In a world of sharp elbows and 3 year old prodigies learning how to play Metallica solos, it has come to the point where the chances of making it into the music industry are lower than ever.
The problem: almost anyone can upload music anywhere. Teenage boys sit in their rooms making ‘sick beats’ and upload them with generic alleyway album covers. Almost everyone has access to a phone, which means they have access to free streaming sites and... boom. You’re off.
One click and your song is on Soundcloud. Join over 175 million artists.
But is it that easy? Surely making it in the music world has never been harder.
Take Billie Eillish, Clairo and Girl in Red. All current female music icons, with Billie being the youngest ever female to win 5 Grammys, an extortionate number, it has become possible to make it at the age of barely 18. There are more and more upcoming young artists, with the likes of 17 year old Chloe Moriondo; 19 year old Boy Pablo and Khalid at just 20 years old. Boy Pablo holds over 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Khalid with over 54 million and Billie Eillish with over 55 million. But what is it that lets brings them success in the industry?
Most of them started sitting in their room with an acoustic guitar and bad quality recording software; the generic, tinny Garage Band. The new ‘cool’ is to start your music career in a dingy room on YouTube, wearing your brother’s huge jumper, playing the acoustic guitar you got for your birthday when you were 8. Those of us who rehearse religiously every Friday; booking gigs in between hours of homework; screaming into microphones until our throats ache, are going unseen.
But there is a way.
There’s a growing scene for upcoming bands, thanks to volunteer-run places like the Basement Door (@thebasementdoor). From Battle of the Bands to festivals to acoustic nights, talented teenagers across London are blossoming. And the man behind it all has got to be one of the least expected gods of the music world: a middle aged man in a leather jacket with the comedic name Kevin. Despite the hidden heroes lurking in pub venues, it sometimes seems the only way to be recognised is to fall into the genre of huge T-shirts and bleached blonde hair.
Maybe you’ve noticed solo artists are making it big now more than ever: people have lost their appetite for the Mick Jagger swagger, bands seem to have lost their lustre. Have we lost rock ‘n’ roll?
Having met the 15 year old embodiment of Axel Rose myself, a teenage boy with shoulder length hair and insane guitar solos, I can safely say rock ‘n’ roll can never be properly lost. And I know that those of us who want to carry anything close to the energy of the legendary Stones will keep going.
So next time you think it’s impossible to get your band big, just remember you don’t need to fall into the misconception that young bands are doomed - we just have to cave our path a little harder. But in a world of edgy one piece singers and constant digital explosions, you have to whip out those sharp elbows and pretend you were the 3 year old prodigy.
By Bella Gerber-Johnstone, 11EP
Check out Bella's band, @adayinjune_band on Instagram
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