Why Your Demo Isn't Enough to Make It in the Music Business
In today’s world, musicians are expected to be a one-stop shop for their own marketing, production, PR, and everything in between. Long gone are the days of A&R managers, discovering your raw talented un-branded and undeveloped. As if it weren't hard enough to complete your demo, you also have to figure out how to promote it and when you should follow up. Today, there are so many tools that offer ways to automate these added responsibilities, but they don’t handle everything.
Angles to Generate Media Interest
You made a great album, and you’re sure every blogger in the world is going to jump at the chance to cover you. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. Media folks consider at a variety of factors when determining whether to cover a band, and the music itself is just a small piece. In every case of trying to drum up interest, it’s about connecting to something, or someone, bigger than your band's current state. Rolling Stone may not be interested in covering you if you only h
Famous Musicians Who Waited Forever to Quit Their Day Jobs
If you’re working a day job to fund your music career, you may feel like you haven’t “made it” yet as a real musician. But when you consider the paths of many famous musicians, you’ll notice that working a “regular job” while pursuing music on the side is something that many now-iconic artists have done. In fact, many successful musicians kept on working at their day jobs, even after “making it big” in the music business. Here are eight musicians who held onto their day jobs
Surefire Ways to Increase Your Turnout at Gigs
Nearly every fledgling artist has the issues getting people out to shows. It's something of a challenge, especially in this day and age – Netflix, games, and even our phones compete for our attention. Frankly, most people would rather stay in and binge their favorite TV show than go to a live show. But all is not lost. Here are four ways to increase turnout at your gigs! 1. Promote your show This might seem like a “duh” thing, but a surprising amount of bands don't bother to
Ways for Musicians to Use Snapchat Spectacles
Even if you're just a casual user of the photo-sharing platform Snapchat, you've probably heard about Spectacles. This special pair of glasses manufactured by Snap Inc., Snapchat's parent company, allows users to snap hands-free with a quick tap. Until recently, these chic gadget accessories were only available from roving bot kiosks, but as of last week, they're now for sale online. You may already be using Snapchat as a way to share your daily musical activities, but with S
4 Signs Your Producer Isn't Right for You
Many criteria go into choosing a producer. Style, studio equipment, and even personality all play a role. It's tempting to put on blinders and just assume any producer is perfect for your music, but that's simply not the case. Here are four warning signs that the producer you're working with might not be a good fit. 1. Your producer forces ideas on you Good producers will always take the artist into account. If they think they have a great idea, but the band doesn't go for it
The Singer's Quick Guide to Mastering Diaphragmatic Breathing (And Why It's So Crucial)
It's probably no surprise that breathing is an essential building block for healthy vocal production. It may be a surprise, however, that breathing takes as much practice and fine-tuning as producing a nice, full sound. As a singer, you're an athlete – plain and simple. You need agility, dexterity, and above all, stamina. Enter breathing. Breathing is the single most important element to sustain notes, color in all those funky riffs, and get through a phrase without a huffing
Songwriting 101: How to Use the Top-Down Method to Write Great Lyrics Way Faster
Post originally appeared on sonic bids. I want to teach you a songwriting method that's worked well for me and for my students at Berklee College of Music. Before you jump to conclusions and disagree with this approach to songwriting, hear me out. The idea is called the top-down method. It means you write in this order: Title and concept Chorus Verses This way, because you already know your concept and title, you're forced to stay focused on that singular idea when you write
7 Quotes That Will Inspire You to Follow Your Passion for Music
We all know the music industry is tough to break into, and even tougher to make a living out of. Many independent musicians juggle day jobs just to keep the lights on, and no matter how much you love music, there are days where it feels like the battle is too uphill. But even on the toughest days when you feel like giving up, these quotes will remind you why you're following your passion. 1. "Being in a band turns you into a child and keeps you there." - Thom Yorke 2. "My who
6 Quick Steps to Diagnose and Eliminate Muddy Mixes
If you're on a tight budget and can't afford a mixer, or you're just looking to further develop your skills as a competitive, 21st-century musician, it's difficult to know where to begin. Mixing is an art form that requires attention to detail, resolute patience, and technical knowledge that usually only comes with time and experience. Luckily, we've got you covered with this starter list of go-to areas in your mixes to tackle so your songs can sparkle. Follow these steps to
