CD's almost done, now what?

[Bjazzman]

Ok I used to have high hopes for every band i join and this band is no different. But, at this point i'd rather be happily surprised than let down due to any kind of expectation.

I've never done the whole tour thing except for a few regional shows, and at this point i'm fine with that. Our music is very non-mainstream and it will be hard to get any sort of radio play. I'm going to try to get into the local blogs and probably distribute our music online.

We had a regular gig about a year ago every tue, but no one showed up even though it was free for 21+ and $5 for 18+ It's so hard to sell yourself.

Anyone got tips on how to build press?

Im thinking that since most of the groups in this town are clicky, they are going to want an opening band that has some sort of press. And press wants bands that have a cd or some sort of buzz anyway.

Im thinking our music is better suited for film/tv than radio.

[lonote]

Hey fellow Minnesotan! We just finished a CD also. We're waiting for the graphics to get finished and then it is off to the duplication people. We are a blues band but the CD is all originals. We approached people in the nationwide blues arena as well as local folks. The liner notes are being done by a contributing editor from one of the national "glossy" blues magazines and we have a nice blurb from a well known, well respected blues producer and we may get a blurb from a Handy Award winner. We have also sent out CD's to radio stations, magazines, etc. who can get reviews published or who can get airplay for the CD. If you want details, PM me with your e-mail address and we can move our discussion off the forum.

[baalroo]

I'm guessing you're music is somewhere in the soundscape/ambient/post rock/minimalist area? If so it can be pretty difficult to get off the ground. If my guess is right, you're gonna just have to do things the old fashion way and start making connections through face time at "artsy" type events. You definitely need some recordings that are at least a step above "demo" quality and just get in the habbit of taking a few sampler discs with you every time you go to a function where people might be into the more "avant garde" type of scene. Also, myspace like crazy and basically sell yourself out to anyone willing to let you hop on a local show. Generally with non-mainstream music if the guys in the band you'll be playing with like what you're doing, it's a safe bet some of their fans will like you as well.

My current band is a stoner rock group similiar to Clutch or Kyuss, but I've been in some avant garde/post rock/noise groups as well and although the audience is a bit different I think the strategies are similiar. We're currently recording an album and only playing shows occassionally until it's finished. Once we have that complete we'll start "pimping" the album like crazy and playing on every single show we can slip onto for a few months.

I think it's a good idea to only saturate the market with yourselves when there's some sort of album or relevant items to help build your reputation. You can play 100 great shows, but people will tire of you and think of you as "another local band" if you can't push your image as a professional outfit. This requires great songs, AND a great stage show, AND the t-shirts, CDs, buttons etc that come along with what the average person associates with a "pro" act.

I'm sort of rambling here but the point is if you want to build a fan base you have to present yourself as a group that deserves a fan base. A little mystique, some decent merch, and good old fashion advertising savvy will go a long way.

[Bjazzman]

thanks man. yeah its definetly soundtracky/ambinet/chill/rock/fusion?

the thing is that when we had those 2 or so months when we were giging every tue, we go to myspace the bands in a similar vein to our music. Sometimes it worked and sometimes we just got what we could.

The biggest player in the game around here is a fella named dosh. He has worked with andrew bird and others. But getting him to collaborate would be impossible.

I think your right about pimping out our cd at artsy type places since thats where the bands are most likely to be.

what about trying to get a bigger band to open though since most of the other bands have little to no audience like us? It seems like we go in circles when we try to arrange a show together. I figure thats when we will receive at least some press?

[baalroo]

I think you've got the idea. The best way to gain fans with "alternative" stuff is to play shows with respected groups with a fan base. It lends credibility, people see you attached to them and make a connection. Instead of trying to "collaborate" with dosh, just give him a copy of your album and be honest about your intentions and what you think of him.

Also, it does no good to play with other fanless groups, BUT each "scene" usually has it's own built in fan base so as long as you know how to advertise yourself to them then you can tap into those fans and make them your fans.

Really, you just gotta make connections and learn how your own local scene operates. For example, here where I'm from there's a local DIY forum that is sort of the breeding ground for most of the local shows and bands. If you are trying to do experimental/indie/punk/etc and don't know about the forum it can be REALLY hard to stay "in the loop" and get onto the good shows, but you just gotta meet the right people and ask the right questions to learn about it.