BUMPS & BPMS

From industry reference to grammar lessons, studio hilarity to secrets of The Grateful Dead, this is essential reading for all musicians.

1. Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss

There is a reason that my first choice is a book about the English language. Facebook posts like the following make me want to punch a kitten then yell at the artist very loudly. In public.

“Download it, follow my soundcloud, once i hit 200 followers i’ll put up some new tunes that have yet to be heard, some will be free for DL as well, Spread the Word!!!”

(Note: The above is an actual FB post… it took about 10.2 seconds for me to find a music post as egregious as that. Sadly, I am not surprised.)

Please, I beg of you. Read this book, then re-read it. Impeccable knowledge of the English language and how to use it properly does not make you look like lesser of an artist. It makes it look like you actually take your music seriously. And when YOU take yourself seriously, others will, too.

2. Purple Cow by Seth Godin

For those of you that don’t know, Seth Godin is basically the father of modern marketing. He’s written countless books on the subject such as Tribes and Small is the New Big, but this one far outshines the others. If you’re too lazy or broke to pick up a copy, Godin explains his “Purple Cow” theory in this TED talk.

What is YOUR purple cow idea?

3. All You Need to Know About the Music Industry by Donald S. Passman

This book, now in its seventh edition, is still considered the Bible of the music industr. From very basic information to complicated publishing situations, All You Need to Know About the Music Industry has been, and will continue to be, one of the greatest resources to musicians available on our bookshelves.

4. Future Hit .DNA by Jay Frank

Future Hit DNA, which also offers an utterly fascinating blog, is more geared to “popular” music, and delves into the actual science behind “what makes a hit a hit.” Totally interesting read- from why most hits are around 3 minutes long to tips on how to make your songs more hit-worthy. Worth a read, and download-able as a pdf too.

5. Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke

While not exactly a book about music, this is a book about music. It is a short read (approx. 100 pages), and I’m pretty sure I’ve read it approx. 100 times. It is a book about creation, life, change, learning, growing, and living.

My love for Letters can be summed up by this one exerpt:

“There is only one thing you should do. Go into yourself. Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write. This most of all: ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I write? Dig into yourself for a deep answer. And if this answer rings out in assent, if you meet this solemn question with a strong, simple “I must,” then build your life in accordance with this necessity…”

6. The Daily Adventures of Mixerman (aka The Mixerman Diaries) by Mixerman

“What Spinal Tap did for heavy metal, Mixerman does in the recording world.”

Before this was even published as a hardback, I was introduced to Mixemran’s antics by a classmate years ago when I was studying music technology in college circa 2004. His blog documented the recording of a major label band in a fancy studio in LA. The band’s girlfriends talked in control room while he was trying to track and the intern always took Mixerman’s chocolate muffin from the daily catering basket in the kitchen. And that, is just the tip of the iceberg.

You will seriously LOL.

7. The Grateful Dead Experience by D. Scott and B. Halligan

There is a reason The Grateful Dead are legends. They didn’t just release music and play huge concerts- they created an experience for their audience, and that is a crucial key to success in any music career.

9. Musician 2.0, 3.0, 4.0… by Peter Spellman

A friend shared this e-book with me a few weeks ago, and I was enamored. I read it 3 times in one night.

It is a manifesto.

Download the PDF here.

10. How to Make Music Make Money by Eric Beall

For those of you who know a decent amount about how the industry works, you know that publishing = revenue. This is a great read on how to delve deeper into the publishing realm, and most importantly, get paid.