8 Things Young Musicians Should Learn* from David Bowie
* besides how to make awesome music, of course

At the beginning of July, 40 years ago, after a sold-out concert, David Bowie was killing off Ziggy Stardust, the alter-ego that defined his career, a blueprint for dozens of artists, the character that changed the face of music forever. Some called his gesture madness, others called it integrity, we don’t know exactly what Bowie called it, but in an interview he once said “I think he was a very successful character and I think I played him well, but I’m glad I’m me again”.

And Bowie’s life is full of examples like the above-mentioned one, outlining the career of a musician fearlessly chasing his own artistic endeavors. He’s seen good, and he’s seen bad and he has been constantly faced with challenges that can become any young musician’s challenges irrespective of time and place. His career is a sturdy template. You can find out how he dodged delicate issues, how he got stuck and how he managed to keep his artistic integrity.

The following rant is a fan’s investigation into the hours of reading biographies, watching interviews and listening to Ziggy’s father, brother and executioner.

1. Kill them creations when time comes

So, Bowie ‘killed’ Ziggy after one year. You’re probably still a long way till that time will come, but the truth is that what’s good for your manager, colleagues and fans is not necessarily good for you. As creator of your own work, you know better than anyone else when the time to pull the plug and start anew has come. Call it instinct. It’s a fluid, but handy tool. And by all means, wear a dress if you have to.

2. Perseverance

His debut album launched in 1967. In 1969 he hit it pretty big with “Space Oddity”, but it was only two more amazing albums later, in 1972, that he got as big as you could get at the time, with “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”. So, never take your toys and leave when something doesn’t work the way you want and when you want it. Bowie tried various styles until he finally got to the place he wanted.Complete dedication to the project can work miracles too.

3. Read them contracts

When it finally happens, read all the papers you have to sign. Bowie made close to nothing in probably the most successful period of his career because he never paid much attention to the papers he was signing. It’s a drag, and you just want to focus on music, but until you’ll be able to pay somebody to do all this for you, better find some time for endless boring papers too. Eventually, Bowie learnt his lesson. The hard way, of course. You’re lucky, skip this stage.

4. Experiment, play, change, but stay true to your values

Come to think of it, what do you want to be when you grow up? Do you want the elusive fame or you want to be an artist? Both? OK, let’s see how it works.Bowie wanted fame at the beginning of his career, but he never ceased to be an artist. He created trends. He hardly followed any. From concept albums, folk, plastic soul and a dozen other styles and inventions, Bowie made his own music. He once beautifully said: “What I do is very simple, is just that my choices are very different from other people.” So, be you, be free, but be focused. Push your own values, shock, but only if you want to. Fame might take its time, but it can also easily leave. Art is yours, the reliable life-long companion.And never forget that integrity is a good thing.

5. Art is your playground

Not just music. Be creative. Creativity is not a 9 to 5 job, it’s a 24/7 one. Indulge your love for other arts. Combine music with other arts. Joggle in more areas. They feed each other and they all help you grow. Bowie has never been just a musician. He is also a highly acclaimed painter, stage and film actor. He directed, produced, collaborated, searched… Never stop. So, make a list, or just move out of your comfort zone. That’s where ‘evolution’ happens.

6. Go mainstream once, but leave before it steals your artistic thunder

Out of 26 studio albums, “Tonight” and “Never Let Me Down” are the ones Bowie admits he did for the rest of the world, not for himself. His love affair with the mainstream was short. He soon went back to his beloved art. But he talks openly about those years. He was big at the time, but that was the famous musician, not the artist. By magic he managed to be a controversial trendsetter, a highly regarded artist and a celebrity most of his career.

7. Surprise your fans, they will be delighted

You’re a famous rock star, but why not appear in a family Christmas special with Bing Crosby? And why not work on your own “Tin Machine” in your 40s? The results might not turn the world upside-down, but they will help you move on. Some called “Tin Machine” his midlife crisis, but Bowie ‘just’ reinvented rock-and-roll. He agrees it was just a phase, but that phase planted important seeds that helped the future alternative music of the 90s.

8. Set yourself up for failure

He went on tour with Nine Inch Nails when they were huge and he wasn’t. That was a personal challenge for sure. Whatever the result, he would have been OK with it, because he was aware of the risks. He did set himself up for failure, and, again, by magic he actually won.I know, you’re right, there’s no winning formula, there’s no magic pill and there are no perfect models.

I’m full of wise sayings and good advice, but in the end it really is up to you. Keeping an eye on musicians who had it all, lost it all, had it all again, but never lost it again, is still a good move. Bowie made it as an artist, and, along the way, fame followed him too. Last, but not least, be versatile, but never forgot that the man behind David Bowie has always been David Robert Jones from Brixton. Because, you see, keeping an eye on role model pays off. Sooner or later.

Author bio: When she’s not listening to music, going to concerts or writing about them, Anca’s working with the amazing team at IndigoBoom, the digital distribution platform for artists & labels.