Sometimes, to be an independent musician means learning to live with an empty pocket.
Indie artists have the benefit of writing and recording what they want and the freedom to focus on their own musical agenda. But the do-it-yourself (DIY) work – music recording, distribution, and touring – means scrounging every last penny and putting it all into the band’s piggy bank.
Trying to enter the music industry often means enduring the nine-to-five by day to pay for practices by night. Most up-and-coming musicians tend to play music as a side project.
Justin Myler, the singer and bassist for Black Hat Brigade, has learned to balance his time between work and music.
“I’m able to jump back and forth between my job and playing with the band,” said the 26-year-old indie artist from Toronto. “I want music to be a big part of my life. I’m not making money but I just feel driven to do it.”
He works at his brother-in-law’s catering company, which gives him time to write and jam with guitarist and keyboardist Bryan Ward. Myler will settle with any job in order to make a living and create music simultaneously.
“The only real way to make [the band] work is if you do both at the same time.”
Myler and his band put their hard-earned money into their first EP, entitled Fathers. They also wanted to incorporate a visual aspect to their music by making a video for their song Zombie City Shake.
In order to save money, Myler asked his filmmaking cousin to produce their music video. The DIY project cost about 500 dollars to cover props and the people in the video were all zombie-acting volunteers.
“I think you get a very original feel out of it, especially with a tight budget,” said Ryan Myler, who's attending Fanshawe College for film production.
The 23-year-old student said the music industry is great for allowing musicians and filmmakers to collaborate and expand both their works.
“People that listen to music will see the videos and people who pay attention to videos will hear the music.”
Working independently has allowed Black Hat Brigade to get a feel for the music industry. But Justin Myler’s focus isn’t on making it big.
“It’d be nice to make money from our music, but we’re just looking to write the best songs we can. We’ll just keep doing what we do.”
Indie artists have the benefit of writing and recording what they want and the freedom to focus on their own musical agenda. But the do-it-yourself (DIY) work – music recording, distribution, and touring – means scrounging every last penny and putting it all into the band’s piggy bank.
Trying to enter the music industry often means enduring the nine-to-five by day to pay for practices by night. Most up-and-coming musicians tend to play music as a side project.
Justin Myler, the singer and bassist for Black Hat Brigade, has learned to balance his time between work and music.
“I’m able to jump back and forth between my job and playing with the band,” said the 26-year-old indie artist from Toronto. “I want music to be a big part of my life. I’m not making money but I just feel driven to do it.”
He works at his brother-in-law’s catering company, which gives him time to write and jam with guitarist and keyboardist Bryan Ward. Myler will settle with any job in order to make a living and create music simultaneously.
“The only real way to make [the band] work is if you do both at the same time.”
Myler and his band put their hard-earned money into their first EP, entitled Fathers. They also wanted to incorporate a visual aspect to their music by making a video for their song Zombie City Shake.
In order to save money, Myler asked his filmmaking cousin to produce their music video. The DIY project cost about 500 dollars to cover props and the people in the video were all zombie-acting volunteers.
“I think you get a very original feel out of it, especially with a tight budget,” said Ryan Myler, who's attending Fanshawe College for film production.
The 23-year-old student said the music industry is great for allowing musicians and filmmakers to collaborate and expand both their works.
“People that listen to music will see the videos and people who pay attention to videos will hear the music.”
Working independently has allowed Black Hat Brigade to get a feel for the music industry. But Justin Myler’s focus isn’t on making it big.
“It’d be nice to make money from our music, but we’re just looking to write the best songs we can. We’ll just keep doing what we do.”
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