My name is Edgar Avery. I’m a Singer/Songwriter from Portland, Oregon, focusing on lyrical, Indie style songwriting.
Just a boy with some songs, and a dream to share them with the world.
https://soundcloud.com/edgar-avery
http://edgaravery.bandcamp.com/album/ea
https://www.facebook.com/EdgarAveryMusic
https://www.instagram.com/edgar_avery_music
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
I’ve always turned to music for comfort in times of trouble. Its helped me through some of the hardest times in my life and I’m grateful to every musician for their contributions they make to the world-discography.
I have spent my childhood trying to decide what it is I can do with my life that will leave me feeling fulfilled, and the conclusion I came to was to try and make the world a better place than it was when I got here.
The best shot I have at making peoples’ lives better, and making the world a better place, is to fill it with more music. Especially unique music.
I adore and idolize anybody with a passion for making music, when I see somebody truly committing everything they have to their craft, I see true bliss.
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?
I drew a lot of my early inspirations from the singer/songwriter Pat Schneeweis of various projects (Johnny Hobo and the Frieght-Trains, Wing-Nut Dishwashers Union, and Ramshackle Glory) and I think it shows in my writing style. Musically I’m most reminiscent to the artist ‘Bright Eyes’.
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?
I’ve led many different lifestyles in my twenty-four years on this planet, none of them reflective of any sort of normalcy. From being home-schooled for the first ten years of my life, to being homeless at 16, to homesteading raw land at the age of 19, to touring music festivals with fellow musicians at the age of 23, basking in love at times, and enduring heartbreak at others. I’ve found that the more unique experiences I have, the more unique my writing becomes, so much so that my music has a style and sound all of its own, that doesn’t fit the framework of any existing genre.
4.) How do you prepare yourself to write certain songs? What is your song-writing and recording process?
Songs come to me, and I write them as they come into my mind. Generally in a time of struggle when I’m having trouble coming to terms with tragedy, or when I cant find the right way to express my feelings, I’ll pull out my favorite instrument; My eight-string ukulele. Sometimes I start with chords, sometimes I start with lyrics. Its more madness than method I suppose, but I’m usually satisfied with the results.
Recording isn’t much of a process, I practice my song until it sounds perfectly imperfect, then I record them just how I play them, perhaps add some lead and harmonies for depth. I always send the recordings to a couple fellow musicians for feedback before a public release.
5.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or hard work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed? Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
I plan to self-promote relentlessly. I have business cards with URLs to my streaming platforms and social media accounts, and I just start conversations with anybody who’s receptive, then pass along a business card. I plan to promote my music and share it on every public platform online, and most importantly, I wont give up. Ever.
I don’t think I would sign to a major label if given the opportunity. I don’t have any monetary goals for my music. Its my dream just to have an audience to share my songs with. I would feel less candid as a musician if I was on a label, because I would be representing them rather than just myself.
The traditional music industry model has been dead for years, everything has changed with streaming. Artists even started tailoring their music to cater to the ‘pay-per-play’ industry by focusing on short songs, and singles instead of album releases.
6.) Are you able to make a living with your music? If so, how were you able to attain a career doing what you love? If not, what do you do in order to fund your music career? What advice would give to someone who’s interested in pursuing a career in music?
I haven’t tried to make a living with my music. I just finalized my first EP and released it a few days ago, but I don’t anticipate significant cash-flow from it. I believe its essential to figure out income elsewhere, don’t rely on the idea that ‘if you just get big enough your music will pay the bills’, because then your music becomes about money, rather than the art. I make music because I love to make music, I get admission to festivals, events and parties in exchange for playing a few songs for the event, and that’s enough compensation for me. Again, all I really want is an audience, I could do with or without the money.
7.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves? Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
Internet and social media turned the music industry on its head. It used to be the only way to get discovered was to play shows, and push physical copies of a CD, cassette tape, or vinyl, now those are some of the least likely ways to get discovered. Everyone listens to music online, most people I talk to these days don’t even OWN a CD player, and you’re not getting any big music promoters at whatever local bar show you can book as an unknown artist nowadays. Without a social media presence I personally don’t think you have a chance in hell at being discovered.
8.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
I think if your goal is to write a hit, and you don’t care what the content of that hit is, as long as it gets popular: you’re a text-book sell-out. However, I don’t think there’s any shame in that, just don’t mislead your fans to believe your passionate about music if you’re really just passionate about money.
9.) Professionally, where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I don’t like to speculate on the future, especially that distant. I know one thing for sure though, as long as I’m still breathing, I’ll still be making music.