I fall on the side of “selling out” is only when you compromise your values for money. Unless you are independently wealthy, you need to make money. Musicians need to make money if they want to eat and make more music. George Benson took a lot of flack when his album Breezin’ came out. Jazz purists called him a sellout for having a cross…
I fall on the side of “selling out” is only when you compromise your values for money. Unless you are independently wealthy, you need to make money. Musicians need to make money if they want to eat and make more music. George Benson took a lot of flack when his album Breezin’ came out. Jazz purists called him a sellout for having a crossover album with a vocal hit on it. He correctly responded by saying something along the lines of “Why should my family suffer for your opinion of what good music is?”
Music fans can be demanding and ridiculous in their expectations. It is extremely hard to make a living in any creative field. Be true to yourself and you are not a sellout.
Are writers selling out by having paid subscribers on Substack? 😉
Funny you say that because the irony was not lost on me by prompting people to pay within this post. I generally agree with you that there is no shame in making money to survive from your art. But I think it’s crazy how far in the other direction that things have swung such that the concept is sort of dead
It probably needed to die. Even when it was common, musicians were touring to sell albums. Was that selling out? Of course not. And now musicians basically give away albums to sell tours. Musicians have always had to sell themselves in some fashion. Even if that was gaining popularity so they can sell music or get tips on TikTok.
That was my point. Most working musicians need to make money from their music. Just like any job. But that isn’t “selling out.” It’s making a living. If they are only doing it for money, then you could argue that they are selling out. But you can love making music and still make money from it.
I don’t think many people think that way anymore. I haven’t heard “they’re selling out” since the 1980s. It just too hard to earn a living in music. Those who can, I say “well done.”
No! There is a difference between making a living and whoring for money, if you don't get that distinction innately then there is no explaining it to you. And yes I walk the talk I have 15 albums worth of obscure instrumental/ambient music on Bandcamp.
Alright then. You be you and I’ll be me. I get no enjoyment from arguing about opinions or insulting people. I’d rather make music. I wish you all the best on your musical path.
I fall on the side of “selling out” is only when you compromise your values for money. Unless you are independently wealthy, you need to make money. Musicians need to make money if they want to eat and make more music. George Benson took a lot of flack when his album Breezin’ came out. Jazz purists called him a sellout for having a crossover album with a vocal hit on it. He correctly responded by saying something along the lines of “Why should my family suffer for your opinion of what good music is?”
Music fans can be demanding and ridiculous in their expectations. It is extremely hard to make a living in any creative field. Be true to yourself and you are not a sellout.
Are writers selling out by having paid subscribers on Substack? 😉
Funny you say that because the irony was not lost on me by prompting people to pay within this post. I generally agree with you that there is no shame in making money to survive from your art. But I think it’s crazy how far in the other direction that things have swung such that the concept is sort of dead
It probably needed to die. Even when it was common, musicians were touring to sell albums. Was that selling out? Of course not. And now musicians basically give away albums to sell tours. Musicians have always had to sell themselves in some fashion. Even if that was gaining popularity so they can sell music or get tips on TikTok.
You have created a false dichotomy, one can make some money from your music, without it becoming the focus of your music.
That was my point. Most working musicians need to make money from their music. Just like any job. But that isn’t “selling out.” It’s making a living. If they are only doing it for money, then you could argue that they are selling out. But you can love making music and still make money from it.
I don’t think many people think that way anymore. I haven’t heard “they’re selling out” since the 1980s. It just too hard to earn a living in music. Those who can, I say “well done.”
No! There is a difference between making a living and whoring for money, if you don't get that distinction innately then there is no explaining it to you. And yes I walk the talk I have 15 albums worth of obscure instrumental/ambient music on Bandcamp.
https://pinecityorchestra.bandcamp.com/album/the-last-pine-city-orchestra-album
Alright then. You be you and I’ll be me. I get no enjoyment from arguing about opinions or insulting people. I’d rather make music. I wish you all the best on your musical path.