What the Music Industry Really Sells | Erik Mehlsen | TEDxRPLCentralLibrary

[@thisbusinessofmusic1276]

Been in the music business full time, since 1972 when I started gigging. You make a lot of great points and there is a lot to consider in this talk. Forget what the scoffers and nay sayers post here. Theres always those that just dont "get" that this isnt really the music business, its the business of music. Its always been a business and nothing else. The marketing of a product to a demographic that will financially support it. Demographics shift. Times change. Marketing platforms change. Means of product production change. For example you can use a medium powered laptop and a $250 audio interface to set up a recording system capable of turning out top quality product from your bedroom. Look at Billie Ilish. Of course they went outside the house and hired a pro to mix and master the tracks but you can learn how to do that and set up a tuned acoustic environment in your home, for not a lot of cash. You can shoot a music video on an Iphone like lady Gaga did. YOU have access to that quality of tech right now and its dirt cheap compared to the cost of gear they used back in the 50s 60s and 70s and beyond. Most modern phones can shoot 4k video. You just need some imagination and hustle to make it happen. The difference between those that do and those that dont is that those that do, "do" whats necessary to be successful actually "DO" whatever it takes, and those that dont,... DONT do what the "doers" do. Theres a few videos put up by Fineas and Billie detailing the complete process of how they produced their CD. Just watch, take notes and learn. As the industry changes you have to take the approach that the US marines use to navigate the changing situation. "IMPROVISE, ADAPT AND OVERCOME. " Again, great Ted talk.

[@freddymack6518]

Sir, I don't know who you are, but i woke up this morning, taking that day off i wasn't feeling good got see a doctor or some. But i also realize my state was deeper than just physical. It was emotional, coming from my spirit. I felt a taste of dissatisfaction, Like Iam not doing what iam supposed to really get what i need to feel fulfilled. And crazy thing is it has to do with MUSIC. Imagine yourself being a lawyer at core but you are are everything else except for what your calling is. I learn a lot from this message you posted. I want to thank you because when you did wrote it you didn't know it could turn out to be an answer to someone who had questions. Thanks you a lot

[@girlsurfingtheinternet8195]

@@freddymack6518 doing music and being a star are to different things. a lot of people are actors/muscians, you just dont know of them.

[@juiceboyjordy]

Amazing comment coming back here when I’m #1 on billboard

[@SvintMvrcus]

Do you think 32 - 35 years is too old to start really putting effort into making it in the music industry?

[@akashita]

So I'm writing this post-pandemic, having seen so many people who are my contemporaries (and even newcomers) see great success doing home projects with their music, while I've been stuck in a creative rut since 2017. Honestly thought this break from routine life would be how I got my "music back" but it didn't happen. So I'm here, nearly at the end of 2021, and this sudden idea struck me just a few weeks ago -- Why don't I go back to playing music like I did when I was growing up? Obviously I didn't do it for the views or the money back then, it was just about expressing myself and hanging out with like-minded people. So I've been trying to play without recording myself. While it's not changed anything yet, I feel a tickle of hope. I see this TEDx Talk as confirming the path I've decided to take with my music. Thanks so much for sharing this with the world, this is invaluable insight.

[@yissansosa1727]

11:08 :''Live music is gonna stick around forever'' Literally one year later update : ''Well...''

[@IndraBahiaMusic]

He said "to some capacity"

[@allisonw439]

It will because we will still have VIP house parties, and live music is also a way to connect in a special way with the audience.

[@bekahchu4102]

Even during the pandemic people longed for live music remember how many people were live streaming them singing or writing songs in their home to hundreds-thousands of viewers? I do even signed artists were doing it.

[@Brokenface]

Now live are came since last year, he was right after all

[@chaseanonymous9327]

Wow great presentation. I completely agree. I love to play music for the sake of playing music.

[@coreyt.rogers9376]

The music industry is selling IDEAS, OPINIONS, & SENTIMENTS period. The music is just a vehicle for IDEAS, OPINIONS, & SENTIMENTS.

[@ok9792]

True that

[@eugenekrabs8151]

Actually....

[@seanbrownsociety]

What's wrong with that? I'm not a mainstream music fan, but isn't that what every other song is about too?

[@doubleemcastillano464]

That sounds like art

[@jillsmcfarland2001]

Wrong

[@trevorlindsey580]

"Playing music for the sake of playing music" was exactly my life until Covid. This virus has been the counter movement to what this speaker sees as the answer to the survival of music. Not being able to play live and interact with other musicians and an audience has been devastating to what I had settled on as my life's true calling.

[@mrski4945]

Yes, I'm right there with you. Haven't done a gig since late 2019! But on the other hand, I've been able to take my playing to a far higher level then I could have if I was still gigging regularly. I just hope I'll be able to use these new skills I've learned during our lock-down someday in live gigs again!

[@trevorlindsey580]

@@mrski4945 Now that I have started working live again, I see that people really want to enjoy the experience of live music. The problem now with the uprise in Covid spread, is do I want to contribute to the spread by bringing people together. Nobody is taking precautions at the gigs, and I am the only masked person in an entire club. They are there to dance, and the music is facilitating the spread of the disease. Sadly I am leaning toward going back to a no gig life in order to save lives.

[@YXNGSHARK]

I absolutely fvckin agree

[@itsmickeyyoung]

I am so sorry to hear that yo… ouch 💔

[@Omanjisinkala]

Very true, this guy knows what's happening in the industry

[@lxapiii]

I'm glad so, I'm thirteen and wanna be a singer, my older sister told me I need know what the music industry wants before I become a singer

[@MorgansAntics]

nope

[@CoincidenceTheorist]

@@lxapiii the muse is sick and wants people willing to push their out of tune (literally) music whose hertz hurts. And that’s before we even touch on the messages they push.

[@SHATHECROW]

Some of these comments are clueless and pretentious it’s really not that hard to understand what he is trying to say stop trying to prove a point and absorb the information

[@zachanikwano]

“Stop trying to prove a point and absorb the information.” If people was to genuinely debate the guy they are absolutely allowed to? Just because you do a Ted Talk doesn’t mean your word is gospel. Or that your views are absolute.

[@alessandroxxo]

wonderful. we're start to go in the direction of consciousness of need of no-identification

[@danaldogiraud4981]

Self identification creates prisons for the soul. Consciousness is boundless and limitless. The more non-physically focused we become the closer we get to our true essence

[@alessandroxxo]

@@danaldogiraud4981 yes but from personal experience I think that we're far from this..we need to identify in something because there's nothing more. theorically the direction is right, but pratically we have to fight with a lot of misconception about what reality is. the concept in itself is not enough to change the prospective. it need a lot of work on itself that no one can teach you, because is you (everyone is different), and because is You, the barrier of the ego. too much only for a purpose

[@todd3458]

So much truth in this message. I also go to concerts to connect with my people.

[@Synsere_Lyfe]

This made so much sense it has changed my views on my brand.

[@vestel777]

That’s why Artists need 100% control over their Publishing and Masters. Also get an Entertainment Lawyer who knows how the Music Industry works plus Entertainment Accountants who also know how the Music Industry works. That way the said Artist or Artists will also have the complete picture as to what they’re about to get into before signing a deal with a Record Label. Also now days make sure to have 100% access to the Streaming Income for Streaming Music for platforms like Spotify, Pandora, and iTunes.

[@rineric3214]

You can now be a star (world-wide celebrity that is) without touring.

[@kaylaharies2837]

Really?

[@BZMANAGEMENT1980]

Yes you can .... I agree if you believe like this 👍

[@babadoowe8461]

But touring is the best part of the job

[@rineric3214]

@@babadoowe8461 Not if you already live in a paradise. If you are an urban person and you tour a series of other similar urban centers, there's little difference between touring and staying at home. But, if you live on an organic farm, the idea of guzzling tons of gasoline and eating lots of bad food and using strange bathrooms is not fun. Music can be shared through KZbin and SoundCloud and CD Baby, etc.

[@MarvelousMusicmmusic]

Touring is where the majority of the money comes from

[@winthefutr]

Truly relate to your idea. I strongly believe in today's based off of what music is selling. Kids don't do music for the sake of doing music they do it because Social Identity

[@sheajones1202]

Funny how the music industry has a correlation to how the world is doing. Good music means a good era in society. That's why theres artists that will be timeless and mumble rappers are digging themselves into a corner of the same theme, sound, and rhythm. If you're not actually being genuine in your music, you will be forgotten

[@ShambaMenelect]

THIS IS GOLD FOR ANYONE WHO HAS EARS!

[@TheCymbalProject]

Ticket reselling is what killed music for me. $300 for concert tickets? FA-Q Ticketmaster and their computer algorithms scripted to create fake demand and inflated prices is what has completely turned me off music.

[@asapb]

many points were made. i think the experience of going to a concert is awesome because you get to feel alive and have fun sometimes without even thinking what are the artist´s beliefs

[@tunesidig]

Very profound. This guy nailed it. I hope the next movement IS making music just to do it.

[@RealLordGaga]

That was really, really good. So much truth and insight in what you say. Sharp mind.

[@NURREDIN]

Here's the problem I have with this. If I only play music just to play music,that means I'm going to remain a financial analyst for the rest of my life if I refuse to give up my publishing and my masters to a label. There's no money in playing just for the fun of it.

[@fbi6555]

If you have leverage that won’t be an issue. There is so many examples of that it’s almost insane that you aren’t aware of that. Build a brand on social media with a presents and they will come to you. And if you do that, and still don’t see anything, then you expand in other areas around the world.

[@NURREDIN]

@@fbi6555 How many artists do you know that get signed to a major label who don't have to give up their publishing and their masters? Ask Taylor Swift how that works.

[@fbi6555]

@@NURREDIN Taylor swift is a horrible example and she tried to do that later in her career with no leverage. But I know plenty of people. 21 savage, DDG, Russ, Slowthai, Sampha, James Blake, I mean really there is so many. The thing of it is, the people that make the most money are usually not on the spotlight. But the new wave of artists has definitely been independent. Not quite sure how much Billie owns but I think Billie Eillish has around 80 percent of her publishing owned.

[@vestel777]

Also be fully aware that the Record Labels will reel You in with a Signing Bonus of say $30,000 but that music goes towards everything one needs to pay for Studio time, engineers, producers, and extra musicians if needed. Plus paying for the hotels, food, traveling expenses like gas for the tour bus. There’s a TON of shady things a Record Label will do to make sure that You’re their indentured servant (100% Servitude)!!!!!!!

[@sleepmagnolia]

Thank you so much for this! This guy is brilliant.

[@snakemont]

Thank you so much!

[@maxmetzger6394]

Mans really giving a Ted talk after his dog died a few years ago😔respect to him. This man also had some crazy movies

[@goddesszhaaahtv2711]

Live music will survive all..rock on..

[@AlexanderStrums]

John wick thinks he’s slick

[@maxjulien8394]

Lol..lol..Savage

[@sharp5records]

I'll take that as a compliment !!

[@InYourDreams-Andia]

Great talk! Some smart points, esp about values and worth,and I totally agree, the 'in person' connection is always best, in fact I'm writing an e-book about that, and livestreaming (done for the right reasons), where we can get the next best thing from a real life encounter. The person/performer in real time.

[@InfoArtistJK]

"So when you walk into a record store" ahhh, those were the days...

[@Negative.headspace]

Even though I own a clothing company, I like listening to music knowledge.

[@jesseeckel9139]

Look into stock and crypto too

[@Negative.headspace]

@@jesseeckel9139 i invested into weed stocks at the right time wrong dollar amount, I didn't have a lot of luck with crypto currency recently, but I think artistically i figured out something good with fashion

[@jesseeckel9139]

@@Negative.headspace I’m also investing in weed stocks , which platform are you investing with?

[@Negative.headspace]

@@jesseeckel9139 i bought into weed when it was 2$ a stock, I won't bother with it now since it's been on the market for years

[@jesseeckel9139]

@@Negative.headspace Weed stocks are actually a nice investment. The fact is that the weed industry is rated to be a multi billion dollar industry and only few folks are aware of the opportunities hidden in weed Stock.

[@MrSebastianBlake]

Wow this was soo deep. Thanks for words. You definitely given me ideas to think about

[@amusicveteran]

A sincere, heartfelt presentation with interesting perspectives on a multi billion industry. Thank you as I learnt a lot.

[@h.d.d.4674]

i like this guy

[@divyeshpal9931]

They do not sell music. They sell soul and make them a money minting machine. Every famous and young today's musician has been sold and made a brand and social media really made it easier.

[@ehinmowo.i5333]

Sell their souls to who bruh💀

[@player-rk4zr]

So true!

[@Dayday_music]

They sell hopes and dreams

[@MorgansAntics]

A music venue is a place where you can hear the musician(s) play in their natural form. Not a 20 take, overdubbed solo or arppegio. It's them, warts and all. How many gigs have you gone to with friends, where you're still together 20 mins after the main event starts? If you are, then you're not iin the right part of the venue, or you're not losing yourself in the music. The dark, sweaty, chaotic, and sometimes dangerous part of the venue, where it's just you and the raw, un-produced music is where it's at. THAT's where true musicians connect with their audience.

[@kansaskitty4083]

Excellent...! Thank you!

[@twixxtro]

The music industry sells a comfortable life to all musicians

[@Smiler2724]

And they have sold their soul to devils

[@ehinmowo.i5333]

@@Smiler2724 bro who told u that😂

[@0xnpctim]

this explains so much.

[@Itsburgaboy]

Dope!

[@pyromaster10000]

Can he even play the DAW?

[@moustaphasamb6919]

Fl gang

[@stoic5482]

@@moustaphasamb6919 lol

[@theetravismiller6183]

Wonderful!👏🏻😔

[@jchow5966]

This was a well done interesting presentation.

[@groovy56]

Brilliant analysis!

[@ashwani6669]

Thanks brother. This was enlightening.

[@rjc7289]

Like Frank Zappa once said, "Shut up and play your guitar!"

[@makrown]

Really cool thanks man! 🌟🙏👍🏿👋🏿

[@sigma__ad]

love it

[@phac3_]

Amazing video

[@247Lang]

This should have more views.

[@Joybuzzard]

'People really cared about their hair...' that's the industry narrative, but in reality a handful of bands had a certain 'look' when they became popular and then A&R people, managers, etc., made it mandatory for every band playing a certain kind of music, artists were told they had to use certain hair stylists, certain video producers, etc., who would then pay kick-backs to the A&R and management, and these professionals seemed to enjoy pressuring musicians into doing things that were humiliating and degrading and eventually destroyed their careers. Good riddance to the music industry, and all the parasitic 'experts' who were mostly failed artists, the executives who could never just be happy earning an honest profit from their investment and had to scam and lie and squeeze every drop they could out of everyone they worked with. Good riddance to gatekeepers and 'tastemakers' who decide what gets played on radio and TV and then pretend that it's the public that's deciding, good riddance to major labels who ignore the creators who originate new styles of music and instead sign teenage junkies who imitate those creators because teenage junkies are easier to control and manipulate, good riddance to the 'journalists' who declare every major label artist 'legendary' or whatever and pretend they created the styles they were actually imitating, while the creators they were imitating are simply never mentioned. Good riddance to having our cultural norms dictated by teenagers and liberal arts students simply because they're easier to manipulate through perceived peer acceptance. Good riddance to the artificially manufactured and maintained 'generation gap' and fictional 'zeitgeists' and 'new eras' every other week. Hopefully western culture can undo the damage that the 'cultural industries' have done.

[@subschnee4573]

Hopefully the world can undo the damage that the petro-chemical industry, religions, guns, bombs, banks, billionairs, financial markets, dictators, tycoons and racists have done.

[@sivadmg]

Glam rock is a lot older than the mid 80s. Jon Bon Jovi was never the poster child of his respective genre.

[@sivadmg]

I don't know how old you are but you're definitely still "wet behind the ears".

[@witwisniewski2280]

Get the industry and the corporations out of music. What will be left is art and mutual enjoyment of it. It is about time music transcended money as it was meant to all along.

[@JoshuaPatrickGarrett]

The vast majority of music is idolatry.

[@Smiler2724]

Yep you are right music industry are idolatry and destroying people value

[@MorgansAntics]

Using Kurt as an example is massively ironic. He self-isolated to spend less time with people. Being bipolar and an empath gave all of us the illusion of stage enjoyment, it gave him a short dopamine hit too, but ultimately he was happier in his own company. I think you're focussing more on your own values and expectations than reading the bigger audience

[@JamGuruMusic]

i wanna jam with this guy

[@jazsebastian]

Wow, yes this is how it is now...it's crazy. I hate it haha, but evolve and adapt to survive right? We gotta adapt to survive and prosper... :p

[@steppinrzr8396]

The industry sells dreams

[@matthewgaines10]

Your reasons for listening to music are very different than mine. I don't listen to live music to feel like I belong or socialize. The music I enjoy doesn't require a peer group. I didn't learn how to play to connect or perform for anyone but myself. If you're aren't complete on your own, people won't matter. Good luck with that though. Your reasons are yours alone along with like minded individuals like yourself. The best times in my life do not involve sharing music with my friends. Music is just the soundtrack playing when those moments occur.

[@paulyoungmusic1]

Play music for yourself is called a hobby. Make music for other people as how you learned and why you love it. Make music for other people. It will make you happier be with them. Make music for them.

[@MrMurray]

Mr. Murray-Green Beans (Music Video) - KZbin

[@redpillmafia960]

This is what the music industry sells... it is the same thing as the movie business... the artist performs their art, and you decide you like it. You really like it. After you establish that you like the artist and his art, the artist takes a position on a subject that conflicts with your morals and beliefs. You are torn, because you really like this artist and their art, but the position they have taken does not line up with what you have believed all of your life. In addition you are now battling with your own pride and integrity because to change your mind about liking this artist means you have to admit you were wrong. So, instead you bend to their point of view on the topic so that you don't have to admit you were wrong, and you get to continue liking this artist. This will happen over and over until thousands of micro bends results in a night and day difference in morals and beliefs from what you used to be. It is called incrementalism. This is why a country that was originally founded on Christian principles is now an apostate backsliden nation. It is left-wing liberal/socialist agendas woven into our art that slowly teaches us to shun the beliefs and principles we once clung to.

[@mikedoyle7300]

Not just art but every other aspect of our society.

[@TheOriginal561]

We weren't founded on christian principles and the bill of rights is a "liberal socialist agenda" read a book

[@oldmaterizz4516]

The dead south?

[@ricalfred1418]

Great message but someone needs to teach him how to say Virginia ASAP 😭 (11:51)

[@TheOriginal561]

It's Regina, its a canadian place lol

[@aminabangura6807]

Jesus loves you

[@brandonflores5638]

“i see more people on their phones when im performing” maybeeee its you 🤨🤨

[@theunfunnyguy6258]

POV: You're in your music class and this was assigned to you

[@sovietbox2422]

11 minutes ago.... you're not in Ohio are you?

[@若月裕二-e1j]

I suppose that what he is saying about famous artists is they are being abused as just making maney machine. Connected to bad audience and energy exchange. Music is waste or was waste. Does it go any better in 2020 ?

[@S400-i6c]

I don't know ask Travis Scott who just paid for a $29M cash .

[@S400-i6c]

@Italia Beauty or Jeff bezos

[@itsrelativ3967]

Music industry sells merch, fake news and gossip.

[@romeandjames778]

12:48

[@rabissenseicomprende7994]

Where these industry heads at

[@SeKernisPF]

1:10 they are supporting live music. Just not actual music. they come out to hear a robot sing a song about drugs that took 2 mins to make and get lit. That's all they want

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

I believe everything he says because he tours with the Dead South whenever Danny Kenyon isn't available.

[@nicolepercy3663]

Relax tool

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

@@nicolepercy3663 whaddya mean?

[@XJNH_]

Lil nas 3:15

[@Floyd_Steel]

This was nice but what his whole point?

[@RobertJamesChinneryH]

Just endorse a beer like Rush...who cried against capitalism in their time.

[@885909431427]

Quite an unclear conclusion..

[@albertdecosey4298]

Uh no... this obviously doesn’t age well in the age of Coronavirus. This sounds more like a musician who’s trying to make sense of why his career hasn’t taken off and then trying to bend reality to meet that vs. someone who’s researched, truly understands the culture, and has really developed deep insight into what he’s talking about. Sorry, this whole presentation is a NO... just no.. based on the premise that music sells values? No... please try again...

[@InfoArtistJK]

What do you think the music industry sells?

[@sammeeyangchao1907]

This day and age artist don't make music they make commercials. Who ever sang for money? Singing came from life and was expressed willingly for free as a way to release the expression. Wait you're talking about music ... These days sounds is not music it's narcissists wars haha!

[@mahamadousylla7678]

coment

[@jchow5966]

Glam rock emerged in the 1970s. Bon Jovi was def not glam rock. Fyi.

[@jimwilson2000]

Kurt was trying to sell records like any other artist , don't be fooled by his character

[@InfoArtistJK]

He was conflicted about his success and had a bad wife. Peace

[@AnthonyCarrier]

The music industry is not dying...but thank you for quitting and discouraging others...! Now you should get a hair cut and get a real job...

[@JimmyLacroe]

Listen : he said i put my soul bruh 😑 NOT WORTH IT 😉

[@RepublicAllegiance]

$$$

[@brunorosas2450]

Boomer

[@aminabangura6807]

Jesus loves you