Kevin Gullickson of RadioDrive
The best part of the Indie scene is that is a very familial environment, with artists and musicians lending each other a helping hand and offering support and advice. Kevin Gullickson, of RadioDrive, has journeyed down the path through the land of Indie music and he has sage advice for those who are just embarking on their journey.
“I speak from experience, people in the music industry are sometimes like wolves, and like wolves in their natural environment smell fear, these wolves in the industry smell desperation,” Gullickson said. “They can smell that fear and they will take advantage of you. They might come into it with good intentions but one thing leads to another and pretty soon your interests are no longer their interests and you are stuck with a bad contract you can’t get out of, which I’ve been in.”
Despite having seen the dark side of the Indie music scene, Gullickson is a very positive and hopeful individual, thankful for the opportunities he has had and for those that are beginning to unfold.
“I sense this revolution in the music industry where musicians are taking the music back,” Gullickson said. “I love going on ReverbNation and listening to bands from around the world. It’s just amazing – the good music and people who just want to write and share their amazing gift with people.
That’s what it’s all about and I love seeing this revolution that’s been going on with the music industry.”
The internet is the vehicle that’s driving that revolution, according to Gullickson. “Here we can log onto ReverbNation and hear bands from all around the world. There are these amazing musicians and there’s videos online and you can just be entertained all afternoon listening to bands from anywhere; any kind of music. It’s just amazing.”
Part of the momentum of that revolution is the passion of the Indie artists. Gullickson wants newer artists to remember it is about the integrity of the songwriting, and not to sell themselves short. “When they start out they just want to share their music and so often people come to a decision where they end up compromising or selling out for the sake of fame and fortune or whatever else,” he said. “I think eventually that breaks their spirit and has consequences down the road but if they stay true to themselves and just maintain that confidence in who they are and in their abilities, good things will follow.”
Behind the Music
By Kiva Johns-Adkins
“I sense this revolution in the music industry where musicians are taking the music back,”