Wednesday 12th October, 2022
I’ve done it… cracked the code… I’m saying NO from now on.
Nice to see you on this fine WEDNESDAY! That’s right, I’m getting this journal out on the day that I’d intended. Look at me being consistent & reliable for once. (yes, that sentence made no sense… wtvr) The reason it was so easy to tackle this weeks journal? I’ve just being saying no to everyone I can… at least until I catch up on the mountain of work I’ve to do. Anyways…. let’s get into it.
What I’ll talk about this week is in fact the thing that made me miss last weeks Wednesday journal: Ireland Music Week! This is an entire week (or most of a week) full of events, talks, networking meetings, & performances. The whole point is to show off the “best” music that Ireland has to offer. Why the quotation marks on best? No, it’s not because I’m tres bitter about being rejected 5 years in a row… it’s because the way they choose what artists showcase is quite subjective, & from what I’ve gathered, sometimes beyond their direct control. So no shade to them. :)
Every year, about 1000 artists apply to showcase. Why wouldn’t they? You get access to some international expertise, & you stoke the interest from international music industry professionals. So, you fill out the form, (I will one day learn to love forms…) & make yourself sound like a hot & sexy new artist… blazing a trail across the island of Ireland. So successful here that you’re about to burst across the boarders into every other territory, & IMW would be lucky to have you. Once you convince them of this, they shortlist you. Then you get selected by the international delegates who are coming to see the talent. If they like the look of you, or the sound of you more importantly, then you get. selected to be one of the 50 artists showcasing.
Just to say, all of my knowledge on how the acts are chosen is overheard knowledge. Ireland Music Week does not tell everyone how they select people… & their ‘feedback’ process SUUUUCKS. (they will give a free pass to the conference for everyone they reject, so that 80€ that you can save.)
I, did not get chosen to showcase this year. To be fair, I hadn’t released my album or film, & I’ve honestly not built up a solid fanbase in Ireland. I still need to get out & gig more. So if you know of anywhere I could play, or who I could play with… lemmie know pleeeeeeeez. Instead, this year I went to network, learn, & generally just show my face in every room possible.
I’m not the greatest networker… at least not when it comes to directly approaching people & striking up a conversation. You may be shocked to learn this about me… most are… but I’m actually quite shy in industry environments. I’m always feeling at a disadvantage, that I’m not experienced enough in this world. So it humbles me somewhat. That being said, I do have my sneaky Nathan Mac tricks.
Ask a question at the end of a panel discussion. (& be sure to ‘introduce yourself’ before you ask)
Keep your hotspot on & name it: “listen to Nathan Mac on Spotify”.
Have a big ol’ Nathan Mac sticker on your very visible Mac. (with a QR code to your website)
Talk about everything BUT music when you bump into industry people.
Be sure to offer anyone & everyone advice on what to do in Ireland while they’re here.
You get the point, there are a few things I like to do at these events that will at least put my name in their minds a little. Hopefully they respond, or approach me… but realistically, I should have researched the delegates coming in. When you know what everyone does, you can find the person that is actually relevant to your next step as an artist, & then approach them with an actual reason.
With all of this being said, I am planning to ignore my own advice… for a single reason…
The overwhelming sense that I get from almost every industry professional is that THEY WILL FIND YOU… & not the other way around. That might not be entirely true, but as a guiding star, it does effect my strategy. I’m focusing on YOU. On the people out there who have some interest in what I’m doing. I’m focusing on people who talk about me & what I’m doing. Fans. People who come to the shows, listen to the songs, get tattoos of my lyrics… etc…
THAT’S the advice I’ll extend to you. Don’t worry so much about meeting the ‘right’ people, or getting that record label, or that manager… they won’t be able to help you until you can help yourself. Go out, play shows, meet other artists, meet your fans, do what you can with what you’ve got, then do it better. Learn what you can about the industry, but don’t lose sight of what’s important. Really great music, really great performances, & really great images.
Start there, focus there, return to there… no matter how far you are along the artists journey.
Okaii, Nay Nay out.
See ya’ll next week!
