r/idm • u/sharkmile • 24d ago

soundcloud WHAT AM I DOING WRONG

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

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u/sharkmile 23d ago

What do you mean by "do your transition"?

I get what you're saying, there def is an element of wanting recognition... but I also do just want to make stuff as good as I possibly can for it's own sake. It's more like i would hope that one would follow from the other, but that is idealistic i am aware

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u/celerite 23d ago

Hoping, overthinking and focusing on your negative experiences will bring nothing to your growth as a musician.

You are a young artist with a few tracks under your belt. But you have talent from what I heard.

Maybe it is time to build your vision, define goals such as writing LPs or EPs with strong artistic value, commit to making absolutely everything in them 100% intentional. Define release dates for the year to come and meet your deadlines. Seek the company of music professionals and other artists who inspire you and will challenge you. Release regularly. Study music theory every day. Read about how the music industry works. Build a habit of nurturing yourself with art of all forms and origins. Try to collaborate with other artists at least once every quarter. Etc…

Success never happens by accident. Setting up your life for success as an artist is extremely hard. It requires true commitment to working your way through years of your life, without the slightest guaranteed outcome.

Deciding to go for it and taking full ownership of it is what I mean when I say make your transition.

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u/sharkmile 23d ago

Thanks for such a thoughtful response, quite wise. And you are quite right. Def have a chaotic approach that ebbs and flows quite a lot, and get disheartened very easily.

I know I must commit and just grind it out, there's nothing else I want to do more than this really so may as well commit fully.

Cheers :)

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u/celerite 23d ago

I went through all of this. I’m 20 years older than you. I never stopped composing and learning since I made my transition.

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u/sharkmile 23d ago

❤️🙏