We made it to 2016! Happy new year, folks. We're sure you have some great resolutions to help bring your music to new heights and territories than ever before. Creating new goals and methods for progress is essential, but it's equally important to figure out what you need to let go of. Here are nine things it's time to kick to the curb in 2016.
1. CDs: they're not making a comeback anytime soon
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CDs had their time and served their purpose, but let's not hold onto the past any more than we need to. As more and more laptops are being created without a disc drive, we have to ask: are they still useful? Sure, CDs are a good way to have something tangible to give at shows, but this year, consider some new ways to share your music. You could invest the money you would have spent on printing up CDs on download cards, USB drives (that have more media than just the album you're sharing), album merch, or even other investments altogether, like higher quality production or social media advertising.
[If You're Not Using Dropcards to Sell Your Music, You're Missing Out]
2. Your band photo from 2009
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Let's just pretend that this picture never happened. In 2016, ask yourself about your image as a band. Is it stylistically in tune with your sound? Is it professional? Does it have brand consistency? Is it good for album artwork and journalism? With today's web being dominated by visuals, it pays to have good band shots that will help get you good press and recognition. This might be the year you upgrade your old photos that your friend of a friend in college took... at night... on an iPhone.
[What Your Band Photo Says About You]
3. Jealousy of other bands' success
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Listen to the words of Yoda and let go of your jealousy. This is tough for not only musicians, but anyone in the world with a goal. You're working as hard as you can on your career, and all of a sudden, someone you know gets an offer you've been dreaming of. You want to be proud, but you can't help feeling jealous and resentful. It's easier said than done, but try to be happy for the successes of those around you, use it as motivation rather than self-deprecation, and focus on achieving your dreams!
[3 Reasons Why Comparisons Hurt Your Music Career (And How to Stop)]
4. That Myspace link on your website
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There's technically nothing wrong with still having a Myspace page, but let's be honest: if you're still promoting it or drawing attention to it in any way, you're probably not going to be taken seriously as a professional, modern musician... by anyone.
5. Your resistance to social media
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Even in this day and age, there are still artists out there who refuse to use social media – or, more commonly, they'll make the profiles but hardly use them. We always hear people say, "If the art is good enough, it will reach people." There's some truth to that, but it's not a sustainable theory. Musicians need to be active with their promotion and engagement, and social media is one of the best tools we have right now to do so.
[5 Key Elements of a Comprehensive Social Media Strategy]
6. Over-promoting your way to anti-fans
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Everyone knows you're excited for your upcoming show and new album, but how many times can you tell us until we unfollow you? Like we said in the last bullet, it's important that musicians promote, but there needs to be a balance, just like any conversation. In 2016, drop the spam approach, and be smart, timely, and considerate with your promotions.
[How to Perfect Your Band's Social Media Strategy: The 70-20-10 Rule]
7. Holding onto gear that only works some of the time
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If you're holding onto a half-broken instrument or piece of gear that sometimes doesn't even work properly, it might be time to let go and invest in an upgrade that'll last. Maybe your old tube amp gives you the tone you love, but what happens when you're in the middle of a tour and it dies for good? Be smart with your gear; you can still be frugal, but don't be cheap!
8. Your ego
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If you're a local band hoping to gain some traction, it might not help your cause if you act like you're already U2 status. Confidence is key, of course, as the music industry is an unforgiving one. However, arrogance will be your downfall. Strike a balance in your message and in your story that lets people know you're talented, confident, and on the way to success, but don't act like you're the best thing since sliced bread – it just makes you not fun to like.
[How to Be a Confident Musician Without Being Cocky]
9. Self-doubt
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It's a common fact that all musicians face some sense of crippling self-doubt. "Am I good enough? Will I ever be good enough? Is it too late to make it? Can I really make a living out of this? Maybe I should get a day job in finance." All of these types of questions run through every musician's head. But this year, let's work on leaving the doubtful voices behind, and instead let's listen to the voice that told us to start playing music in the first place. Because we love it, we're good at it, and we're going to chase our dreams, no matter what comes our way!
[The Artist Pep Talk: 10 Tips for Staying Positive in the Face of Rejection]
Sam Friedman is an electronic music producer and singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn, NY. His music blends experimental ambience with indie-driven dance music. In addition to pursuing his own music, he is a New Music Editor for Unrecorded and is passionate about music journalism. Check out his music and follow him on Twitter @nerveleak.
