top of page
Photo du rédacteurRaphaël Beaudon

Musical News 22 : Nicholas Mc Roberts

What about your artist's image? What other artists are thinking of you? Is only your music important? Musical discoveries, good playlists to submit to, and the interview of Nicholas Mc Roberts




About your artist's image on the internet


One might think that only our music shapes the artistic image that others have of us.

Obviously it's important, but in the age of all digital and social networks, everything counts.

The artists can decide to shape themselves the image that they would like to send back. And there are plenty of them.

Beyond the marketing aspect, in this issue of Musical News, we would like to list the actions that an artist can do on the internet and which should increase what we could call the "sympathy capital".


When you submit your music to a curator, of course the quality of the music is more than essential.

But when you send music to a curator you know, with whom you have already had interactions on the internet, then another element comes into play : your "sympathy capital".


Here's a list of actions that might put a smile on that curator's face before they even hit the play button to listen to your latest track.


1. "Do unto others as you would have others do to you"


Would you like to be interviewed? (I do !)

- Offer interviews to the artists you like (That's why I started to make interviews here)


Want to be added to playlists?

- Create your playlists and add songs from artists / curators who have the same musical tastes, who could one day add yours in return


Want more visibility?

- What if you promote on your Facebook and Instagram pages for music other than yours?


Would you like more solidarity between artists?

- Help, serve others, build this solidarity first, give your time (it's the most precious good!)


2. Big Brother is (already) here


It's an open secret, but everything you write, say, do on the internet is recorded, collected, analyzed.

If you answer someone badly in the comments, you will have a bad image, and not just for the person you insulted.

Truly kind, caring people, by the words they use, show the world the qualities that are unique to them.

This is why artists like Edoardo Gastaldi, who are fundamentally and genuinely likable, make curators, fans and listeners want to listen to and love their music.


(Nevertheless, you can be trash in life and make remarkable music! Examples abound, but we're not going to do the debate here "Should we dissociate the Man from the artist?"^^)


Richard Wagner


3. Get noticed


On Instagram, it's a somewhat crude marketing technique that can moreover irritate than attract sympathy : you know, people you don't know and who like 5 photos on your page at the same time as they ask you as a friend?

In this example, it is very easy to see that it is a marketing gesture.

But the principle is good.

Follow the curator you like and get noticed : comment, like, share.

Become a regular, sincere contributor to become an important and recognized fan.

Really listen to his music.

Give your opinion, showing that you really listened.

So your name will no longer be unknown to him.

And the more you have commented, followed, shared his articles, the more your sympathy capital could benefit you the day he listens to your music...


Finally, to finish, the secret (and expensive) weapon to be noticed :

if there is one rare thing in the era of streaming, it is the purchase of music!

So if you really want to please an artist (and be noticed), buy one of their tracks!

(On bandcamp - for example - he will know who bought his track).



Do you have other ideas, suggestions?


Increase your sympathy capital in my eyes by commenting ^^



Great Musical discoveries added to "Top 5O Neoclassical"


3000 followers now, for my favorite own playlist. So many great discoveries ! Here are some of them this month :



Ana Rebekah - Safe and Sound


Yanson - Invisible


Daniela Spadini - Passaglia

All the passion of Italy in these piano notes.


Marcin Kuczewski - The Last Conversation




Dylan John Sparkes - Lotus Honey




Playlist of the Month : Ambient Calm by Pianoramix


A great selection of ambient musics You can submit your music here :


Two new playlists. you can submit on dailyplaylists.


Dark Academia + Sad Days (214 likes)


Dark Romantica (104 followers)

Instrumental & songs




Interview : Nicholas Mc Roberts




1. Can you present yourself?

I’m Nicholas McRoberts, a neo-classical composer from Australia based in Paris. I’m also a conductor and Artistic Director of Opéra Montmartre.


2. How is the atmosphere in the CNSM Paris? I mean, is there jealously or solidarity between the members?


When I was there it was friendly - not so much jealousy as a feeling of competition with each other. It felt like we were all auditioning for the same job. Now I am much more relaxed. I would rather have friends than competitors. I have a lot of conductor friends these days.


3. How do you learn to become a conductor?


My teacher, Jorma Panula, said the first 10 years are about learning how not to disturb the orchestra. Of course you need to play an instrument to a professional level first - I was a pianist - you need that training... but it doesn’t make you a good conductor. It's a whole different skill set. Lots of score study, learning the gestures and then trying to understand the psychology.


4. Who are your favorite conductors?


I am a big fan of Sir Simon Rattle, Seiji Ozawa and Gustavo Dudamel. Each very different but exciting and authentic.


5. How long did it take to compose the adagio for strings? What were the musical influences?


It took about 6 months to compose - I didn't want to rush it. I was asked to compose a piece to be performed with the Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings - that was a big challenge. I listened to Barber, Elgar, Mahler and Tchaikovsky and then tried to find my own way.



6. What are the next releases on Spotify?


This year the live performance of my Symphony No. 1 "From the Old World" with the Sofia Philharmonic will be released along with my Nocturnes for piano.


7. What is the most difficult for a classical artist when he releases his music on digital platforms? Is Spotify the future of the classical music or his death?


Spotify has been really bad for professional composers. People are paying to listen to music like never before but the artists are not getting the money. Last time I checked my royalties, Spotify was paying about one cent for one thousand streams. There's no way you can live on that...


8. What is your goals on the streaming industry? Being added to an editorial playlist?


It would be great to be on a big playlist generating lots of streams, but really I just want my music to be out there. Live performances are still the most exciting place to hear and feel music.


9. The adagio’s duration is 9 minutes long. Is it too long for the playlists?


Yes, some playlists! But it's shorter than a Bruckner symphony. And the same length as Barber's Adagio. I think with TikTok people expect everything to be short, but you can't always do what you need to in 3 minutes.


10. When and where are your next concerts?


I have the premiere of a new work "Ozeano" at the Cité de la Musique in June and we're working on the premiere of the Second Symphony for next year.



Thank you very much Nicholas !




Rendez-vous next month for new musics !


Latest album release : "Relaxing Beauty", calm & atmospheric orchestral instruments with nature sounds




Available on all platforms here :




Thank you for your support !



56 vues0 commentaire

Comments


bottom of page