Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Frank Palangi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Frank, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?
I remember when I started out back in high school we got a band gig that paid $50/100 and sold $50 in merch, and received a few more at a place in Lake George NY called Sweet Cravings. When I was solo acoustic, I got hired for a new years eve party and got $95 plus free food for my first gig.
Frank, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am an independent rock musician hailing from upstate New York, who is dedicated my life’s work to proving that “Rock Isn’t Dead.” I have a gritty voice style but dynamic range. I like to inspire fans to pursue their passions. A “millennial” for terms sake, I’m involved with recording, mixing, producing, radio DJ and teaching guitar, navigating the evolving music landscape to make a living at it. My musical tastes tips the hat on the past 40 year evolution of the 80s & 90s rock & post grunge genres mixed with heavy metal. Influenced by bands from the 80’s (Metallica, Ozzy, Def Leppard, Megadeth), 90’s (Creed, Godsmack, 3 Doors Down, Drowing Pool), 2000’s (Daughtry, Three Days Grace, Shinedown, Hinder). The big choke in the music business is that you think you’ll become an over night success fast, that’s not the case. I have a stubbornness tenacity to keep progressing knowing it’s relentless work and expecting the rejection. It’s all about the music business.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I grew up with the idea of social media way back in myspace days, but even then I had an understanding of how it worked. I would upload my music and message like minded rock fans and try to connect. There were various chat room’s back in the day dedicated just to specific genres and likes as well. Always start with your family and friends but from there you need to build it out and reach out to other people in your related area. As an recording artist, guitarist, and singer, I would follow people with same interests and start to connect with them. It’s changed through the years and your not allowed to do everything the same like it used to be run also. Eventually you run into where you have to put some cash into your social posts to reach new people. Almost every platform is designed to take your money. It never used to be that way and your posts were seen to more people. They limit outreach in certain ways now so it’s designed to make them money. Be clever and look for new ways to try and reach as many as you can. Investment in yourself and your business is key so you may want to save a small advertising fund.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Support more of the indie artists. Major label artists will not always be there and the Metallica’s of the day that are huge money pull in’s will not be around for much longer. That will eventually feed into stadiums hurting and arenas and down to theater halls. You like an indie artist, support them, them rise up to get those opportunity to grow into the next level but we are all on our own now, most without label support or paying for it themselves. I always say when there is a gofundme for example, if you have 4,000 people on your network or support group, if everyone donated a $1, that alone would be amazing and doesn’t break anyone’s bank. Now spread that out into $10 – $1 per band. You just helped out 10 bands for $1 each, but power in numbers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.frankpalangi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankpalangimusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frankpalangimusic
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankpalangi/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/frankpalangi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/palangistudios
- Soundcloud: https://www.soundcloud.com/frankpalangi
- Other: https://linktr.ee/frankpalangi
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/frank-palangi/271169171
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Ubner1Clwb3h5MSH7FYwb?si=_aZs_XduSX6xHghArcfvQQ
Image Credits
Stephanie J Bartik
Elissa Ebersold
Frank Palangi