The launch of Indie 101 & MGMH Turns 10, A Conversation Piece with Ritnika Nayan!

Music Get’s Me High (MGMH) turned 10 this year, we reached out to Ritnika Nayan from MGMH to know more about her journey. As a way of giving back to the music community, Ritnika brings to us Indie 101: The ultimate guide to the independent music industry in India. It is the definitive book on navigating and succeeding in today’s music industry. The book provides key industry insight regarding management, record deals, live touring, PR, concert and festival production and publishing applicable to new and experienced artists, artist managers, promoters and anyone keen on making music their career. 

You’d be delighted to know that the book has featured interviews from prominent music industry professionals like Vishal Dadlani, Monica Dogra, Keshav Dhar, Atul Churamani, Tim Clark, Peter Jenner, to name a few; making this a one-stop shop for all things related to the music business in India. So, yes, you’re hearing from the best in the industry on all about music business! 

It’s Been A Decade!

Ritnika has been in the music industry for 17 Years now. She has worked with artists like Maroon 5, Nickelback, Counting Crows, Manu Chao, Guns & Roses, Nucleya, Advaita, and Jalebee Cartel to name a few. MGMH has worked on some of the biggest events in India including Sula Festival, Ziro Festival, Eastwind Music Festival, Moto Spotlight and many more. She has attended multiple Music Conferences worldwide, and has also been a panelist at the Music Expo in Los Angeles, the Electron Festival in Geneva and the Amsterdam Dance Event – Mumbai Sessions. Before Indie 101, Ritnika released a book on electronic music in conjunction with Samrat B. and the Goethe Institut.

“Every year brings new ideas and aspects of the music industry that I want to explore and I am already working on the next chapter for after the book launch” - Ritnika Nayan   

MGMH was started as a management company a decade ago. It branched into bookings, rehearsal studios, festival production/coordination, social media, books and consultancy. They have been making continuous contribution towards the Indian Music Industry.

“The need of the hour is education on the business of music” - Ritnika Nayan

Nayan agrees that educating the individuals on the business of music is an unfilled gap. This has been the aim behind writing Indie 101. The newer artists, individuals entering the music space without proper knowledge or experience often multiple failures faced by the new comers in the business of music. Ritnika calls the experienced veterans of the industry to start imparting the tools of the trade to the younger generation so that the industry can grow.

Addressing The Challenges Faced By Artists & Their Managers

Today, many artists are exploited, and face multiple challenges due to lack of understanding on the legalities behind the music business. Ritnika is trying to address this problem by closely working on an “Artist Union” informs, promotes and protects the artist rights when it comes to dealing with the other key operating segments (Venues/Record Label/Booking Agents, Event Management etc) of the music industry.

The problems of “money “ and “team work” are universal, and they are valid in music industry too. When asked on the key challenges faced by the artist managers today, Ritnika agrees the two above are applicable here too. Collecting “timely payments for their artists” is defiantly a major one. Artists are often noted sharing on social media on promoters, venues disappearing or not paying the artist.  “The main thing to protect yourself and your artist from facing this issue. To avoid, and overcome this challenge, it is recommended to either take 100% advance payment from the management and as a thumb rule to have an MOU in place. It is essential to have agreed upon payment terms with the concerned person and take at least 50% advance payment and balance on the day of the event BEFORE the gig starts.” Says Nayan

I’ve personally encountered multiple instances where the artist manager finds it difficult to work in coordination with the artist. There are multiple times when the management and artist are unable to achieve the set out goals they set out for themselves. “Artist Negligence or Laziness, is the second challenge that a manager faces” Ritnika agreed. It is wrong to for an artist (a few, not all) to feel their job is over after the manager comes to play. “The artist – manager relationship is like a marriage and both parti

es have their role. The artist must constantly be churning out content, be active on social media and also scout out new opportunities for themselves and work together with the manager to get ahead” Nayan Said.

When Independent Music Meets Bollywood..

It is great when film music includes fresher sounds as that allows newer genres to trickle into the mainstream market Ritnika on Film Driven Music Industry Of India 

Artists must look for ways of incorporating their music within Bollywood, and use the opportunity. The Indian film business is celebrated globally, and we all love Bollywood musicals! There is no fighting the thought of film business driving the music industry in India, because Bollywood is always going to be the industry leader. While it is essential to ensure newer sounds, introduce newer talent and promote collaboration to ensure growth.

Ritnika's Advice for the newer artists

Newer Artists Need To Pay Attention To Songwriting - Ritnika Nayan

Ritnika’s advice for the newer artists is to pay attention to songwriting and the way the package themselves.There are great songwriters who aren’t thinking of the whole package, which is essential to reach where they seek to be.

Indie 101 was a response to the ambiguous state of the music industry. The book touches on key topics and provides information on a lot of topics in an effort to educate and organise individuals in the music industry

“I hope this book helps people… As that was the only intention behind it. ;-)” - Ritnika Nayan

The book hits the stores on August 24, 2017! The launch of Indie 101, and the celebration of the 10 years of MGMH has many artists, and business leaders joining the party. 

Buy Indie 101: The Ultimate Guide to the Independent Music Industry in India on Amazon today - http://amzn.in/7kUMfrm