A whimsical, informative, and sometimes dark collection of stories, anecdotes and observations about life as an independent musician, from the viewpoint of one with thirty and more years on the front lines and in the outback of the American music industry.

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A whimsical, informative, and sometimes dark collection of stories, anecdotes and observations about life as an independent musician, from the viewpoint of one with thirty and more years on the front lines and in the outback of the American music industry. Working his way through just slightly more than thirty years pursuing music as a career, Phil Circle makes unapologetic declarations, shares his struggles openly, observes his and others' mistakes and successes, and brings in some recent research that points in a good direction for independents everywhere. Through each story about a friend, discussion of the crafts of music, songwriting or teaching, and piece of data, Phil brings in his own life experience. A thread winds through the entire book that takes you from moments in his childhood that had a profound positive influence on his love of music, up through his early years trying to find a way to make music work, past various successes, into devastating despair, and back out into the light of realization that music needs no push. An open ended story meant to ultimately leave one with their own opinions about surviving as an independent, Phil Circle looks to make a few basic things clear over everything else. If you build it, they might not come, but you'll have fun. If you love what you're doing and work some skills into the mix, you'll survive and possibly thrive. There is always hope, even in the darkest moment, you are never alone.

Phil Circle is an independent musician. This term usually implies someone who is not signed to a major record deal, plays primarily smaller venues, tours from behind their own car’s dashboard, and probably has little or no money. In Phil’s 30+ years carrying this title, he’s here to tell you that he has known all of these qualifications to be true. He’ll also say he’s loved every minute of it and wouldn’t trade it for a major multi-record deal and a judge’s chair on a TV music competition. What’s it really like for 99% of America’s music industry people? Chicago-based singer-songwriter-guitarist Phil Circle hasn’t seen it all, but he’s had a pretty good view of a lot. In this series of sometimes whimsical, sometimes dark or moving stories, reflections on the craft, thoughts about the business, and how not to do a lot of things, he sheds a little light on the real world of music. You’re likely to find that some of what you’ve heard about being a musician is sadly and hysterically true, and that other widely held beliefs are little more than hot air. Ride along through three decades of one man’s journey and continuing survival in the outback, on the front lines, and generally out there loving every minute of it.

Phil Circle has contributed articles to business, science, mental health, and music publications. He has written for the Chicago stage and seen some of his work put to use by local actors. This is his first book and grew out of an earlier loosely available version that was a simple non linear collection of his stories. By request and at the behest of various music industry people, he has made this book a more in depth and linear read. As a singer-songwriter-guitarist, Phil Circle has released eight albums for a total of eighty recorded original songs, one album that covers other lesser known independent artists, and one album of more widely known material. Teaching private students, conducting workshops and working in classrooms since 1993, he has developed a singular method of teaching that has helped to produce a long list of successful musicians. He works to help individuals find their unique voice and take the mystery out of their instrument. Phil is a DIY advocate dedicated to empowering the independent artist.