Richard Thompson – HuffPost 2.3.12

Mike Ragogna: Richard, is there any advice that you would like to pass on to new artists?

Richard Thompson: Um, quit now? (laughs) No, no. It’s a tough time to be entering the music business. I wish I had better advice or better news. I think your only choice is to be as original as possible, to somehow bring new ideas to the table. Nothing else will really work.

MR: Do you feel that a new artist should be focusing more on creativity and originality than marketing oneself, or do they go hand-in-hand?

RT: Well, I hate to say it, but something that seems to work for young artists is to do something outrageous on YouTube. If you do some sort of stunt video where you jump over Niagara Falls or something while singing your latest song, that works just great. (laughs) A few million hits on YouTube does no harm to your career. On the other hand, I think the artistic integrity route works in the end if you’re willing to go hungry that long. It pays off eventually, but it might take people 20 years to notice you.