Archive for August, 2008
5 Ways To Make Your Band Rehearsals More Productive
It’s now time to go forth and rock!!
You and your band mates have now secured rehearsal space and are ready to get the ball rolling.
Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your rehearsals.
According to the 80/20 rule (normally used to describe productivity ratios within a workplace) 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people.
Using the same concept for a band starting out you could say that 80% of the time is spent rehearsing and 20% on everything else (including playing gigs).
If that’s the case then it’s super important that your band rehearsals are not exercises in wasting time but are extremely productive and efficiently managed.
A band starting out has a number of goals that they want to achieve before playing their first gig.
Things such as:
- Writing songs/gathering ideas for their repertoire
- Stage presence and image
- Scripted dialogue/anchors for improvised banter
- General bonding between band members
- Who is doing what job at what time
Most of these goals are achieved in the rehearsal space hence the importance of productive band rehearsals.
In my time I’ve known bands that have spent their whole musical lives rehearsing and not gigging.
While one or two members wanted to get out and play, the other band members wanted to have everything “just perfect” before they started playing live shows.
Let me tell you this. If you are waiting to attain perfection before you play live then you will be waiting a very, very, very long time. In fact perfection never happens and mistakes will always be made.
Get over it! Rehearsals are not opportunities to learn your instrument. You do that in your own time.
Now with that rant out of the way here are five ways in which you can make your rehearsals run as efficiantly and productively as possible.
1. Set a time limit (3 hours maximum)
In a learning/training situation it is a known fact that after a period of time the brain loses concentration and starts to wander. In my experience having an all day rehearsal is not as productive as having a laser focused 3 hour rehearsal.
Make sure you have at least one break per rehearsal so you can put your instrument down and have a stretch, relax the fingers etc, etc.
2. Know why you’re there
Before you rehearse everyone needs to have an idea as to what you are all going to achieve in the session. Aimlessly wandering rehearsals are just a waste of time.
Even if you all decide that the session is going to be “3 hours of jamming to gather song ideas” at least you all know that you are jamming with some sort of purpose.
3. Be on time
If the rehearsal starts at 8pm until 11pm then everyone is to get there 30 minutes beforehand to set their gear up. 8pm is when the band starts rehearsing not when they show up.
If you need more time to set up then you need to deal with that issue. It is not anyone elses problem.
4. Record everything that you do
That doesn’t mean that you bring half a recording studio along to rehearsals. It could be as simple as bringing a mini-disc recorder, tape recorder or an MP3 player (with a microphone attachment) along.
As you do more rehearsals you will build up an audio library of song ideas, jams and completed songs. Doing this will give you a sense of achievement and also a means to study in your own time the previous session. Any ideas gathered from that can be bought up next time.
5. Vocal rehearsals are seperate to music rehearsals
If you have more than one singer in your band and your songs have harmonies then I strongly suggest that vocal rehearsals are done elsewhere.
The reason being is that vocal rehearsals can be done (for most of the time) around a kitchen table with an acoustic guitar.
If it’s done on the general rehearsal night it tends to wast the time of the non-singing musicians (they’re normally twiddling their thumbs waiting for the vocal rehearsals to finish).
Rehearsals are an integral part of developing a band however, it can also be used as an excuse to stop a band from playing live due to fear in some (or all) of the band members.
Don’t let this happen to you.
If you plan your rehearsals properly you will know soon enough when the time is right for your band to make the next step… PLAYING LIVE!
Until next time,
Corey Stewart
Orangutang Music
Keywords: indie music, independent music, band promotion, music marketing, music industry, music promotion, music business, orangutang music, corey stewart
Finding A Rehearsal Space For Your Band
There are no sets of rules or formulas in setting up and carrying out a band rehearsal, just the desire and determination to get a group of musicians and their equipment running like a well oiled machine as soon as possible.
Before you can start rehearsing though you need to find a space that you and your band mates can be the most creative in.
The size of the space will depend on the size and type of group you have. A group with less members and equipment will survive in a smaller space but for a 4-5 piece band the space requirements will be much larger.
So what choices do you have?
1. At Home
You or a band member may have a garage (or an outside rumpus room) that could be converted to a rehearsal space.
If you are living with your parents then make sure that you tell them what you are wanting to do and get their permission (I know it’s not rock and roll but it will eliminate headaches down the track).
Converting the space could consist of putting old mattresses on the wall to deaden the noise that will come out from the room (egg cartons don’t work but they do look nice) and making sure that door gaps are sealed. Personalise the space by putting up some posters or anything that inspires you to keep going.
If you or your band members don’t have this kind of space then maybe one of you friends might. Ask around. You just don’t know what is out there unless you ask.
2. Local Hall
There are halls for hire all over the place if you look hard enough. Check in the yellow pages under ‘Halls’ and see what you turn up with. If you are friendly with the local church and they have a hall ask if you could use it when they are not (it’s worked for me in the past).
If they are cool with the idea and they know that you are not a band that worships Satan in your lyrics they would be more than happy to help you out. It’s all about networking once again. Beware, this option may cost money
3. Purpose Built Rehearsal Space
This option will cost money. You are hiring a rehearsal room specifically designed for the purpose. A good purpose built rehearsal space should have at it’s disposal.
- A PA system and microphones
- Clean, well maintained rooms
- Amps (for hire)
- Strings and other accessories to buy (just in case of emergencies)
- Toilets
- Food and drink vending machines
- Chill out room
- Secure storage facilities
I’ve been in other rehearsal spaces that had recording facilities and prepared food and drinks that you could buy over the counter but all in all you want a place where you can rehearse and feel comfortable about doing it.
How much this will cost you will vary on the rooms themselves. Every rehearsal room is different.
My advice is to shop around, speak with the owners and at all times ask to come over and inspect the rooms. Once you found a space that is perfect for band bonding and song creation the battle is halfway won.
Until next time,
Corey Stewart
Orangutang Music
Keywords: indie music, independent music, music industry, music business, music marketing, band promotion, orangutang music, corey stewart
Naming Your Band Is THE Hardest Thing To Do!
The auditions are over, you have found your bass player and you all seem to get along really well. The excitement is in the air and you have had your first band bonding celebration.
Ok, so you now have a band. Congratualations!
Now you got to give this new entity a name. Personally, I think that finding a band name is THE hardest decision that the band will ever have to make and therefore one of the most important decisions as well.
A band name is a very important part of the bands identity. It is the first point of contact a punter has with the band.
Does this conversation sound familiar to you?
Them: “Hey, I saw this cool band last night you gotta check them out”
You: “Cool, what was the name of the band?”
Them: “Ummmmmm……. I dont know.”
Arrrrrgh!!!! I get that all the time.
I can’t remember how many times people have raved about a band to me but can’t tell me the name when I ask them. Right there is the wasted opportunity for a band. It frustrates me no end.
This is a perfect example of how extremely important a band name is. A good band name is the first thing that a punter will remember.
They won’t address the band by the names of the individuals in it when they talk to their friends (unless they are personal friends of yours) they will address the band by its name.
The best way to find a band name is through sheer persistance. Finding a band name that is agreeable by everyone is not an easy task.
Here are some band name gathering suggestions:
1. Get every band member to write down their own list of possible band names
This can be the first task that the band can do collectively. Set a date for the first band meeting and between now and then do that task.
2. Make brainstorming band names the topic of your first ever band meeting
When everyone gets together put all of the lists out on the table and go through each one keeping to one side the names that ’strike a chord’ (sorry about the pun) with all of you and getting rid of the rest.
As a group try brainstorming some ideas. This is a great way to start formulating what the band is all about, what its image is etc, etc.
3. Start an email competition amongst your friends/family/network
This is a great way to start compiling the beginnings of your bands email list. List all of your friends/family/network that you want to include and their email addresses and compile them all into one mailing group.
Send out an email outlining the competition and be ready for the suggestions to come flooding in. It’s important to have a cut off date for the competition (perhaps by your first band meeting) and to have a prize on offer.
Of course the prize is totally up to you.
Make sure that when you do find a band name that you announce it through the same email group. You have just started email promotion of your band.
4. Use internet resources
Examples of such resources are Band Name Maker or Band-O-Matic.
Whatever you do have fun with the process and dont let the quest to find a band name override the other things that you have to do such as writing songs and finding rehearsal space.
I guarantee that once you’ve agreed on a band name you will all collectively breathe a huge sigh of relief. The hardest part of the journey has been achieved.
Good luck,
Corey Stewart
Orangutang Music
Keywords: band name, indie music, independent music, music industry, music business, music marketing, music promotion, orangutang music, corey stewart
The Auditioning Process (Part 2)
Remember, first impressions count for everything.
In “The Auditioning Process (Part 1)” I outlined the three steps to the auditioning process and dealt with the first two steps in detail. Now, this post will deal with the final step – Face To Face Contact!
Let’s set the scene here.
You’ve fielded phone calls from prospective bass players and whittled it down from a cast of thousands to a handful of possibilities. It’s time to meet them face to face.
Before you start though, make sure you have a really good idea of what you want from a band member. Things to consider could be:
- Same playing level and experience as the band.
- Someone who knows what they are doing.
- Reliable equiptment
- Applicant mixes well with others members
- Shows committment to the project
- Anything else that you and your bandmates find important
On the day make sure you arrive at the designated rehearsal spot early and set up giving yourselves plenty of time. I say this because you are going to be just as nervous as the applicants that will be coming through the door. Relax and enjoy the day.
You are going to form a band. This is supposed to be the exciting part!
From the time the first applicant steps through the door here is the step by step process.
1. Did they arrive early, on time or late?
If they arrived late that is a bad start unless they contacted you beforehand. Don’t tolerate lateness, it’s not professional and that’s the reputation you and your band is trying to attain. Isn’t it?
Remember, first impressions mean everything and almost always what you sense in a first impression is usually correct. Musicians are notorious for being slack, don’t allow your fledgling band to perpetuate the stereotype.
2. Introduce yourselves
As a gesture of goodwill you might offer to help bring in the stuff from the applicants car. This is a good time to check out the reliability of the applicants car for yourself.
3. Warm up with a jam
This allows everyone to have some fun to start with and it also allows you to check out the applicants confidence and improvisational (jammimg) skills. This is very important for band songwriting sessions. You never know you might write the bands first collective song at this point.
4. Go through the pre-determined songs
Both you and the applicant over the phone agreed to learning two songs for the session. If the applicant says “Sorry, I didnt have time to learn it” then stop the session and say your goodbyes. The reason for the task was to see how much initial committment the applicant has to the project.
If the applicant is keen to show off their wares at this time then play the songs. This is where things could click together and the fun really starts.
5. Put down the instruments
You’ve seen what the applicant can offer your band, now is the time to make your offer to the applicant. Down the tools, find a comfy place and start talking about:
- Group direction
- What the band goals are
- What are the applicants expectations
- Rehearsal expectations
What you talk about here is a very individual thing and varies from band to band but what you want to do is to lay everything out on the table for the applicant to see.
6. Set a time in which you’ll call back with an answer
Thank them for their time and make sure you honour that promise. Call them back either way
7. Band debriefing – This is essential!!
Make sure that in your audition schedule you leave some time for everyone to get together (without the applicant there) and ask questions like:
“Well guys, what do you think of that one?”
Band consensus is everything in the auditioning process. And now for the last step.
8. Next applicant arrives, start again from step 1
Make sure that the process is the same for every applicant to ensure efficiancy and consistancy.
There you have it. It can go one of two ways.
Either you have to start the whole advertising and phone interviewing process again or you have found someone that you all agree would be a perfect addition to your band.
Once again I can’t stress strongly enough the importance of calling everyone who auditioned and letting them know either way (make sure you call the successful applicant last so you can end on a high note).
Once you have made you choice and contacted your new bass player with the good news it’s time to say…
“Congratulations, you now have a band!”
Until next time,
Corey Stewart
Orangutang Music
Keywords: indie music, independent music, music industry, music business, music marketing, music promotion, free band promotion, orangutang music, corey stewart
The Auditioning Process (Part 1)
Auditioning new members? Here comes the fun part.
In my post “Ok, So You Want To Start A Band” I mapped out the three questions you need to ask yourself in order to get your band going. In regards to finding new members there were three choices.
1. Asking family and friends
2. Using your music industry network
3. Posting an advertisement
Let’s say you’ve filled the other positions through your network but you’re missing a bass player. You’ve posted ads in your local music shop and street press.
Now the waiting game starts. The auditioning process has begun.
The auditioning process has three parts to it.
1. Preperation
2. Initial Phone Call
3. Face To Face Contact
In this post I’ll be dealing with the first two parts.
1. Preperation
In between putting up the advertisement and getting the first phone call some preperation is in order.
- What questions are you going to ask at the phone call?
- What questions are you going to ask at the face to face meeting?
- Where are you going to have the face to face meeting?
- How long is the face to face meetings going to take?
- What songs are you going to get the applicant to play?
- Are you going to provide a tape of the songs? Or,
- Are you going to leave it up to the applicant to learn the songs?
These questions need to be asked to make sure that you look and sound as professional as possible. Once you have these questions answered you can then move onto the next stage.
2. Initial Phone Call
Here is a possible scenario. You and the other band members are hanging out jamming on some songs when the phone rings. You look at the others, take a deep breath and answer the phone.
It’s your Mum (PHEW!).
An hour later the phone rings again. You take another deep breath and answer the phone. It’s your first applicant…
Lets stop here. Hopefully you have done your preperation and are ready to tackle your first of many phone calls. The initial phone call is an opportunity to sort out the wheat from the chaff.
The serious applicants from the “time wasters”
Make sure you have your ad in front of you and highlight the information that you want to gain from this applicant.
As a reminder here is the posted ad again:
BASS PLAYER WANTED
To join folk/rock band
Influences include
Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Counting Crows
Some experience preferred
Own gear and trasport essential
Interested?? Give me a call
Corey – 555 555 555
From the ad, the questions you want to be asking the applicant are
- Name and age?
- What suburb do you live in?
- What gear do you have?
- Do you have own transport?
- How long have you been playing?
- What’s your favourite music?
- Why do you want to join?
If these essential questions are answered favourably then, have a short but general chat just to get the feel of what they’re like. How you do this is up to you.
If you are satisfied that this person is keen and worth meeting face to face then you give them a task.
Schedule a meeting at a neutral location, like a rehearsal room at a time say, a week from the call.
(NB: Remember, the neutral meeting location and pre-determined time should’ve been worked out already in the preparation phase of the auditioning process)
After that, give the applicant the names of two cover songs that you and your bandmates know and tell the applicant that they need to learn these songs by the time set.
After that, ask if there are any other questions. If not, end the call on a positive note.
Hopefully the ad will generate a steady flow of phone calls. If at anytime you dont feel that the person you are talking to is right for the job please, end the conversation quickly and politely.
Have a pre-determined number in your head of the amount of applicants that you want to try out and slot them into your diary.
Imagine you’re a manager of a business and you are looking for more staff. What would they do? Do you realise that you are in the same boat? Think about it.
The next post will be all about the face to face meeting. Watch this space!
Until next time,
Corey Stewart
Orangutang Music
Keywords: indie music, independent music, music industry, music business, music marketing, music promotion, orangutang music, corey stewart
The Music Industry Is All About Community
It’s a well known fact that having a sense of community in our lives is so very important for us as human beings
However, it’s even more important for independent artists and musicians.
Swimming upstream can be very tiring and we need all the support and encouragement we can get but we’re living in a world that’s losing this sense of community. FAST!
At the moment, the achievements of the individual is cherished way, way above the endeavours of the collective group. I personally believe that individual and group efforts should be looked at in a more balanced way.
Quite simply human beings don’t function at their fullest potential in anything by themselves. We need other people around us.
This is the power of community.
I have mentioned in previous posts the power of networking and getting to know the music industry from the inside.
The main aim of all of this networking activity is to build your own community.
A community of fans, like minded individuals, businesses and organisations that can help you, support you, enourage you and inspire you to do whatever it is that you want to in the music industry.
This is the very thing which anyone working in the music industry has in common with each other.
We all have our own communities and, at the same we’re all part of someone else’s community even if we dont know it. The real secret is realising this fact and using this knowledge to the advantage of you and everyone else around you.
Everyone has a skill or something that they can offer, even if it’s words of encouragement.
If I find someone that does wonderful work in any field then I’ll try use them all of the time. I want the people that I work with to grow with me and my work. This creates a community.
I personally have a wonderful community of people, bands and networks that I can tap into and I’m always on the lookout to expand on this.
If everyone in the indie music industry worked on the basis of inclusion rather than competition, there would be networks upon networks moving congruently with each other, all reaching for the same goals.
To be seen, to be heard and to be noticed.
If you’re a solo artist or part of a band then your fans and associated businesses are your community.
If you run a business then your clients and other networks you deal with are your community.
Communities are the lifeblood of your dreams and goals. Build them and use them.
Until next time,
Corey Stewart
Orangutang Music
Keywords: indie music, independent music, music industry, music marketing, music business, music promotion, orangutang music, corey stewart
Converting Punters Into Your Fans – It’s All Up To You!
“What’s in it for me?”
This is the main question that people are asking of anyone that’s wanting to attract their attention and/or intend to part them with their hard earned disposable income through live music.
Think about it for a minute! How would you as an indie artist or band answer that question?
I used to run an acoustic music night at a local pub a while back and I noticed that attendences go up or down depending on a whole range of things. Who is playing, the weather and so on.
This experience did give me some food for thought though on how someone can evolve from a person who has no idea about a certain band to being a rabid ‘fan’ or ‘groupie’ of them.
There’s some sort of conversion process that takes place here.
From my experience there are four types of people who comprise a listening audience at your local venue. They are:
1. Converted fans
As mentioned before these are the rabid, one eyed supporters of your music. They come to every show, know all the words to your songs and would even buy a lock of the lead singers hair if given half the chance.
It’s safe to say that the more of these you have in your fan base the better.
2. People that know you
Im talking about friends, family, work collegues, acquaintances, next door neighbours and anyone who is not a total stranger to you.
NB: When you first start off it’s always a great idea to make a list of everyone that you know and contact them to let them know of what you are doing and to make sure you have their permission to put their details on your fledgling opt-in email list.
If you are a four piece indie music band for example, you then have four times as many people to contact and put onto your email list. If you do this before your first gig you have a better chance of getting a good crowd.
3. Punters
These are people that dont know you but are the type of people that go out and see any band because they just love live music.
4. The rest of us
The ones that are at the pub because it’s their local hangout not because they want to hear you (or anyone else for that matter). The ones that are there for dinner or because they were driving/walking past and fancied a drink.
These people are generally apathetic, don’t care or can be offended if a band starts setting up and they didn’t know about it beforehand (if you have already played a few gig you will know what I mean)
I’ve come to the conclusion that the way to have more converted fans is to have in your own mind the answer to the various questions that people in groups 2, 3 and 4 mentioned above are going to ask in their own heads when you start playing.
Questions such as:
“What’s in it for me?”
“Why should I listen to you?”
“What am I going to get out of this?”
“What is the benefit of me staying?”
(I think you get my point)
If you are thinking that this post is reading like a sales article rather than indie music information well, you are right. We as indie artists and bands are selling ourselves to the public. The public today is bombarded with more information and choice than ever before.
I hear musicians complaining all the time that they dont get people to their gigs and that venues won’t take them seriously.
I believe that if you dont answer those questions listed above through the way you present yourselves and your live shows then why should people come to your shows?
Why should venues take you seriously?
I reckon the secret to getting more converted fans is to give them a reason to be converted. Touch, move and inspire your audience.
Give the people that are at your gigs (whether they want to be there or not) an experience they will not forget in a hurry.
Think about it, how you answer the “what’s in it for me” questions are up to you. Just have the willingness to search for the answers.
Until next time,
Corey Stewart
Orangutang Music
Keywords: indie music, music industry, music business, music marketing, music promotion, independent music, orangutang music, corey stewart
Ok, So You Want To Start A Band
Alright, you’ve decided that you want to tackle this indie music industry caper head on by getting a band together.
You’ve written some songs and learnt some choice covers just in case but there’s one missing ingredient left to consider.
Band members. Where do you find them?
Starting up a band is a very exciting time in a musicians life. There is a fine balance of nervous anticipation and the fear of the unknown that follows the whole process.
A band has a different dynamic than working as a solo artist.
There are other people involved, other personalities, other strengths and weaknesses in character and abilities to consider.
Because of this, it’s really important that you have a few things worked out before you start looking for band members.
1. Have a good idea of your own strengths and weaknesses
The band members that you want to get will need to be around the same level of competence as you are. The main reason for this is that you can all grow together rather than have one or two musicians carrying everyone else. This type of player imbalance causes doubt in the group and doubt is one of the major killers of bands.
2. Know beforehand how the band is going to be run
Is the band going to be run by you or the whole group? The personality types of the musicians that you choose will need to be agreeable to the way the band is going to be run.
3. What instrumentation is the band having in its lineup?
This is mainly determined by the type(s) of music that you want to play but having an idea of what musicians you are looking for will be of great help.
It is now time to hunt down some band members 
4. Ask your network of friends and/or contacts
This is always a good place to start. Ask everyone that you know or come into contact with. If you dont have much of a circle of friends and/or contacts this will be a great chance to widen it.
This is one of the reasons why networking in the industry is so important, for occasions such as this. Having a musician referred to you has a much better chance of working than one that comes from an advertisement.
This leads me onto my next point.
5. Post an advertisement
Having said that I have had made some great contacts from musicians enquiring from a ‘muso wanted’ ad.
The key to effective ads is that they need to be concise, to the point, not too lengthy and put in places where musicians are very likely to see it and read it like in a music shop, a local music magazine or a music classifieds website.
A sample ‘musician wanted’ advertisement could read something like this:
BASS PLAYER WANTED
To join folk/rock band
Influences include
Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Counting Crows
Some experience preferred
Own gear and trasport essential
Interested?? Give me a call
Corey – 555 555 555
As you can see, the ad is clear in its intention. It clearly states the musician wanted, the type of music the band is playing, what the music may sound like and that the band has some experience behind it.
Make sure you have a clear contact name and phone numbers (if you want to include an email address as well, that’s cool).
Don’t put in stuff like work waiting or no time wasters please. You can judge those sort of things yourself when an interested musician contacts you.
Once you’ve done that the waiting game begins. More on the auditioning process later.
Until next time,
Corey Stewart
Orangutang Music
Keywords: indie music, independent music, music industry, music business, music marketing, music promotion, orangutang music, corey stewart
Planning Ahead – You Have Some Choices To Make
You know what they say “a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step”. It is a well worn cliche but it’s so true isn’t it?
You want to do something with your talent and you want to do it without the help of the ‘majors’ but you have to start from somewhere.
It looks like you have some choices to make.
I have met a lot of musicians along my journey and some of those I have gotten to know pretty well.
All of them have a similar story as to how they got started in the music industry and it goes a bit like this:
“I dont know how I started really, I just sort of fell into it and before I knew it I was in a band”
Sound familiar? It does to me. That’s how I got started.
I didnt have a plan, didnt have a clue, didnt have any idea of what I was getting myself in for let alone what I wanted to get out of it.
I wanted to be a “rock star” so I could “meet girls”.
I was only fifteen when I made that decision and thinking back on it I cringe and laugh at the same time but it does show me the importance of planning ahead.
It’s very easy to get swept up in the hype of it all and before you know you are in the same place that you started but ten years have gone by and you are left wondering ‘where did it go’.
Before going any further you need to ask yourself some questions. These questions could be (in no particular order of importance):
1. Am I going to write songs or not?
2. Am I going to be a solo artist or play in a band?
3. Am I going to sing, play an instrument or both?
4. Am I prepared to practise, drill and rehearse my craft?
5. Am I going to find my own work?
I think you’re getting the idea of where I am going with this.
I know these questions are simple and straightforward however, I’m constantly surprised how a simple question such as “am I going to be a solo artist or play in a band” can distract someone from actually moving forward.
I’ve seen it happen to many musicians and, at the same time, experienced it myself.
Before you start your indie music journey have a clear knowledge of what you want to do and what you want to get out of it.
By asking yourself these types of really simple questions a series of paths will be presented to you. All you need to do then is to choose which path you take.
Until next time, happy playing,
Corey Stewart
Orangutang Music
Keywords: indie music, independent music, music industry, music promotion, music marketing, music business, orangutang music, corey stewart
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