Music Scene

Local musicians, remember this — every step matters. It might not seem like it when you don’t have the number of Instagram followers, Facebook Live viewers, or YouTube subscribers you wish you had. But the fact that you are actually doing something is one step closer to building an audience.

Bella is all about being better, but we are not blind to the fact that bettering ourselves can be challenging. There are many times in life that we feel we are not doing enough, that we’re not good enough. The truth is, we probably could be doing more, and there will always be someone more talented. However, the beauty of being an artist is that there is no ceiling to your own imagination and there are many paths to explore.

As a musician, I will be the first to admit that I could be writing more music, sharing more music videos, and contacting more music venues where I could perform. I don’t want to delve into the inconsistency of my music pages on Instagram and Facebook, but I will share my inconsistencies because the first step to bettering ourselves is admitting the areas where we can improve. Let’s just say the last post I shared was in September and it’s now October. I have yet to share a single post about my music. There are more excuses than I can count to explain why I let this happen — working, socializing, working some more, socializing some more. Not good enough excuses, that’s for sure. The reality is if we don’t commit and dedicate our lives to our passion, it will slip between our fingers. Think of it this way — if you have a passion that intersects with a talent, there is a purpose. There are more people who dream of being where they want to be that there are people who are willing to take risks to make their dreams come true. If I were to pick a side, I’d rather take the risk.

So, where do you start? There’s not a blanket answer for this question. Each person has a different background and a different risk level when it comes to pursuing music goals. Just speaking realistically and from experience, starting off in the music industry does not make you any sort of a breadwinner. It takes a tremendous amount of dedication to grow a loyal audience, write new music, and build enough confidence to share your music journey with your followers on a continuous basis. If you’re a new and aspiring musician, accept the fact that you have a challenging road ahead. But embrace the fact that you are courageous enough to put your art in front of many viewers who have the option to celebrate with you or criticize your every move.

If you will, allow Bella to celebrate with you. We are about to begin an exciting journey in our music series of learning together how to thrive as a local musician and build your artistic flare. Our team is constantly finding ways to learn and grow because we believe if you’re not learning, you’re not growing. Stay tuned for more tips and stories from musicians who have been on the same page as you!

Picture of Ciera Clingerman

Ciera Clingerman

College of Charleston alumna Ciera Clingerman joins Team Bella as a photographer and coordinator for music events. She specializes in event planning and has a heart for music and community engagement. Her passions are bringing people together through the arts, supporting her local church, and traveling to new places.
Picture of Ciera Clingerman

Ciera Clingerman

College of Charleston alumna Ciera Clingerman joins Team Bella as a photographer and coordinator for music events. She specializes in event planning and has a heart for music and community engagement. Her passions are bringing people together through the arts, supporting her local church, and traveling to new places.

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