Macedo (Michelle & Melissa) – HuffPost 12.21.11
Mike Ragogna: What advice might you have for new artists?
Melissa Macedo: I would say, just keep going and don’t take no for an answer. It’s going to be difficult and it’s a difficult process being an artist. It’s about confronting things that other people don’t necessarily want to and if it’s something you really want, don’t give up.
Michelle Macedo: I would say really try and emotionally confront yourself and be honest before you take anything anywhere else. That’s your job. Be honest with yourself in order to write your songs and what your songs are about.
MR: Do you have any other advice in that area?
Michelle M: If it feels like it’s getting to be too much, you can walk away for a second.
Melissa M: Yeah, the music industry isn’t going anywhere.
Michelle M: Just like with anything, keep yourself safe first and foremost. Yeah, mental health can deteriorate fast in this industry and it’s a wild ride.
MR: On the concept of the music industry dwindling, what are your thoughts on that?
Michelle M: The music industry is such a crazy scene, it’s changing all of the time. I just hope for the best, I just hope that everything is going well. I really like that there is this huge influence of indie artists and the collective consciousness is jumping on the boat with that one. At the same time, it’s distressful because there are so many labels that are out of work. It’s just changing a lot into online sales. It’s a scary time.
MR: This is the worst of times and the best of times to be an artist.
Both: Yeah.
Melissa M: On the one hand, you have the online world jumping up and that’s totally new and different. On the other hand, music appears to be dwindling in terms of what you hear on the radio. But a lot of awesome indie radio stations play a lot of awesome indie music and that’s exciting.
MR: It seems there’s never been a better chance for indie artists to be recognized and successful.
Michelle M: I totally agree. Look at the Grammys last year. Esperanza Spalding won.