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By Chris McKendrick
A contract from a record label may seem like the hardest thing in the world
to attain. In a world full of people seeking an elusive contract, there's got
to be some way to achieve fame and fortune. The first thing that's worth noting,
and here is where many artists go wrong, is that the music industry sees music
as a product to be bought and sold: A band has to be not only talented but
marketable as well.
With a band's music, there is one absolutely essential element regardless
of genre or style - rehearsing. Find time to practice older material and make
time to write new material. Make sure everyone in the band knows how to play
the material and that they're familiar with the instruments they play. When
playing live, everyone should be at the top of their game. Mistakes will happen,
but if one minor flub derails an entire song or show, any music industry representative
in the audience will take a pass. When it comes to the local music scene, don't
be afraid to make friends with other musicians: Attend other band's shows,
befriend other acts you play with and make an effort to get to know the promoters,
as this will help you get more future shoes, and the all important out of town
shows so that you can develop an audience. Having a wide circle of friends
and acquaintances may also help the band get introduced to the right people.
Any band has to find the right venues to display their talent and learn the
places and people to avoid as well, and unfortunately almost every artist will
come across a promoter or venue that refuses to pay them, or in some way exploits
or lets them down. Fortunately, the majority of promoters and venues are good
to work with, and you can cultivate many lasting and mutually beneficial relationships.
Try to get a following and some fans, as a substantial fan base will help
a record label form a positive opinion of your band, and will reassure them
that signing you will be a worthy investment. The best way to do this is to
play lots of shows in as many places as possible, and give out or sell your
music and CDs at these shows. It is also vital that you develop an online presence.
Sites like soundcloud.com and bandcamp.com allow you to listen to and download
songs, and this makes them a great resource for the unsigned artist, as you
can upload your work and grow your fanbase.
Use social media, such as Facebook and Twitter to promote your online presence
and your CDs and shows, and upload videos to YouTube of your performances,
even if they are just a bedroom recording. Try to develop viral videos of you
as a band, ideally something clever and unique, or at least a quirky and interesting
cover of another song, as these kinds of videos can generate a huge amount
of interest.
Don't be afraid of trying to look good, either.
There's too many instances
of bands that are style over substance, but a record label won't take a chance
on a shabby-looking band, unless this is some way key to the band's image and
music style, for example if you play grunge music. For the most part though,
basic hygiene and grooming go a long way. It's safe to say that the music being
played is more important, but potential fans and talent scouts will be confused
if a band's look does not match the music they play. For instance, how many
heavy metal bands wear tuxedos? There's no exact formula, but striking a balance
between style and comfort can help any band feel confident on stage.
A good press kit is one of the easiest ways to show a record label everything
they need to know about a band and their music. A demo CD, an 8X10 photograph
of the performer or band, and a biography (one page) are the basic items needed.
Whether recording live, in a studio, or at home is going to cost money, but
there are many options. Band photographs can be done professionally or with
the help of friends. Thanks to digital photography, professional-looking photos
are much easier to come by. For a band biography, a description of what music
the band plays and background information on the band is all that is needed.
Try to get press reviews of both your live shows and demo from local press
and music magazines and include these in your press pack: Hearing glowing reviews
of your work can help a record label decide if they are interested in your
work.
Your demo CD must follow the convention that is broadly accepted by record
labels, with three tracks on it. No more, no less. Start with your strongest
song, and then try to include two more strong songs, perhaps including one
that sounds a little different to your usual style to showcase the full spectrum
of your sound.
When contacting record labels it is worth doing two things before you start.
Firstly, ask yourself if your music is appropriate to the record label's repertoire?
If you make exploratory jazz, then a pop record label is unlikely to consider
you. Secondly, make sure you find out if the labels you approach are accepting
demos before you submit or send anything to them. If they are not your beautiful
demo and press pack will probably find their way straight into the bin, and
you'll have wasted time and effort. Have a read of the record label's website,
as it may be the case that they offer online submissions or email submissions.
For this reason it is useful to create both digital and hard copy versions
of your press pack and demo for ease of submission.
A record label depends on individuals
referred to as A&R (artist and repertoire)
Representatives. These individuals have a great deal of clout in deciding who
is signed to a record label. There are many publications that list contact
information for these individuals. This requires some research, but to ensure
a press kit falls into the right hands, find a label that matches your style
of music. Don't be afraid to cultivate multiple options and send out a demo
to any record label that fits your style of music. With some persistence, an
interested A&R rep may be at an upcoming show. Nothing is guaranteed, but
if all these elements are in place, any band stands a better chance of making
it in the music business.
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