If there’s one thing that irks me about the music industry, it’s our immense lack of community. We are an industry that seems to pride itself off exclusivity, patting ourselves on the back for being better than our counterparts. The tighter knit our groups, the more important we feel. The more people whose pleas for help we ignore, the more we think we’ve “made it.” But the truth is, this is an industry that needs exactly the opposite. In order to achieve our best success, we need to leverage the help of one another.

Yet, we seem to hit a certain level where we either forget that, or become too “busy” to lend a helping hand—the kind that we so desperately sought out once upon a time. What we need more than anything in this industry is a little more community and a little less turning our backs on one another.

The music industry has evolved in so many incredible ways, and yet this one unfortunate characteristic has stubbornly held on. We’ve found new and innovative ways for indie artists to break out without the help of a label, for budding label and management entrepreneurs to launch their companies without the help of investors. We’ve seen local promoters turn their talents into nationally recognized festivals—all brilliant successes that have required the selfless help of those around them. At one, or many points, someone gave them a chance. They took the time to listen, to consider their ideas, and to invest their time into helping them out. Maybe they met for a quick coffee, allowing them to ask the questions they need to in order to grow. Maybe it was a few email intros, connecting them to the people that could change their lives.

Somewhere along the way we’ve lost our sense of wonder, our curiosity for other people’s ideas, and we’ve simply turned off to anything that doesn’t directly benefit us in the short term. It’s a fact that’s is as heartbreaking as it will be fleeting. Because the truth is, a healthy music industry can not exist under these conditions. And it will only be a matter of time before the power is taken from the indie artist once again, placed back into the hands of the powerful few who dominate the industry. If we keep turning our backs on one another, refusing to offer our time to anyone who can’t directly further our career right then—what will become of the emerging artist? The blossoming company? The curiosity that makes this industry so great? Where will we be in 25 years if we continue on as we have been?  

Angela Mastrogiacomo is the founder and CEO of Muddy Paw PR, which has been helping artists launch their careers since 2013. Through personalized campaigns and handpicked placements, Muddy Paw’s artists have seen coverage on leading industry sites such as Noisey, AbsolutePunk, Under the Gun Review, Substream, PureVolume and many more. She also owns music blog Infectious Magazine and is a passionate member of the music industry community Balanced Breakfast. You can read more of her musings on her website.