Talent Is Not Enough, Kiko Loureiro Suggests Young Musicians To Study The Music Industry

Kiko Loureiro (Instagram @kikoloureiro)

JAKARTA - Kiko Loureiro has an important message for young guitarists who are just starting their musical career. For the virtuoso guitarist, the talent and passion for playing guitar is not enough. Someone who wants to become a professional musician must master the music industry.

Kiko explained that the beginning of playing guitar was a very natural phase. According to him, young musicians are driven by pure energy: strong passion at the age of a dozen years 'about 12 to 15 years' to play guitar and stay away from other activities.

"In this phase, the focus is not on industry or business. This is a phase about enjoying playing music that should be a starting point," Kiko said in a recent interview with Andy Addams from Shred Music TV.

Kiko insists that passion is the main foundation. If that foundation does not exist, success in any profession will be difficult to achieve. He suggested that if the orientation is only on fast money, it is better to choose another profession.

"Be a lawyer, tax advisor, or buy and sell goods and get commission," he said.

The Brazilian guitarist said that when someone decides to become a musician, the passion must be present, including a strong will to train, play, train again, take time, invest, and buy instruments.

Kiko said, at this point, the purchase of a new guitar or pedal does not feel like an investment, but rather a pure desire because it will help them create more music.

He emphasized that questions about how to enter the industry were irrelevant at the beginning. However, after passion and commitment are built up and the desire to become a professional arises, then understanding the industry becomes an absolute obligation.

It highlights a common mistake where many young musicians think that with just talent or playing skills, someone will suddenly contact them that it's a manager or record label.

People hope something will happen. But you actually have to learn how this industry works and start building connections, then show yourself on the internet," said Kiko.

Furthermore, the 53-year-old guitarist said consistency was the main key. As consistently practiced, musicians must be consistent in internet play.

"In addition to continuing to develop musical skills, understanding the music business is two important pillars that cannot be separated," he said.

Kiko added that the majority of educational institutions, even outside of music, such as architects or designers, do not teach how to really succeed in the industry. Practical issues such as what rates to impose, how to pay taxes, what types of invoices are needed, or most importantly, how to create an audience that can convert into a product buyer.

"So if you make an album, okay, how much is the album funds? How much does it cost?" he concluded.