An Indie Musician's Diary VOL. 1

House Concerts, Udemy & Ari

From now on I am going to divide up the diary into two parts: the first part for fans and then a technical part for indie musicians who are following me to get technical tips. 

It's Jan 8, 2018 

As you are beginning to see, the life of an indie musician is like a person trying to juggle many balls in the air while balancing on a rubber ball. Somehow I have to get many different things to work together: understanding music theory; knowing how to promote what I do; finding my fan base, developing it and enlarging its scope it; developing my songwriting; refining my instrumental skills and much more in addition to learning mixing and mastering. I could add loads to this list...but fans don't care about the process. 

That is why I am changing the scope of the diary just a bit during 2018 and going to divide each day up into two parts. I start with a personal summary of the story and then I will go into the specifics that other indie musicians want to hear but that bore my fans. 

Fans

I have some fans that stand by me through the thick and the thin and they are an awesome encouragement to me. If you are reading now, let me say thank you!

Now the average fan listening to my music doesn't care about the process at all. He/she doesn't care about music theory, plugins and what not. They just care about the culture, the output and what it means for them.

A fan just wants to know two things: 

My story - is it believable and interesting? Does it stick out and relate to them at the same time?

and

How does the music sound - does it move them emotionally and encourage them or move them positively? 

Pretty simple. I have to keep this in mind in this diary as well. It is easy to come off as a know it all as I explain all the stuff I do on a level that is boring to the average fan but interesting for a diehard indie producer. I don't know it all and I'm purposely shifting the focus to fans now. Just to help them follow the process. If I write a bunch of technical stuff (to help me learn and aid those indie musicians who read this, I will divide it up so you fans can skip that. 

House Concerts

This is something that both fans and musicians would like to know about. 

House concerts are something that I am preparing for. I've played with various bands on stage and I don't like being that far away from those I play for. I'd rather play in someone's living room or backyard. It's more intimate and more fun. You get to talk with people and interact more. 

Really, I'm interested in developing two different types of sets-one for seekers and one for donners.

I just ordered a book from this lady who has a great strategy for doing house concerts effectively:

I think its important to remember that the vast majority of people who want to know more about Jesus won't walk into a church but they would love to hear an informal concert at a friend's house, done by an artist that the friend recommends. 

Here's a link to another lady who is doing house concerts. Her homepage is filled with tips for the person who wants to invite ppl to host a house concert and tips how the show is set up and run.  http://thelovelyindie.com/house-concerts/

If you are living in Skåne and would like me to come and do a house concert, please give me a call! All the contact info you need is on my homepage : www.featherheadmedia.com

Udemy: I did 4 or 5 videos on the Udemy music theory course - basic stuff, so I am cruising through it for review. I'm on lecture #18

New Book

I'm reading Air Herstand's new book, "How to Make it in the New Music Business" which has become an indie musicians' bible of sorts. So far I feel it. I mean, he's been there, done that in so many ways, just like I am feeling it now. He's much more successful at what he does than I am and he is pointing the way for all indie musicians to be successful. It's great so far and I'm looking forward to quickly reading through although this book is thick and full of info. I need a mentor and this is what I could afford. Thanks, Johan, for this great Christmas present! 

One of the things he mentions that is good to do, (which is basic good sense) is to make a goal sheet for the year a head, a 1 year, 5 year and 26 year plan. I am going to try to do this. I guess it is that something inside of me knows that I'll shoot in the direction of the plan but stuff always comes up. I'm through the first two chapters. Wow. 

So I went to work and did that. Time flies when you have to do everything by yourself. I am learning to prioritize and plan better - of necessity. 

Worship nights: We are going to start worship nights at our apartment from this Sunday and onward, every Sunday at 3 p.m - as much as we can. I have to start making a rough plan for what songs to take for this weekend. And I am preparing for the songs tonight at our home church.) If you are in the area, welcome! Take whatever you want to eat with you. We supply coffee, tea and music. If you have an instrument, take it with you! It's free.  

I created a Facebook event for this first one and this is the first time I ever I created an event on Facebook. (Fear griped me for a moment when I think about now I have to go prepare for it too.

I hope this leads into doing some house concerts for seekers as well. It would be great to have tested house concerts a bit before the album release and book house concerts as a "release tour". We'll see. That is a bit ambitious because it would require a bit of equipment I don't have yet. A microphone or two, two new mike stands, and of course enough contacts to book a few concerts. 

UK: It looks like I may be going to the UK at the end of April, as I was invited to an event there where musicians playing alternative music discuss trends in christian music, jam and network. 

I spent some time with some of my fans, talking and praying for them over the phone. I am their fan too. 

Now for you indie musicians: Go get Ari's book. Now.