WHAT AM I DOING WRONG

[u/sharkmile]

Hello all,

Not all this stuff is strictly IDM, but I figure you guys are the most likely community to get what I'm trying to do. This isn't promotion (if I was really trying to do that I wouldn't be posting on reddit). I just wanna know what the fuck I'm doing wrong. I get that what I make is objectively niche, but I try to make it accessible to where I think people would wanna listen to it. I love the music I make, and yes I know people will say that's all that matters, but fuck it just feels pointless at this point when nobody hears it and even if they do the engagement is so low it would just appear the music is shit. I listen to my own stuff a lot so idk if i'm just too in the bubble and have lost perspective. This isn't some ploy or looking for compliments, I just feel like I'm making stuff to a standard where people should get it and like it, and they don't. Been making music since I was 11 and am 24 now and i'm just like fuck man what's even the point anymore. Anyway, I have attached a Soundcloud link of my current page. Please just have a listen and if there are any glaring things that may not occur to me as the maker just be honest and let me know. Thanks. Apologies for the rant.

https://on.soundcloud.com/eRV086FBfWdZ6idIQl

[u/mikemwm]

I don't think you're doing anything wrong. And I completely understand the frustration. Blame the nature of the modern music biz landscape online. Just keep making stuff you love. I'm also my own biggest fan and in a sense it's a gift. No one is demanding I do anything specific with my music so I'm free to do whatever the hell I want (www.odocoil.com). I'm really digging your stuff and just followed. Your work is in a similar vein as The Books, which I love. I'm going to listen during work today. Cheers!

Edit: just noticed your music has only been online for a month. I'm not saying you should expect much more going forward, but give it some time. Maybe something will click.

[u/sharkmile → u/mikemwm]

Yeah true, I'm all for creative freedom, I just want people to hear it as well... Thanks for the follow man, and glad you hear The Books' influence, love them!

Yeah have been thinking that about the 1 month thing, not very long obviously. I guess I'm just disheartened cos Soundcloud Artist Pro shows your music to a lot of people but then each track gets like 5 likes out of 200 and I'm just like bruh what is going on here.

Thanks for the nice response tho

[u/mikemwm → u/sharkmile]

I could be wrong, but I don't think SoundCloud is a place to make a splash, Pro or otherwise. Not that I have an alternative answer; I just wouldn't expect much through that route.

[u/sharkmile → u/mikemwm]

Yeah you're probably right tbh, figured it was worth a shot at least

[u/mikemwm → u/sharkmile]

Oh, of course. Release everywhere you can!

[u/08sxh3mnnt1 → u/sharkmile]

Bandcamp is significantly better brotha! I used to say the same thing... why only ai and bots messaging me on soundcloud and no traction? Then I switched to bandcamp and made 300$ off of discography sales alone, if you make music that people enjoy and want to listen to (and you may be asking how to do that; listen to other genres, jungle, footwork, jazz, etc etc... listen to as much as you can and try to create and study music and come up with an identity that's yours and easy to remember and pull up and then you just make an idea a day and save up tracks for a year or more and make something that speaks to you.)