Interview with Corners of Sanctuary Bassist James Pera

By Mick Michaels

COSMICK VIEW: Hello, James! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it is greatly appreciated.

CV: Many artists believe that more is better...sure more fans are without a doubt always a plus and in turn can equate to more sales and more attendance numbers at shows. But looking at the grand scope is more necessarily better with regards to achieving levels of success and sustainability as an artist? Can more lead to burn out?
James Pera: This is an interesting question, as it depends on what the goals are of the individual and the band.  Many musicians, especially original music, independent artists, find it at best near impossible to support themselves solely as an original musician.  So, I suppose burn out is possible when combined with travel and type of shows being played, along with a “real job.”

In my opinion, it’s up to the individual to decide what success looks like.  Maybe they are happy with playing small gigs and drinking beers. However, I do not think that your question is directed to those readers, and neither will my thoughts be on this topic. 

Many artists have a concept that more shows will equal a greater chance of success, and perhaps that could be true if those shows can help the band move the ball towards their goals.  I have come to learn, that playing the right venues, at the right time, with the right mix of bands, with the right size and type of crowd, with the right marketing and promotional plan is far more important than quantity of gigs. 
A simple example…fishing in a bathtub 24 hours a day will not feed your dreams or family for that matter.

Having a plan in place that considers working smarter is 100% the best option to take.  Assuming you have a great product to share, it will increase your odds of success.  With today’s technology you can expand a live show’s reach to an amazing amount of people.  Cripes more people watch live professional sports on TV than go to the games.  Why not tap into that approach as a live musician?    

CV: What do you feel are the three main components bands should primarily focus on in terms of building their unique brand and connecting with an audience? Are there particular dos and don'ts you tend to adhere to?
JP: Do’s

1.   Stay true to yourself and the bands vision. Stay the course. Fans will notice if you have a sudden departure to satisfy the critics.    

a.   This is not to say you should not look to improve or tweak approach to improve.  Far from it.

2.   Be real, genuine. Fans will 100% notice if you not genuine. If you are genuine, they will stay with you longer, and your base will grow. 

3.   Interaction with their fans, in today’s world of social media, streaming and accessibility, the fans want to feel part of the team so to speak.

Don’ts

1.   Take anything for granted.  Continue to work hard.

2.   Act unprofessionally, remember this is a business and the people at the top of this business want to know they can rely on you to show up every time. 

a.   I know this seems to fly into the face of what rock and roll is about, but if you want to make it, act like you belong at the top, and maybe just maybe it will happen.  I guarantee what you think your favorite artist is doing backstage is not what they are really doing behind the scenes.  Remember this is a show, entertainment, a world of illusion so to speak. 

3.   Don’t ignore them after a show.  Speak to your fans, listen to their stories, be excited with them.  It’s a ton more fun that way.   Of course, avoid engaging in talking badly about anyone, another band, sound guy etc with the fans.  It comes off as pompous.  

CV: Critics have begun to imply that what's missing in the music world today is integrity. Do you agree this is an issue or do you see it as something completely different as an artist yourself? Is there something missing?
JP: Integrity across the board has been an issue.  I do not think it is solely a problem within the music world. 

You know, I think things are changing like they always do, and as artists we must adapt.  It is hard to think about, or even do, but it is what it is.  “Video killed the radio star” so to speak.  If I knew the answer to that question, Mick, I could sell a million books on how to be successful in Rock and Roll.   I do think I have come to realize, I must embrace the new way of things.  Streaming, Facebook live, social media, Youtube, etc to get the music out there.  

CV: James, in your opinion, has the music taken on more of a back seat level of importance compared to an artist's image and notoriety...or has it kind of always been this way...image first, music second?
JP: It has always been this way, at least in the century.  Image sells I suppose, as crappy as this sounds.   Good news is one does not need the huge media company, record deal, producer, etc to get noticed.  As a matter of fact, the barriers to enter into the market are all gone.  The underdog can get noticed without being judged by the few executives at the top.

CV: Some PR and marketing types also feel that without a striking image or something visually enticing to capture the attention of an audience, the music alone is not enough to build a career on.  Is this something you would agree with and is image allure something audiences really desire?
JP: I believe the audiences want two things: something they can relate to, and something that they can live their dreams through.  In other words, as a young fan I could relate to bands like ACDC, simple, down to earth blue-collar types…as I grew up that way.  As I got a little older, I also found myself associating with the subject matter within Pink Floyd.  I relate to these subjects and visuals.  

I also got into larger than life bands like Van Halen, Aerosmith, Kiss, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Ozzy etc.  Because I wanted to live through what I saw as something I would not ever be able to be or achieve. 

So if you are a band you better be one or the other….hahahaha.


CV: What do you feel is something bands can afford not to do when it comes to getting their name out there and their music heard? Or is everything free game in the quest for stardom?
JP: Honestly, I am not one to tell someone what they can and can not do to get noticed.  Not to sound like a jerk, but I might think their being assholes, or even have a negative impression of them or whatever, but it is not my place to tell them not to do it.  I mean the topics that you are not supposed to speak about are the ones that sell tickets and records, streaming downloads…Religion and Politics.    Add sex, desire and love to the mix… you got top ten hit…hahaha

CV: Is change a bad thing? Can an artist change who they are and still remain true to themselves and to their core beliefs and still be successful?
JP: One should always remain true to themselves.  But like life, one must learn and evolve to continue to grow as a person and artist. 

CV: It's called the "music business" for a reason, yet so many artists and bands tend to neglect, or even reject, such a concept or model. James, can bands afford to not be diligent in this arena when it comes to their career and longevity?
JP: No. 
Shortest answer I have ever given to any interview question.

CV: Is "business" really a dirty word among artists? Why do you think many artists avoid approaching their careers as such?
JP: I don’t know.  Honestly, I think artists want to portray themselves a certain way.  As they think it makes them more genuine perhaps.  But I have never seen a band hope for less people to show up to their gigs. 

There is a payoff somewhere for everyone. People cheering them on and praising them, more money, more material things, more girls, free beer, self-satisfaction, increased ego or self-worth, feeding one’s family, feeding someone else’s family, giving more joy to others…getting attention by making people mad. The list goes on.

I guess in the end, business is just setting yourself and the band up to get what you really desire.  Whatever that may be… 
Again, it comes full circle to what you see as success, and in order to achieve your definition of success you must have a plan in place.  A plan, well, is the first step in running your business.

CV: What advice or guidance would you give to someone who is just starting out? Is there something you wish someone told you when you first started making your bones that in hindsight would have made a world of difference today?
JP: If you are going to do it, do it now.  Don’t be afraid of losing something that you don’t have yet. 

Seek excellence not perfection.  Perfection is just an excuse not to move forward. 

CV: Thank you again James for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. I wish you all the best and continued success.

Check out James at:

www.cornersofsanctuary.com

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word.  Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.

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