As much as we may want to lament the current state and homogeneity of mainstream music, it can't be denied that it sells – consistently. And there's nothing inherently wrong with wanting to make a lot of people happy with your music. Despite being an indie artist, you may be going for a sound that is enjoyable by all, and despite popular notions, you don't have to give up your individual voice in the massive ocean that is mainstream music. In fact, your unique flair may provide the edge you need to succeed.
Songwriter and producer Glen Ballard, who won a Grammy for co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill, is here to help you navigate those waters. Check out the video below to get his take on creating truly noteworthy mainstream music.
00:23 - "Overconformity" in the mainstream means that anything different actually stands out in a positive way
01:43 - Going against the grain is what changes the music business
02:39 - Attempting to mimic others simply leads to inauthenticity
If you've got an hour to spare, we'd highly recommend watching the full interview on Renman Live.
Want even more advice for today's music business? Industry expert (and longtime manager of multi-platinum band Incubus) Steve Rennie has hosted over 90 live shows and has 500+ videos. Check out renmanmb.com for more.