If your band is of the screamo variety, the guy. Anything else (which is anything else more marketable, which is everything else, IMHO), the woman. For every reason previously mentioned.
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Making an incredibly hard desicion
- Thread starter Manuel101
- Start date
I tell you what I'd do - if I wanted to work with a female vocalist, and she wanted to explore new musical territory: I'd join up with this lady, put together a band, and develop a bunch of great new material in the milieu of ambient/techno & world music - something like Morcheeba. I bet she'd love it. 
But that's just me...
MM
But that's just me...
MM
Plenty of fodder for thought already posted, so I'll go in a slightly different direction:
I'm not sure I dig your genre of music (although it's not entirely clear just what genre that is, since the links have been for everyone other than what your current incarnation actually is (this would be helpful, in case that's not clear)), but let me put it this way:
If you hired the female singer, I'd come to one of your gigs regardless of genre (and not because she's a woman). If you hired the guy, I'd try to find a way to be on the opposite end of the planet when you gig.
In my opinion, your obstinant obsession with what you think will sell is very short-sighted. Sure a guy who has contacts and draw with a different band will look great on gigs one and two, but a singer with real chops will last as long as you don't screw it up.
I'm not sure I dig your genre of music (although it's not entirely clear just what genre that is, since the links have been for everyone other than what your current incarnation actually is (this would be helpful, in case that's not clear)), but let me put it this way:
If you hired the female singer, I'd come to one of your gigs regardless of genre (and not because she's a woman). If you hired the guy, I'd try to find a way to be on the opposite end of the planet when you gig.
In my opinion, your obstinant obsession with what you think will sell is very short-sighted. Sure a guy who has contacts and draw with a different band will look great on gigs one and two, but a singer with real chops will last as long as you don't screw it up.
LOL! Still Crazy is my personal favorite when it comes to films about rock bands. Probably because I see so much of my own musical past in the film. And Beano reminds me of far too many drummers that I've played with.
As for the singers? There's no question that the lady has serious talent. And the guy is a shouter more than a singer.
Be that as it may, how do each of these people work in the context of your band? How do they work with the music? It's easy for us all to sit here and tell you that the female singer is far an away the better singer. But we don't know your band's material, and how they're going to interpret that material.
As for the guy? Anyone who is trying to hype themselves up prior to the audition by touting contacts, and "the next level", may be trying to compensate for something else. And those buzzwords that he was throwing around are red flags to me. I was also somewhat surprised that the video of that male singer that was shared by the OP was the ONLY video of that singer with that band. And it did not represent him well as a singer.
If the chick is compatible with the band's material and you get on with her she's more likely to help propel the band to superstar status.
Be careful with your IP.
Be careful with your IP.
I'm going for the girl as well. She's got talent to burn, and is a much better singer than the guy. She looks fine as well, she doesn't look that old to me?
Looks can only get you so far with music. When you record an LP or EP, people are going to be hearing the band first without necessarily knowing how your band looks. They're going to notice someone with a great voice, and they'll tune out if someone sounds generic.
Looks can only get you so far with music. When you record an LP or EP, people are going to be hearing the band first without necessarily knowing how your band looks. They're going to notice someone with a great voice, and they'll tune out if someone sounds generic.
The guy sounds like he's throwing up into the microphone. The girl is singing. I don't understand why there is any question about which one to hire. If you want a singer, hire the girl; if you want a screamer, hire the guy.
This isn't trying to compare apples and oranges, this is trying to compare ants and elephants.
This isn't trying to compare apples and oranges, this is trying to compare ants and elephants.
Quit the band and start a new one with the lady. She does not seem to be the style of your band, but would kick ass in a band worked around her vocals. She has talent and looks!
No offense to the real professionals out there, but I have met so many guys over the years with "connections" and "industry contacts", with and without fancy degrees, who turned out to be total douchebags.
All it takes to present as an industry heavy is an inflated ego, a quick tongue and an active imagination.
To be impressive lead singer at the level that gives you goosebumps takes talent, hard work, charisma, savvy, determination, self-discipline...
Based on my experience over a 40 year career, if you want to play the averages, follow the goosebumps. If you go the other way, there's an excellent chance you'll get hosed.
All it takes to present as an industry heavy is an inflated ego, a quick tongue and an active imagination.
To be impressive lead singer at the level that gives you goosebumps takes talent, hard work, charisma, savvy, determination, self-discipline...
Based on my experience over a 40 year career, if you want to play the averages, follow the goosebumps. If you go the other way, there's an excellent chance you'll get hosed.
Based on the clips you posted, the woman would be my choice (but I'm not much for the screamo/throaty vox like the dude, anyway).
My only caveat would be ... I believe from a previous thread that you are from Jersey, right? Based on what you posted and looking further at her YT page, she's performed in and around the L.A. and Cincinnati areas. Is she new to the NY/NJ area without any previous contacts and just trying to keep herself busy until something bigger/better comes along? She's good; is your band good enough to keep her, or would they just be a stepping stone for her?
In any case, I'd still pass on the guy.
My only caveat would be ... I believe from a previous thread that you are from Jersey, right? Based on what you posted and looking further at her YT page, she's performed in and around the L.A. and Cincinnati areas. Is she new to the NY/NJ area without any previous contacts and just trying to keep herself busy until something bigger/better comes along? She's good; is your band good enough to keep her, or would they just be a stepping stone for her?
In any case, I'd still pass on the guy.
Based on her vocal chops alone, Lauren wins hands down. She also has the right spirit as a band member and appears to be an overall better fit, especially considering your band's direction.
I bet her personality meshes better, too, and that would be another huge consideration if it were me.
Like many others said, this is a no brainier. Why even have another audition?
I bet her personality meshes better, too, and that would be another huge consideration if it were me.
Like many others said, this is a no brainier. Why even have another audition?
father of fires
Commercial User
It's hard work trying to make the most marketable decisions all the time. Just write good songs and find the singer who will help you sound your best.
If you want to “make it” find a 15 year old pop star wannabe and remove all self respect.
If you want a long lasting rewarding band, play with the people who will make your band better.
If you want to “make it” find a 15 year old pop star wannabe and remove all self respect.
If you want a long lasting rewarding band, play with the people who will make your band better.
The guy sucks ... yeah, I said it. And from the way he markets himself, he's likely full o' crap. Don't tell me about your music degree, don't tell me about your connections ... show me your talent, professional attitude, show me your recent booking schedule, ie, show me what it is that you got for your daddy's tuition money. From what I heard, not much. That guy will try to run YOUR band, I guarantee it! Did I say he sucks?
The girl is hot, has a GREAT voice, might even go somewhere (but don't be surprised if the band doesn't go with her). To be honest, I'd quit my band in a heartbeat to have the opportunity to play with the girl in whatever band she's in.
Did I mention that the guy sucks and is full o' crap?
The girl is hot, has a GREAT voice, might even go somewhere (but don't be surprised if the band doesn't go with her). To be honest, I'd quit my band in a heartbeat to have the opportunity to play with the girl in whatever band she's in.
Did I mention that the guy sucks and is full o' crap?
Well I finally got to listen to the two singers (or should I say one singer and one shouter) and IMO you should hire the guy and let me start a band with the girl. 
Seriously, I'd cancel the audition for the guy and call the girl immediately before she comes to her senses.
Seriously, I'd cancel the audition for the guy and call the girl immediately before she comes to her senses.
I watched the clips you provided for Lauren. Then I went and found more of her music clips on Youtube, and watched those too, because I wanted to see and hear more of her. Then I watched the interviews with her.
She's got a great voice, stage presence, versatility and experience. That girl is the real deal. IMO, you would be crazy to turn her down.
She's got a great voice, stage presence, versatility and experience. That girl is the real deal. IMO, you would be crazy to turn her down.
Yeah, Im not one of those easily offended people, and the guy had no way of knowing she was my wife. I found it funny, and a bit flattering.
Dragon chick? Oh, now this thread needs pics...
I tell you what I'd do - if I wanted to work with a female vocalist, and she wanted to explore new musical territory: I'd join up with this lady, put together a band, and develop a bunch of great new material in the milieu of ambient/techno & world music - something like Morcheeba. I bet she'd love it.
But that's just me...
MM
That would be awesome. Morcheeba is an awesome group! Id like to make music in that style myself, actually.
Its been my experience that practically every singer/musician who says they have "contacts" or "connections" has had a severly overinflated ego and no talent to back it up.
YMMV
I would hear them each w/ your originals and tape them. The girl based on the video is clearly better simply due to the lack of screaming, BUT... the data I don't have is whether the guy is screaming like that to fit that band or if that is his style. It's kind of unfair to compare them if you don't know his entire repertoire. His other issue may be that contrasted w/ the girl he kind of has a Natural Born Killers kind of look that may not go over well with people who want to live for a while longer.
