Why Be Independent?

By: Endah Widiastuti

Why Be Independent?

This is the title of Chapter 2 of my new book that I bought yesterday in Saturday Coffeewar, delicious coffee in the cafe Kemang Timur. I am interested to see the title of this book. "I Do not Need a Record Deal, (Your Survival Guide for the Indie Music Revolution)" the paper Daylle Deanna Schwartz.

Book written in 2005 is very interesting. Chapter 1 is a list of the contents of the 150 names in the music industry which is the source of information for the book. Listed names, the field ditekuni and positions in the industry are. Then, today I read Chapter 2 which made me very inspired.

"I believe that independence breeds happiness, and happiness breeds creativity. Too many artists are unhappy with their record deals. Many do not have the creative freedom that leads to their best work." (p.32)

The first sentence in this chapter makes me surprised ...

"I love being independent - in every way. It gives me freedom and a platform. I feel like independent artists are in the front covered wagon in a whole new frontier. No one knows where we're going yet. I love the word independent and everything that goes along with it. " (David Ippolito, p.32)

Sentence quote from David Ippolito made me go back tersadar .. WHY BE INDEPENDENT? Sentence is to be a basic foundation for our Endah N Rhesa ... ... 4 years ago when it decided to become independent musicians. Many questions addressed to N Endah Rhesa, "You try to do major label?".

Being a musician is independent of choice. We choose to become a musician independe not because we are not confident with our music. Not because we have confidence that our music can be enjoyed only a few people ... not .. is not it. We realize that our music is eligible to enjoy a lot of people because of the recording is good and a good cover design. At least, we have reached the maximum time to produce a CD to Go nowhere. Maximum capacity, facilities, and funds available.

We choose to become independent musicians because of the same with Mr. Ippolito above. Hey ... the music industry is interesting. Moreover, in Indonesia ... wow! Very interesting! Rhesa and I just do not want to be a "vassal" of the flow of the industry. We want to learn a lot from this industry. How we produce albums, duplication costs, building management with a way to learn many things through demajors, dealing with the media, and most importantly interact intensively with the music our listeners.

This chapter also discusses the fact that the major label industry in the amount of money involved is large sangaaaaat. Be reasonable when all the musicians into the major industry and should compromise with many things, of course, related to selling as much as possible in order to benefit as big. Many musicians who go to major labels in the industry disappointed when so many things that are not in accordance with their desire for musicians, musicians are not aware that there is a system of business that they do not know. Fund the recording and duplication of a band at least 10,000 pieces plus campaign costs hundreds of million rupiah. And i believe ... there's no free lunch for Bussiness. But for musicians who realize with this business, so they know how to "play" in it and can still sleep soundly with.

This chapter gives some examples of musicians who depart from the independent world, such as Dave Matthews Band, which eventually they work with Major label. Salahkah? Oh, no! The Major Label far end would accommodate all the musicians is the desire. Dave Matthews Band gitu loh .. DMB of course prove himself after successfully selling hundreds of thousands of copies independently ago The Major Labels interested to work with this to receive the DMB is.

"Being independent gives you control over your career. That does not mean you'll succeed, but it's an opportunity. " (p. 38)

I love this phrases. That we need is opportunity. Opportunity to create, hear, receive the benefits, we can prove that. And we must memiiki control over what we do.

Rhesa and I have the same character in this case. We were happy to control things that we kuasai. If we do not even know and we will be able to learn knowledge. And have confidence that we CAN. I think this character is not selfish or idealist. This character is a LEADER. Rhesa have strength in the draft. This can be seen from the concept album to Go nowhere, design and picture the stories in it. Check it www.endahnrhesa.com, Rhesa who create our website. Rhesa also has a good business insting. He also knew the strategy in the market without a product seems cheap. Rhesa and very perfeksionis in all the cases, especially the concept and production.

While I am the person who MUST know the technical detail and process. Both the language and dealing contract law, negotiation, detail events, schedule, budget, up to the marketing and promotion strategies. I have to know many things, but that does not mean I have to do. Luckily I have a sister and crackerjack lawyers make a contract, so any time I can consult with him about the contract. Luckily I have friends demajors the full experience in the music business and I also learned a lot from them. Luckily I was in the midst of a critical human music to the industry at this time, only a few friends such as David Karto, Danny Ardiono, Cozy Street Corner, Bonita, you, Abang Edwin, Wendi Putranto, Rendi Raditya, Andre Harihandoyo, Ralmond, and ... more ... that at any time can be discussed, and of course I draw from science every time talk to them.

Back to the chapter Why Be Independent?

Why?

I remember when in Singapore in a week ago, talked with a good-hearted man called god Rama. Rama favor giving place for us to stay over in place to alleviate the cost of us there. Besides, I get a message that simply means of Rama.

"If ye believe what Get ya lu aja terusin. If you work with pride lu lu, lu gue nggak akan rasa make money whether or lu many enggak. Because the rich or the poor relative. But if ye proud and happy with what lu the value is already doing more than anything. "

I subside ... I am full-time musician. Independent. Rich? That, I Bahagia and proud of what I do.

Why be Independent? Please read again the quote from page 32 and 38 as I write above.