How did other pony-music musicians get so popular?

[Aurelleah 894]

So some of the artists who have made music somehow hit it off and became really well known in the brony community. People like woodentoaster, assertive fluttershy to name a few. I'm pretty new to everything, so i'm looking for someone who's been around long enough to see people like that develop. I know there's a lot of elements involved, like the actual music, promotion, word of mouth and just sheer luck...

 

I've been thinking of making an SFM for one of my songs (nightmare, in my signature), but what worries me is.. what if I go through all the effort to make one, work really hard and it doesnt have any reception?

I know if it were easy to go viral then everyone would be viral, but I put a lot of effort into the music I make (and distribute download links, I dont care about any money) but It feels like it really flies under the radar. I try to mention my music making to people I meet in hopes they'll check it out and share it with their friends, but some of my songs are months old and only just now hitting 200 views.

 

Im thinking maybe part of it is that I dont write words in the songs due to my lack of ability to write lyrcics, or maybe my songs arent as catchy... or.. I'm not quite sure to be honest

 

So any tips on improving myself, my music and my appearance to the community? What am I doing wrong?

[EpitomeOfTruth 243]

As far as improving your music, all you can do is do it the best way you know how. Not everyone has the same taste, but it should be hard to find fans that do like what you make.

 

As for improving your image and fanbase, just advertise yourself the best way you can. Do not be afraid to post your work and share it with others. The only reason that guys like Tombstone and WoodenToaster are this big is because they were some of the first to do it. Anyone can make it in this fandom. Things like this are always slow to start, it just takes a little push, and it will soon gain momentum.

 

In short: Right now, in this stage of the game, you're doing everything right. Dont give up.

[Aurelleah 894]

Thanks so much, It means a lot I'll do my best!!

[Steel Accord 6,658]

I've been a brony for years, entering shortly after the exodus from 4chan. (You know really, the actual history of this fandom plays out like an epic poem on fast forward.  ) I've seen the rise of MandoPony from niche artist to regular top tier entry, MicTheMicrophone going from Youtube collabs to performing live for Bronycon, and the meteoric rise of relative newcomer BlackGryphon.

 

So I assume I'm at least one kind of guy you're looking for.

 

Now I'm not a musical critic so I can't tell you what you're doing wrong from a musical point of view. I can tell you that almost none of the guys who are currently "horse famous" neither wanted nor thought they would be. You don't care about money, you say. Except you do, it's just not dollars and cents you're looking for as much as notoriety. The desire is the same though.

 

Now there is nothing wrong with that, but it's the wrong mindset to be in. When I write my fanfic, it's not because I want it to be the next Fallout Equestria but because I want to write it. You have to actually enjoy your creations for their own sake otherwise there's not as much passion in them.

 

My point is, don't create to be famous, create to create. 

[Aurelleah 894]

When I first started making music, that was the mindset I had, I do suppose I lost some of that mindset over the past couple months from comparing myself to others, thanks for the reminder :>

[Steel Accord 6,658]

When I first started making music, that was the mindset I had, I do suppose I lost some of that mindset over the past couple months from comparing myself to others, thanks for the reminder :>

 

Not a problem.

 

I'm not a musician, but I am also a kind of artist, so I now the pressures of competition and comparing one's self to others. Believe me, wanting to be a sci-fi and fantasy writer isn't easy when you have the likes of Phillip K. Dick and J.R.R. Tolkien to compare yourself to. Compare and then shrivel before their titanic shadows.

 

Just as I said before though. If you have passion in your work, whether they have wide appeal or not won't matter. They'll be a success as long as you enjoyed them.

Edited February 26, 2015 by Steel Accord

[Stallionslaughter 394]

Wow, it's like you read my mind. I am a one-pony band that makes videos of each part to show that I really can play what I'm recording, and I figured that would be a big deal, but nothing is gained usually.

 

If you exclude the time it takes to write a song (which is several weeks) and then get good enough at playing it on all the instruments to record all in one take, recording, videoing, and editing takes about three days because of rendering, backgrounds, and subtitles. About a month poured into one video and I average about 20 views and 4 likes.

 

Naturally, I do it for the love of the craft. I like recording music and making the videos more for myself than anyone else. I also enjoy trying to get good enough to collaborate with other bronies and help them make rock/metal songs (usually vocalists).

 

From what I've seen, especially in videos or art, quantity is everything. Making quality works fast and plenty. If you consistently pump out content, you're going to be an entity worth paying attention to.

 

After the initial canvass, quality and time will be more worth the wait for the watchers. At least that's what I've seen.

 

Hope this helps.

[Pinkiemena 33]

I'd love to tell you about how you can approve your music. And I think it is great knowing you can step back and see how you can approve. You should try getting inspired and stuff. That is how I write my piano musc.

[09thRoad 104]

The reason why the early MLP-related musicians became so popular so quickly was simply because they were the first to tackle their craft. Obviously, you have to make good music, but back then there was much, much less "competition" so to speak. You can still make it big today but it'll be much harder since there are so many talented startups popping up seemingly every day.

Edited February 26, 2015 by 09thRoad

[Bronyance 61]

Connections, promotions, collaborations - I started up in the community and started making things on my channel in my signature in last September last year. Since then I've gained 139 subscribers, because I've put my creations forward to Equestria Daily and other sites, as well as showing other brony musicians (for instance, I knew that MandoPony had made 8-bit stuff before so when I started making 8-bit I contacted him on Twitter saying that he might enjoy it, and he did) and I got a boost in attention from him. I've collaborated with others - currently working on a song with FritzyBeat and am in a little group with people like L-Train, Chi-Chi and a few others, and I've not only played to the brony community but to other fan-bases, like the Pentaholics, fans of Pentatonix.

 

It just takes some patience and a bit of PR.

 

EDIT: Also, I love your stuff, it sounds great.

Edited February 26, 2015 by Bronyance

[Snow Frostflame 3,567]

good equipment, good software, and talent....the three keys to getting a lot of subs....

[Freewave 1,145]

Anyway you look at it it has changed from the beginning days of the music scene and what it is now. Part of it was it was completely new, scene when it was happening, and there was very much a collaborative and supportive scene back then. Look at how often Mic the Microphone,, Tombstone, Toaster, and Jackleapp worked on each other's tracks. Most hung out on mylittleremix and in chats to gether. I could endlessly go on about how things may have been easier back then during that first year or two.  They pushed each other into being the well know names they are now...

 

The scene now seems much larger of course but much less of a community then it was back then. People weren't trying to be "famous" then, but people do care a bit more about that now or look to the heights that some have reached. It's also a much smaller audience for music out there and many more new people around (from good to bad) and few veterans. Plus we are between seasons which lowers overall interest. Don't set your goals based off others views as that will likely be depressing anyway you look at it.

 

Getting back to your questions, the best thing you can do is try not to focus on setting popularity goals for yourself but look towards improving. On your music, on how you write (songs with words are generally more popular than instrumentals), on how you make your videos.  It's important to enjoy what you are doing but also see ways to make it better. Collaborating with others who can do what you can't (sing or play guitar for example) is a big plus and can show you better ways to make music and also create a network of peers that you'll need to befriend and get feedback from.

 

Look to see what you can differently from others in ways to stick out from the herd. Doing genres that others don't do, making fancier pmv's, handling mlp topics that aren't often covered are key things. Collect your tracks as albums so you can have common themes to your work can help.  Mastering genres that you love is another (and will give you a sound to your name). Don't forget if you're a brony musician that you include that inspiration as part of your music so you don't make generic pino like far too many musicians. Always submit to EQD and take what you get. It may suck when you hope for a spotlight and get a motd but that's only part of the hurdle. Really its how good the track is as a whole and how many people like it that makes something popular. Sometimes EQD misses the boat for something safe and typical and others grow support on being bold and different as word of mouth takes over. But whatever you do make sure you enjoy the creativity of making music and keep it fun, aim to continually improve, and realize that  its a lot of work. It may take years to get truly "good" and there's a ton of luck involved in getting the recognition you deserve.

Edited February 26, 2015 by Freewave

[Aurelleah 894]

Thanks for everyone's advice, I appreciate it. I revive this topic for 2 reasons. First with a question: There's so much dubstep out there already, might I be better off making the orchestral music I've been making instead of trying to make electronic?

 

Second reason.... I took someone's advice to submit to equestria daily, and.... well,

http://i.imgur.com/oBsWvij.png

[Freewave 1,145]

Thanks for everyone's advice, I appreciate it. I revive this topic for 2 reasons. First with a question: There's so much dubstep out there already, might I be better off making the orchestral music I've been making instead of trying to make electronic?

 

Second reason.... I took someone's advice to submit to equestria daily, and.... well,

http://i.imgur.com/oBsWvij.png

 

1. Make the type of music that you enjoy making. If you make orchestral then be the best at it you can (look at Makkon, Carbon Maestro, and other people who've had great success) If possible you can always mix in electronic elements or lyrics and vocals to further diversify your music and open it up to others. One of my favorite older remix i did was turn Star in Autumn's orchestral track into a dance remix (and i did a trance remix of Makkon's track too) and there's no reason why that shouldnt happen more. Stars eventually started doing more and more electronic until he gave up on orchestral completely. So follow your own path but don't be afraid to stray from it.

 

 

2. I hate to say it but EQD runs the brony community at this point. I can put a new track out there, i have 2k+ subscribers, but until EQD jumps on it it sits out there with only a few hundred views. Once EQD spotlights or MOTD's your track that fire is alight. Until then it's just sitting there doused in gasoline. Subscibers are incredibly important in letting you know if you're doing something well, but many people wait to be fed music by EQD rather than any other method. That's not to say you shouldn't try any alternate methods that available to you or look forward to steady growrth as people discover yoiur channel and music. .

Edited February 28, 2015 by Freewave

[Aurelleah 894]

Yeah I got into the MotD :> Any idea if theres a "cooldown" to getting put in there? For example, do they not take two pieces in a row?

[Bronyance 61]

Thanks for everyone's advice, I appreciate it. I revive this topic for 2 reasons. First with a question: There's so much dubstep out there already, might I be better off making the orchestral music I've been making instead of trying to make electronic?

 

Second reason.... I took someone's advice to submit to equestria daily, and.... well,

http://i.imgur.com/oBsWvij.png

My work here is done... Good day!

 

;_;7

[Aurelleah 894]

Thanks Just hit 2k views on the relatime thing for past 48 hours T-T I'm so happy

[Steel Accord 6,658]

Thanks for everyone's advice, I appreciate it. I revive this topic for 2 reasons. First with a question: There's so much dubstep out there already, might I be better off making the orchestral music I've been making instead of trying to make electronic?

 

Second reason.... I took someone's advice to submit to equestria daily, and.... well,

http://i.imgur.com/oBsWvij.png

 

I would recommend making the orchestral stuff.

 

Also, congratulations.

[Aurelleah 894]

Thanks <3 I appreciate that and I REALLY appreciate your opinion

[Freewave 1,145]

Yeah I got into the MotD :> Any idea if theres a "cooldown" to getting put in there? For example, do they not take two pieces in a row?

 

Waiting a week before submitting again is always a good idea but there's often a week delay during the "review" process so it's up to you.  Defnitely don't send them 2 things at once . 

 

Also i don't understand those ppl who put their new full albums in one ytube. WHY. (looking at you Jeff Burgess!!) Stagger those track releases.

[Aurelleah 894]

Welp look slike I'm boned then I sent two this time so they had something to choose from if they didnt like one of em

[ChikaChan 7,320]

I don't mind that no one care's about my music anyway,mines are pathetic compare to other people works

[Steel Accord 6,658]

Thanks <3 I appreciate that and I REALLY appreciate your opinion

 

Always eager to share it and you're most welcome.

Welp look slike I'm boned then I sent two this time so they had something to choose from if they didnt like one of em

 

You can always try again later.

[Aurelleah 894]

<3 I'm so excited, It turns out the majority of the spikes of views was from when I made THE FRONT PAGE!!!!

http://cheezburger.com/69014785?utm_source=trans&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=frontpage

It's only one of the most viral meme sites on the web Thanks for everyone who gave the tips and advice to really put myself out to these places!

[PlunderSteed 1,251]

<3 I'm so excited, It turns out the majority of the spikes of views was from when I made THE FRONT PAGE!!!!

http://cheezburger.com/69014785?utm_source=trans&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=frontpage

It's only one of the most viral meme sites on the web Thanks for everyone who gave the tips and advice to really put myself out to these places!

 

A big part of being successful (or at least having a wide reach within the community) is actively advertising, doing market research, and making the timing work for you.  Basically the same stuff any aspiring musician can be doing, regardless of fandom or genre.  EQD and Cheezburger are great for initial exposure, but staying relevant can be a bit more tricky.  Having a large subscriber base goes a long way, of course.  But you also need to keep them engaged.

 

COMMUNITY RELATIONS: Even if you aren't releasing new music every week, you can still reach out to your current and potential fans through Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr or other means.  If they feel like you're actively keeping them involved, they'll be more likely to remember you, and to recommend you to their friends.

 

MARKETING: find out what's popular in the fandom, and look for ways to get in on it.  For instance, back in August my band started working on a unique cover of "Let's Have a Battle."  It took a month to make, and we managed to release it the day before Rainbow Rocks hit theaters.  It was picked up on Cheezburger and Equestria Daily's "Spotlight Music" the next day, and now has about 65,000 views.  So...timing is key.

 

NETWORKING: There are metric ass ton of Brony music websites, tubes, radio stations, etc.  Getting your music into rotation will help you reach new fans, and help your name become a common sight alongside other established musicians.  Learn about stations/sites that host music in your genre, find out who runs them, talk to them, submit your stuff, and follow up on it.