Peter Gabriel’s ultimate advice to artists for “a long career”
When it comes to building a lengthy and enduring career, Peter Gabriel’s advice should be trusted. After starting out as the lead singer of Genesis, his solo career only took him to new heights. Decades on, he’s achieved true legend status and still remains one of the most respected and beloved figures in British music history. So, when it comes to making it big and enjoying longevity, his one tip is probably one to follow.
The music industry is challenging to navigate. In every town and city across the globe, young musicians start bands with hopes of making it. Then there are the lucky few who break through, bag themselves a record deal, and make an album, gaining notoriety and putting themselves on the path to what they hope will be greatness. But Peter Gabriel knows that managing a lucky breakthrough and then managing to have a long career are two very different things.
The cliché of the ‘difficult second album’ is often talked about, but it’s a genuine stumbling block that so many artists fall at. After the hype is built by a debut, the follow-up becomes a landmine of pressure and expectation. There’s the internal pressure on the artist to level up and get better at their craft. That’s tough enough without external voices calling out for new music quickly but demanding it still fit the mould they’re now used to the artist existing in. With so much seeming to be at stake, it’s no wonder it trips so many up.
For Peter Gabriel, this is the vital moment that can make or break an act, but if they play it right, they can make things last.
Us was in no way Gabriel’s second album, but in a lot of ways, it felt like it was. Previously, the artist had released a run of self-titled records that kept him firmly planted within the progressive rock niche and within his cult fan base. But when 1986’s So came out, suddenly, he boomed to mainstream success. Tracks like ‘Sledgehammer’ and his collaboration with Kate Bush on ‘Don’t Give Up’ introduced his music to an entirely new fan base. Even though he was already established, its release felt like it placed him back into the shoes of an artist making their debut, standing on the precipice of new things.
But afterwards, it took him five years to release Us, his follow-up. In anyone’s books, that’s a long time to wait. However, to Gabriel, that was the key to making things last.
“I’m sure commercially it wasn’t the smartest thing to do, but I’ve never really worried about that,” he told Rolling Stone, but he believes shrugging off typical commercial processes is exactly what’s given him his endurance. “To be honest, I think one of the reasons I’m still lucky enough to put out records and have audiences come to shows is cause I haven’t played that game very well,” he explained.
“I think that consumer culture tends to be very hungry. It can’t get enough of you for a very short time, and then your taste gets boring, and they spit you out and take the next new thrill,” he said. Especially in the world of mainstream and popular music, there’s the idea that everyone gets their 15 minutes, and then they’re done. However, according to Gabriel, who is still working today, he believes that if an artist spends their time, the music work will give them more time in the spotlight in return.
“While it was never a predetermined strategy, I would probably recommend it to artists now if they want a long career. If you got something worth saying, if you’ve got something to put out, don’t worry about what the record company tells you,” he said, with his ultimate piece of wisdom being, “Take your time”.
