Can't Buy Me "Likes"

One of the current trends appealing to struggling bands is the growing industry of services who promise a certain number of "Likes" or YouTube views for a certain amount of money. While this is an appealing avenue to go down and a theoretical solution to an inability to get promoters interested in your music, there is just too much that can go wrong. First off, you're not the only ones who has heard of these services and promoters might just notice if you "Likes" roster is full of names they can't pronounce. Also; supposing this does work and you get booked at one of the biggest venues or get picked up by the biggest promoter in town, what are you going to tell them when not even your keyboard player shows up? Let alone the audience you promised them by the transitive properties of Facebook. Not only will you be playing for an even emptier room than usual, it will be hard to get anyone who matters to be interested in your band when/if you finally reach the same level the old fashioned way. 

Read More

Timing Is Everything

So you’ve spent months and months writing, rehearsing, recording, and putting the final touches on your new album. After all that you can’t be blamed for having high expectations for its success. In order to optimize media coverage, it is important to plan your release date strategically. Depending on when it comes out, it can either be a beacon for those in search of new music, or a drop in the ocean that gets swallowed and forgotten if the eyes and ears of the music media are preoccupied. Basically, you want to avoid forcing your album to compete with large festivals like SXSW (Late Feb – March), Pitchfork (July), CMJ (October), and festival season (summer) in general unless you are playing at least a few of them.  You also want to avoid December and early January releases since writers will be consumed with their year end lists, and predictions/anticipations for the new year. 

Read More

Location, Location, Location

Everyone knows that a huge part of making it in music (or the entertainment industry in general) is being in the ‘right place at the right time’. Unfortunately for small town hopefuls, the chance that you will be in the right place when the right time comes along is about several million to one.  Equally as old as the saying, the practice of relocating to a city when someone who matters is more likely to see you. While there is still potential to be discovered over through the web, there is equal if not more potential to get lucky in a high profile city. Let’s face it, no one who matters in the music industry is ever going to care that you are one of the top bands in Iowa City or Butte, MT, much less catch your live act. If you are struggle to find a foothold towards a career, it may be time to relocate. NYC, Chicago, Nashville, and LA are always classic and effective destinations. Portland, OR, and Austin, TX have both become iconic music hubs in the past decade, but places like D.C., Toronto, and Montreal are on the rise as well.

Read More 

Record Store Day

For decades vinyl has been considered a niche market for fringe genres and collectors of the arcane. Though it still carries this reputation, the fact that record player now come with iPhone ports and can be purchased at Target and Urban Outfitters hints to the contrary.

If you enjoy listening to music as much as you enjoy making it, you have probably heard of Record Store Day…the most benevolent of the consumerist holidays. While the primary purpose is to celebrate and promote independent record stores, there can be something in it for bands as well. If you can time the release of a vinyl version of your album, or come up with a special Record Store Day limited edition, something or other, 7”, you too can cash in on the hype.

Read More

The Joy of the Email Interview

Until perhaps recently, no young musician would practice their instrument while dreaming of the day they do an email interview. While it doesn’t carry the same prestige as magazine, radio, or television interviews, they can be your absolute best chance to promote your music. There won’t be a rhythm like you read or hear in other interviews, but taking it at your own pace allows you to think through your answers to show readers the best side of you and tell them everything you want them to know. Don’t be afraid to expand on questions if there is something tangential that you’d like people to know. Don’t be afraid to show your personality. If you’re no fun to be around or not great at thinking on the spot, this is your chance to give the impression that you are.

Read More

Negotiating With Venues

For those who have played a lot of gigs, it is common knowledge that the venue owners and booking agents are the first two species who will try to rip you off on your way up. It is important for you to realize that when you aren’t getting a fair deal, it’s often within your power to demand a better one. Whether you get it or not depends on how well you negotiate. When haggling with a venue, you want to know (and be able to prove) what you bring to the table; understand what they want; know what’s up for negotiation; and convince them that giving you what you want will help them to get what they want.

Read More