Foreword to why I quit music
How it started: When I got into music, it was the only career path that I could envision. Right after finishing school, I struggled with the idea of conforming to a typical 9-to-5 job (active income) and becoming a slave to selling my time instead of working by creating value (passive income). This decision was not about choosing an easier path; rather, it was about understanding that following a career path devoid of desire is far more difficult than pursuing something challenging yet fulfilling.
I made money mainly through teaching but on the side I also plugged songs, and worked in publishing, while building my own songs as a songwriter.
Definition: Active Income is directly linked to the time and effort you put in, such as in a 9-5 job. You’re compensated based on your hours or output. With active income, the moment you stop working, the income stops as well, since it’s dependent on continuous involvement.
Definition: Passive Income is money you earn with minimal ongoing effort after the initial work is done. This type of income allows you to generate revenue without being directly involved in day-to-day activities. For example, royalties from a book, music, or a product you created continue to bring in earnings long after the initial work is complete. Other examples include rental income from real estate or dividends from investments. Passive income streams often require upfront effort.
If I wanted to just make music, I would have continued it as a hobby. But it was more than that, which made me willing to learn and get involved with the less glamorous aspects as well. This was not about succeeding for a short time, but it was about making this career sustainable, so I learned about the business aspects.
Many musicians prefer to focus solely on their art, avoiding the business side. That’s not wrong, but risky in my opinion. Perhaps it was different for me because I didn’t have someone I could trust from the start. I began with no network at all and I wanted to avoid unnecessary disasters, like signing bad contracts.
Why I Quit Music
Toxic Environment That Led Me to Quit Music
One of the major reasons I decided to quit music was the environment itself. While the industry is filled with wonderful, talented individuals, it also has its fair share of drama. There was often no middle ground; people were either on the incredibly kind and super vulnerable or manipulative and toxic side. I just wanted to do what I love, give it my all, and succeed. It’s okay if challenges come and go, but the never ending extremes here were not doing good.
There was much gossip, disrespect, childish and unethical noise. I did question whether it was because of something I do. While we all make mistakes, on average most individuals I talked to were not spared from similar experiences. In fact, I can’t think of anyone. It’s the nature of the industry.
So it’s important to have boundaries and be assertive to prevent other people from robbing you and especially here, where many people operate with a win-lose mindset. If there’s one thing I wish were different, it’s this part.
People have to learn as they go, which often leads to a less professional environment.
Success Is Even More Depended On Outside Sources
For anyone asking themselves, “Should I quit music?” it’s a deeply personal decision. I’m glad that I followed the advice of many mentors and allowed myself to make risky decisions within my 20s. They used to say in your 20s it’s about experience, get as much of it as you can and build on it in your 30s.
In the beginning, I did quite a lot of unpaid work for people who had more experience than me. Somebody asked why I was doing so, in a quite ridiculed expression. My answer was simple: I wanted to understand the perspectives and challenges of those I wanted to work with, so I could connect with them better and make valuable offers.
The growth that came from those experiences has been immense, but it was time to move toward a path more aligned with my values.
Coincidentally, I watched an interview with the Korean actor Daniel Henney recently, where he mentioned that he started writing scripts because he didn’t like waiting for callbacks after auditions. It’s similar in music, that part resonated with me too.
Unusually your customers set the price of your product
The monetary system was less of a reason, that made me step back BUT I can’t lie, the financial opportunities in marketing are much more lucrative.
The financial structure in the music industry is unique, and most people probably never heard of a system like that. You have limited control over the price of what you sell. Many people have power over you, without you ever handing your power over. While some might be content earning $100k or a bit more a year, my ambitions are much higher, which I had again put off for music.
I don’t believe in trading time for money. While there are ways to overcome this in music, the options aren’t as strong as other fields. The value of songs tends to decrease over time, and at this point, it happens very quickly. As a publisher or creative, you often find yourself running in circles. I was okay with that because it was music, but the baggage that came with it hasn’t justified the sacrifice. That said, I’m still incredibly grateful that I pursued it.
Other Industries Move Much Faster
Of course, working in marketing isn’t without its challenges. I have to always stay on top of complex projects. When taking over new ones that have escalated under previous management, the de-escalation can be tough. However the industry I’m in right now is built different, there’s good balance and the drama is not the same as to what I’ve experienced in music, it’s more professional. I enjoy working with like-minded and hungry people. The camaraderie and shared goals make my work enjoyable and fulfilling.
In contrast, music often made it difficult to escape the sense of isolation, even though I’m someone who is very comfortable being alone.
Additionally, while certain income in music requires an extraordinary amount of time to become substantial—some say it can take 10 to 15 years—in many other industries, like marketing, progress happens much more quickly. Depending on what you do, it’s possible to achieve significant milestones in just one year. That too, I willingly sacrificed.
Conclusion
Seeing the peace that comes with this new journey, I can confidently say that I’ve found other ways to still enjoy my connection to music. Quitting work in the industry doesn’t mean, I’ve quit music entirely, I just knew it was time to move on. Sometimes, you have to let go of something great to make room for something even greater. However, this doesn’t mean I’ll stay here forever—I’ll continue to follow where success and desire leads me.
Marketing is also a powerful skill to learn. Many people and companies have great products or services, but it’s often effective marketing that sets successful ones apart. Take McDonald’s, for example. Despite offering unhealthy food, it enjoyed much global success because of its brilliant marketing strategies. Similarly, in music, some artists succeed more due to their marketing, not necessarily the quality of their music.
So I feel like I’ve gained a powerful new skill, and it’s interesting to see where this new path in marketing takes me every day.