Advice for a young band.... - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

09/10/2008 10:58:12 PM · #1

My son Joel's band made their first EP in a professional studio last week.

We're all excited about it, and he asked me to post here with some questions.

1) Should they try to sell it, or give it away as a promotion? They won the money they used to make the EP in a battle of the bands. If they give it away, that means less for other projects though. (If they sold it, it would be for a couple dollars each.)

2) Right now they have a MySpace page; I suggested Jamendo, and maybe using the creative common license, to get more exposure.

a) Are there other good places for exposure?
b) How might they get their song(s) played on the radio?
c) How to about getting them played on streaming stations?

Anyone with experience, or sage advice in these matters?

3) They would love to get feedback as well from anyone knowledgeable, and anyone who cares to listen! You can't post on their MySpace page, but if you post here, he'll be reading it (and will show it to other band members).

Just for context, let me point out we are talking about upper classmen (Juniors and Seniors) in high school.

Their page is here:

Number One Dad

Thanks in advance
(BTW - Joel sings on three of the songs, the first three, and plays Alto Sax on all of them.)

ETA: Correction - in the order they're on MySpace, Joel sings the first, third, and co-sings on the fourth.

Message edited by author 2008-09-11 15:30:54.

Jaker

Nikon D40X

09/10/2008 11:34:25 PM · #2

There's a very fine line between giving away your work as a promotional tool, and devaluing it by not charging anything for it. I would consider having one or two (depending on how many tracks they were able to record)up on Myspace for free, but I would absolutely sell them at shows if they are playing out. Nobody really expects CD's to be free at shows, and for some reason people seem to take it seriously if they buy it and they don't wind up on the sidewalk outside of the club. Price depending on whether you had it pressed, or are burning copies yourself.

On the flipside of that, I would flood any local radio station with free copies, especially if they have any kind of local music show or segment.

I would also invest in some T-shirts and stickers if they haven't already. I haven't been around the music recording/ band management side of things for a few years, but I would imagine those are still the top sellers at any show. So people will pay for them, and they have the band name all over them. Talk about a win win situation.

If I might suggest a really fantastic book... "All You Need to Know About the Music Business" by Donald Passman. There are tons of music industry books out there, but this one is the real deal and was required reading when I went to college for recording. It's updated every couple of years, and is kind of a Bible for everything music business.

Beyond that, take a decent band with a relevant sound, mix in an absolute ton of good luck, and anything can happen. The more they are seen, the more they will be remembered! :-)

Message edited by author 2008-09-10 23:35:33.

Patrick_R

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/10/2008 11:39:00 PM · #3

My band gives out the songs we have on our myspace on homemade burned disks this gets more people out to the shows cause they can show their friends who then in turn buy the CD at the show.

AJSullivan

09/11/2008 09:02:03 AM · #4

Theres almost no point in selling cds, especially eps. Give it away, post it on myspace, etc. Although I do miss getting a good demo tape now and again, its just so much easier to listen online. Tell them that if they want to sell music, to get it pressed on 7" vinyl.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

09/11/2008 02:38:05 PM · #5

Bump for the afternoon crowd... Joel will be delighted to see the advice so far, and thrilled for anyone who might offer comments on the music. See link in original post.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

09/11/2008 03:02:39 PM · #6

Burn a few copies and send to record companies/agents. Send to local radio and perhaps a few local DJs who could add them into their play lists.

Okay, now the music! The first thing that sprung to mind was The White Stripes, it has the same raw sound and the vocalist sounds very similar to Jack White. There are a few nice touches, the sax coming in adds a richer sound as well as a surprise. Demo tapes and first cuts are normally very garage sounding, echoy and a bit thin. However, with experience the depth of sound improves and gains a wider tonal range.

I must admit I am not in love with demo indie music, but I was surprised and can see a lot of potential in the band!!

Steve

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

09/11/2008 03:11:26 PM · #7

I'm suprised at the number of people who are saying just give it away, and yet when it comes to giving away photos or photography there is such an outcry about it. Arent they both Art forms? Why should one be any different then the others. I say charge a small fee and sell them, the CD's and covers dont make or pay for themselves. Offer samples on their myspace page, and get people to spend a little coin. Send some off to a couple of record companies with some head shots and group shots.

The best way to make a small fortune in business is to start with a large one.

Matt

thegrandwazoo

Nikon D750

09/11/2008 03:23:40 PM · #8

Most labels don't accept unsolicited demos and unless the radio station has a local hour it is unlikely they will play the CD on the air. My band sold our Cd's at every show we sold them at cost because our thinking was the more people to hear us the more of a following we could build up.

To get radio play you need to some how get an A&R person to see the band play, one way to do that big time is to get the band into a showcase where there will be A&R people already there.

The best is the South by Southwest Music Festival. The place will be crawling with A&R people and unsigned bands. Without label interest or help it is almost impossible to get air play.

I like the sound of the band and think there is a market for their music. Gig, Gig and Gig some more! Get their faces and sound out there and get the Cd's in the hands of the people. Viral marketing and drive with a good sound and hooks will get them noticed.

Good Luck!

Message edited by author 2008-09-11 15:24:20.

AJSullivan

09/11/2008 04:56:56 PM · #9

Send them to college radio stations, most of them will play anything and love royalty free music.

MattO - from working at an indie/punk rock venue, and going to indie/metal/hardcore/punk shows for well over a decade now, nobody likes paying for music anymore. The internet has spoiled us. Especially for a new band that they've never heard. Money is not to be made on demos, its made on t-shirts! But seriously, youre first ep/demo is essentially your portfolio...are you gonna charge potential clients to view your portfolio? Nopers. You give them the demo...than they buy the t-shirts, the stickers, the vinyl, they come to the shows, etc.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

09/11/2008 07:59:01 PM · #10

Thanks everyone! Ok, one bump for the evening crowd. Joel's happy to hear any other feedback, and again, I invite people to listen to the music via the link in the original post, and offer any comments here. Joel's following the thread.

arron_christensen

Canon EOS-50D

09/11/2008 08:18:36 PM · #11

Create a page on purevolume.com. It's a dedicated music community site, a little like myspace, but all about the music and musicians. Also, give out those demo's. It seems like a loss at first, but the point is to generate buzz, and as others have pointed out, use merch to make money. Plus, you never know who might get their hands on that demo. Club owners, sound techs, and heck even the bouncers at the door interact with so many people. If they get a demo and like what they hear, who knows who those people might know.

The other piece of advice is practice. Make sure your sound is tight live. IMHO there is nothing worse than getting a great sounding band on CD then finding out they can't play live. It is a mistake many bands make, including some of my former bands.

I hope that helps.

Apple iPhone 5

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

09/11/2008 08:29:30 PM · #12

Were all 6 tracks recorded and mixed in the same studio at the same time?

IMO 'Mending the Seams' has the best vocal mix and sounds more radio-friendly. Was it the same producer who mixed that one as the others? Ballad of the Chairy Tree is great! - If that one was mixed in the same style as 'Mending', it'd be fantastic.

Sugarpie

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM

09/11/2008 09:01:49 PM · #13

I dont know about giving it away
anyways

as far as getting on the radio

this is how it works around here but I guess you have to know people

I have a cousin who works for a radio thingamajig, hes a DJ in the evenings/night, and his friends used to give him music to play, and he had a section for like local bands/artists etc

maybe there is something like that around where you are, like an hour of your local entertainers

not sure if that makes sense

09/12/2008 09:56:17 AM · #14

Originally posted by JH:

JH - Five of the six tracks were; the song Cathy was recorded previously by the band during one of their rehearsal sessions.

In answer to Arron, they did manage to win the "Battle of the Bands" in the area, playing live.

Metroland best of 2008

"Best High-School Band (Head of the Class)

Number One Dad

Number One Dad beat out a full slate of high school bands at a Colonie battle of the bands contest judged by three Metroland music writers last month. When a bunch of music critics judge a battle-of-the-bands contest, chances are the band geeks will get the glory while the popular-kid cover-band go home empty-handed. Number One Dad are filled with the wise-ass, talented kids who hang out in the band room every day after school, and their music is clever as a result. Music critics love that."

ETA - If anyone reading this lives in the Capital Region, they will be playing (for free) at Samuel's Coffee house in Alplause tonight at 7 pm!

Message edited by author 2008-09-12 09:59:02.