- Joined
- Oct 19, 2011
- Location
- Washington DC
Recently I've noticed some new users posting throughout the forum, which is awesome. I also notice they have tracks in their sig with a TON of comments. I'll curiously click on their song to see what all the fuss is about and quickly realize that it's, for lack of a better word, shit. Then after scrolling through the comments I notice that not only were the vast majority of these comments created at the same time, but a majority of said comments are identical...some even identical from the same "user." Alas, another "producer" using Cloudkillers to make his or her self feel like they've accomplished something or are on their way to being "the next big thing."
After doing some digging, it seems that Cloudkillers is part of the unfortunate age of what is now being dubbed "internet promoting," which essentially consists of having your tracks force fed to other people in addition to outsourced help that gets paid to literally write comments. Did I mention that you can actually pay to receive more comments?
I've read on other forums where defenders will say "it's a good way to have my music heard by a lot of people." Bullshit. Chances are they're listening 15 seconds (if that long) and then typing in a mindless comment with little to no value.
So why am I ranting about this topic in the first place? To put it bluntly, artistic integrity. While we all would love to make millions and become rich & famous, the reality is that won't happen. If your single driving force behind making music is to gain popularity or get paid overnight, you're in for a rude awakening. Having a thousand comments on your track will not make your dick bigger nor will it make you stand from the crowd...actually, it will make you stand out from the crowd, but for all the wrong reasons. I'm no record label owner, but I believe that if you send a soundcloud link of your cloudkiller-filled track to an A&R rep for a big label, they would think you're too lazy to attempt to put in the work to promote your stuff through good ole' fashion human interaction and networking.
Maybe I'm way off base, but I for one started making music for the simple fact that I like making music. I love the creative process, the learning, the struggles, the satisfaction from listening to rough a copy of an early tune and hearing the final master. Will I send it off to labels that I think will fit their style for consideration? Sure, when I feel the tune has a chance. Will I post it to soundcloud? Damn right. Will I be heartbroken if there are no comments, listens, etc or if a label rejects my submission? No. It's all part of the genuine, real life experience which in itself is part of this game called production.
I'm no Andy C. I have yet to have any tracks signed. I am humbled whenever someone provides me and/or msmith222 with feedback on a track or shares praise for a tip we've posted. If I'm ever wrong about a post and corrected, I'll be the first to admit the mistake/error. One thing I can say with the utmost certainty (and I'm sure I'm not alone) is that I work as hard as my life's time allows to pursue music either through production, djing, or discussion with other members of this very forum. I don't do this because I have to, I do this because I want to and love to. I will never beg for track reviews, soundcloud follows, facebook likes, or post on an famous producers public social media page to "pleaz listn and reviewz my trackz dude!!" Why won't I do these things? Artistic integrity.
Those of you cloudkilling your tracks, more power to you. Just don't count on me ever reviewing your tunes or having any respect for your work. And at the very least, disable your comments when posting to the forum because you're killing the loading time.
Just my .02. Sorry for the lengthy rant.
Would love to hear others thoughts on this. And if any cloudkiller producers want to chime in and enlighten me, I'm all ears.
Cheers.
After doing some digging, it seems that Cloudkillers is part of the unfortunate age of what is now being dubbed "internet promoting," which essentially consists of having your tracks force fed to other people in addition to outsourced help that gets paid to literally write comments. Did I mention that you can actually pay to receive more comments?
I've read on other forums where defenders will say "it's a good way to have my music heard by a lot of people." Bullshit. Chances are they're listening 15 seconds (if that long) and then typing in a mindless comment with little to no value.
So why am I ranting about this topic in the first place? To put it bluntly, artistic integrity. While we all would love to make millions and become rich & famous, the reality is that won't happen. If your single driving force behind making music is to gain popularity or get paid overnight, you're in for a rude awakening. Having a thousand comments on your track will not make your dick bigger nor will it make you stand from the crowd...actually, it will make you stand out from the crowd, but for all the wrong reasons. I'm no record label owner, but I believe that if you send a soundcloud link of your cloudkiller-filled track to an A&R rep for a big label, they would think you're too lazy to attempt to put in the work to promote your stuff through good ole' fashion human interaction and networking.
Maybe I'm way off base, but I for one started making music for the simple fact that I like making music. I love the creative process, the learning, the struggles, the satisfaction from listening to rough a copy of an early tune and hearing the final master. Will I send it off to labels that I think will fit their style for consideration? Sure, when I feel the tune has a chance. Will I post it to soundcloud? Damn right. Will I be heartbroken if there are no comments, listens, etc or if a label rejects my submission? No. It's all part of the genuine, real life experience which in itself is part of this game called production.
I'm no Andy C. I have yet to have any tracks signed. I am humbled whenever someone provides me and/or msmith222 with feedback on a track or shares praise for a tip we've posted. If I'm ever wrong about a post and corrected, I'll be the first to admit the mistake/error. One thing I can say with the utmost certainty (and I'm sure I'm not alone) is that I work as hard as my life's time allows to pursue music either through production, djing, or discussion with other members of this very forum. I don't do this because I have to, I do this because I want to and love to. I will never beg for track reviews, soundcloud follows, facebook likes, or post on an famous producers public social media page to "pleaz listn and reviewz my trackz dude!!" Why won't I do these things? Artistic integrity.
Those of you cloudkilling your tracks, more power to you. Just don't count on me ever reviewing your tunes or having any respect for your work. And at the very least, disable your comments when posting to the forum because you're killing the loading time.
Just my .02. Sorry for the lengthy rant.
Would love to hear others thoughts on this. And if any cloudkiller producers want to chime in and enlighten me, I'm all ears.
Cheers.
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