Music: where I stand

The music world is ever-changing. Technology has helped unleashed talent that may have been readily discarded by the music industry in search of a formula-driven market. But now, everything's changed and an uncharted future lies ahead of us.

Music has undergone so many changes since the recording industry shaped its destiny. Decades ago, musicians and their songs and scores began to be taken out of venues like music halls, clubs, bars and dancing rooms and ushered into studios. Their material was immortalized on tape for cinematographic purposes, but also to be sold to the public to be listened to at home and elsewhere. Music expanded like never before, becoming ever-present in our lives.

At the same time, technology progressed and the sound of music and ways to broadcast it got better and better. Radio was an incredible boost for artists and remains so. Television expanded that reach, especially with the advent of videos. Ways to play music at home improved rapidly. Vinyls became the big story. The phonograph, for instance, gave way to Hi Fi systems and the turntable, which came in time to coexist with cassette players and eventually CD players. By then, analogue recording made way for digital recording. The arrival of mp3 technology to play songs, alongside sound systems, made the computer the undisputed king for recording and medium to listen to music. That is, until handheld devices and tablets gained precedence. Suddenly, USB keys were no longer 'it'. Means of support and storage of music became very much virtual. Now, you no longer have to buy music to listen to it at your own pace. You can rent it. Welcome to the world of streaming which is now a game-changer in the music industry.

The lion's share of revenues derived from music sales still remains in the hands of the industry. In this model of business where music is funneled through and by major players, independent creators of music are more often than not left with the scraps falling from their tables.

Budding singer-songwriters have few alternatives out there. Either they hooked with labels or go their own way to promote their music.

For now, I follow an independent road. I already wear a few hats. I'm a songwriter, a singer, a multi-instrumentalist, a producer and, in my home studio, a budding sound engineer. Now, I become my own agent, promoter and vendor of my songs and scores.

For now, I choose to go at it on my own to share my songs with others.

My songs are not minimalist in nature. They are fully orchestrated. In my creative process, I strongly believe in honing my music until I am satisfied that what I hear in my head matches what is recorded. It then becomes available for others to listen.

You, the reader of this first blog, have the power in you to choose to purchase my songs to help me continue my musical venture. Music is a passion for me. My next blog will detail who I am and what I strive for.

Stay tuned.

Zar