Great Music Isn't Enough... it never has been

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Correction to this video: I mentioned Running Up That Hill. It did indeed have commercial success when it came out - my point is that it had even more success because of Stranger Things today than it did originally did: was number 30 on billboard originally and number 3 in 2022

[@MrMikomi]

It made number three in her home country. The US didn't get it the first time around. That's fine, the US didn't get dance music for about three decades either.

[@HenryMittnacht]

Glad you corrected it 😉

[@MelanieMaguire]

It was a huge hit here in the UK (Kate Bush was a British artist).

[@Narumasano]

It's crazy cause I actually did a Remix of Stranger Things also. One of my favorite song!

[@DJPastaYaY]

The "I have to vs I get to" switch in mindset is key. "I have to" feels like a chore, a responsibility, and a task that needs to be done. "I get to" feels like an opportunity, something fun, a chance to do something great. Thanks for bringing that up!

[@edexymusic]

Hi Pasta, yeah that's true!

[@DJPastaYaY]

@@edexymusicVery! and hi!

[@josiaharteaga3270]

One major frustration many of us have is that in the early days of our career as an artist, we will need to have a "normal person job" to keep a roof over our head and food on the table. We dream of spending thousands of hours making great music PLUS strong visual content, crafting our brand, building our fan base, create a website, play shows, etc. etc., but we actually feel so physically/mentally/emotionally drained by what it takes to cover the basics that we are not creating from an authentic place of simply doing it "for the love of being creative". I am not saying it's impossible, but considering how it takes so long to build real success as an artist, I think it is only human to struggle with those doubts that make us ask ourselves "do I even really want this?" and "am I just doing this to be celebrated by people?" For me, when I was 17 I was ENAMORED with the thought of becoming a famous artist/producer. I'm 31 now, and even though I still love playing music and diving into Logic to see what I can create, I'm not nearly as attracted to the "artist life" as I used to be. I think it changed when I learned how a career in the industry can be just as challenging as a career outside the industry doing "something normal" (law, business, medicine, construction, retail, etc.) [sorry for the long comment, but dang, I think this talk caused me to type out my feelings and open up to the comments section like I would to a therapist. 😳]

[@BestMusicForGym]

First of all, if you need a therapist, go to a therapist not a comment section of a video. On the other hand, I think like you, become a famous artist is so so difficult (much more than a normal carreer, actualy study sound engineer is a good alternative way to go to the same goal). But, keeping in mind that I’m not a famous artist at all, I think that we lost the essence of making music in the hard and long way to the top, the “l’art pour l’art”. We lost passion just for try to make the song just impulse to the moon our carreer as musicians/producers/etc

[@OperculumAudio]

100% relate to this, ive been a paramedic for 14 years, kinda burned out, started going all in On music while also working as a paramedic.And just getting totally burned out with everything.And now I realize my best option is to just advance my medical career and becoming a nurse and do music as a serious hobby. That way I can get off these horrendous twenty four hour shifts, make more money, and do music

[@thorison.]

fully on point. complaining is the most counterproductive thing when the reality is that no-one owes anyone anything

[@freemara253]

15:00 that resonates so deeply. You have to care and not care at the same time. This is what has allowed me to push through the hard times in creating content.

[@fredw2016]

Even classical composers had to print and sell the sheet music to make a living, and/or convincing rich patrons to support them. Must have taken a lot of their time and effort.

[@awebeats]

I have been complaining and polluting my brain so bad these past couple of months that i don't like making music, but i don't want to quit at all. I need to stay strong and trust the process. I will make music that i will be proud of and everyone will be too.

[@jayneubauer3401]

I have been recording since the late 70's, and can tell you firsthand that it is SO much easier now than ever to get your music released (note I didn't say heard). Where you had to spend thousands, or tens of thousands to go into a recording studio, you can get free software that covers the gamut of tasks involved in recording, mixing and mastering! AND, there are so many outlets to distribute your content.

[@RJEnriquez]

Great video, the type of videos no one wants to see. Because they hurt, because it is true, because it is easier to complain and keep watching tutorials. Those who want to listen to what matters and put it in practice will thrive. Thanks for the video, I loved it and needed it.

[@GC-bk1mv]

I think it’s a both/and situation. Yes, marketing and all that social media stuff is very important, absolutely. However, if the song itself isn’t good, great marketing will not make a bad song good. It may get some buzz because of the novelty of it, but that’s where it ends. A great song + great marketing = a successful music career.

[@heartshinemusic]

In the past, many artists and bands didn't get a chance even if they were really good. Often a record label would tell them: "We already got (fill in a similar artist) in our roster." I have heard horror stories of bands that got signed and then their record got shelved because they posed a thread to an existing artist on a label. Business can be very evil. Artists have been trapped in impossible situations where they could not write or release new music for years. Back to today: I think it's a golden age for music makers now, you are less dependent on other companies. However, you need to understand some basic principles about making and releasing music and which parts are critical to invest in (like album artwork and other visual components.) But all investing and promoting is useless if your music isn't any good, so it's important to put time in your craft and your creative and musical expression. You really have to think about who you are, what you want to say and how to reach your audience. But the good news is: nobody is stopping you. The gatekeepers of old have mostly disappeared. You can have a studio on your computer with virtual equipment that would've cost millions in the 90s. You can record things at home now that was impossible (money wise) for musicians in the 80s. But you've got to work hard and keep going and keep growing. There are no magical shortcuts.

[@alex-howard-media]

This is a wake-up call! Thank you so much Nathan. It's frustrating to feel like there isn't enough time to do things, and the "I have to" mindset really gets me as I feel I should just be making good music. It's so much more than that! Plus, why wouldn't you want to get more bang for your musical buck? I hope I can apply the mindset you talked about. Thanks for sharing. P.S. for anyone interested, I make pop and film music and my tracks can be found on my channel! Might as well advertise myself as you've suggested haha

[@jawvees2585]

This is true , we live in sort of the best time to be an independent artist 🎉

[@iamrolexsir]

Nathan , The only Guy on Whole internet talking about the stuff and Realities that Matter. You are powerizing Mindset at it's best Bro.

[@mrisviz5887]

What a brilliant video from Nathan with an absolutely precise description of how it all happens in our mind! The passion he's talking with is showing how deep is his understanding of the main problem every creator in the world is stumbling across and how deep was his dive in this problem. Top value! We are a hostages of the cycle of our lazy mind. People tends to do less and to rest more. Even with an obsession about making music. The only way to win is to keep playing the game. Over and over. Even when you think you've lost all your lives. We need to build a particular mindset that will help us to achieve what we want. We are not able to achieve anything without a right builded mindset and without knowing the game rules.

[@FLH3official]

3:55 About Running Up That Hill: No, the song, and the whole album, was a big success in its time. Check the charts But maybe you can't remember 1985, Nathan, History doesn't begin with Stranger Things 😉

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Thanks for the correction - I should've confirmed this before including it. The point being that stranger things did skyrocket it to be even more successful than it was when it was out.

[@FLH3official]

@@NathanJamesLarsen😉 No worry, it was just a detail for us, elderly people! 😁

[@JeffyG]

Bang on! In fact, ‘the brand’ is MORE important than the music, but it depends on how you define success. If your goal is income, focus on the brand, NOT the music. This is where my marketing skills excel - certainly secondary to any talent as a musician or producer.

[@BatistaInvests]

The reality is that Great is not enough. It needs to be Phenomenal

[@FloodedWithGems]

like Ice Spice

[@TheSelkieSiren]

So true! I love to see it like a game too! Instead of competing with others, I compete against myself. So though I have such a piddly follower count or stream count compared to others, to me one more follower is exciting! Or when one of my songs hit over 40K streams, that blew my mind, even though to a professional, they would look at that number like “oh honey, that’s nothing…” LOL. It’s encouraging to know it took you 4 years to hit 1K followers on KZbin. You are doing an awesome job pumping out great content, so it’s cool to see that you (someone working hard and not just waiting for some amazing thing to just happen) went from a few years with less than 1K to now over 200K followers :). I recently had a baby so my goals have changed a bit, but as I get time, I’m still excited to create and share it in case one other person may enjoy listening to my music too. :)

[@WONDIIRZMUSIC]

I definitely agree Nathan! I feel like it’s always been “who you know” even if you’re a mediocre music producer. There are super skilled music producers but because they don’t know anyone in the industry, it may take them a long time to be discovered

[@ThisIsMarsMusic]

Fantastic content, Nathan. Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing your own struggles building your other channels / socials. It’s both comforting and inspiring. I’m really digging your new videos this year!

[@SnazzyBoxx]

No matter how good or bad the music these days being visually pleasing to look at helps with all the social media stuff.

[@andremack1580]

This video right here is very much needed. Because I strongly believe that there is still hope for the music industry in today’s time. Now I agree with the generations before me saying that the music back in their days was The Golden error for the music industry and that the music in today’s time could use a little bit of adjustment. But I heard that so many times that it’s to a point where I’m tired of hearing that. Because I listen to the music that came out around that time, and I always think about LIVING IN THE PAST. And that’s just not healthy for me as a human being that is trapped in today’s time. I do believe that there is still hope for the music industry today with making music that has a meaning to it. am aware that it was a lot harder to get your music heard back in the day. And it’s so much easier now. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t make music that has meaning to it and makes us feel good. I understand that this is a long rant, but I’m glad to see that somebody, that’s older than me, can make a video about good music never being enough. Thank you so much for your passionate videos. And I can tell you from a personal level that your passion from music is contagious and it’s encouraging me to make more music. And hopefully my music will fall in the good music category for everyone!!! 🖤🖤🖤

[@freemara253]

Can you make a video specifically about all the options of marketing/putting yourself out there as an artist. 16:17

[@kunalgurdekar]

First comment!!! Love your videos, you're my favorite content creator. I learned a lot from your videos. All i could say is thank you for such quality content, love your videos ❤ from india 🇮🇳❤

[@studiohermited7052]

AMEN, thousands just to get radio play. Sometimes it is what it is. Love what your doing here telling the truth.

[@tirané219]

I absolutely needed this pep talk👍 Literally just starting to release music on streaming services. Learning and doing the social media aspect has been a task for me, but this is an amazing way to look at this process. "I get to share my music with the world!"

[@FloodedWithGems]

I like what you cover here. After years off of all social media and coming back because I believe in my product. It's a tough situation but have to give it a try. And have to have patience...

[@AlexFedoruk-music]

I feel like you are one of the best music KZbin people! Thank you for the inspiration! Your music is super cool!!

[@MattLeFaitMusic]

Soo good!! I love your rants btw. You should have a dedicated playlists of your rants haha. I could listen all day!

[@martijndebonnet4325]

Thank you Nathan! This is exactly what I needed to hear. So, here's an honest thank you for kicking my butt 🙂

[@KeyOfGeebz]

The ABSOLUTE GOLD 11:33 - 12:22 - I still live in that space 45 years later as a composer - well said, Nathan!!!

[@kharjo7]

I love these ramble/rant videos. Solid advice mixed in as well

[@kadavr0s]

Great video, thanks! I wish you share your story of how you actually began to make money by doing music stuff, and how long it took to actually make music production your main job. Did you have a fulltime job before? Would you continue to make music to this day even if haven't started to pay your bills etc.

[@Narumasano]

So true! I made my best song yet (Vision of Africa) and I was sitting at 37 views and no engagement, then I paid to promote the video and in 2 days I got almost 3k views, 41 likes and much more engagement. It's like you have to be better at click baiting, promoting, money grabbing and overall have fake intentions, rather than create music for a passion, you're passion will quickly switch to money and views farming, rather than making music!

[@Ongaku101]

Short version. Most stock music artists do not promote stock music. Lofi, and other hip-hop and underground music is not heavily promoted. most music i find is just by spotify recommendation, or simple looking for music based on artists i like. Look up the artist Vanilla - Origin. No one has seen this guy, and he does not promote himself Sometimes this is true and sometimes it isn't. Stock music artists generally are not promoting stock music, and can make a living with a lot of work. Also, I listen to an artist name "Vanilla", has an album called "Origin". This guy has never been seen. He did an interview that can be found, where he talks about it, he is not really on social media, and he is making enough money simply by posting his music, and it being good enough music where people just want to listen to it. In fact a lot of low fi, and underground music artists are like this, and they are making a living. possibly they could be bigger with promotion, but not everything is about being the biggest possible, but instead having a sustainable career, able to afford what you need, and not have the extra stress of posing everything you are doing. Which leaves them with more time to focus on music.

[@ffrule2167]

I didn't know I needed this video until today. Thanks, man.

[@ashleynicolesoprano]

Spot on... I GET TO DO THIS!! 😃🔥👏

[@james_flanagan]

The “we get to” point is very good 🎉

[@3volvemusic]

This video is so dang refreshing, thanks for sharing your perspective!

[@elevan2760]

Great video mate. Thinking of it in terms of a game seems to really help me overcome myself in that I have crippling anxiety when it comes to the thought of releasing my music. I don't know why that is but playing the 'game' just seems to alleviate it.

[@kekesrevenge7059]

Thank you for solidifying my thoughts.

[@annamarikuvaja1335]

This is the most fun rant I’ve seen 😄 thanks Nathan! Also - this video is full fact!

[@gregjobes2329]

Love the mindset you have ... you're exactly right. :)

[@thecolorsideofthemoon3346]

Wow I really need this, thx man

[@KurtAckermann]

WORD!!! No one HAS TO DO THIS! If you rather work at a burger joint - you’re welcome!

[@CellarSpiderRae]

i needed a good perspective shift. thx ya nathan

[@johndevault]

Only a very few people will ever get to make a living doing their music. Doesn’t matter how good your music is or how much you promote it. Waiting get discovered rarely works but endless promotion is no guarantee either.

[@P-78official]

Hey, great info again. I used to think that music would do the trick on its own indeed. You know, the 'all it takes is one good song' attitude... I figured out pretty early it doesn't work that way, as you say. On the other hand I would love to do ghost productions for other artists, I don't want any focus on me as a person at all. Really not interested in that, making music is my happy place. (Please dont listen yet, im still learning this edm/synth style, I released 2 albums in metal but this I'm still pretty new at) How does one go about that then? If the goal is to just make music and try to get a somewhat income from it? I stumbled upon yhe ghostwriting notion not so long ago and that really resonates with me. I just don't know the way to it. So I figured, keep learning, keep developing, keep at being creative and challenge the standards, keep releasing and things will fall in place. Way too naive probably... Anyway, this vid really makes me reconsider things again haha. Thank you! 😊

[@blastdrome829]

This video is great!!!! I love how “self-improvement” esc this video is. Your only telling people what they need to hear

[@peterchamplin8767]

I appreciate your thoughts.

[@pattysmusic524]

My question is, how do I do all of this while also working a 9-5 so I can pay rent? I barely have time to create the music let alone create the content that is supposed to be advertising the music. I know this comment sounds like I'm complaing, but I'm wondering if you have any tips that speak to this dilemma. Seeing as you are a person who started out working a regular job, what things did you do to transition over? Might be a good vid idea.

[@PimentaJason]

Wake up at 5AM. Go to bed at 1AM. If you don’t have time you just have to make time to do what you love. You have to sacrifice sleep to exceed at any hobby you are passionate about. That’s how it’s done.

[@pattysmusic524]

@@PimentaJason That's called being unhealthy

[@KYLETISZAI]

​@@pattysmusic524when do you go to bed

[@pattysmusic524]

@@KYLETISZAI idk like 11

[@vibimsara]

This is so true. Thank you for this video❤🙏🏼

[@leramos3102]

Thank you for this Nathan. I just need to hear this truth.

[@FrancoDLF]

Sooooooo true. Nice video ! Hellow form Argentina !

[@chrismoser748]

Amen to that! Brilliant one Nathan!

[@synotsigh3841]

great video i needed to hear this these are some good jewels to be successful

[@SmilusMusic]

Great video my friend. Mindset is so important 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@StevenWoodMusic]

Excellent video bro. I agree on all points. Spot on. But, you got to give “real” country a chance. 😁

[@iwritethehooks]

Thanks for that wake up call

[@freemara253]

I keep going to hit the like button throughout the video and keep realizing I already hit it haha 🧡

[@DonLeighMusic]

Great video. Thanks for sharing and sparking motivation!

[@Ebow00]

Great vid. However, as for saying that it's easier than ever to distribute, it should be pointed out that most successful acts in the world still come from a few musical 'hubs': North America (US & Canada), UK (namely London) , some Latin American countries/territories (e.g., Columbia, Puerto Rico [the latter being an American territory anyway]) and the relatively new South Korea. Anyone else with a talent and a hunger for success is going to have to immigrate to any of them and start from the bottom. If Jacob Collier would have been growing up in Papua New Guinea rather than in London, I doubt we would have been blessed with his talent

[@godfreyassenga9958]

I don't have to, I GET to. 💎💎💎💎

[@JGoodEverglade]

Today's environment makes it easier to distribute and promote your music.

[@photographyguru2135]

Well said, my man... Well said!

[@prinsonmonthero]

Much needed 💯

[@jdcheetham]

people will be like "music was so great in the old days" then reel off a dozen guitarists that all played 12-bar blues as proof

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Facts. In doing so they also prove their musical narrow mindedness.

[@JonasDenolf]

Nice content man

[@JeffyG]

IF you release a good song and get 1,000 streams, you’re a BIG success. 🤓 20% of songs on Spotify have 2 or less streams. [I have a feeling some folks are using Spotify like cloud storage for their compositions ]

[@davebops2478]

Bravo! Great video.

[@MOSMASTERING]

Kate Bush was never a flop in the 80s in the UK.. ? Its just been rediscovered because kids dont know good old music unless theyre fed it directly. I have a playliat on spotify I made of the greatest songs I've ever heard... With a painfully low number of plays thats criminal. Ita such a shame. There has always been good music, toubjust have to look for it. Im a music aficionado audiophile that has always been obsessed with finding new stuff. Its mever been easier. If youre koen minded, you can find it! But, competing with artists with a ton of social media presence, paying for exposure and somehow gone viral is painful because its usually garbage.. good music has never been mainstream. People that care about music have to actively put in the time and effort to find it

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

I did clarify this in my pinned comment.

[@Lucidbedhead2]

Thank you 🙏

[@DaimonSHoover]

Inspiring video!

[@FrancescaBettiMusic]

I loved this video. You are right

[@Mirror_33]

Real talk

[@jheeg]

Awesome vid!

[@BitRobot]

If success is about making money, why would you go about making music? Great music has never been about "making" it. Commersialism has always strangled the artform. The game isn't about great music. It's about money. Don't comfuse real music with the soulless trash that's circling the top charts or commersialism.

[@suchitputhalat4796]

great vide Great video Sir !!!!!!!!!

[@Chamilawarna]

agree

[@rvnt5561]

ya'll remember when Post Malone posted White Iverson online and BOOM....shit went viral...gah damn.. luck s.o.b

[@Hadar360]

Facts 💯

[@tashiramusic]

Wow...

[@Mytro8533]

You don't even have to create great music to be successful these days! It helps but when you listen to the current top 20 in any genre, reality becomes obvious.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

Imagine if you actually made great music 👀

[@Cloven137]

It annoys me to no end when I hear things like "let the art speak for itself" (TO WHOM?!) or "just put it out there, man" (AGAIN, TO WHOM?!) You have a rock let's say. It's a damn fine rock, and when you throw it into the water it makes a huge ripple. OK Well guess what? Mr. Joe Self Important has a thousand pieces of shit that are way bigger than your fancy rock. Good luck, man...

[@MrMikomi]

Good video. You should consider a career as a motivational speaker. Ha.

[@XvblackmagicvX84]

Dang I gotta follow the game. 😭 But I dont want to talk to Diddy 😭🤣🤣 JK Jk.

[@TheMidnightBandit]

I don't have to like this video, I get to.

[@YoungShizzieGaming]

100000!

[@finnajane]

👍👍❤❤

[@BatistaInvests]

No? What about White Iverson?

[@drjtwoodrow]

One word: Luck. The whole way from genetics to upbringing to nepotism and to environmental constraints - all are rooted in chance, aka luck.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

What a horrible perspective.

[@drjtwoodrow]

@@NathanJamesLarsen Then I suppose reality is horrible too.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

This is basically the ultimate copout. "I bear no personal responsibility cause it's all just luck anyways"

[@drjtwoodrow]

@NathanJamesLarsen Someone's ability to create content may be severely unbalanced from their drive and determination, yet the exact opposite may exist where a person's ability to create is much deprived as compared to their ambition and mental demeanor. These are related to and derived by chance. This simple example illustrates how complex the nature of chance and luck really is. To say that we have an absolute choice in anything in life would qualify as delusional.

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

@@drjtwoodrow have fun living that life then ✌️ perspective matters and if you wanna live life believing everything can be boiled down to just random chance that's your choice. But that sounds pretty miserable. I've personally witnessed and seen people change their lives (including my own life) so I choose to live like my choices matter. But again - you do you.

[@Shivaoky]

Bro still great music comes first 😂..then other things.... people are now promoting shit music with good video's

[@UPLyftedTV]

Great Example Of The 80's If You Look At The Thrash Metal Scene. There Is A Reason Why Metallica Is The Number 1 Group You Think Of From That Genre In That Decade. For Real Lars Is Not The Best Drummer, James Is Not The Best Rhythm Guitarist Ever, and as far as bass and lead guitar they're great...but was they the best ever? By far very debatable. When Metallica first came out Kirk wasn't even a member of the band the original lead guitar player was Dave the later founder and singer/rhythm guitarist of Megadeth. If the original lineup never changed and Metallica never evolved or "Sold out"... Would they have been what they are today? Probably not.

[@zackmatthews235]

Wow I needed to hear this. No more excuses. 🫡

[@RUR70]

You're mistaken... you should make sone digging before You've recorded this statement: Running Up the Hill was a huge success back then... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_Up_That_Hill

[@NathanJamesLarsen]

I literally pinned a comment correcting this

[@RUR70]

@@NathanJamesLarsen Yup, I see, sorry then... Listened to this video at work and missed that comment, reacting fast to what You were saying ;)