Moving to NYC for Your Music Career: Top Considerations
NYC is the promised land for musicians – it has a rich music culture, world-class academies like Julliard, and plentiful paid gigs for artists of talent. Of course, while you could realistically make a solid music-related career for yourself in the Big Apple, it won’t be easy. Navigating the City That Never Sleeps and the local music scene will take some doing. They call it the 7-year town for a reason – it typically takes years to get established here.
Below, JV Agency covers some crucial considerations you should be making before moving to NYC for your music-related career:
Can you handle a major lifestyle shift?
New York is as far from sedate and laid-back as it gets. If you’re from a small town or quieter locale, the lifestyle change might be jarring – and draining. As the Outpost puts it, NYC will “kick your ass” when you arrive. Life tends to be fast-paced and people won’t always have time to say hello or show you around (even if they would like to). It’s a good idea to visit first to get a feel for the lifestyle before you move here permanently.
Can you afford NYC prices?
NYC, according to Best Places, is about 68 percent more expensive than the rest of the United States. Expect to have to pay through the nose for everything, from necessities to rent. Unless you’re independently wealthy and can afford your own place, expect to live with multiple people in a shared apartment. You may be able to find cheap accommodations in NYC online by filtering via cost and area (like Manhattan or Brooklyn).
You may have to dispense with living space and possessions
Living spaces in NY tend to be tiny. While it’s not quite living out of a suitcase, it’s close. You probably won’t have as much room to move around (or practice) as you’d like. You should pack smart and take only the bare essentials with you. On the plus side, you can rent practice studios or similar places for a reasonable hourly fee.
Be prepared to get a day job
Unless you’re an established musician, you will need to get a day job to support yourself – all the bills add up. Ideally, this would be something that utilizes your music skills in some way, so you could get some extra practice in. Some suggestions are becoming a part-time music teacher, assisting with sound tech, or getting a job at a music store. Don’t expect busking to bring in much money, although it is an option.
Connect and network – preferably before you move You don’t technically need to know anyone before you move here. Still, it pays to be well-connected. Friendships with fellow musicians can open doors and usher in many opportunities, while industry contacts can help you figure out how to become successful. Thanks to the power of the internet, you could make connections from where you are currently before you move in. You could also potentially get started with your career in your hometown and move to NYC after you’re established (like some musicians do) – don’t be in a hurry to get here without some groundwork.
How to find paying gigs
Finding gigs as a musician will require some legwork and constantly putting yourself out there. Having a social media presence, your own website, and examples of your work to share is a good idea. You could look at Craigslist or job sites and connect with fellow musicians to find leads. You could approach restaurants, bars, and other cafes to see if they’ll take you on as a performer. Finally, JV Agency offers a full suite of artist management solutions for established and emerging musicians in New York – you could take advantage of our services to establish your brand.
Conclusion
Success as a musician in NYC will take time, effort, and persistence. Overnight success is only for the rare few – most musicians (regardless of talent) will have to struggle to get noticed. It’s a good idea to prepare mentally and be in it for the long haul. On the plus side, once you get set up, you can expect steady work, recognition, and a chance to perform with the best musicians on the planet.