Music: Acceptance on the Musical Journey, by Rishi Gerald

As a record label owner, it is extremely important to plan, and as a spiritual aspirant, it is even more important to accept what is. As an aspiring businessman who runs a spiritually charged record label, I am constantly walking the line of acceptance of what is and plowing through to ensure that Kupid’s Play artists are given voice, seen and heard.

Finding the balance of acceptance, between pushing and passivity, has been a big lesson for me. For me, the balance is what the Dalai Lama calls assertive action.

It starts with hearing a new artist, and intuitively knowing that this artist has the charisma, talent and skill to make it as a successful recording artist. The next step in the process is deciding if I feel I can support the artist to achieve critical mass. Once those two areas meet, then the rest is about focus, structure and disciplined action: planning the marketing and release strategy, planning the tour and promotion strategy, and then taking action.

The next step, the hardest one for both the artist and label, is extreme hard work to build fans and income for both the artist and the label. First there is the initial tour. Trying to secure a tour for an unknown artist can start with a lot of phone calls and very little receptivity. In fact, you may have an easier time looking for a needle in a haystack. Then after booking the tour is getting people to come and see this artist. Fewer people come to see an unknown artist than would come to see a well-established artist. To get people out to see an artist perform takes publicity, but it can take a great deal of effort to secure press and publicity for an unknown artist.

The thing about art is that it is driven by passion. Passion is something that can either bring extreme lucidity where others cannot see, or it brings blindness where others would see clearly. I believe that passion for the art and artists I work with is driven by an absolute clarity. With this clarity comes a conviction that no matter what curve ball comes, no matter how many concert cancellations, failed PR attempts and low initial album sales may occur in the beginning, that there is still every chance that the artist will ultimately meet with tremendous success. So how does possibility align with acceptance in the face of curve balls and changed plans? I firmly believe that acceptance of what is, combined with a firm belief in possibility, leads to an outcome that may not be far from the initial plan. Even though things may not go as planned, and in many cases they won’t, there will be other things that come along to help you reach the goal.

So to all those aspiring artists, know that life is full of possibility. Hard work and determination are key. Never give up on your dreams and goals, be smart, stay sharp and stay open. Accept everything that comes your way, both good and bad and know that no matter what, it is all a part of a journey you were born to take.

Rishi Gerald is the CEO of Kupid’s Play Records. He describes Kupid’s Play like this: “Kupid’s Play is the Sound of the I Am Revolution. As an international record label devoted to raising global consciousness we bring awakened artists to the commercial mainstream. Our vision extends beyond a traditional record label. We know impossibilities are not real and build non-traditional revenue models by embracing new technologies in the current economic landscape. We know music is everywhere. Kupid’s Play actively seeks out creative opportunities to get its artists’ music to their fans in new ways ensuring that the Sound of the I Am Revolution is heard.” With two decades of experience in the music industry, Rishi has been nominated for numerous marketing awards and earned a Gold Record in the music industry for management.