“Most people believe that the music business is so unique and complicated, but I think it’s business in the most simplistic form.” @mrogerscountry
Episode #273 : A.V.A Live Radio Behind The Music with Jacqueline Jax
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/avaliveradio/2015/11/11/episode-273-ava-live-radio-behind-the-music-with-jacqueline-jax
GETTING TO KNOW MATT ROGERS
by Jacqueline Jax host of A.V.A Live Radio
Music business…
Most people believe that the music business is so unique and complicated, but I think it’s business in the most simplistic form. All execs are looking for something that’s marketable and will sell. Unfortunately, major talent gets overlooked because there’s another person who might have a million youtube followers, but that’s business. I try to concentrate on being the best that I can be and to create art that is commercial without compromise.
Social media…
I think social media is great and has a place in the market. It’s low-cost and is good advertising. However, the formats change and staying current on each new fad is time-consuming.
Singles vs an album…
Both have pros and cons. It’s much harder to push a comprehensive album today than it is a single. A lot more skill goes into a project that conveys the central point vs. one song that has hit potential. It’s also more difficult to make money on a comprehensive project today than on a single. The happy medium here is that artists are releasing 4 to 6-song EPs. In marketing strategies, with a single, you can put all your eggs in one basket so to speak; an album requires a more broadly crafted and expensive marketing campaign.
Talk about the differences in your marketing strategy to support your preference.
I started playing the guitar as a kid…
I sang in church, and sang in my college choir. While I was in college, I starting writing songs and playing them for my friends. After college, I began playing cover songs live and eventually starting playing regular gigs.
I Was Raised…
This song was probably the easiest song I’ve ever written because every word of it is true. It’s about the way I was raised and the way my friends were raised in the community where I grew up. It’s just a very honest song that I really wanted to write to honor all the people who were involved in the story (of my upbringing). They all mean a lot to me. https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-was-raised/id929739857?i=929739864
My Music…
On my next project, I get back to the basics of who I am. You can expect honesty, and songs written from the heart with a real “rootsy” feel. I draw much of my influence from my own personal experiences. I’m still growing and learning as an artist, but I’m writing songs that still convey me as a person that’s real and honest versus writing a song that could be a hit.
I live in Nashville…
I guess that says it all.
But I love to fish and I am a gun enthusiast.
I would love to have 5 minutes alone with…
Bob Dylan because he’s the most creative and diverse song writer. He influenced nearly every genre of music. There are often once-in-a-generation of song writers who seem to just have a grasp on what people want (or need) to hear. He’s that kind of artist.
Balancing music trends in your artistic decisions…
Certainly there’s a balance; to sell you have to have marketability; uniqueness is what sets you apart from the pack. You have to be true to yourself. Listeners and music executives can tell the difference between being genuine and trying to play a part.
I am most afraid of…
Getting away from my vision of who I am as a person and as an artist and being convinced I should be something else to sell records.
My personal definition of success is..
Name one success story that you are particularly proud of. Explain why you considered this a great success and how you achieved it. Success for me is being confident in who you are as a person and artist and still being able to make a living. I don’t think there is a dollar sign you can put on success. Hard work and the ability to not give up when you hear “will set the stage for success as long as you are willing to go the distance. I released “I Was Raised” as a song that was true to me and honest vs. some of the other songs I had written before that I thought people wanted to hear. It got me some songwriting recognition and accelerated my decision to become a full-time musician.
My over all goal for my life & career is…
To be the person and artist I envision by producing music that I (and the people closest to me) are proud of. I want to be in a place that personally brings me happiness and fulfillment.
3 Ways that I challenge myself and how each one moves me forward towards my goal.
1) Surround myself with songwriters and musicians that have more experience and success than me
2) Try to write songs and practice daily
3) Never stop being creative; think outside of the box in order to tell the story
Social media:
www.mattrogerscountry.com
www.facebook.com/mattrogerscountry
www.twitter.com/mrogerscountry
www.instagram.com/mattrogerscountry
www.youtube.com/mattrogerscountry
www.reverbnation.com/mootowncountry