By Dillon Riley As a young band starting out in a local scene, securing gigs and building a following can seem like a daunting task. While social media platforms, online streaming, and word-of-mouth certainly help level the playing field, creating buzz around your new project is still an uphill battle in this or any other era…
A band is a unique and complex relationship, and with so many different personalities and goals among band members, things can sometimes get tricky. Some people are direct, some are passive, some are more organized than others. “Musicians are sensitive and odd creatures,” says songwriter/guitarist Paul Hansen of indie folk band The Grownup Noise. “So…
As a bandleader, it’s your job to cover all the bases — run rehearsals, plan shows on the road, arrange practices — and yes — execute a killer merch table. These 10 square feet of retail are your gateway to making a lasting impression and some extra dough for the band. It’s an opportunity to…
+ Pursue your next social media marketing goal with a Soundfly Mentor like Marta! Soundfly offers four-week mentorship sessions with a pro, customized to you. Get in touch to learn more. I was just invited to Like a Musician’s Facebook Page from a friend. I clicked through and decided to give it a look. I started browsing around,…
Here’s a situation many musicians experience on an all-too-regular basis: You get out of your day job, sit in traffic all the way home, load your gear, eat, maybe review some material, inch through more traffic and arrive at practice only to find the band “leader” isn’t ready or, worse, isn’t even there yet?!?! They…
Your band’s photos are a big deal. Think about it like this: All it takes is half a second for someone to form an opinion of you based on one photograph. One. Photograph. So you want to make sure it’s a good one. By looking only at your band’s photo, people should be able to…
Musicians often get stereotyped as being “flaky.” Unreliable musicians not only drive other musicians crazy, they hurt the relationships with venues, booking agents, and everyone else musicians rely on to get their music heard. But despite what stereotypes say, you CAN be a “creative type” and also know your way around a spreadsheet. So rather than hold yourself back, embrace…
As fun as being in a band is, it can challenge you in a big way as a musician and a person. Don’t underestimate it – if you’re trying to be serious about your band, then these are the 10 commandments you need to live by. 1. Thou shalt be a good hang Number one…
Managing your band well is a juggling act, like walking down a staircase with too many groceries in your arms. It’s way too easy to trip, drop everything you’re carrying, and wind up in a sodden pile on the floor. You’ve got to deal with interpersonal relationships, a competitive market, creative differences, and the general…
