Considering music as a career in Pakistan ?

Introduction

For aspiring singers, musicians, or music producers who possess one of these talents and believe they are capable of pursuing music, knowing the way forward can be challenging. With over a decade of experience working with aspiring artists, I have contemplated some crucial aspects that one must understand right from the beginning. This stage is pivotal, as good advice can prevent a lot of trial and error learning. While self-learning has its merits, beginners often struggle with the abundance of information and the challenge of discerning its authenticity. Through this write-up I aim to provide you with a basic understanding of how to decide whether you should consider pursuing a career in music or just keep it as a hobby.

First of all ask yourself the following questions and see which of the three scenarios you fall into. Every category is a reflection of my observations from interacting with artists.

Case  # 1: Money and Fame

If your ambition revolves predominantly around fame and riches, this path can breed self-centeredness, characterized by an “it’s all about me” attitude. Even with accomplishments, you will still feel unsatisfied and will keep asking for more. This will make you feel insecure regarding your position, as you may fear that someone else could potentially replace you or seize your opportunities. Collaboration becomes impersonal, and empathy for colleagues diminishes. 

The foundation of mutual respect deteriorates, making collaboration challenging. This approach often leads to a solo trajectory or, in bands, results in short-lived alliances.

Your focus is on catering to the masses, even if it means producing intellectually dumb content. Education and moral development hold little priority, and any moral stances expressed serve personal catharsis. Unless transformation occurs, these compromised values pass to the next generation. 

Case  # 2: Enthusiastically Ignorant

If you dream of achieving success while creating and sharing music that truly comes from your heart, you may be tempted to believe that formal music education is either difficult or unnecessary. Perhaps you are inspired by individuals who have become popular without any formal training, leading you to think that this is how it is done. This mentality suggests that you are passionate about music but not really serious about taking a disciplinary path. With this approach, you will always rely on other musicians to bring your ideas to life. While you may excel at writing and composing melodies, you will still need musicians, a music producer, an engineer, or an arranger to complete your songs. In the case of a band, this reliance on others may work for a while, but eventually, it can lead to the breakdown of the group.

Case # 3: Music is my calling

You recognise that like in every other occupation, there’s a need to follow certain procedures in order to achieve professionalism. Similarly, to establish yourself as a professional in fields like music, singing, songwriting, music production, arrangement, sound design, music direction, and audio engineering, adhering to a particular discipline is crucial. Your sincere intention is to grasp the art form comprehensively, allowing you to genuinely articulate yourself using it as a medium. Learning from errors, you nurture self-discipline and uphold high moral standards.

First conclusion :

While I’ve outlined three distinct cases, each framed by the artist’s initial perspective, it’s crucial to recognise that these perspectives can evolve through experiences and circumstances. One might initially adopt a specific approach but, upon recognising its inherent shortcomings, opt to switch to a different one.

Seek guidance from a professional at this juncture. Doing so can save you from confusion and wasting precious time and money .

Despite the existence of music in our society, i don’t believe we have a robust music industry. In the words of my friend Waqas Ahmed from the band Doomsday Astronaut,

This perspective is shaped by a significant segment of society that views music as a luxury solely for entertainment purposes. Ironically, a substantial portion of individuals who engage with music through mediums like TV, movies, and video games simultaneously hold the notion that music is religiously prohibited.

Moreover, the absence of government policies supporting professionals through measures like tax incentives or facilitating the import of audio equipment exacerbates the situation. There are no initiatives to provide professional musicians with affordable access to essential software and hardware tools.

In fact, this discouraging environment affects artists across the spectrum, whether they are novices or renowned figures. Many established artists, while blaming the system, have adapted to this atmosphere by keeping their concerns muted and focusing solely on their own careers. Ironically, they inadvertently become part of the very system they criticise. This theme of professional hypocrisy is explored in my article ” Dreaming of Coke Studio and Nescafe Basement ? “

It’s commendable that efforts, such as those by Meekal Hasan to rally musicians together, have been undertaken. However, these endeavours often culminate in temporary meetings, with participants eventually reverting to their routine patterns.

Surprisingly, even after 74 years of independence, there isn’t a single dedicated school or college or programs to offer education on audio engineering or music production. The initiation of the first Musicology and Film and Television degree programs at the NCA in 2002 and 2004.

In the historical context, musicians in Pakistan have frequently grappled with constraints imposed by various regimes. Government policies, censorship, and political turmoil have periodically curtailed artistic freedom. Notably, during periods of military rule, music deemed politically or socially sensitive was subjected to censorship or prohibition.

For a deeper dive into historical insights, I recommend reading an article Popping Zia by Mr. Nadeem F. Paracha, a cultural critic and senior columnist for Dawn Newspaper.

To truly qualify as an industry, this field must be officially recognised and valued as a viable career by the government. Reforms are imperative to foster an environment that not only uplifts artists but also establishes an ethical framework.

It’s crucial to acknowledge the variety of roles involved in this field at an official level by the government, including music producers, composers, audio engineers, mixing and mastering engineers, sound designers, audio editors, singers, musicians, arrangers, songwriters, music teachers, and others. These specialised professionals collectively contribute to the creation and promotion of music.

With the advancements in hardware and software technology, achieving professional results in a home studio is now possible. The cost of music production has significantly decreased in the last two decades. However, piracy continues to devalue the creative industry and hinder the establishment of a beneficial ecosystem for artists. If you opt for using pirated software in your studio, it will compromise the quality of your services. Instead of setting your prices based on your skill and the value of your time, you will rely on the popularity of your status. By doing so, you are choosing to contribute to a system that is already declining over time.

So whether you decide to invest having your own studio or hire a studio for your music production, just be aware of these issues and ask your self , are you ready to confront all these problems or not.

Final conclusion :

Most of the individuals who seek my services for song production are very passionate about music but have previously been discouraged from pursuing it, they now have the independence and financial means to pursue their passion. However, I always advise them to treat music as a hobby, unless they fully understand the risks involved and are confident in their decision to not have any regrets later.

It’s also important to have realistic expectations, do the best you can in songwriting, production and promotion and then move on to the next project. Success and fame, if meant to be, will naturally find their way to you, just as the rewards of your dedication.

If you require assistance, click this link to book a consultation session. I am available for both online and in-person sessions. Please note that I no longer offer free sessions but if you’re unable to afford the cost at all, then reach out to me via email at contact contact@hodst.com