Yet for other artists who got record deals, maybe it was not the right time, and the artist found out that getting that particular deal was not such a great experience. The company did not understand their music, did not know how to market and promote the band, or some other situation which resulted in disharmony inside and outside the group. You have to think positive. I think that a group with a deal behind them, even if it did not work out, is in a better position to get on with career-building. We are no longer looking at the same neophyte musician, due to the experience of having been offered a contract, negotiating, signing, recording, touring and promoting.
Experience is still the best teacher.
It is no secret that record companies are looking for the next thing, but they seldom can keep from chasing after the last thing. That's really not so good for a band that sounds like the current crop, unless the group is versatile enough to move on to the next sound. Witness the shift from metal bands to mainstream alternative. The challenge for the creative musician is to ride through and survive the shifts and trends. The key is adaptability and depth of musical talent.