Niles Rodgers Delivers Keynote Address In SXSW; Chic To Launch 2017 Album After Two Decades

Nile Rodgers went to South by Southwest (SXSW) last March 15 and delivered a keynote address about making music. He talked about creativity and passion in the music industry and how musicians should not be music snobs. His band, Chic, has also announced that their new album will be launched this year after more than a decade of their last album release.

The Chic band member, songwriter, and producer went to South by Southwest last Wednesday in Austin, Texas. According to Billboard, the upcoming Rock and Roll Hall of Fame awardee talked about the necessity of creativity and love for music in the industry. Nile Rodgers gave the crowd an hour-long talk about the things he learned throughout his career.

He reminded his crowd that practice was the key to everything they wanted to achieve. He also cautioned music snobs. Nile Rodgers himself shared that he used to think that Top 40 songs weren't any good, but his teacher told him that the songs that can get to the Top 40 had the potential to get to the Top 10, so they were all good composition.

The 64-year-old recorder has a lot of things to look forward to in his career. Aside from working with brands, commercials, and films, his group Chic will be releasing a new album this year. The Guardian previously reported that the group will launch "It's About Time" in 2017 after more than two decades. Nile Rodgers said that it was definitely about time, since this year will be the group's fortieth anniversary. 

Nile Rodgers also shared his experience in constructing the layered guitar parts for Daft Punk's "Get Lucky". They never imagined the song would be a commercial success because they were setting up "Lose Yourself to Dance" as the hit-maker instead. He also said that musicians should be open to chances. In fact, he had met his Chic partner, Bernard Edwards, during a tour as part of the Sesame Street band.