MY ADVICE FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS
I feel so grateful to have a job that I love; making music, streaming, and videos for you all. I couldn’t do it without your support, and I want to give back by offering as many tips and tricks as I can, in case any of you are pursuing a career in music too! It’s been almost 10 years since I released my first song, so while I’m not some sage old grandma full of life advice, I hope these few things can help, specifically for any young musicians out there!
Practice your craft!
This is something I still need to remind myself to do. Whether it’s vocal warm-ups or practicing other instruments, make sure you are taking time to work on your craft. There’s always so much room to grow!
Write bad songs!
When I say this I don’t mean sit down and write a song with the intention of it being bad, but work on the discipline of finishing songs. You’re not necessarily going to love every single thing you work on, but just like exercising your voice to expand your range or your fingers to be more fluent on guitar, it’s a “muscle” you need to work out when songwriting.
Find your identity!
Know exactly who you are in your “branding” and your sound. Figuring out who you are as an artist and what you want to say is so important. You have to find the things that make you recognizable so people can instantly connect that thing to you. For so long when people would see a tutu or a donut they would think of me, because it was such a big part of who I was in that moment. Even in my music, I always wanted everything to be upbeat and positive. To be honest, finding a distinct sound for myself has always been harder than all the other moving parts, but there are so many artists that do this well. Do you ever hear an Ed Sheeran or even a Billie Ellish song and immediately recognize it’s them? That’s because they developed a sound and style that you tie to them. Whatever your sound, whatever your style, just make sure it feels authentic to you in that moment.
Be ready for the grind!
I sacrificed a lot of time with friends to create music and tour. Even my first date with my now husband was a lunch date because it was all I had time for. I was coming from a video shoot that morning that was shot on the west side of LA, recording a cover later that afternoon, then going to an event that night. I was always on the go. Music has to be something that you’re all in if you want it as a career. The years I was at the “top of my game”, it was a lot of what my life revolved around, especially in the beginning.
Be open to collaborations!
“Two heads are better than one,” they always say. Yes, it’s awesome to write on your own. You get to be proud that you brought this brainchild into the world yourself, and there’s something really honest when it’s just the voice of the artist. But if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that working with the right people can help you develop your voice even more and become a stronger writer. When you are in a room with people even more talented than you, there’s so much to learn! The right collaborators will help ask questions that you maybe wouldn't think of, so you can really get to the heart of what you want to say. Never be too proud to work alongside the right people.
Get your voice out there!
Open mic, talents shows, social media, whatever it is, put yourself out there for people to hear you! I used to play events at outdoor malls, find local open mic nights, and then eventually used YouTube as a way to share my voice. Don’t be too proud, especially at the start. Nothing is too small in the beginning. You’ll connect with people one at a time.
Don’t compare!
The comparison trap is the easiest one to fall into. It’s something we hear all the time, but constantly have to remind ourselves of. Celebrate the music and artists you love, but don’t let other people’s successes keep you from going after your own.
Know your why!
What’s the reason you want to pursue a career in music? For me, it was the one thing I felt most confident doing. I’ve always loved the totally cheesy idea that music connects us and I saw it as a way to literally use my voice and feed into my other passions like giving back.
Think about the big picture!
The most successful companies have mission statements— a set of ideals that every decision filters through. “Does this fit who we are as a company and what we’re about?” I think every artist needs to have their own “mission statement”, as well. It can be so easy to get caught up in things that don’t really matter or benefit your ultimate goals. It’s also really easy to get to a place where a lot of people pulling you in different directions. Having this statement to go back to helps with decision-making when you have so many opinions coming your way.
Be okay with making mistakes!
There’s honestly so much to learn and I could go on and on with my advice. Just know you are going to make mistakes along the way, but always use them as learning moments. There will always be doors that close, but also a lot of unexpected ones that open. There will be moments where you look back and cringe, but remember to be proud of the growth.
I hope you found these little bits of advice helpful. Being a singer/musician is so rewarding, but it takes a lot of work and some luck to get to where you want to be. As 16-year-old Megan would always say, “Dream big, and work hard.”