The music industry is trying to kill me is the first full length solo album by Grammy winning American songwriter and founder of indie rock bands Rustic Overtones and Paranoid Social Club, Dave Gutter. A rock opera about the hazards of being a musician and the disillusionment and tumultuous life of a starving artist. The concept of the album came during an existential crisis Gutter had while lobbying for musicians rights to Congress, and the lyrics to Bread’s Guitarman. Peeling back the layers of the labor of love of an artist, while telling a self referential but familiar story. The album was self produced with additional production help from Matt Perry, Evan Smith (Bleachers), and Anthony Gatti. Gutter says the songwriting and production goal for this project was to blend musical styles that he didn’t take seriously. Siting Elvis, Ska, Mall Punk, and Modern Country as influences for the sound of the record. The music industry is trying to kill me is a lyrical dark comedy that riffs on mental health, decadence, exploitation, ego, beauty standards, and the sacrifices associated with the business of sex drugs and rock n roll. “The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.” - Hunter S. Thompson