The Power of Feedback in Creative Growth for aspiring musicians
Welcome to RFLKT's inaugural blog post, where we delve into the very essence of our existence – the significance of feedback in fostering creative growth. Our mission at RFLKT is to bridge the gap between aspiring artists and industry professionals, providing a platform for invaluable feedback (RFLKTions) on musical creations.
In this blog, we will unravel the symbiotic relationship between creativity and feedback, emphasising the transformative impact that constructive criticism from industry experts can have on an artist's journey.
The Symbiotic Relationship between Creativity and Feedback:
In the realm of music, creativity and feedback are intrinsically linked. As a music producer or any artist, the journey involves constant self-expression and the quest for a unique artistic identity. Concurrently, there exist industry professionals who have trodden the same path and garnered respect within the music industry. Seeking feedback from such seasoned individuals can be a potent catalyst for artistic evolution. These professionals, being artists themselves, comprehend the nuances and methodologies behind music creation, offering insights that transcends mere technicalities.
The Power of Feedback from Industry Professionals:
RFLKTing on your creations alongside professional artists whom you respect, carries unparalleled significance. These individuals have honed their craft over years, overcoming challenges and navigating the intricate landscape of the music industry. Their feedback provides a rare glimpse into the industry's inner workings, offering invaluable motivating guidance to artists at all levels. The mentorship aspect inherent in this feedback loop creates a dynamic learning environment, enabling artists to refine their skills and perspectives over a longer term which in turn nurtures a deeper development of their craft.
The Challenges of Obtaining Feedback:
Despite its transformative potential, obtaining feedback is not always a straightforward process for artists. The music industry can be highly competitive and insular, making it challenging for emerging artists to connect with established professionals. This barrier often leaves artists relying on traditional methods of feedback, such as peer reviews or limited local networks, which may not provide the depth and breadth required for holistic growth.
When aspiring artists reach out to labels in the hope of receiving guidance, the responses received are frequently characterised by brief "no" or a somewhat disheartening "sorry, not interested." This interaction, or lack thereof, reflects the elusive nature of feedback from established labels, leaving artists grappling with uncertainty.
In the realm of label interactions, A&R professionals play a pivotal role. A&R, or Artist and Repertoire, experts are the gatekeepers who scout and nurture talent on behalf of record labels. Unfortunately, the responses from these A&R representatives often lean towards rejection, contributing to the overall difficulty artists face in obtaining constructive feedback.
Current Ways Musicians Can Obtain Feedback:
Let's look at the available options where artists can go for feedback, both online and offline. Quite often artists think that social media or likes or stream count is the only way to get feedback. The problem with this is that you have already released your music to the public and you are not able to use that feedback to improve the current track.
You could of course try offline avenues including local open mics, music workshops, and networking events. These environments allow artists to receive immediate feedback and build relationships with fellow musicians and industry insiders. However, the accessibility of these opportunities may vary depending on geographic location and the local music scene's vibrancy.
There are several online platforms that you can use to get feedback.
OG Platforms like SoundCloud for artists ( https://artists.soundcloud.com/) , and Bandcamp https://bandcamp.com/artists offer spaces where artists can showcase their work and receive feedback from a global audience by seeing how fans interact with their music.
Also we can’t forget the classic feature from Soundcloud where fans can leave comments on specific parts of the track which is always nice to see but not in depth feedback more a general feeling .
Async Feedback vs Direct Feedback
There are other platforms more closely dedicated to getting feedback via asynchronous methods. How this works is that you submit a track-demo and get feedback in the form of a comment, report or audio feedback from a professional.
Submit Hub: On Submithub you can also submit a demo feedback from a large group of people. SubmitHub tracks the monthly listeners for each playlist by asking artists to submit their Spotify for Artists data.
Reverb Nation: https://www.reverbnation.com/band-promotion/crowd_review
They offer detailed feedback reports about your song's market appeal from listeners in your genre and iIn-depth listener commentary and easy-to-understand statistics. This allows you to get a review from a mass crowd at one go.
But how about Direct feedback that's 1 to 1 and super personal ? That's why we created RFLKT to solve this exact need for acquiring direct feedback.
We created RFLKT because we wanted to connect people with industry professionals who could bridge this gap and provide 1 on1 personalised feedback to aspiring artists. RFLKT is a unique platform that provides direct 1 to 1 interactions with experienced professionals that help you reach your maximum musical potential rapidly.
Through constructive real-time feedback sessions you build an unparalleled direct connection with those who inspire you. With their extensive knowledge and experience the RFLKTers provide practical tips and streamlined advice to realise your goals and move your own creations to the next level.
“ Something we longed for throughout our career was a way to be able to find out if we were in fact on a creative path that was appreciated by those who inspire us? We didn't know if our creations were credible or if we were facing challenges sonically. We wanted to have a way to connect directly with producers who we felt could provide an option we felt was credible.” - Dan Duncan
TO REFLECT = “embody or represent (something) in a faithful or appropriate way.”
We have already conducted many 1 to 1 RFLKT sessions. For example with aspiring techno artist like Rick Flett:
Rick Flett joined the RFLKT platform as an experienced producer, seeking to broaden his musical horizons as a creator. Upon our initial connection, it became evident that Rick was already an established and exceptionally talented producer. His ambition was to enhance his skills further, and he sought clear-cut advice on achieving his creative goals. Like many creators, he craved reassurance and motivation to unlock his full potential.
We engaged in one-on-one RFLKT sessions, analysing the challenges he faced. By providing opinions and potential solutions tailored to his specific goals, I watched Rick grow more confident rapidly and as a result his level of motivation elevated. While tutorials had their place, discussing his own creations between us proved far more relevant to his long-standing mission. Sometimes an external personal perspective can ignite ideas that remain less apparent when we’re deeply immersed in our work.
For me, this journey with Rick has been a significant milestone. Assisting him in his productions has made my desire to share knowledge even more. Our personal connection fosters mutual inspiration, motivation, and an amazing sense of expansion as a team. I truly hope that our journey continues and that in some way I can be a part of helping Rick reach his maximum potential.
Insights from Industry Leaders:
To highlight the importance of feedback, let's turn to the insights of industry leaders who have championed the significance of constructive criticism in their own journeys. Renowned producer Quincy Jones once stated, "The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work." This encapsulates the ethos of seeking feedback as an integral part of the journey toward artistic excellence.
We asked Wehbba (one of the RFLKTers) why he feels a platform like RFLKT could be beneficial and his reply was:
"The future of electronic music, or any art form, relies on our ability to cultivate a community based on honesty and spreading the knowledge.” – Wehbba
In the dynamic world of music, feedback stands as a cornerstone for creative growth. The symbiotic relationship between artists and industry professionals, coupled with the evolution of feedback platforms, paves the way for a more connected and empowered global community of musicians.
As RFLKT continues to champion this cause, we invite artists to embrace the transformative power of feedback and embark on a journey of perpetual growth and self-discovery.