George Vaughn
There is a term called autodidacticism, or self-education or education without the direct guidance of professional institutions. There were many well-known artists or historic personalities who were self-didact, many writers are self-didacts. Thomas Edison went to school for about 3 months, Vincent van Gogh, Eduard Munch also. Today, many musicians, celebrities, etc… all knew how to translate music, or art into material-culture, from image to plan, from frame to touch-able artwork. Was that intention of ancient cave artists? They were showing how to throw a spear, or how to kill the buffalo on the walls of the cave, with the intention to show others how to do it and survive.
There are many autodidactic, cave artists of today when technology is taking over, among others, very well-known music producers or musicians, because they know how to present themselves and materialize their work. In history, many masterpieces were made with little education in materials, techniques, not a theory because theory often does not work in real life. Due to modern civilization, technology and education are becoming a very expensive business, and yet a “self-taught artist” is a relatively new phenomenon. The established schools and academies can codify art education into defined standards and practices but for the reasonable fee, yes in theory, but not always in practice.
There are many cave artists of today in the music industry, au yes. Just walk into a celebrity party and you will meet a massive and very important music producer who can tell just a few words about how to be successful. Often, such people do not know how to say it, but their final products tell everything. The most recent research example in music I found today is a keyboard artist, music producer, and a celeb presenter Vaughn George from London and his music label Aggro Monkey Productions https://www.vaughngeorge.com/ The most perfect example of how music works out there, in real-world is George’s interview with a UK music producer, DJ, and drummer Rusty Egan that you can see online
It’s a serial of video interviews where Rusty talks about big names such as David Bowie, or Madonna. My absolute favorite is this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uURMHfaTt94 where he mentions gothic band from 40 years Joy Division who have had nothing but basic, but they have had the thing that made history in music. The same goes for a big-timer US Nile Rodgers who often talks about a big-time hit of all time D.Bowie’s Lets Dance for instance. These are perfect examples of how to become deep, to avoid superficiality, or how to have what is important but to rely on simplicity, because simple riffs or sounds can be very deep if you have what it takes. The most inspiring of Vaughn George, for instance, is a serial of Depeche Mode reviews as well as this inspiring interview the Depeche Mode’s Dave Bascombe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MixzkjNGL2k
More of the useful information for coming musicians that I found out with Vaughn would be about a fantastic music platform https://bandcamp.com/, easily available online „Bandcamp is one of the most sincere and honest platforms on the web as far as I am concerned. Bandcamp is very supportive of independent artists but unfortunately do not have the same clout as Spotify. I really do not like Spotify. They pay you to like 0.0004 cents per song play and you need like nearly 400 plays in order to earn $1. This is criminal as far as I am concerned. I, therefore, do not endorse Spotify,“ said Vaughn George.
George Vaughn
Interview with Vaughn George
A.T: Tell us a bit about your education in music and how did you start your career?
V.G: I have no formal musical training. I taught myself how to play piano and keyboards by watching bands like Depeche Mode on VHS video cassettes. I bought my first keyboard when I was 15 years old and have taught myself everything I know.
A.T. Many musicians today besides having bands, where they play, are having regular teaching jobs at the official schools or at the studios. Do you think that this may take the time or delay the musician’s perspective career in bands or with music producers in the industry?
V.G. It is not a simple question to answer as every person’s situation is completely different and unique.
A.T. Do you believe in the musicians that are very good and talented but have no official music education?
V.G. Yes I do, many of my favorite musicians and artists even like the Great Vangelis are completely self-taught. I can mention a nearly endless list of artists who went onto have great careers without any formal training whatsoever.
A.T. As a keyboard/piano teacher/expert you work online. Is this an official place where other students from all over the world can apply? Is there deadlines if so where other students can apply online?
V.G. There are no deadlines as each student is taken on a case by case basis. I do coach students online and the best place to contact me is through my website: www.vaughngeorge.com or email: info@vaughty.com
A.T. You interviewed music producers who worked online /via YouTube, do you act as a producer as well?
V.G. Yes I am also a producer with several releases. I used to release dance music under the name “Von Mixer ” but my most recent work is under my current artist name “Vaughty”.
A.T. Do you work with new bands or musicians as well and how they can contact you?
V.G. Yes I do, they can contact me via email: info@vaughty.com or my website www.vaughngeorge.com
A.T. Did I see a couple of Depeche Mode reviews online via YouTube channel, why Depeche Mode, is this your favorite band? Did you had a pleasure to play with them on tours as a substitute or extra musician?
V.G. Depeche Mode is the band that inspired me to become a musician. I have not had the opportunity to collaborate with them but if ever they needed a keyboard player, I’d be happy to help!! 🙂
A.T. Tell us about other bands/musicians you reviewed and you would like to review in the future?
V.G. If you scroll through my channel I have done many others including Pet Shop Boys, OMD, Erasure , Elton John, Alphaville and more!! I have a lot more artist reviews coming soon!!
A.T. Since all the technology is advancing today can you tell us how important are music producers and music critics today? Now everything is different than before, everything is online, many people with certain professions that use to be included in the music industry have lost their jobs.
V.G. Technology has been a “double-edged sword.” It has been both useful and damaging to the traditional music industry business model. It has given artists the freedom to produce their own music. The affordability and rise of artificial/machine learning software have made producing easier than ever before. I still believe in the strength of good songwriting though. I think good producers and music reviewers are still very important.
A.T. How important are Facebook or Instagram group of fans of one musician or band are for the industry or their personal management since people, especially very young people love to leave comments online. How important or is that important at all for musicians today, especially the big ones?
V.G. The way we consume music and media has changed drastically and indeed has the way we promote it. Facebook and Instagram are most probably 2 of the most important platforms for any business these days, especially if you consider the fact that a huge percentage of people have a Facebook account. These platforms are important for a musician/band/artist of any level.
A.T. Do you find unknown music critics useful for the life of the musician or the band?
V.G. To be honest, I do not listen to music critics, I simply do not have the time. Most of the new music I find is through recommendations from my Youtube subscribers and Facebook members.
George Vaughn
