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Loud Medicine: Dispatches from the Music Industry Underworld
The music industry as you've never seen it before – from the bottom.
Music. We all love it. We can't live without it! But what exactly is it? Why is it so awesome? And who are the mysterious figures who create it, perform it and keep us all stocked up with the good stuff? What's it really like to be in a band and just how bad is the music industry?
In his new book, rock'n'roll underdog James Kennedy takes us on a tour through the hidden lives of the every-day musician – this isn’t hotel room trashing but how 99% of musicians live in the real world. Blowing away the usual mythologies and pulling no punches, Loud Medicine is a rough and ready rollercoaster ride – OK, transit van ride – into the secret world of the modern day musician.
It’s also an exposé of music’s many enemies, a manifesto for change and a love letter to everyone’s favourite medicine. There will be rants, dramas, a cast of dysfunctionals, big ideas, industry scam shockers, truth-bombs, f-bombs, the likely crucifixion of a beloved music icon or two – and yes, of course, there will be road stories. So come and squeeze in amongst the drum cases and warm beers, and let’s hit the road!
Music. We all love it. We can't live without it! But what exactly is it? Why is it so awesome? And who are the mysterious figures who create it, perform it and keep us all stocked up with the good stuff? What's it really like to be in a band and just how bad is the music industry?
In his new book, rock'n'roll underdog James Kennedy takes us on a tour through the hidden lives of the every-day musician – this isn’t hotel room trashing but how 99% of musicians live in the real world. Blowing away the usual mythologies and pulling no punches, Loud Medicine is a rough and ready rollercoaster ride – OK, transit van ride – into the secret world of the modern day musician.
It’s also an exposé of music’s many enemies, a manifesto for change and a love letter to everyone’s favourite medicine. There will be rants, dramas, a cast of dysfunctionals, big ideas, industry scam shockers, truth-bombs, f-bombs, the likely crucifixion of a beloved music icon or two – and yes, of course, there will be road stories. So come and squeeze in amongst the drum cases and warm beers, and let’s hit the road!
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2025
8 people want to read
About the author
James Kennedy
357 books13 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 28, 2025
As far as I’m concerned, if you’re going to go out there and play music in front of people for money (or just exposure) then you need to read this book.
If you, like me, have already spent a significant amount of your time and money pursuing this career of madness, then you definitely need to read this book.
James Kennedy neatly wraps up the obsessive behaviour, antisocial hours and endless misery/rapture of bending a note as far as it will go up the dusty end of your guitar to a near-empty pub in Fulham on a Wednesday night in a witty, inciteful, and incredibly sweary love letter to Rock and Roll.
Essential reading for anyone who is, knows, or has to put up with a musician of any level.
(Full disclosure, I was the copyeditor on this book, but I don’t make any more money for being nice about it, or get a percentage of sales. And I don’t often review things I’ve worked on. That’s how much I loved this book.)
If you, like me, have already spent a significant amount of your time and money pursuing this career of madness, then you definitely need to read this book.
James Kennedy neatly wraps up the obsessive behaviour, antisocial hours and endless misery/rapture of bending a note as far as it will go up the dusty end of your guitar to a near-empty pub in Fulham on a Wednesday night in a witty, inciteful, and incredibly sweary love letter to Rock and Roll.
Essential reading for anyone who is, knows, or has to put up with a musician of any level.
(Full disclosure, I was the copyeditor on this book, but I don’t make any more money for being nice about it, or get a percentage of sales. And I don’t often review things I’ve worked on. That’s how much I loved this book.)
June 22, 2025
A very enjoyable read on the pitfalls of the music industry and the hazards that 99% of bands face. Also a few insights into what could be the future of human artists in the face of ever more A.I involvement in the industry. As the author says let's all just unplug and get back to enjoying the discovery of the arts.
July 29, 2025
I'm not going to be bold enough to say this book will change your life but it will certainly open your eyes to the fact that life in the music industry isn't just sex drugs and rock and roll for those roads are filled with success failure laughter and heartbreak.
So yes check out this book and find out what life is like for the underdogs of the music industry.
So yes check out this book and find out what life is like for the underdogs of the music industry.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews