Music industry pressure & Amy Winehouse’s mother
Amy Winehouse’s mother, Janis, has made statements where she accuses the music industry for her daughter’s state of mind and health. I agree with her. I am not a personal friend or acquaintance of Ms Winehouse - in fact, I haven’t listened to her music, even. But I do know that the music industry shows an intrinsic disregard for the well-being of the artists it “supports” so long as there is a short-term buck to be made. Forget nurturing the artist and planning for a long and immensely profitable career and sustainable brand; just rip ‘em for all they’re worth and throw em to the side when you’re done, just like you’d do with a whore in the street.
That’s the way this corrupt industry works, though there are exceptional companies.
So what do you do? If you’re facing involvement with the industry, then check all contracts and negotiate them. Have a lawyer and a business manager, both of whom care for your career and your rights, and understand those rights, at any conferences. Stipulate conditions: you don’t tour for more than x amount of time (select an amount of time you think you can handle without burning out, destroying your family, etc), clauses that let you step out of a performance if you’re ill, that provide recovery time, and so on.
If they don’t agree to your conditions, do not give in. It only means they will rape your talents until you can’t do what they want anymore, and you’re going to wish you never signed that deal. So don’t take it, even if the carrot is dangling in your face.
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