Reflecting is a funny thing. You put thousands of hours building your brand. Gain experience performing. Learn to produce. It's beautiful, until it's not. 

As we all know, the music industry is male dominated (not saying that's bad, just a fact) and highly competitive, as is any industry. The difference between music and other industries is the musician's ego. Does it get in the way? Does it get too big? Does it blow up? Or does it morph into Imposter Syndrome, something that artists go through quite often. 

In this case, I am speaking for myself. 

I believed I was born for music. Whether it was working for a label, creating my own digital magazine, to then find comfort in DJing at home after a long day's work. That skill amplified, and the rest is history. 

If we want to remain present, we must do as such: Be here. Be still. Let go. Let love. 

It can get foggy, with all competing DJs and producers, but rest assured, you can do it. Here are the steps to legitimizing yourself as a serious artist. 

1. Build an EPK 
2. Take a course on music marketing 
3. Know how to design your own album art
4. Record every mix, and once their mastered, release 'em. 

Every piece of auditorial content you create, whether it's a mix, mashup, remix, or produced from scratch, they all need music marketing digital assets. This builds the hype around your release. 

Now, back to me (ha.)

Do not let the cluster of being in the industry slow you down. That is why meditation is so important, especially for women. Let go of “what people think” because you wouldn't be releasing and promoting yourself if you didn't believe in yourself. 

Rick Rueben says, so many people have an idea, but lack the dedication to do it. Then, someone else takes that idea and runs with it. That's not stealing. That's someone who had relatively the same idea, however they took the leap, and you didn't. 

I don't know if I was truly born for production. I was born to DJ, plain and simple. But as we all know, that only gets you so far. Example: Austin, Texas, once known as “The Live Music Capital of the World,” no longer carries that weight. 

Remember when Lana del Rey would just show up on a random Wednesday? Remember when OWSLA came every year for SXSW? Austin has lost it's top-tier talent because of the saturation of local DJs. The only real production company bringing the citizens of Austin real, top-tier talent, is The Concourse Project, also known as Real Music Events. Sure, they have ego, but they use that ego to become so powerful, that Concourse was nominated for an award, up against places like Brooklyn Mirage. 

Where did the alternative music go? Why is Empire Control Room hosting Taylor Swift nights? Is that what the people of Austin enjoy now? No judgement, just a question I ask myself from time to time, unburdened by what that answer may be. 

All I know is this: You can make your mark. But you have to release the ego. That is the way to succeed if not in the industry itself, but in your own life. 

I got sober on April 8, 2022. After over a year of “what the F!@# am I going to do? Who am I if I'm not Max Manila?”

I got my answer. 

I am Max Manila. I am a music marketing Guru. I only work hard on what I love, not what I expect others to love. Because like you, I am loving awareness (whether you're aware of that or not.) 

This post got away from me. I think I just wanted the practice. I'm not trying to promote anything like this on social media so if this post found you, it must be for a reason. 

With all my love, 

MM