Best Music Industry Books for Independent Artists
You can find all the tips and tricks you want on the Internet; however, there is something valuable in having books you can rely on for all the knowledge you need. Here at Twentyfour-Eight & Co., we believe that artists should be all-rounders and be able to get their music out whether they are signed or not. To be able to understand what is happening to you and your music, you should have a working knowledge of how the industry works, and these books will do just that.
All You Need to Know About the Music Business by David Passman (10th Edition)
This book will become your holy grail. It is by far one of the most important books you can own in the industry as it gives you a rundown of everything. From copyright basics to marketing to law to how labels run, this book explains it all in the most understandable and easily comprehensible way. It’s full of references, and it breaks down terms into more manageable knowledge. Truly everyone (artist or engineer or marketer or entertainment lawyer) should read this book to understand what happens and why.
The Song Machine: Inside the Hit Factory by John Seabrook
This is a great read to understand the creative side of the industry and what happened to hit makers. It explains trends within the music world, what audiences tended to favor, and why at the given time. It gives you a look into big milestones in music history (on the creative side). Personally, I love the smaller stories it dives into like how Umbrella almost wasn’t Rihanna’s song. (Not Clickbait. Get the book to find out more.)
Music Money and Success by Jeff and Todd Brabec
Music is ultimately a business and a way to earn a living. However, there are a lot of conniveries that happen within this industry, and this book is a great guide as to what one should look out for and what one should do in certain situations. It is no handbook and a sure-fire path that if you follow you will succeed, but rather it gives you examples of what has happened in the past and what to want in the future.
Modern Recording Techniques (8th Edition) by David Miles Huber and Robert E. Runstein
This book is good to have if you are your own studio and your own engineer. It gives you a basic understanding of technologies, mixing, mastering, and recording. From mic placement to studio design and acoustics to DAWs and MIDI, this book will teach you what you need to know about the studio and the recording process. It will give you the knowledge needed to make your next single sound like your best single.