frustrated when she barged in to remind me about sending a letter to the tax office, something that could've easily waited. I wouldn’t interrupt her 30,000 feet in the air to ask where she left the keys, but somehow, people think that working in music means it's okay to interrupt you whenever they want. I can imagine the lack of alone time isn’t helping you either, and I’m sure you’ve tried finding a solution, but I get how hard that can be. Learning sound design is an excellent way to build momentum, and I think it's a fantastic idea, especially if you enjoy learning. Whether it's a hobby or a career, working with music is always about learning something new. ADHD often pushes us to obsess over learning things we're passionate about, and music fits that need perfectly. Medication also plays a big role in all of this, though it’s not the whole solution. It’s great that you’ve found what works for you. You mentioned wanting to make good music, and I’m certain you’re more than capable. Maybe you feel like you can’t write the way you used to, which is normal after life changes or a break from music. Setting the bar too high can be paralyzing, making you afraid to even start. If you don’t get the results you expect, frustration and self-doubt can creep in. Taking things one step at a time might help, and always remember that mistakes are an important part of the creative process. I can write countless songs for work without any emotional attachment, but when I had time to focus on personal projects after a break, I hit a creative wall. I set the bar so high that I ended up in creative paralysis. Nothing made sense… chords, melodies… everything felt wrong. Watching my peers create while I couldn’t write a single thing really hit hard. Eventually, that frustration even affected my professional work. After researching, I realized that medications were part of the problem. I also wondered if quitting alcohol, which I had done a year before, had somehow dulled my creativity. But in the end, quitting was the right choice: it wasn’t the problem. You mentioned taking Vyvanse. I’m on Strattera and Concerta, which I take simultaneously. It’s easy to experiment with Concerta because the effects kick in quickly, and once it wears off, you're back to normal. Strattera, though, is trickier, as it requires a slow taper over months to really evaluate its effects. Unfortunately, Vyvanse and other amphetamine-based stimulants are illegal in Japan once you turn 18, even though they’re prescribed to kids. If you test positive for any banned substance here, you face jail time, and if you're not a Japanese national, deportation and a lifetime ban are the consequences. If you’ve talked to your doctor about taking a break from Vyvanse, there’s probably a reason for it. Maybe you’re unsure whether it’s helping or causing more problems. We definitely need meds to function in many areas of life, work, family, and so on. There’s a lot to consider when it comes to balancing medication, creative output, and personal life. But remember, no one is forcing you to make a permanent decision. You can always change course if something isn’t working and return to what feels safe. ADHD is incredibly complex. The goal is to find the right combination of meds, work, and lifestyle that offers a good balance, but that’s easier said than done. It’s a constant struggle, but keep going. You’re doing your best to find what works for you.

[@lustra90]

i feel like im just not good enough. i've been producing music since late 2020 and can say that i've gained some attraction online. i have multiple songs with my beats on spotify with decent enough stream numbers. but for the last year or so, i haven't put out any quality music. dont get me wrong im still producing from time to time but none of them, and i mean it, none of them is satisfying enough for me. i have a 1tb hdd full of 4 bar loops and nothing else. i also moved away from making beats and now im more inclined to edm genres such as techno, garage, dnb. i wanted to create a 3 tracks ep for this winter but i dont think its going to happen. i just feel like im stuck and i will give up in foreseeable future man idk

[@LukeIcardMusic]

I used to be all of these at some points in my career, but i manned up and released about 120 songs. Now I have songs that could get placements, working in the right field. Sync licensing. I still go to local shows. I’m running doors for a local show next thursday

[@waynepayne864]

these are all natural phenomenon that happen to creative people. we fight it everyday. you can just tell people to stop but systematically, the worlds just going to produce people who consider themselves "serious" who will never sustainably overcome these habits. books like art vs fear and the war of art reflects on how to give YOURSELF a wake up call every day for the rest of your life.

[@1almostblue]

I’m not gnna lie all of these hit me hard

[@LarsVollaers]

I'm in The Backlog Brigade, I create and I post it online (personal website, soundcloud and even spotify) but never promote it or do the works to gain listeners. I also think I'm never good enough to share it with the world. (yet)

[@CFox.7]

Cant stand the connection collectors.. so sick of this society ruled by talentless schmoozers

[@AlcoholicAudioEngineer]

I once turned down a contract with UMG. I haven't had any interest in "the business" ever since.

[@UniKastRadio]

These days at a pro level there are 5 producers per track, it’s no wonder originality went out to w window.

[@michaelj.anderson1116]

I'm mostly a backlogger and a little of a revisionist.

[@robbiedozier2840]

The thing about these four groups is that they are all opposites

[@atomicvinylreviews3420]

I fit in the revisionist category. I've been working on the same album, on and off, for the last ten years... I've been trying my best to get it out this year though. It's under the band name "TOXIC BIRD", check it out if you're interested. It's no masterpiece but I'm quite proud of what I've released so far 😊

[@AdamSliger]

I’ll check it out

[@willwerly5600]

You’re in my head man get out!!! 😂 💯

[@ProducerJames91]

Backlog brigade producer number 2453 here....and I also sit on productions that I've just finished fully tracking because im not sure of what to do next because I get overwhelmed with creativity, and I play too many roles for too many other people, I guess......

[@AdamSliger]

I feel you on that

[@queentantrumofficial]

Ugh, I’m a Revisionist.

[@Phiredon]

For me, the right video, at the right time.

[@krryalln]

Woof, “connection collector” I have been made. The metaphorical shake has been felt. Definitely hurt to be honest, as I’m fully aware I’m this guy but first time I’ve heard it like this. Mostly just blind sided by the honesty I guess haha. With that said, the criticism is heard and the lesson is learned. Hoping to make a change and really start capitalizing with some work.

[@AdamSliger]

Respect🤘

[@trollingisasport]

Yeah wake me up!

[@ttixolo]

dude, add video chapters to each topic, it'll make the video watchtime go up a bunch!

[@AdamSliger]

I will one sec

[@morbidmanmusic]

which one are YOU? Where can we find your discography?

[@AdamSliger]

If you go to the about page on my site it’s all in there!!

[@coreyroberts47]

I’ve spent an entire week on a ten second loop of a single song Guess what I an

[@AdamSliger]

Thorough

[@coreyroberts47]

@@AdamSligerlolllll yup