3 answers
Samuel
Student
Pillager, Minnesota
2
Questions
Asked
521 views
What should I do to get my band’s name out to the open public and get people excited to hear our music? And how long would that take?
#bandbusiness
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3 answers
Paul Bordenkircher
Audio Engineer
82
Answers
Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
Paul’s Answer
HI Samuel. Let's do this is a bad news / good news kinda way. Bad news first.
To be perfectly frank, there is nothing easy about a creative career, be that music, acting, dancing, etc. Besides the details of your band (are you any good, will a lot of people like your music, can you get to where your fans are to play for them), the fact is there's no simple formula for making your band a success. I used to tell my students, "buy a lottery ticket, your odds are better." The odd of putting together the right people, writing the right songs, the right production, the right market, and releasing It at the right time, is a massive combination of variables that are the reason most bands do NOT succeed on a national or international level.
The good news is, your success depends on what YOU define as success. Maybe you just want to play gigs in your area and make a few bucks. That is definitely doable! But each level of success you shoot for above that is highly variable, and subject to the whims of the public's taste in music, timing, etc.
For example: Did you know Nirvana's "Nevermind" was a throw away project? The whole record had a budget of $30k (at the time major label projects would cost over a million each). But the songs and the sound hit at a perfect time. EVERYBODY was sick of hair metal and wanted something else. They skyrocketed to the top, and all the metal bands lost their record deals almost as quickly. It was just simply "right place, right time."
So decide first what level of success you want, then how much you're willing to do to get there. The Brainerd area is probably swamped with people during the summer season. Start with playing gigs on the lakes - resorts, bars or other venues. Then how much can you travel? You're a few hours from Fargo-Moorhead and the Twin Cities, so maybe Little Falls, Alexandria. Is Detroit Lakes still huge at 4th of July?
Maybe you've noticed I'm kinda skirted your question, but I've actually been answering it. The NUMBER ONE way to get your name out there is to play! Play in front of as many people as you can, as many times as you can! If you're a good band that's fun to see live, your name will get out, in the best way possible - word of mouth. Yes, everybody can figure out social media, etc. Here's the problem with it: most of it is not good at focusing on a particular geographic area. Everybody's trying to go "world wide," but can you actually pull that off if an opportunity came up? If your Instagram post got traction in Miami, could you do a gig there? Probably not. So why are you worried about reaching THEM?
Long story short. Start local, play out a LOT, and make a name for yourself there. Use social media to build your area in between gigs, and spread your influence locally. THEN worry about the big fish like the Twin Cities.
Good luck!
PS, I just noticed you had another post about starting a Christian band. Not that it's completely different than a secular band, but it's different.
1. Your content is key. When I worked as a radio promotions guy for a Christian label, we ran into problems all the time with the content of songs. One station refused to play a song with the lyrics, "I have made my decision to praise the Lord." The reason? They were part of a Christian college that teaches Calvinism, which believes all of our actions were pre-determined by God. so they refused on the grounds it conflicted with their beliefs. You can write a great song that Baptists like, but Catholic or charismatic churches don't. In other words, you may have to figure out WHAT kind of Christian music you write, so you know which churches are OK with it. (I wish I were joking, I'm not.)
2. Playing in churches will be key. Based on what you figure out in #1, find out about those same kinds of churches in your area. Most have youth groups, and I'm sure you'd have a lot of luck through that. Then the whole Christian music youth scene is its own niche, with benefits and pitfalls. So dig in and find out all you can.
To be perfectly frank, there is nothing easy about a creative career, be that music, acting, dancing, etc. Besides the details of your band (are you any good, will a lot of people like your music, can you get to where your fans are to play for them), the fact is there's no simple formula for making your band a success. I used to tell my students, "buy a lottery ticket, your odds are better." The odd of putting together the right people, writing the right songs, the right production, the right market, and releasing It at the right time, is a massive combination of variables that are the reason most bands do NOT succeed on a national or international level.
The good news is, your success depends on what YOU define as success. Maybe you just want to play gigs in your area and make a few bucks. That is definitely doable! But each level of success you shoot for above that is highly variable, and subject to the whims of the public's taste in music, timing, etc.
For example: Did you know Nirvana's "Nevermind" was a throw away project? The whole record had a budget of $30k (at the time major label projects would cost over a million each). But the songs and the sound hit at a perfect time. EVERYBODY was sick of hair metal and wanted something else. They skyrocketed to the top, and all the metal bands lost their record deals almost as quickly. It was just simply "right place, right time."
So decide first what level of success you want, then how much you're willing to do to get there. The Brainerd area is probably swamped with people during the summer season. Start with playing gigs on the lakes - resorts, bars or other venues. Then how much can you travel? You're a few hours from Fargo-Moorhead and the Twin Cities, so maybe Little Falls, Alexandria. Is Detroit Lakes still huge at 4th of July?
Maybe you've noticed I'm kinda skirted your question, but I've actually been answering it. The NUMBER ONE way to get your name out there is to play! Play in front of as many people as you can, as many times as you can! If you're a good band that's fun to see live, your name will get out, in the best way possible - word of mouth. Yes, everybody can figure out social media, etc. Here's the problem with it: most of it is not good at focusing on a particular geographic area. Everybody's trying to go "world wide," but can you actually pull that off if an opportunity came up? If your Instagram post got traction in Miami, could you do a gig there? Probably not. So why are you worried about reaching THEM?
Long story short. Start local, play out a LOT, and make a name for yourself there. Use social media to build your area in between gigs, and spread your influence locally. THEN worry about the big fish like the Twin Cities.
Good luck!
PS, I just noticed you had another post about starting a Christian band. Not that it's completely different than a secular band, but it's different.
1. Your content is key. When I worked as a radio promotions guy for a Christian label, we ran into problems all the time with the content of songs. One station refused to play a song with the lyrics, "I have made my decision to praise the Lord." The reason? They were part of a Christian college that teaches Calvinism, which believes all of our actions were pre-determined by God. so they refused on the grounds it conflicted with their beliefs. You can write a great song that Baptists like, but Catholic or charismatic churches don't. In other words, you may have to figure out WHAT kind of Christian music you write, so you know which churches are OK with it. (I wish I were joking, I'm not.)
2. Playing in churches will be key. Based on what you figure out in #1, find out about those same kinds of churches in your area. Most have youth groups, and I'm sure you'd have a lot of luck through that. Then the whole Christian music youth scene is its own niche, with benefits and pitfalls. So dig in and find out all you can.
Cheryl Solomon
Entrepreneur
15
Answers
Leander, Texas
Updated
Cheryl’s Answer
To get attention and to get buzz going, utilize all social media. Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook will allow for video uploads. The time it will take depends on how fast the band can get a few songs or videos together to post. Looking into local events to perform at and getting in touch with the event organizer is another way to get out there. I hope this information helps and best of luck.
Jacynta Alston
N/A
6
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Jacynta’s Answer
Youtube is a free platform to allows people to hear your music. People may comment or like you music, and if enough people give you a like I believe that will catapult your goals. The time it takes varies from person to person. If your music goes viral then you are good, however, if many don't like it you may want to consider what truly sells. What is you targeted intended group and what are the likes and dislikes of this group. You have to factor in all data that will enhance your likes with the targeted audience. It takes work. Many people refer to youtube for multiple things. It's such a great site! You can get self help and do it yourself jobs all for free.