The next level

“I / We want to get to the next level!” I hear or read that from unsigned artists all the time. But what does the next level mean? Many artist use that sentence without knowing what it means (for them) at all. They picked it up somewhere but never put one thought into it (“Sounds kind of cool” … “No, it doesn't!”). In some cases I get the impression they think that there is an “One-Fits-all”-solution or that I am (or any music industry professional is) a mind reader. Of course, I usually have a rough idea what the artist could mean with that “next level”. But that does not necessarily mean the artist is on the same page.

It is very important in these days to know where you want to go as an artist. When you approach industry professionals it is important to convince them that you know where you are standing in your career and that you have at least a vague idea of where you want to be in the (near) future and that you are serious about being a professional musician / artist.

Think about where you (your band) are at the moment. Write it down! Then think about what you want to achieve next. Let's say you are gigging only local. Do you want gigs in other towns? Great. Write it down. You want to record an EP or even a whole album? Put it on the list. You want to go on tour? You want reviews of you gigs / EP / album? Write it down!

I am sure you can come up with a lot of things you want to do to “get to the next level”.

And next time you approach a management companies you can explain what “the next level” means for you (your band).