AMP: Artists' Meeting Place and Resource Collective

by Roy Shakked (AKA Holmes)

How did I get here? I'm not sure. But somehow over the last 10 years, after having worked as a desk jockey at a small record label, I've been able to sustain an independent, work-from-home music career and avoid spending my days stuck in traffic and operating behind an office desk.

The trick? Juggling. My income sources are varied - each one or two could not support me on its own but the sum of them all pays the bills. So far at least. What happens next year remains a mystery. The trades? Singer-songwriter, engineer, producer, music licensor, record label, TV composer. Sometimes I cringe when I see this list. It often makes me feel like a jack of all trades and a master of none. Why can't I be a Master? I want to be a Master. Or maybe not. I'm honestly not sure. Perhaps I just enjoy working on distribution of my albums, producing, mixing and engineering in my recording studio, dealing with music licensors and, in general, "pushing my brand". The downside, of course, is that there's precious little time left over for playing my piano and honing my song writing. But I keep trying, with progressively better results, it seems. Lennon & McCartney are right around the corner. Until then, the "mastering" aspect will keep applying more to the juggling of it all. A Master Juggler. Welcome to the circus.

http://www.sweetholmes.com
http://www.myspace.com/imholmes
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=315766061...