Foreword to why I quit music
When I got into music, it was the only career path that made sense to me. Right after finishing school, I struggled with the idea of conforming to a typical 9-to-5 job. This decision was not about choosing the easier path; rather, it was about understanding that following a career path devoid of passion is far more difficult than pursuing something challenging yet deeply fulfilling.
If I wanted to just make music, I would have continued it as a hobby. But it was more than just a hobby, 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 had to learn about the business aspects. Many musicians prefer to focus solely on their art, avoiding the business side as much as possible though. Not sure how they handle it. Perhaps it’s different for me because I started with no network at all, and I wanted to avoid unnecessary disasters, like getting into 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 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, it’s depressing for many people,
There was too much gossip, childish and unethical noise, I did question whether it was because of something I do, but while we all do some mistakes, really it’s the nature of the industry.
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 did the risky decisions within my 20s. The growth that all my experiences brought me are immense. It was about time to move towards a journey that aligned more with my goals and values.
Coincidentally, I watched an interview with the Korean actor Daniel Henney today, where he mentioned that he started writing scripts because he didn’t like waiting for callbacks after auditions. That 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 people may be fine of earning $100k or a bit more a year, my ambitions are much higher. My calling is about creating process and reinvesting the gains of it to make it grow, that was something I was interested in even before I began my journey in music. I was kinda okay selling myself short, because I was doing what I love, I simply allowed myself to take the riskiest decisions first.
Other Industries Move Much Faster
Of course, working in marketing isn’t without its challenges. I often have to work closely with people and navigate complex projects, especially when taking over projects that have escalated under previous management. De-escalating these situations can be tough. But the industry I’m in right now is build 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.
On top of that, while in music it takes an extraordinary amount of time to build something substantial (some people take 10 to 15 years), in many other industries, including marketing, things move much more quickly. Depending on what you do, it’s possible to achieve significant milestones within just one year.
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 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 passion lead me.
Marketing is also a powerful skill to learn. Many people and companies have great products or services, but it’s often 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 gained a powerful new skill and it’s interesting to see where this new path in marketing takes me everyday.