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Tagging up – Innovation in Music Community

Classical old musician Arif Lohar: well known for his CHIMTA (The musical instrument which he uses from ages). He developed a style of classical instrument playing that would appeal to large numbers of people with a stunning recording of his music’s instrument. The problem was, he wasn’t interested in touring nor did he have the money or interest required for the standard huge promotional push to radio, press, retail, publishers, record companies, etc. He did, however, want to earn his living as a musical artist. What’s a musician to do? Then a sudden tag up happened between 2 stars i.e. Arif Lohar and Meesha Shafi, which at the end came up with Hit song -Jungi – Alif Allah Chambay Di Booty- in Pakistan industry. In that song he makes an impact on use of his old and famous -Chimta- and this tag up was a great innovation, which sent the message to all generation that old music artists are still alive and they still can rock up our industry. This story illustrates an approach more and more musicians are taking today: to team up with others whose skills complement and enhance their own talents in order to break into an increasingly crowded music marketplace. In past, we can see Shazad Roy team up with Bryan Adams, which is another Hit although that hit came in a form of concert and this team hit at its peak which was liked by almost every one as Bryan Adams wasn’t a local guy. The main impact was the creativity in an idea. Moreover, another creativity team up between Hadiqa Kiyani and Irfan Khan with the song Title -Janan-, it was in phasto and music theme was very impressive, it shows how a team can create a impact on music industry. Furthermore, a conflict can end up in breaking a unit as well, as in the case of Jal band and Atif Aslam: though they were best friends among themselves and studied together in common university. Initially they started up with -Ab tu adat si hai- which was another hit song in Pakistan music industry but one misunderstanding broke up their relation and after that Atif Aslam got more popular due to his awesome voice and Jal band has made lot of fans. Partnering is nothing new for musical artists. Songwriters collaborate with each other; musicans form “bands” of like-minded players, performers team up with producers, and recording artists sign up with record companies–all in the hope of creating “synergy” where the sum result is greater than the singular parts. Synergies occur on all levels in the music business. In corporate parlance they have many names: mergers, joint-ventures, subsidizations, development deals, limited partnerships, co-ops, and strategic alliances are a few ways they are expressed. There’s a lesson in all this for musicians: teaming up can multiply your efforts and move your career in an upward direction more quickly than going at it alone. Traditionally, musicians joined with “professional” teamates like management companies, high-level booking agents and established record labels. Tag up- Musicians !! Find someone whose strengths complement your weaknesses and set up a trial period to see if you can work well together. The key is chemistry and chemistry involves experimentation with different combinations of elements until the right formula is found. Define who will contribute the cash, property, or expertise. Each is needed and each has a value. Communicate regularly to avoid power grabs and misunderstandings. Talk openly, honestly and relentlessly with your partners. Never let things build up to the point of explosion. Specify the percentage of ownership each person will have and define how, when, and in what order the profits will be distributed to partners. Prepare a business plan and financial forecast for the life of the partnership. This provides a map and an agreed-upon route to your goals. Provide a way to remove or buy out partners who fail to meet their obligations. Shit inevitably happens. People fall in love and leave town, another band snatches your drummer, a job with a steady paycheck becomes just too irreistable–in essence, people change. Prepare for this scenario beforehand and you’ll save countles hours of heartache and stress later.