Why Fledgling Artists Need to Stop “Faking It” and Face Their Insecurities
For independent artists, insecurity is par for the course. Art is an expression of the soul, and the fear of something you poured your very being into getting rejected or ridiculed can be crippling. Creatives are often plagued with self-doubt, and it can be difficult not to give in to all the internal and external forces saying that we’re not good enough. Many creative people are also not business savvy, and get discouraged when they're unable to crack how to get their art out to wider audiences.
With so many factors working against them, it's no surprise that many artists are deeply insecure. In highly-motivated individuals with a plan, this insecurity may fuel a strong work ethic and a determination to “prove them wrong.” In others, it may force them to make desperate decisions in their blind pursuit of success. Worst of all, it can lead some artists to overcompensate for their own insecurities.
Blind Spending
Insecurity often materializes in the form of a fledgling artist taking on a challenge or making an investment they aren’t yet ready for. Budding musicians constantly waste time and money on products and services without taking into consideration what their goals are and how these “investments” help move the needle. There are a plethora of agencies, labels, and service companies that make big claims and then take advantage of young, inexperienced musicians. To make matters worse, DIY music marketing gurus hound artists with the advice that they should copy ideas from more-successful acts without clear guidance on how to analyze and make decisions. As a result, many of their "students" botch the execution.
How often have you heard about a small business going under because they leased a storefront before they were ready? Similarly, an independent artist might spend thousands of dollars on a music video when an iPhone video will achieve the same amount of reach for them (or even more in the TikTok era). The artist dropped the money because, by their assessment, successful artists make sleek, high-budget videos. When questioned, they likely couldn’t justify how a pro-quality music video actually helps them.
There’s a lot to be gained from studying another artist’s accomplishments, but their career shouldn’t be viewed as a perfect blueprint for someone else. In any artistic journey, there are no “one-size-fits-all” solutions that will pave the way to success. I also don’t mean to suggest that artists shouldn’t create for the sake of creating. However, all too often I see young artists wasting money on things like a music video because “they need to have a music video” when they could be using their resources in more tangible ways.
I feel confident speaking on all of this because I’ve fallen prey to it. I’ve spent money on plenty of services - radio campaigns, advertising, playlist pushers, you name it - without understanding how those elements fit into the bigger picture (or what I was trying to accomplish). The worst part is that I was blinded by my ego and totally believed that I knew what I was doing. It's always important to understand the “why?”
It’s important to take your music seriously. Who would take you seriously if you yourself don’t? But, there’s a big difference between taking your music seriously and blindly throwing money at it. Make smart decisions, do cost/benefit analysis, and really try to understand why you’re putting time and resources where you are. Do these things, and you’ll be able to move forward with clarity.
Don’t Fake It, Make It
Even worse than reckless spending is lying about your accomplishments in a bid to look like a success story. In an era where audiences crave authenticity and have their BS-detectors set to high, too many artists still think that “fake it till you make it” is a viable path to a music career. It might help you get your first couple of gigs, but it’s a habit that needs to be dropped quick. People can identify social-media posturing easier than ever, and artists that take it too far are doing irreparable damage to their reputation and chances of a successful career.
In 2018, LA-based metal musician Jered Threatin made international headlines after using manipulated videos, a fake record label, false identities, and click farm likes to book a European tour that nobody showed up to. Threatin (that’s a real name, I’m sure) wagered that if he built the illusion of success, he would be able to create it in real life. He lost that bet and will likely be blacklisted from the music industry forever.
In the alternative country Twitter-sphere, Nashville-based hot mess Cody Wolfe’s botched attempts at flashing success have left observers befuddled as to whether he’s playing a comedic long-con or needs a therapist. Wolfe perplexed the scene last year with the claim that a #1 single had made him enough money to buy a private jet, subsequently blocking anyone who questioned his claim's legitimacy or suggested that the jet was a rental. He even put the jet on his single cover. More recently, he’s been trolling alt-country luminaries American Aquarium online and claiming that the legendary Ryman Auditorium booked him for a show (but he had to cancel). It’s all a poorly crafted facade that leaves observers confused. (Reddit thread as a source because it seems nobody has picked up this story, surprisingly).
I don’t say any of this to pile onto these artists - I’m sure they’ve heard enough of it. Rather, I want to demonstrate the ways “faking it till you make it” can destroy credibility when taken too far. There’s nothing with presenting yourself in a professional manner, building a narrative, or showing off your accomplishments (within reason). There is a problem with lying.
At this point, I'm not sure what's real.
Find What Makes You Unique
It’s natural to want people to think we’re doing well. I have faced insecurity about myself as an independent artist, and I’m guilty of overcompensating at times. When we give in to those insecurities though, we do ourselves a great disservice by overlooking the things that actually make us interesting as artists and as people. Nobody has ever said, “I love Bob Dylan because he’s rich and successful!” People love Bob Dylan because of what he says and does. Dylan discovered something truly unique within himself and built a career around it. By finding what makes us stand out and owning it, young artists can stay true to who they are and be guided by that muse.
This isn’t easy. I’ve been at this game since I was in high school, and I feel like I’m just now understanding what really makes me tick. But flashing cliche, cartoonish ideas about success will only make you look the fool. Don’t “fake it till you make it.” Engage in meaningful, in-depth self-discovery. Confront your insecurities and ask yourself why they make you feel uncomfortable. Lean into the discomfort and do new, scary things. Whatever you do, make sure you know why you are doing it. Success by any definition is about intention, and understanding yourself is a path towards making decisions with intentionality.
And remember, this should be fun. Don’t let other people project their insecurities onto you. The guy making others feel bad about your gear might be wheeling his $10K guitar rig to open mic nights. Even at the highest level of touring, many bands have broken up because the magic and fun wore off. In an interview with The Hard Times Podcast, The Gaslight Anthem frontman Brian Fallon said that the band went on indefinite hiatus because their success had made them miserable. Reaching a goal should never mean sacrificing integrity or happiness. If what you’re doing is hurting you more than helping you, it’s time to find a new way forward. Music is a beautiful communal experience, and it should be enjoyed. In the words of Brandi Carlile, don’t ever let them steal your joy.
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