Staying Sane In The Music Game

This book is endorsed by...(see below description):
3 x Grammy Award Winner Bill Laurance (Snarky Puppy)
Leeroy Thornhill (Founding member of The Prodigy)
Dr Emma Silver Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Si Chai - Founder of Diplomats of Sound & Chai Wallahs Festival Venue
One of the main problems in the music industry is that we who live and work within it, don't readily admit to our ‘madness’, but looking at the path we've chosen - to invest ourselves in this world of slim chances and cut-throat deals - there has to be a little madness, right? “We're not mad,” I hear you all cry, “we're musicians!” But however you cut it, staying sane in such a competitive and ruthless industry is not straightforward. Trust me, I am speaking from experience - I am not ‘sane’ - and almost every artist I have worked with would say the same about themselves.
This particular and beautiful form of 'insanity' characterises many music professionals today and, once we admit this to ourselves, we can openly explore the issues and reasons surrounding why and how we are mad! Once we've done that we can begin the journey of learning to manage ourselves within a specific framework that acknowledges and accounts for our eccentricities; building on them and affording us happier and more organised lives amid the inevitable chaos.
Or, we could just pretend we're OK, bury our feelings deep and await the inevitable explosion as the pressure of self-loathing and neuroses builds over time in a half-hidden part of our personality that, actually, others can see only too easily. But self-destruction is not a good look!
That is the reason for this book. It’s a way for us to begin having the open and honest conversations we need to reveal a path of radical change and personal growth. My work in the music industry has led me into many dark and tumultuous places and from each one I’ve learnt valuable and enduring insights which I have picked apart carefully and put back together into a guiding framework and structure that you can use, your way, to live your unconventional life without too much trail and error.
Musicians and business professionals alike are exposed systematically to extreme behaviours, attitudes and situations all of which will require a tenacious mind and acute awareness to identify, harness and thrive from. This book will give you the mindset and tools to do just that.
"I have known Brett since we were playing music together almost 15 years ago. He always had an eye to the future and got into the business to help musicians, but this could be his most important work."
Bill Laurance - 3 x Grammy Award Winner (Snarky Puppy)
"Having been in many situations, within most aspects of the music industry, good guidance is always needed."
Leeroy Thornhill (The Prodigy 1990-2000 / Smash Hifi)
"Through the author’s personal experience in the music industry, life stories and suggested rituals, this book applies useful and deep psychological ideas without the jargon."
Dr Emma Silver - DClin Psych, Chartered Consultant Clinical Psychologist
"Having worked closely with hundreds of artists and literally thousands of musicians over the last 20+ years and having experienced all the highs, lows and struggles that come with working in this industry, I still can’t believe that until now, no one has written such a straight forward, easy to read book about staying sane in the music game!
Si Chai - Founder and Creative Director of Diplomats of Sound & Chai Wallahs