Music Industry
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
The Power Of Networking In The Music Industry
“It’s not what you know it’s who you know!”
I know that we’ve all heard that saying thousands of times but at the end of the day, when you’re dealing with the music industry it does comes down to who you know doesn’t it?
I would even go as far as saying that your circle of contacts is like bank currency. Having a lot of people that know who you are is always a benefit, not a hinderence.
Here is an example of the power of having a good network around you.
Not long ago I got a call from someone who wanted to find out if I was available to play bass with their band. I declined on their offer due to not having the time to take on another project but, I did give them the number of someone else I knew that would fit the bill perfectly.
That day, that band found a new bass player.
That particular experience got me thinking about the power of networking. I worked out that all of my dealings with the music industry is based on who I know.
People like working with others whom they trust will do the job they want them to do or like recommending others for jobs that they can’t tackle themselves.
I was proud of myself when I heard that the band found their bassist through one of my contacts. I was glad to help someone out.
That’s what networking’s really all about though isn’t it? Helping people?
For anyone who is just starting out my advice is to seek out as many people and go to as many functions and gigs as you can. Immerse yourself in the local music scene.
The more people that know who you are, the more opportunities that will open up for you.
Become the squeaky wheel that gets all of the oil. Have that belief in yourself and dont be afraid of asking questions and attaining knowledge.
One thing that you don’t do however, is that you get to know people for what they can do for you.
Get to know them for who they are as a person. Others can spot your deperation and insincerity a mile away and that is a real turn-off.
Personally I am chuffed when someone asks me for advice or just wants to have a chat about how things are going for them, but only if they are genuine about it.
A great place to start networking would be at open mic nights. I happen to run one myself at the Daniel O’Connell Hotel (165 Tynte Street, North Adelaide) on Wednesday nights from 8:30pm. Feel free to come along and pick my brains.
When you’re at the open mic really get yourself involved, just walk up to someone and say “hi”. Everyone is there for the same reason so there is some common ground to talk about.
Another place to get involved is at a Music Managers Forum meeting or contact your local music or songwriting association. Make yourself known to a few music shops in your area.
The opportunities to expand your circle of contacts is virtually endless.
Remember, the more you network the more you will be known and the more you are known the more work you will get.
In time your little black book of names will become your greatest asset.
Until next time,
Corey Stewart
Orangutang Music
Keywords: music business, music marketing, music promotion, music management, indie music, music industry, independent music, corey stewart
Indie Music Industry – The True Meaning Of Indie
Indie seems to be the ‘buzz’ word at the moment.
I came across this cute and clever article by Bob Baker putting across the meaning of ‘indie’ in a slightly different way and I just had to show it to you guys. Its a bit of fun but the message is still very clear.
We hear the term “indie” bounced around a lot these days. It’s become quite a trendy word (although some of us have been preaching about it for more years than most). So, let me ask you …
What’s your definition of indie?
Many people think of it as a reference to a musician, small record label or film company without an affiliation with a major corporation. That’s true, but I believe it has a much deeper meaning than that.
(By the way, “indie” is an abbreviation for “independent.” The “ie” at the end is the proper spelling, as opposed to “indy,” which is usually a reference to Indiana or Indianapolis — as in the Indy 500. There’s your grammar lesson for the day
I think of indie in much the same way I think of the term “guerrilla.” It’s more than a simple, surface-level reference to your financial backing. I believe it’s a state of mind and a way of life you must bring to your entire pursuit of music.
The best way to explain my angle on this is to use an acronym. So here’s my definition of I-N-D-I-E, with every letter standing for a separate concept (and I didn’t even use the word “independent,” which was tempting considering I had two I’s to work with).
I – Inspired
To embrace the indie frame of mind, you must be inspired.
You have to know in your gut that music is what you are meant to do. You must become energized when writing, recording and performing your music. Hopefully, this is something you already experience fully, without having to force yourself to feel that way.
When this kind of natural inspiration comes over you, it’s a sure sign that you’re on the right path. And you will need this desire to carry you through the ups and downs of pursuing the independent music path.
N – Nontraditional
Indie musicians don’t mind learning about what has come before, and they are happy to listen to the “rules” that others say are required to have a successful music career.
However, the smartest indie artists keep their minds flexible and constantly ask questions about how the supposed “rules” of the past really apply to them. They actually develop a mindset that seeks out the road less traveled. And when they spot a good idea that’s off the traditional path, they fearlessly go after it without apologies.
D – Determined
Successful indie artists are fixated on their goals and determined to reach them.
They still leave room to veer from the original plan, when needed, but they are steadfast in their desire to produce more and better music, reach more fans, sell more CDs, etc. With this attitude, obstacles become short-term learning experiences along the road to higher levels of success.
I – Innovative
Being an indie means thinking outside of the proverbial box and looking at fresh opportunities from every angle.
It means not promoting yourself the same way a thousand other acts have done it. It means being resistant to knee-jerk marketing tactics and open to new ideas and overlooked avenues for exposure.
E – Empowered
Indie musicians don’t wait for someone or something else to come along and rescue them.
They don’t pray for a “lucky break” or to “be discovered.” They know to the core that the power to succeed with their music resides inside of them. And they understand that it’s their mission to tap into that personal power and use it to share their music with the world.
Let’s recap my definition of INDIE:
I – Inspired
N – Nontraditional
D – Determined
I – Innovative
E – Empowered
Print this article and pin it up where you’ll see it every day.
Being INDIE has nothing to do with what company you are or are not affiliated with. It has everything to do with how much you take control of your own life and take steps to build the kind of music career you deserve.
Bob Baker is the author of “Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook”, “Unleash the Artist Within” and “Branding Yourself Online.”
He also publishes The Buzz Factor, a web site and e-zine that deliver marketing tips, self-promotion ideas and other empowering messages to music people of all kinds.
Get your FREE subscription to Bob’s e-zine by visiting The Buzz Factor today.
I really liked the way that INDIE was used as an acronym.
It sums up my feelings about what the term ‘indie’ means to me. If one word could be used to describe the driving force behind the indie music industry it would be “EMPOWERMENT”. Think about it
Until next time,
Corey Stewart
Orangutang Music
Keywords: bob baker, indie music, music business, music industry, music marketing, music promotion, independent music, orangutang music, corey stewart
Indie Music Industry – Why Be Independent?
Who needs a major label anymore?
With the major labels focusing on quick returns rather than artist development and the advent of downloading music online, the traditional record company/artist relationship has become blurred to the point of being obsolete.
Nowadays, being independent has real advantages…
How many times have you heard or read somewhere that the internet has changed the face of the music industry forever? Personally, I’d love a dollar for everytime I heard it.
However, it’s true and there are a couple of reasons for this:
1. A traditional record company/artist relationship is optional and not a necessity. You can do your all music sales and band promotion online cutting out all of the ‘middle people’.
2. Websites can turn an artist with a local audience into an artist with an international audience. As the internet is not ‘owned’ by any one entity the playing field is a lot more even.
A really great example of an artist that is doing it independently and (doing very, very well out of it thank you) is Ani DiFranco.
Ani and her record label Righteous Babe Records have been kicking it against the system for many years now. Personally I think that Ani is the best example of how an indie music artist can have total control over their career and be a roaring success at the same time.
Her example has inspired me.
I read somewhere that by 1996 Ani had her own warehouse, about eight or nine full time staff and her music sales were nudging over 500,000 units (in which the profit goes to her company not to some multi-national). I found these facts very impressive.
To me, being an independent artist means that you’re the one driving the bus and being in control over your own affairs.
A lot of talented artists and performing songwriters around the world are at this very moment waiting for that knock at the door, the opportunity to ‘get discovered’.
What’s likely to happen is that these same people will spend their creative lives being very, very disappointed.
If you are reading this and feel that this is you, consider this. Where do you think you would be if you managed your career yourself rather than wait for someone (or some company) to do it for you?
There are many, many sites online that are there to help you take control over your career by spreading practical information about band promotion and the indie music industry as a whole.
Take advantage of these sites. Go to as many as you can and learn. Become inspired to take control over your indie music career. It’s the only one you’ve got.
Until next time,
Corey Stewart
Orangutang Music
Keywords: ani difranco, indie music, independent music, music industry news, music industry resource, music promotion, music marketing, music business, corey stewart
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