Money isn’t everything, now on Billy Momo #26.

by Orren

We’re not in it for the money. Neither is anyone else. Because it’s not 1996. And we can’t complain, we’re in it for the love of it. Who cares about money, right? Well, terribly sorry, but we all do. Because we live in the real world. There are rent and clothes and food and shit, even for us musicians.

So, obviously, since our job has turned into a hobby, we all have day jobs. And we put every extra penny and every spare minute into our music. In 2017, making music is expensive. At least if you want to reach out.

Say you’re an act that doesn’t need a studio. You can spend a couple thousand dollars on equipment and record in your closet. Great! If you wanna reach an audience, though, you’ll need something for that. You might have a great plan for this that is free of charge.

That’s rare, though. The only thing rarer than that is a record company or anyone at all in the business investing money in a marketing plan for anyone who doesn’t already have ten million youtube hits. They can’t afford to. Nor can they afford to invest in any other part of the operation. Studio time, producers, tour management, all of that. What was once a whole industry, is now just you. People who claim to know “the right people” will charge you very real money for very vague promises. Someone who apparently is somebody might listen to your shit. Then what? Well, no one will tell you, but they’ll charge you. Venues will offer you “great exposure” instead of pay.

More Billy Momo wisdom at The GTC archive

They can’t afford to. Nor can they afford to invest in any other part of the operation. Studio time, producers, tour management, all of that. What was once a whole industry, is now just you. People who claim to know “the right people” will charge you very real money for very vague promises. Someone who apparently is somebody might listen to your shit. Then what? Well, no one will tell you, but they’ll charge you. Venues will offer you “great exposure” instead of pay.

Enough whining, I really can’t complain. This is a choice and I’m far from the only one who’s not getting paid for doing what I love. What I’m trying to say is just this: If an artist or musician is trying to exploit different parts of their operation, they’re probably not trying to make you pay for a new car. Or even a new Xbox. I know I’m not. They’re just trying to make sure they get to keep making music.

(article photo by Christopher Anderzon)

Billy Momo

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VIDEO/SONG NOTES:

Edited by the brilliant team at Kola Productions (www.kolaproductions.se)
Filmed at Wenngarn Castle, Sigtuna, Sweden

Actors:
The members of Billy Momo
and
Kalle Hovell
Hanne Merete Kristensen
Evangeline Lind
Teresie Nilsson
Afsoon Pouya
Johanna Tak
Martin Wahlström

The song is our comment on the current state of the world, where increasing polarization makes people stop listening to one another. All different fractions cling to their own views of the world, never question themselves, but everyone else. Even a voice of reason will be misinterpreted and twisted into different meanings by different people. This is a very serious matter, but in this video, we have tried to illustrate the point with a sense of humor. Hope you enjoy it!

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