Breaking into the music industry has never been easy, but Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale thinks it’s even tougher now.
In a recent interview with Much, he reflected on what he’d do if he were starting today, offering advice for up-and-coming musicians trying to navigate an oversaturated scene.
First and foremost, Rossdale says, “Know your craft.” It’s not enough to just want to be a musician—you need to actually be good at it. Whether it’s vocals, guitar, or songwriting, mastering your instrument is the first step.
Beyond that, he believes new bands should focus on creating their own movement rather than waiting for industry gatekeepers to open doors. “If I was starting now, I would play my friends’ parties, get that footage, and make it crazy—like you’re starting a movement,” he said. The idea is to build momentum through real, organic moments that make people pay attention.
And finally, there’s no substitute for experience. Playing live is crucial—not just for exposure, but for developing as an artist. “You’ve gotta know your instrument, your voice, and then take it out to clubs,” Rossdale explained. “People want you to be ready-made now.”
Rossdale acknowledges that the current landscape is brutal. Viral moments on TikTok might get a track noticed, but they don’t guarantee longevity. “Next week, there’s somebody else doing that,” he pointed out. Instead, his advice is to focus on what you can control—your skills, your live presence, and the scene you build around your music.
Meanwhile, Bush are gearing up to release their next album, I Beat Loneliness, later this year. Rossdale is confident in what they’ve created, saying, “I think that people who like the band will be really, really into it.”
After 30 years, Bush have seen trends come and go, but their ability to evolve has kept them relevant. And if Rossdale’s advice is anything to go by, new bands looking for longevity should be thinking the same way.
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