Music Therapist and composer Peter Olsen has had a long career within the Music Industry. We were pleased to catch up with him as we discussed his career, his opinions on the site, and how to effectively use the platform to expand it.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.
I’m a Music Therapist from Melbourne, Australia (with a Masters Of Music Therapy – who works with children with functional needs) and a composer with a BA in Composition.
I have also played drums with various acts such as Amanda Palmer and Reggie Watts. In addition, I’m a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, recording in my home studio and for other artists like Think Up Anger (trailer music).
How’re you enjoying the platform, what benefits have you noticed so far?
I’m enjoying the platform. I like the workspace environment and the ability to submit to major opportunities as well as collaborating with other artists.
You’ve done quite a few projects, are any of the results being released anytime soon for people to check out?
I hope so! I have been accepted into countless projects, lots of work has been done and lots of wheels are in motion. I’m sure you will hear some of my music on film/tv/radio soon!
You’re involved in quite a lot of areas in the music industry which include working as a music therapist, a demo vocalist and a producer for film, tv, and radio. In your opinion, where do you see the industry in 10 years? Do you feel some areas excel/will excel over others?
Obviously, album and track sales are at an all-time low, so music licensing is a way for artists to gain an additional income (through advertising, film, video games, tv shows, etc).
These avenues once required tacky production music (jingles, TV series intros, etc) but now the trend is leaning towards more ‘real’ music, great for us! Touring and merchandise sales are another way of generating income, but means a lot of late nights away from home (not great for me, I just became a Dad!). And crowdfunding (i.e. Kickstarter) is also a way to fund projects (if you have a following, or a lot of really generous friends).
How important is collaborating with other people on projects? Any recent success in regards to this?
I haven’t had great success collaborating with others so far, but I’m always looking for new projects and people to collab with.
What are the main advantages for you of running projects through the platform as opposed to working with existing connections?
You can use the platform like ‘crowdsourcing’ (pick the best of the bunch), and end up working with someone on the other side of the world who has a completely different set of skills and industry contacts to you. Also, you can be strictly professional when running a project online, rather than working with your friends who may cause you to not stay focused and produce your best work.
What advice would you give to other members looking to utilise the site to aid their careers?
Keep trying out all the different projects and continue to diversify your skill sets. The more you can do, the more valuable you become. Rather than just being a “drummer“, be a drummer who has a home studio and who can also sing and produce electro beats too.
Closing
Peter Olsen has dedicated his life to helping others through music therapy. His passion for music and his commitment to helping those in need is truly inspiring. He has made a tremendous impact on the lives of countless people and his work is an invaluable contribution to the field of music therapy. With his experience and expertise, he is sure to continue to make a positive difference in the lives of many.
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