There are too many bands and musicians wanting to get big as possible and a lot of them want fame in this day and age of local music. Back in the day, I could have sworn that local musicians “used” to never care about fame. They just play for the love of it; however, ever since those reality TV shows such as “American Idol”, “America’s Got Talent”, “The Voice”, “X-Factor”, etc. etc. blah blah blah got so huge in the mainstream… I’ve noticed that local musicians have changed their view about how they look at music. A lot of bands deny that they want fame and fortune in their career but you know that’s a flat-out lie. You can tell a lot of bands & artists are desperate for fame ’cause of the way they market themselves in social networking. A lot of local bands promote themselves like they’re on a major label when they’re not really. Honestly, I always found this quite sad.

The music industry isn’t the same anymore. It’s not like it used to be. Most bands & artists in the major label industry today are mostly manufactured. Most of today’s recordings is usually done by auto-tune in the studio. There’s a lot of lip-syncing and fake-playing by artists on stage in this day and age of the industry.

I wouldn’t want fame the way it is going now. That is something I would never be able to handle.

In fame, it’s not always going to be positive and happy. You’ll through a lot of ups and downs. The major label industry is a pretty corrupt industry. You’re gonna get controlled by these guys. The major labels can change your music and they’ll tell you how to write songs that would be considered for “mainstream” singles. Doing a lot of research, I heard the major label execs would send artists in a meeting room and tell you how to write songs the way they want it. It’s usually the labels that picks songs for the album too.

The indie label industry is no different. I hear they are even more controlling and demanding. Success and fame is pointless.

Bands shouldn’t worry about becoming big and hoping to become superstars. They should just focus on playing the music and that’s the end of it.

I wouldn’t want to live that rich and famous lifestyle. That couldn’t be me. I can’t see myself living in a huge mansion and being married to a woman with plastic surgery and all that stuff. Do you want to live in a world full gossip, tabloids, rumors? Fame has sent rock stars in a negative light. I mean look at all the musicians who have died of drugs at such a young age. Fame could send ya in a depression ’cause money will do that. Fame could destroy your life if you aren’t careful.

I really hate the way national fame is today.

As far as being big and successful locally goes… that’s all fine and good. Nothing wrong with that but bands shouldn’t care about that either. If a lot of people enjoy my music, great. If a lot of people don’t. That’s great too! I just want to play music and enjoy it. Being unsigned is great. More freedom. You can be your own boss and create art how you want to.

When local bands obsess with wanting fame, I call them “fame chasers” ’cause that’s exactly what they are. When a local band that I love does get signed a major deal, I’m probably no longer gonna be interested with them. Why? Because I’m not a big fan of commercial music. I’ll believe that once a band have signed a record deal, they sold out. I guess that’s exactly what happened toward my feelings against Phantogram. I used to like them but once they got big, they’re no longer interesting. Look at what the indie label have done to them. Their recent music videos are crazy and that’s probably what turned me off about them.

I like where I am. Being unsigned is great. I just wanna write songs and share it.

You never worry about getting big. Just do your thing and don’t take yourself serious. Let the people tell you if you’re big and successful. If you go around telling everybody that you’re big and successful… chances are you probably aren’t. Usually a musician can never tell how big and successful they are. A lot of them believe they are nothing even if they are big and popular – that’s a good attitude to have. Don’t acknowledge your success. If you do, you’ll come off as egotistical. Bands have a problem of acknowledging their successes which is a pretty big turn off for me.

Don’t get me wrong, I do like more people enjoying my music and listening to it… I don’t care to get big with it.

Kev