Finding her own way

[Tusk]

I think Haley's resources might be more than you think, although I concur, even if she hides it, Interscope had to be a shock in every way, so there had to be a period of reflection and adjustment.

Living in LA is probably not cheap, and we've seen posts explaining that many times artists have to pay venues, guarantee numbers to be able to perform at Gigs. I think Haley's have been paying gigs, but it illustrates that it's not simply getting on the phone and having someone clear dates for you.... If you're not paying someone to negotiate/find work for you, it's up to you, so yes, these MAJOR decisions/projects, 'tour' 'LP', someone's got to do it, if not, then it's you.

Ana Free ‏@anafree 6h
These festivals and contests that we as artists have to pay for to enter. We have to pay our way into a basic opportunity. #smh #grindon

You might recall, I have posted about a Portugese 'Youtube' artist I followed before getting on the Haley train. Her name is Ana Free, through a set of people in LA, she might have met Haley. She knows and works w/ Nina Storey who knows Haley and was in Casey's "Stuck in London", fireside video.

When I followed Ana, she was just graduating college, 19 yrs old and performed bars and small venues in Europe, mostly around Portugal or London. I think she signed a deal with some small outfit, put out at least two albums, sold iTunes....

So she is in LA now. and about Haley's age. I follow her on Twitter, I am truly amazed at how present she is in her own self promotion, she has a website that is sort of like Kickstarter, people sponsor(donate) while she posts videos of the process, sends them small tokens/memoriabilia, give them shout outs......then posts the final video that they helped make. She also markets herself by merchandising her 'brand', as well as does many Stageit shows. Though she has been touring heavily all this time I had lost track of her, til recently, so she is battle tested as a live performer in different languages on different continents.

She goes back and forth from the States to Europe to perform and record, so unless she or her parents are wealthy and are funding her career, I have to imagine she has a very efficient mechanism working for her.

I find that what I liked about her years ago, is not what she is now, so I'm not drawn to her as I was, but wish the best for a highly intelligent, motivated, talented young woman. Nevertheless, I envy the girl's drive and wish Haley might somehow befriend Ana, maybe Ana can give her some pointers on how to promote yourself in the 21st Century recording world. I really don't know much about her beyond my peripheral interest, I don't know if she's signed to anyone, if that's contributing to her set-up. The point is, this kind of grass roots strategy can be done, taking advantage of internet resources to extend your brand, creating revenue streams...

Ana draws from a fan base that extends beyond American borders. We see examples of Haley being heard in many countries, "Undone" through the Step Up franchise has given it extra reach, overseas. I've Always contended she may well be best appreciated overseas before she is noticed in the States. Haley has that global marketing potential that, if organised correctly, can fund her to be able to do whatever her creative heart desires ....

I've kind of held off on posting about Ana recently, embarrassingly because I didn't want to set up a 'comparison/contrast' situation. But I figure it's relevant here, because it shows just what one person, making the right connections/decisions can do for themselves.

(Granted, I have no knowledge of her income,whether they are that great at all, I have no actual knowledge of the total size of her fan base, just that she works hard and uses many available resources to promote her brand and increasing her revenue potential)

That's not to say Haley is 'lacking' anything, bottom line is we, all of us, are very strong in certain things, alternately, we also have the potential to be clueless about things others might view as obvious. Ana is a strong musician while, IMO not as strong a vocalist nor song writer than Haley who seems uninterested in playing any intstruments . Ana appears to be promotion and technology savy, while Haley? Not so much

Each their strengths, their tools.

Also, factored in, practically giving away 'the jewels', releasing her songs on iTunes, we all know full wells the diminishing returns those in many entertainment fields see now, due to technologies, it's not the money making machine it might have once been. From Software Designers to Indie's selling iTunes. Easy enough to download/copy. She has to wade into unfamiliar waters to get her bearings so she can chart her direction

Haley is extra ordinary in certain things, that she is now delving into things that may have career long ramifications, you can't blame the girl if she proceeds with caution and perhaps (too) tentatively (given her Interscope experience, the highs and the lows)

PS Miguel, You got nothing on me when it comes to long posts