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Corse of Action

W

Wharl

May 22, 2011
5
0
#1
First off, I know this probably isnt where this goes but this is where the most people are and I need alot of opions.

I am in an original band and I think we are pretty damn good. What is the best corse of action to get our name out there/ become succesful?

Make a demo with like 3 songs? (we have like 15 songs)
Go to a recording studio and record all our stuff?
Put it on itunes?
Gigs? where? how? (weve never played a gig)
$ isnt an issue

Please be as detailed as possible I have no idea witch route to pursue.

sorry for any spelling or grammar errors.
 
#2
Right now, you are the world's greatest original rock band in your own mind. You need to start convincing others by sharing. Not a lot of detail, but you collectively have to cross this line in your own minds and prepare yourself to enter the business world.
 
#5
Wharl said:
First off, I know this probably isnt where this goes but this is where the most people are and I need alot of opions.

I am in an original band and I think we are pretty damn good. What is the best corse of action to get our name out there/ become succesful?

Make a demo with like 3 songs? (we have like 15 songs)
Go to a recording studio and record all our stuff?
Put it on itunes?
Gigs? where? how? (weve never played a gig)
$ isnt an issue

Please be as detailed as possible I have no idea witch route to pursue.

sorry for any spelling or grammar errors.
Click to expand...

Allot will depend on your market and the type of music you do. If you are in heavy rock, Indie, metal, or punk allot of those bands do multi band shows and its pretty easy out of the gates to get hooked up on shows with them as openers or added to a muti band bill. Dont expect to play long or get paid much or even at all.

If you are out of the norm say jazz ,blues,alt country,folk etc your work is cut out for you. You will have to carve your own path and find clubs or venues that support your style of original music . If its family friendly this can include community events, festivals etc. Start a website and get a demo a few songs recorded. Don't worrry about Itunes worry about getting exposure and shows to get yourself out in front of people. If you are all on the same page as a band and willing to work hard for little money you have a shot of getting gigs for little money and little to show for it for awhile. But you never know where that could lead unless you try. Good luck!
 
#9
Get out there and start gigging. Right now the band is at the equivalent level of singing in the shower. Sounds like with originals, your going down the showcase route. Need to hook up with other similar original bands in your market and share the bill at your local venues. Don't ever forget that most fans of original music are musicians in other original bands....besides friends and family.... that is your fan base. Probably got to do pay for play or hustle your own gigs. Start out putting on your own parties to build a fan base. One of the more successful original bands in my market used to rent an industrial building as their rehearsal studio. Every couple of months they would have an open practice/party which became quite a scene once the pretty young ladies started hanging out. Eventually the fan base / party crew got big enough that they would rent a bus to take fans down to the their LA showcase gigs. Demos are nice but the end game is to play live and be able to put butts in the seats.
 
#11
All of the above!

Marketting is a biggie, but you really need to get down to the nitty gritty and play some gigs. Gigs can be anything from a high school talent show, the usual bar scene, back yard BBQ's, or anything else you can scam your way into. If your neighbors are cool with it throw a party at your house and invite everyone you can think of and play your hearts out. Play a couple of shows and you will advance more as a band in those 4 or 5 gigs than you will have done with a years worth of "band practice".

Have friends take a bunch of pics and videos at every gig. This will help you to quickly develop an archive of images for a future website and promo packs, but it will also let you see what you are doing right, and what you are doing wrong during a show which will help you to improve the "show" aspect.

Having a website will give the world a place to go and check you guys out, as well as a place to post pics, comments, and a few tidbits of music, but more importantly more gig info.

Again look at the sticky about making it as an original act but I do hope this brief overview helps.

:bassist:
 

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