Music Mentorship Insights with Claire Cvier

Introduction
My name's Claire Cvier. I work now as a behavioural psychologist. I apply behavioural psychology to mentoring and developing artists, as well as assisting management companies, agents, labels, and publishers when artists need a little bit of extra support.

Finding Your Destination
When I work with new people who are really starting from scratch, I take them into this sort of value system:

• Finding Your Goal: Ask yourself, if you were getting in a taxi, do you know the exact destination you want to go to?
  • Are you vaguely saying it's about fame or happiness?
  • You have to really focus on what your message is and why you're doing this, as well as the greater good of your work.

Once you set that charter, it starts to make it a lot easier to determine what measures need to be taken to reach your final destination.

The Challenges Artists Face
There's a lot of artists who sign with labels, and they often feel pressured to conform. They may:

• Take the first deal offered
• Wear the clothes suggested
• Change their appearance based on external opinions

I think it's been documented that artists like Marina and the Diamonds have experienced similar challenges. You achieve some success, collaborate, write with others, and release an album that the record company and your manager want to put out.

Even at the time, it's easy to think, "Hey, I can't complain about this; I'm doing well." But then comes the realization:

"Oh, that's not representative of the person I am."

Marina has since written an album herself and expressed satisfaction with it, stating:

"I don't really mind if it doesn't sell or if it's not a massive commercial success."

Understanding Success
It's crucial to understand what success means to you. Fame is a very strange, abstract thing. Do you want a long-term, sustainable career in music? If so, the more you build up your skill set, the better.

• If you're just a singer doing covers without the ability to play or produce, you may find yourself living someone else's dream.
• That's fine if you understand that it is someone else's dream.

However, if you know deep down that you need to write these songs and have words to express, remember:

• Your value is significant.
• There is a reason you are doing what you do; it can change the world in some way, whether it's making people happier or connecting with others who have been in similar situations.

The Cost of Fame
You really do have to acknowledge this. If you don't, you often see where people take the fame, and it turns into:

• Drugs
• Drinking
• Self-harm

You must measure what you're losing along the way to get to where you want to be.

Consider the sacrifices required:

• Being apart from family
• Navigating relationships

It's very difficult to maintain a relationship while pursuing a career as a musician. You have to let a lot go.

"You can't have it all."

Ultimately, you need to assess whether it's possible for you to balance these aspects, as ignoring this can lead to dangerous outcomes.