We like to think we know how to read. So on occasion we’ll order a book on tape, listen to it, and pretend to understand it. READ THIS is where we get to talk about books we think are worth paying money for. Get this book now.

As a rule, I think all musicians should read more books on marketing. More Pitching Hacks and less Nirvana: The Biography.  Why?  Because one tells candid advice on what it takes to succeed while the other sensationalizes a path to success that is likely to be 90% embellishment.  Ignore Everybody And 39 Other Keys To Creativity is not so much a book on marketing as it is a one-on-one conversation with Hugh MacLeod; a guy who has found moderate success by putting his artistry and wit into cartoon form.

While I have a few gripes with the format and content of the book (I’ll save them for my Amazon review) the benefits of Ignore Everybody ring true throughout.

Key takeaways for me:

1. Define your own path to success

As it becomes more and more apparent here at FluteSquad.com, I am a big fan of setting feasible goals and creating my own success.  Ignore Everybody is great for really spelling out the idea that success as an artist comes from your own definition and not some lofty idea only realized when someone “discovers” you.

2. Keep one foot in the real world and the other on a banana peel

This is the inverse of when your parents told you: “Have something to fall back on.” MacLeod doesn’t suggest having a real job as a backup plan for your dream.  Instead, he suggests having the real job as a way for you to not have to compromise your dream.  Hmm… real job in support of the dream.  I like it. 

This is important to realize since writing a jingle for a dish soap commercial is the kind of decision you should make only if you want to; not if you have to make your car payment.

3. Never underestimate the rewards of a normal life

Being a rock star is cool, but you only stay young for so long.  Once you get a little older being at ritzy parties with a star-studded guestlist gets less appealing.  MacLeod reminds us that while playing a rock festival for 60,000 people is cool, having health insurance when you’re 38 years old KICKS ASS.

4. Selling out is harder to do than not

Sorry strong-willed musicians, until you are faced with the decision to sell out, you really don’t have a worthwhile opinion about the matter.

So, notice how the tip that gives the book its title is not on the list?  That’s because I found the “ignore everybody” tip that kicks off the book may actually be the weakest tidbit in this short manifesto.

Two reasons why I say you shouldn’t just ignore everybody:

• When Die Humpin! came out in 2007 I learned a ton from the people who were brave enough to explain to me why the album was garbage.  And while I didn’t agree with them, I refused to ignore them.  Instead, I took note of ideas that were previously way off of my radar.  I questioned The Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad’s rationale and formed opinions that either justified the band’s creative decisions and even changed my mind about a few things.  It’s true, you can learn a lot from a hater.

• Advice like “ignore everybody” just sprinkles fuel on the fire of people who genuinely have bad ideas. Unlike a lot of the cats who have learned how to live successful and satisfying lives from their blogs, I still believe that good ideas are far less common than bad ideas and not everyone is cut out to write a blog.

Minor gripes aside, Ignore Everybody And 39 Other Keys To Creativity teaches a crucial lesson for artists and musicians alike.  Virtue, creativity, and hustle are great.  But guess what?  TONS of artists and musicians have virtue, creativity, and hustle!  The true secret to success involves creating a sustainable and satisfying plan that involves patience and appreciation of creativity’s small rewards.


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If you like this article check this one out:

What The Hell Is This? – An overview of who The Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad is and why we started this blog.

Starting A Band Without Knowing What You’re Doing – One man’s plan to start a band without a plan.