The internet is beginning to offer several places to find band mates such as Band-mix and Whosdoing. If you don’t have mates that are excited to jump on board, use these resources. Facebook works for just about everything, too. Put up ads in cafes, music shops, and even in your car window if you’re feeling gutsy. Where does your type hang out? Go there. Open mic nights? Yes. Pubs or clubs? Check. Don’t use just one; use as many as you can so your chances are better. It helps if these musicians have some musical education. At the very least, someone needs to in order to provide a voice of reason that others may not be able to provide. It is not always important to choose the “best” players. In many cases, bands of musicians who get along, are easy going, and willing to learn to play together will sound better than bands comprised of very good musicians with big egos.
Most importantly, pick songs you play well and that your singer sounds good singing. Try many different, simple songs in the beginning and see what fits the musicians likes and abilities.
Without a certain look, it’ll be harder to get gigs (and fans). Pubs will look at you and think you don’t fit; clubs will look at you and think you don’t fit; festivals will look at you and think you don’t fit – so pinpoint what you’re going for and embrace it.
Solving this now will help to avoid disputes in the future. Keep in mind though, it’s common that these kinds of issues will turn off potential band mates. So, make sure they are in agreement and vested before forcing a contract on them. Have it drafted by an unbiased third party (or take templates off the Internet). If one person writes it, it may seem like a power trip. If the members agree, you may choose a single person to write the contract, but have all members agree on the rules of the contract, and be in unanimous agreement before signing.
A good work ethic is important to success. If someone is unwilling to practice, they may be dead weight that needs to be removed. Make practicing a routinely thing – the band needs to be a priority if taken seriously.
An opening band can have as few as 4-5 songs, so try to get your very best 5 songs together and open for more known bands at first to ease into the scene. You also may want to copyright your work. You can copyright them at copyright. gov. It is a fairly simple process. All you need to do is fill out a PA (performing rights) form (not an RA (sound recording) form; that will come later, when you sign a record deal).
Do research on other bands. If you’re a band based out of Seattle by the name of “Hockey Scientists” and there’s a band in Portland called “Golf Doctors,” you may want to go another direction. If you really get stuck on a name, have everyone come up with 5 adjectives and 5 nouns, then try to agree on a band name using one of each.
As always, utilize Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites, too. Consider recording a small snippet of a few songs to send to bar managers and the like. You’ll be able to shoot them a short email telling them you’d love to play at their venue – and for thirty seconds of their time and the click of a button, they can hear your sound. Foot in the door!
For your press kit, you’ll need some graphics. Does any member have any experience in graphic design? If not, does a member have a connection? You don’t need a logo by any means, but you do need images for your flyers, etc. , that draw people to your events. Look into getting a photographer for a quick shoot either at rehearsal or at a gig. Your image is a quick and effective fix for a poster that has little to put on it in terms of graphics.
While you’re at it, invest in some good recording equipment if you don’t have it already. The less you’re at some studio’s beck and call, the better.
Look into general merchandise – stickers, business cards, t-shirts/tank tops, decals, whatever your band might endorse. At your gigs, be sure to bring them along!
You might also consider joining newer music communities, since it never hurts to get into a good site before a lot of other musicians join.
You’ll get some naysayers. Ignore them. It’s YouTube – the cream of humanity is not overly present on this website.
Considering hiring a consultant. They can point you in directions you may not have thought of and narrow down what’s feasible and what’s not. Look to friends and connections that have done it. They’ll be full of invaluable price that you don’t even have to pay for (well, maybe for the cost of a beer).
Make sure your heart stays in the music. If you don’t feel the music, you’ll never be successful. Bands are never permanent; if you feel the need to part ways, recognize it.
