In the present day we interview music artist and producer RAVEN who’s making a splash within the crypto world.
RAVEN has her personal Discord Server, Hive weblog, mints NFTs, and even her personal token!
On this interview, we begin to unpack how it’s she obtained began and how one can begin leveraging crypto in your music.
How did you get began in music?
I obtained began with enjoying the drums once I was a child. On the age of 17, I had my first highschool band, known as HighAmp. We performed Emo, Highschool Rock and slightly little bit of Punk.
After that, a Punk band adopted known as Pussy Brown. Yeah, this band title wasn’t my thought. 😀 I used to be 23 once I entered the band enjoying with a bunch of 40-50-year-old males. It was a lot enjoyable. The songs we performed had been powerful and actually quick. So for a small girl like me, it was arduous work generally. I keep in mind once we had the primary live performance, individuals had been laughing as quickly as I entered the stage as a result of they thought I might by no means play this quick punk. However nicely, they stopped as quickly as I began enjoying.
After this one, I had a band solely consisting of girls known as “Sugar of the Universe”. We did many concert events throughout the years and I cherished it. However sooner or later, I felt, I wished to make digital music, to begin producing. So I purchased Cubase and a fundamental studio arrange and began stepping into the software program. It was fairly annoyed at first if you by no means labored with any of the DAWs earlier than. However I caught to it and eventually made my very first track as “Raven” in 2015 (“You Say To Me”). It was superior to have the ability to simply deliver my very own concepts to life precisely the way in which I wished to. And I used to be stunned myself, that I already had such a novel sound after the primary track. This was actually completely “me” for the primary time.
That’s how it began. I’ve caught to producing ever since. However I additionally understand I miss enjoying the drums, so I hope to have time to get again to this quickly.
What do you are feeling is the largest impediment for artists at the moment?
Getting worth for what we musicians and artists do is hard. We put a number of time into studying to provide, combine, and grasp. This can be a actual career and it takes years to turn out to be actually good at this. Most individuals have no idea or worth how time-consuming that is. We don’t solely must discover ways to make music, but in addition the right way to make good cowl artwork, and the right way to promote ourselves if we don´t have cash to pay somebody for this. It´s like I discovered a number of professions on the identical time, turning into a critical musician.
The market modified a lot with Spotify, Deezer and co. Tons of music is accessible always. Folks don´t take music as a uncommon and particular good anymore. They simply take it without any consideration that there’s music all over the place which is free. That’s most likely the largest impediment. It’s arduous to earn cash with it. Folks spend hundreds of {dollars} on a brand new cellphone or television, however they aren’t prepared to spend greater than 1 greenback for a track that took most likely weeks to create and produce to perfection.
I nonetheless must do a number of facet jobs and fee work for others to have the ability to pay my payments. I’m used to dwelling on the fringe of poverty. That’s what most of us musicians know. And it could possibly get very irritating through the years. It introduced me to the purpose of giving up on music very often. However I all the time got here again to this as a result of it´s what I like, it´s what helps me specific myself and turn out to be the true me I all the time wished to be.
It might be a dream to make a dwelling of what I like. I feel everybody deserves this. There’s nonetheless an extended solution to go, and I feel we’d like a change in angle on the earth to have the ability to obtain this. However the crypto world has actually helped me get nearer to that aim.
How did you get into the crypto house?
I used to be looking for methods to advertise my music with out having cash to pay for in 2016 I feel. I discovered a web page known as “Atomcollector Data”. You had been in a position to gather credit for those who take heed to different individuals’s songs there and also you then used these credit to advertise your individual music. I used it lots, discovered some good music by way of it and likewise discovered a number of followers by way of it. We had a discord server for the group and searched for tactics to have the ability to promote ourselves.
After which sooner or later I discovered a website known as Musicoin. It was a web page to add your music like Soundcloud. However you had been getting paid in crypto for it. This was all new to me, however I used to be actually fascinated by the entire crypto world, so I signed up for the location as one of many first musicians. Shortly after, my music was trending on the location, giving me numerous listeners. I earned extra in 3 months there than I had earned the final years with ‘regular’ music websites. It was nonetheless distant from being sufficient to stay from it. However the feeling was superior! Folks valued my music, I earned with my music. All of the work began to repay.
Sadly, the location didn´t final very lengthy and it was gone round 6 months later. But it surely was the primary ray of hope for me. It confirmed me that there’s a world the place my music issues. So I stored digging deeper into all of the crypto stuff, discovering new websites. I discovered one known as Choon. After a number of weeks, I used to be one of many 10 greatest musicians on the location. I earned ALOT of crypto. However having cash for the primary time, I didn´t wanna rush it. I wished to consider what to do with the cash as an alternative of losing it. So I solely took a number of of the cash off the location, which ended up being an enormous mistake. I exchanged round 1500 Euros of tokens for fiat and left the remaining on there. Nicely, some months later, the largest 20 musicians had been falsely accused of dishonest and our accounts had been simply taken down, with out giving us any of our earnings again. I misplaced round 8 ETH value of cash (at the moment it was round 32000 Euros), which was, and nonetheless is ALOT for me!
It might have modified my life as a musician, it might have given me the chance to give up my job and solely make music for a yr or two. Shortly after, the location was gone utterly. It was apparent what occurred, the identical that occurs with a number of crypto tasks. The builders simply wanna make fast cash, utilizing musicians or different individuals for it. It was very irritating.
Nicely, I discovered lots from it: Don´t depart your cash on these web sites. All the time money out to a protected pockets straight away. Till that point I didn´t discover any good music crypto websites anymore. That is actually unhappy. I actually hope there shall be an excellent resolution quickly.
What was your greatest breakthrough second with crypto?
The largest breakthrough was once I entered the Hive blockchain. At its core, it’s a running a blog platform, the place you write weblog posts and receives a commission if individuals upvote or remark in your posts. I began running a blog and noticed that folks actually appreciated my music and adopted me. However Hive has extra round it. Folks began constructing video games on this blockchain. Video games, which you earn for those who play. There’s one sport known as “Rising Star”. It’s about beginning as a lowly busker and turning into a well-known musician. The sport is predicated on NFT buying and selling playing cards, and I used to be fortunate to turn out to be a legendary (very uncommon) card within the sport. My card was solely minted 100 occasions and it has a gross sales worth of 500 {Dollars} and extra proper now. The sport web site has an in-game radio stream the place my music is proven and folks can take heed to it whereas enjoying the sport.
I finished being lively on Hive for a few yr as a consequence of real-life issues. After I got here again in November 2021 I used to be stunned, nearly shocked (in a optimistic manner), that folks truly know me. Each time I entered a discord server or a chat house, individuals had been going loopy and screaming that Raven simply entered the house and truly discuss to them. I used to be like: What the hell is occurring right here?! Most individuals advised me they know me by way of this sport, they heard my music on this in-game radio and so they love what I do.
I used to be not used to this and it nonetheless feels bizarre to be a star for these individuals. But it surely exhibits me that I’m heading in the right direction with my music and that the crypto house is the place I belong. It has turn out to be my house and I finished selling my music on regular platforms as a result of I don´t see any sense in that anymore.
In Hive and the entire crypto house individuals actually worth artists, they admire the arduous work we put in every single day, for years, with out getting something again more often than not. They simply love particular person and totally different artists. They actually admire us.
What would you advise a fellow musician making an attempt to grasp the crypto house?
I received´t lie. Crypto is a freaking difficult house. It took me years to grasp all I wanted to make my factor. And I’d not categorize myself as knowledgeable. This house is rising quickly, and it´s a studying curve every day and received´t cease. However I like studying about it. I like all the brand new prospects that open up every day. You could have a fascination for this world. However when you have this fascination as a musician, then GO USE IT! Don´t be discouraged for those who don´t perceive a factor at first. That is completely regular. It’s a totally different language at first, you want to give your self time to study it. However it’s best to take this time! As a result of I’m completely satisfied that this is likely one of the greatest possibilities you have got as an artist! Not solely as a musician. This house helped me to find a lot extra that I can do. I can create NFT artwork, I can take part in video games, contribute my music to those, and I can discover collaborations and superior partnerships. I remodeled from a musician to an actual artist on this house, having individuals encouraging and supporting me on my journey.
Go use this opportunity! Be affected person with your self to grasp all you want to. Get into Discord servers to search out assist. The crypto communities (and most of them have a discord server) are very pleasant, useful and supportive! One can find individuals serving to you together with your questions there. Go make use of it! These discord communities had been the largest assist for me and I discovered some actual associates, followers and supporters there.
Don´t have the sensation you want to be all over the place within the crypto house together with your artwork, trigger you possibly can´t! There’s an excessive amount of happening. I wanted to study this. Settle for: Okay, I can´t be all over the place. It´s simply an excessive amount of to meet up with. And that is okay.
Go discover your area of interest. Discover the communities and blockchains that basically really feel best for you. Observe your intuition. You might be an artist, you have got an excellent intuition, and you’ve got good entry to your feelings and your intestine. Go use it, it should present you the appropriate path. Get artistic and discover new issues.
Discover the communities and blockchains that basically really feel best for you. Observe your intuition.
And aside from that, don´t overlook to avoid wasting your crypto in your pockets, and don´t make the error I did as defined above. 😉
How do you see crypto disrupting the music trade sooner or later?
I consider crypto would be the way forward for music sooner or later! Proper now, we nonetheless want some strong music websites like Spotify, Soundcloud or co. However I do know many tasks that are being constructed proper now, so I’ve confidence.
I hope that these websites will supersede the “regular” music trade sooner or later. Giving artists the prospect of incomes what they deserve for his or her arduous work.
Additionally, the metaverse shall be enjoying an enormous half I feel, supplying you with the chance as an artist to carry out stay in a digital house. That’s so cool and will actually be part of the way forward for music.
Aside from these websites, crypto shall be an area for each artist to have the ability to do what they actually love, to self-actualize themselves. This house offers you the chance to not solely earn together with your remaining product however to earn throughout the course of! That is superior! You may make posts in regards to the progress of your songs, in regards to the “behind-the-scenes” stuff. Let individuals take part in your journey, in your workflow. The group loves it, likes to get to know extra in regards to the artists, and will get to know extra in regards to the technique of how the track or your artwork comes collectively. That is the largest benefit I see. You aren’t dependent a lot anymore if anybody buys your remaining product. This modified my complete view of my artwork. I see the entire course of now as my artwork, not solely the ultimate product.
Crypto additionally offers you the chance to turn out to be artistic greater than you ever had been. This world is filled with new alternatives. Produce music for crypto video games, create NFTs, create your individual crypto token, turn out to be artistic and invent new methods! This house remains to be small and there’s a lot of room for creation and invention!
What worth do followers get out of connecting with artists on the blockchain?
The worth is, I consider, to be near your artist. To get to know them. Not simply their music or their Instagram profile. Get in contact with the artists by way of discord servers and communities, which play an enormous function within the crypto house. Take part within the technique of the artist creating their artwork. Discover out in regards to the individual behind the artwork.
Take part within the technique of the artist creating their artwork
The artist shall be all the time grateful for these followers! These individuals change the artist’s life. That’s what we’re doing all of it for. For the individuals. To make individuals completely happy, to deliver them some pleasure of their life with our artwork. And to offer loyal followers particular stuff and behind-the-scenes artwork which they’d by no means get with out being so near the artist.
I consider that for those who present worth as a fan to the artist and you’re going to get this worth again 100 occasions. Creating an excellent fan-artist relationship will make either side completely happy and produce us again to what’s actually necessary:
Artwork shouldn’t be an trade, it´s a way of life and there are individuals behind this who put all their lives, each second and all their attainable effort into their artwork to deliver some extra pleasure and individuality to the world. The world wants artwork and it might be a uninteresting place with out it. Present the help that’s wanted for artists to have the ability to go on colouring the world and make it a greater place for everybody.
What do you assume individuals in music get unsuitable about crypto?
Crypto has a really unfavourable impact on most individuals. The popularity is dangerous as a consequence of many scammers and shit tasks. Sure, scammers exist. Numerous them. That´s why it´s all the time necessary to do your individual analysis and discuss to individuals who use these crypto areas and websites. In the event you put time into that, you will see that the proper spots for you, spots which can make it easier to obtain extra together with your music than you most likely did to date.
I feel lots of people are additionally discouraged as a result of it´s so difficult and they should study a lot to grasp all this. However it is going to be value it. Sure, we’re not solely musicians, we have to study much more to have the ability to market our music proper. However this can make you a worthwhile skilled sooner or later. Invaluable in your personal artwork and likewise to help others on their journey. All this effort will certainly be value it!
Is there a particular crypto platform you suggest for musicians?
We’re nonetheless ready for THE superior music platform to earn strong cash with it (Though I feel Blocktunes might be it, it’s nonetheless beneath growth).
However I undoubtedly suggest the HIVE blockchain. Begin from there. Make weblog posts about your artwork and accumulate followers and true supporters. This group is a lot extra supportive than the whole lot else I do know. Begin from there and join this to different websites the place you add your music, promote your music by way of the Hive weblog, create NFTs and even your individual crypto token and use this group to unfold your artwork.
Hive is filled with artistic individuals and prospects for collaborations pop up on a regular basis. Go make use of this.
What’s subsequent for RAVEN?
I all the time have 100 tasks on the identical time. The final years had been filled with fee work for others, music manufacturing or graphics design. Proper now I get rid of all these leftovers to have the ability to focus alone tasks quickly.
I’m presently engaged on my subsequent track, which is nearly performed. And I’ll launch this as NFT in a really particular manner that I’ve by no means seen earlier than. I’m very enthusiastic about this as a result of I will be artistic in a manner that I’ve by no means identified earlier than.
I’m additionally engaged on some Halloween songs and a brand new track for a music video. I’m fortunate and obtained the chance to shoot a music video in Hungary subsequent yr (I obtained this chance by way of Hive).
Aside from that, I’m focussing alone Discord Group, my NFTs and my very own token which is a subtoken on the Hive blockchain: $RAVEN.
It’s so a lot enjoyable to discover new methods, study creating NFT, and study making superior animations and graphics.
I additionally wish to begin DJing and making stay units of my very own music sometime.
The place can individuals discover out extra about you?
The Hive weblog is the centre of my actions. You’ll be able to examine the whole lot I do there.
Raven’s Hive Weblog
Aside from that, my Discord server is one other good solution to miss nothing that I do.
Discord Server
For the non-crypto individuals, you possibly can nonetheless discover my music on YouTube or Spotify. However I’m presently making an attempt to get all my music over to 3Speak, which is a hivebased video platform, the place you possibly can earn together with your movies. And in addition over to Blocktunes, which is a crypto distribution service.
YouTube
Spotify
3Speak
Blocktunes
I’m additionally very lively on Twitter.
