Being An Independent Artist, Why It’s Not For Everyone?

Being an independent artist means donning many hats. From dealing with creative pangs, networking, marketing your music, composing and handling rejection at times, becoming an independent artist is not for everyone.

The route to recognition in the world of music is  through hard work, struggle and a fair share of good luck.

What does it mean to be an independent artist,  why is it not for everyone? Here is what people practising it have to say:

Druv Kent, Composer, Singer-Songwriter

Being an independent  artist has never been easy,but it's also never been harder. It's like having all of this ... have a cool artist look, write a great song, produce it differently, create a music video, distribute it widely across radio, audio streaming and video platforms, set it up to go viral, pay for all this mostly with live gigs (Covid notwithstanding), practice and repeat. And do all this as the technology around music consumption evolves rapidly. Plus, if you are doing English music, then  you recognise the music travels even less.

Despite all this, my indie artist's journey is fuelled by the love for the music I make, the support of the many who love it, and the accolades and larger then life opportunities that come along the way. Often, thankfully, that is enough.

Ravi Iyer Composer,Educator,Blogger

Music profession in itself is a struggle, be it mainstream or as an independent artist at every level. Having said that, yes it does take a little more effort to carve a niche or to be recognised in the independent category. As an independent artist what becomes to be the strength is the belief and a relentless perseverance within to excel without any expectations and float through seamlessly with struggles of every kind that come by. 

Salman Ali,Indian Singer

India has talent in abundance and many independent artists with beautiful voices who are seeking the right opportunity to make it big. The main struggle is to reach out to the right audience and right people who can offer them the big break in the industry. 

Thanks to reality shows the doors have opened up for people like us. I got my first break through Fremantle’s Indian Idol. Platforms like Indian Idol are one of the best ways to showcase your talent for the beginning of a musical career.

Mahasweta M.Das, Musician, Teacher

I have been an Educator and a Performing Artiste for the last 21 years. One of the primary reasons why performers take up teaching jobs is the sense of security through a stable income. I wish there was a pay scale for artists per hour so that we didn't have to worry about how to run our kitchen.

Divyansh Kacholia,Musician,Beatbox artist

When you’re an independent artist with no backing, often, you can get overlooked by people. The rising competition of keeping up to date on social media and constantly keeping your audience engaged is a huge challenge. Without an audience an artist does not exist and slowly dies out. Additionally, with the change in the industry and music taste, a genre like beatboxing still needs to come a long way. We have little chance of being heard, but my journey with India's Got Talent has truly changed the vision. Such platforms with production houses like Fremantle provide a dignified solution where the artist can showcase his/ her talent, earn royalties and thus get the possibility of being heard. These platforms welcome new talents and art forms with wide arms and help achieve the success or fame that everyone dreams of.

It is hard to see in difficult moments, but the journey is there for us to make the most of it, grasp the lessons within, and trusting along the way will only add ease and solace. It felt like I had a mountain of ingrained patterns to summit up ahead. Once again, I pay my immense gratitude to platforms like IGT and Fremantle that have helped me conquer the game of impossible seas.

Tanzeel Khan,Singer

I think, like any industry, that there are many struggles that independent musicians face. If I had to shed light on one in particular it’s on lack of knowledge we have when we start of and taking a while to understand basic hygiene factors of the business of making and putting out your music independently with limited resources and manpower that usually come when you’re either more established or have a management company or label that you’re signed with.