I'm a FAILED Artist/Musician, I'm Loving It.

[@deastman2]

I agree that the concept of being a failed artist is somewhat obsolete. You’re actually successful now, with an audience who follows your work and watches whatever you release! Also, being in your 40’s doesn’t mean that it’s too late. I’m in my 50’s now, it it took the pandemic for me and a couple of high school friends to finally get our act together. We started a band, and now we’ve released several albums, had our music played in countries all around the world, played some shows, opened for some personal heroes of mine, made some cool music videos, and we’re signed to a small label. I would never claim that we’ve “made it”, but we’re putting out the best music of our lives and slowly building an audience. So yeah, it’s never too late… just keep doing what you love to do, and share it with the world!

[@fluidynamic8214]

Nice

[@chriscopeman8820]

How’s this for failed? I’m 71, been playing music for over 60 years and even friends and family don’t want to hear what I play. And no one will play music with me? But I still do it. Too late for me to give it up now!

[@johnr9896]

How about collaboration with someone via internet ? I'm up to it ..

[@johnr9896]

Sound great ! Beauty is in the ears of the beholder !

[@Imetalman2000]

As a musician who got to do shows and open for some of My favorite bands, it was disappointing seeing how much these “successful musicians” were struggling. My small experience taught me one thing. The Artist always gets paid last. I still love doing music, but I ended up sticking with my day job and kept music as a hobbie. Your one of my favorite artist and glad to see you are able to find an audience.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Thanks for the support. It really means a lot !

[@rayguyon6563]

It was one of your videos that got me into all of this. Failure ? Not a bit of it. You remain my inspiration.

[@SabcatPrinting]

Another one in my feed. Years back, i knew some musicians who were all probably 100 times more skilled and knowledgable than me. They were in a band, they recorded. The deal Sony offered them… they stuck to their day jobs.

[@leogolive]

I just wish I had time to create. I work shift work, literally day and night. I’ve decided this year I’m done with it. I have no work life balance. No family time and damn sure no time for music. Don’t stop doing what you’re doing.

[@skroll71]

I have followed your journey for years. You are definitely not a failure - you are such an inspiration. (Yes, I get your point about the commercialism.) You actually inspired me to try things out I would never have dared, had I not seen your channel. Edit: typo

[@jh5131]

Good message man, as long as you're making what you like to make then you're all good. Price to gear ratio is nuts right now and the creative possibilities are endless. It's a good time to be alive

[@unclemick-synths]

It's nice to have fun making music and sharing it. There is a pretty active synth scene round here so we can gig. Yes it's mostly other synth nerds in the crowd but that doesn't matter.

[@Dilettanteworks]

Industrial isn't dead, it's just been zombified by real estate, finance, and tech bros. Your jams are actually about as good, if not better, than a lot of contemporary bands that get to tour & play the big festivals.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

@@Dilettanteworks Thank you man. That really means a lot.

[@MySynthDungeon]

Well said Todd! Full steam ahead! Cheers!;-)!!

[@DevourTheBleak]

Appreciate the insights, I’m over 40 as well and been feeling this lately (failed) but it’s irrelevant but I enjoy making music. Thanks for this video, new sub

[@markkilley2683]

Not everyone can make a career out of it. It's fine by me. It's not failure, if you create something.

[@jcchaconjr]

I've dabbled with Music for 40 years and have treated it more as a hobby than anything else... The key takeaway is, if it makes you happy, keep doing it. If you can make some money from it, even better. 🙂 Nice of KZbin to allow me to stumble upon a fellow Roland Aficionado... I've been eying that MC-707 - makes me wonder if the extra 4 tracks over my 101 are worth it.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Between the screen difference and track difference. Yes, the screen makes exploration of the synth engine a different ball game

[@jcchaconjr]

@ I was thinking about the tracks first, haha - but yes, quite a bit more real estate for more controls does make for less menu diving, as does the nicer display. 🙂

[@MoeShinola1]

I have soooo much gear now, all so cheap. Now to just find time for it...

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

We live in a crazy time for amazing, cheap gear

[@mmypainting]

I subscribed to your channel because of the MicroKorg, but I'm a guitar player, ex Sarode player(?) and synth enthusiast. I failed my way to where I'm at.

[@nschul4]

Your setup here reminds me of when I put my new tascam porta-1 (when I first got it) on the couch in the living room and plugged my juno-106 (right next to it) and mic into it.

[@zakariyyamccullin1005]

Great insights.

[@sorex-vagrant]

The click bait for me was the "I'm Loving it" part and JDXA(?), not even finished the vid but its the inspiration i need to pull out my synth and just play it

[@pmumble76]

Fellow old rivethead producer here. Never stop creating. Love it. Subbed.

[@christianssonicspaces494]

I agree with you. Creativity is never a waste of time. Nowadays, even the smallest musical niche can be filled. Unfortunately, with the sheer volume of releases, it has become difficult to get discovered. For me, however, the most important thing is to use my limited skills and resources to express my creativity and create something lasting in my free time.

[@user-dv3dv2hy1x]

I was playing in bands in my youth, now many decades ago. I still live serounded by gear, rarely record. I'm a Zen musician. It's an extension of myself. Love and have fun with it.

[@user-dv3dv2hy1x]

I was playing in bands in my youth, now many decades ago. I still live serounded by gear, rarely record. I'm a Zen musician. It's an extension of myself. Love and have fun with it.

[@DecentralEyes]

I have a Korg Radias. We are not failures!

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

I want a Radius

[@brightsourcemedia]

Todd, I have been following you for a while, years, really..... this is a good and encouraging video for me, I too am a failed artist/musician.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Have a good weekend and thanks for the long term support.

[@alienzardsketter.9076]

I have never made a $1 with my art or music ,,and I dont expect to make a penny ,,I had video go viral and I deleted it ,..I dont care about doing show i cant ,,,and i enjoy art and music and doing what I do ,,it my reward....and seeing other people art and music ,,,,I Love very nice synths ...and playing them ,,,

[@InFamousProductions]

Well stated bro I have lots of friends that became so-called rock stars and it turned into a nightmare job

[@DJKickstarter]

Join the gang, but not failed, just your own style ;)

[@zacklur]

Great take--keep it up, Todd! You're an inspiration.

[@positronikiss]

What a gorgeous synth that is manggg

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Xa is a monster

[@christoroppolo8742]

Be who you really are . No one understands success at a personal level. That’s their problem.Your art music and channel are just as important as anyone else’s including the so called success stories. Never stop never give up your music rocks . The music biz is rigged just like the government.Your the real thing …someone who expects nothing but the rush we get from creating with synths is success in and of itself 👽✌️🐕

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Thanks man! Really means a lot. Thanks for the support and hope you have a amazing weekend.

[@Александр-й7б9и]

6:18 this channel the most viewed video in 2017 though. Views on KZbin dropped for all of us here. I ain't go with my speculations any further now. Thanks for uploads

[@MJanovicable]

You're a success, Todd! I love what you're doing, period.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Thank you so much for the support, I appreciate it!

[@MJanovicable]

@@toddsmithmusic3172 I'm buying your entire catalog on Bandcamp!

[@theedxqboi]

Bedroom music doing the bedroom boom!

[@aliciafranco5704]

If you keep producing, you're not failing❤

[@randydarklight]

Yeah me too.

[@procyonpulse]

Great advice.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Have a good weekend!

[@loucollinsZEN]

It's like there are only 5 doors open and there are thousands of musicians pulling straws it's that simple everyone is talented.

[@audiolego]

Hold up now. I have listened to the album The Great Division. Good sounds but I think if you add more faster tracks like Disembodied. I did go to EBM clubs and shows and ppl want to dance. Especially the ladies. Btw it's your first album. Age doesn't anymore, EBM is alive. Phase Fatale and Blush Response are awesome EBM artist today.

[@stewiegriff893]

Keep on be yourself play your own way very inspiring gentleman music now I'm motivated

[@davidrobbins8941]

Life is short, as long as you are enjoying yourself thats all that matters 😁. A guy who used to play bass for me gets mad at me for not playing out because he says my talents are going to waste. I write some great stuff 😁

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Facts my friend.

[@positronikiss]

I relate , tho in 24 years of making electronic tracks, ive never really "tried" to make it, but thats the epitome of failure i guess. Maybe one day! :)

[@lundsweden]

Todd, Mary Spender says she lost $20,000 or something on her latest tour- that means we "failed musos" are $20,000 ahead of a medium sized KZbin celebrity muso.

[@Napoleonwilson1973]

She can afford to though she makes much more through youtube probably a multi millionaire

[@lundsweden]

@Napoleonwilson1973 I think this girl born rich

[@sentokan]

How do you lile the MC707?

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Once you add keys it’s a great center piece to control other gear. Then you’ve got the internal sampling and synth sounds. I might snipe a second one used for 16 tracks.

[@sentokan]

@toddsmithmusic3172 is it greater than an Mpc One for sequencing external gear? Thnks!

[@SěmtêxČØŴv2.0]

Failed by some metrics, but passed by doing you ✌️

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Thanks bro. Thanks for the long term support

[@SěmtêxČØŴv2.0]

@ thanks for the tunes 👍

[@KeybardExplorer]

You're not failed. You've got 17k Subscribers here. You earn money through ads and your Patreon/Bandcamp/Superchat/likes etc. This video has 1400 views. I'm quite sure you THINK that you've failed but this is actually pretty good!

[@OneMorningSongs]

Nice point there, my man.

[@gru_day]

Failed. I sure am. In the matter of "success" there is none measurable one. Close to zero subscribers, no finished tracks (only jamms), one failed gig, not much time to play really and eons of consumed time to learn gear and money to buy n try. As I do not have to earn any money on it I could probably loose my time n money on anything else. Am I happy with it? When I play I have a lot of fun, but when im done and look at this from higher perspective - im not so sure.

[@DetroitMicroSound]

Lead Into Gold comes to mind, my man. ❤ Also, you have not failed so far. You are keeping Industrial music alive. A new era will begin. MAGA is imploding..... Make something of it, like CONSOLIDATED WOULD! ❤

[@ojmcbaggins]

weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee arent we all failed artist/musicians??

[@synkrotron]

word

[@oscarvanderburgh9915]

Nice take… But I actually think the way you do it, is the way a lot of Musician make it. “Failed” is very subjective

[@Sam_Utah]

Me too, all failure, all fun. cheers. sub.

[@Infamous-s6d]

I don't like the concept that oh your a failed music artist if you aren't famous, in reality learning music any of the arts is a hobby, its all a ride take what you can get on the way, you never famous till your dead and ask Da Vinchi

[@jjlacey1970]

i strongly disagree. are you saying people fail because they are not famous? thats disgusting m8. i personally consider my self a successful artist not because i am famous but because i am actually making music most days and loving it. most of the best modern music comes from people who are not famous. i have from day one always done my own thing for me. your getting there now so you have so much to learn in that case. the whole point is it should flow naturally from the soul. it seems you have to start at 0 now and use you to make music instead of the 'success' route. do you think people like aphex twin set out to be famous and successful in music? it came from the soul. that can touch millions without you even knowing about it.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

I actually stated I don’t think there is a thing as a failed artist at the very beginning. So yea .. Have a good day

[@Swel_Remarkable]

Is money succes to you? Attention? That's your problem then.. Everything was not locked.. That's just what you were told. If the music is good, you're good. Making music is easy but making music everyone wants to hear is not. You are just not good enough yet and kids these day's (yes I'm old) don't know how to get good at something by sweating a little.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Hmm, not really that stressed about it bro. Hope you have a solid weekend.

[@fatthor2476]

true true

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Focus on the good stuff my friend