Writing a bio for record labels.

[punkbassistfc]

hey guys,

so my band has progressed pretty far in it's 3 years together and we have been asked to submit a bio to a couple of labels to "touch base" with them. Anybody has some pointers in what i shoulkd include and how it should be presented?

Thanks heaps

[Inflin]

Keep it short, some of these people are very lazy.

Start off with a short history (x has been together since) etc, mention any big gigs of note, try to describe your sound, and try and get a bit of humour or lightheartedness in there.

Actually, the best way is to look up your favourite signed bands on myspace, and read the "about me" it'll have been written by the label, no doubt, so you'll get a good idea of what they see as a good bio.

Good luck!

[RED5]

what i shoulkd include and how it should be presented? >

I don't know what you're sense of humor is like but for an example? Find a copy of Cheap Trick's first album, read the liner notes on the band's origins...beats to hell and back the staid "studied here, played there" true stuff.

[MakiSupaStar]

There are two kinds of bios. One for your clients and one for your fans. You clients, people that would receive your press kit should be straightforward. How big is your draw? What are some venues you've played? What type/s of music do you play, and include links or references to any press you might have received.

Your fan bios should be fun to read. Keep it lighthearted. Fans don't care too much about the above stuff, so omit all that and get other things that make you you.

[hunta]

Originally Posted by RED5

beats to hell and back the staid "studied here, played there" true stuff.

Yea, include that kind of info at your own peril. Every no-name never-gonna-make-it-anywhere band/performer tries to pass that kind of junk off as a bio. Create a character for yourself, make yourself stand out. Market yourself.

"Captain Shred always puts on a killer show thanks to his cybertronic implants from the year 2329, which he acquired after accidentally stumbling into a time warp created during an especially vibrant performance of our #1 radio hit 'DIE DIE DIE'."

[agreatheight]

The written bio is almost dead. Electronic Press Kits (EPKs) with slick video bios are the wave of the future. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Press_Kit

[MakiSupaStar]

Originally Posted by agreatheight

The written bio is almost dead. Electronic Press Kits (EPKs) with slick video bios are the wave of the future. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Press_Kit

+1