New Vs. Established

New gives you an open window. When you’re new, people assume you don’t know what you’re doing.

You don’t get called for the big gig, but the bar isn’t super high for the gigs you get called for. It’s easier to impress, make an impact. Be the talk of the scene for a minute.

Once you’re established, that’s when it gets interesting. People know what you can do, pay you more, and expect you to perform. The pressure isn’t more or less, it’s just different. You have a reputation. When you show up in a room, people trust they called the right person.

New artists worry established artists will get picked because they’re proven professionals. Established artists worry that new artists will get picked because they’re eager, new/buzzy, and maybe cheaper.

The trick is remembering you’ve got leverage in either stage, so there’s no need to pretend about what you bring to the table.