So no one cashing in on their projects?

[SuitcaseOfLizards]

Since I'm a software engineer as my day gig, I can afford to just "do what I want".. although I'm thinking of entering the niche market of composing music for exotic dancers ("Stripper Tunes").

LOL.....I think Prince has the market cornered on that

Oh damn, good point! Well, maybe I can just sell into the local strip clubs, and maybe do some electrogoth for the local goth clubs. I'm only looking for beer money after all...

[declassified]

When you start earning money by your music, you'll sooner or later optimize your music for maximum profit.

It's the small capitalist in every human...

[Har]

I never expected it to be more than a hobby and I have no desire to do it full-time as it would necessarily involve too much compromise. We may do a world tour next year, which could easily be the high-point of my life, but music will still always be a hobby. I think there are far better ways to earn a living.

Perfectly put.

I tried doing music for a living full time in the past, and discovered the hard way that as soon as it became a full-time job, it...well...became like a full-time job! For me anyway, all of the things that I loved and got pleasure from about it eventually got devoured by the need to "be a professional about it", "gotta have THAT sound du jour", "gotta have THAT look du jour", etc. and started to become a total drag...to the point that I completely gave up on music altogether in the mid-90's for a period of time in disgust and tried focusing on other things (which eventually brought me full-circle back to music again ).

So for me, music is a type of hobby, but one I also take very seriously...while I'm no longer interested in "making it big" (at my age? HA! ) with music, it's definitely an integral part of my life. And once I gave up on the idea of "how cool it is to starve for your art" and got a solid non-musical career to support myself: I discovered the joys of being able to actually afford to get the musical tools I need, when I need them....and not have to survive on nothing but mac-n-cheese and water for months just to be able to purchase some gear.

[dystonia_ek]

I've lived off music on and off since the early 90's, but that's not to say it makes a lot of money...

[videzyrah]

Hobby/therapy; meaning if I didn't spend adequate time immersed in music I'd go manic-depressive psycho on a recurring basis

At the age of 26 I've finally realized that I could never make a living w/ music unless I were to compose/perform music well catered to the popular audience (market) rather than the (experimental) niches I naturally feel like working in; and that just ain't gonna happen even if I were to try..... Glad I stuck it out and got my environmental science degree.

[Carthago]

I make music for fun. I'm still a student and the money I earn goes into gear. I don't care if someday I will get a return on investment or even take financial benefit out of it or a huge yacht with 50 babes on it. I do it for fun.

If someday my music becomes popular and the cash starts flowing, why not? But for the moment I'm studying for my future to get a nice job so I can buy a yacht with 50 babes on it

[soulata]

music is my main income (divided as follows):

gigs > teaching > arranging > writing

I earn enough, but I live at home with my parents, so that eases my financial burden.

If I had to pay rent and all the food, I'd be skint.

k

besides, I've got almost all the gear that I need (too much actually), I'm only buying sw from now on.

[McLilith]

I would never do music simply to please myself so if I don't find exactly where I belong in the pro music scene then I will most likely drop it alltogether.

That's interesting. A lot of the people who have made it to the top of commercial success, claim that they would be playing music in their closet if they had no other venue in which to perform. In other words, they would create and perform music no matter if they had become financially successful at it, or not.

Then again, maybe that's just something they say to reporters to make it look like they are genuinely sincere about their music?



take care,
McLilith

[bmanic]

what do most KVR members aiming for? just a hobby or something more? I am deffinitly aiming for somthing more. What is the official average income figure for producers like us? Any future in this? Any members commit full time? I figure the ones that made it dont chit chat or ask for help in this site anymore

I will be doing this for professional work, once I'm done with the music technology school. I've got some contacts in the finnish industry but in this country you really have to work very hard to be able to live on the income! However, I'm aiming much higher than that.. look out for the next superstar, around srping/summer 2012!

Cheers!
bManic

[pHz]

I would never do music simply to please myself

i find this statement totally puzzling and somewhat sad ...

slainte rob

[soulata]

I would never do music simply to please myself

i find this statement totally puzzling and somewhat sad ...

slainte rob

me too.

although it's work for me (sometimes hard work) I still like to think it's my favorite hobby (and only hobby by that)