Learn how to book shows, rehearse, and record better with these articles on band management. To learn more, check out Soundfly’s free course Building a Better Band.
+ Welcome to Soundfly! We help curious musicians meet their goals with creative online courses. Whatever you want to learn, whenever you need to learn it. Subscribe now to start learning on the ’Fly. There is absolutely nothing in this world more important than your mental health. In this industry, especially, so many of us are hard-wired to take care of…
We all have the same 24 hours in a day, so how is it that some people manage to “make time” for their music career while others seemingly can’t? When we talk about “making time” for something, what we’re really saying is “making it a priority.” Think about it: you may insist you don’t have…
The hardest part of trying to figure out if someone would be a good band member is that it’s hard to know a person until you’re around them for a while. A person fine in small doses may be a nightmare once you start to depend on them. Likewise, a person who rubs you the wrong…
Booking a sold-out, or at least near-capacity, show is a major milestone for any band. Doing that every time with every show is how you know you’re on the fast track to success. Yet, when I asked bands their number-one struggle, overwhelmingly the response was this very thing. I find that a lot of the time, bands…
Here we all are in the future, and what do you know — the music industry hasn’t collapsed! Sure, CDs aren’t selling the way they used to in stores. Neither is digital music, thanks to the explosion of streaming services. But those of us living the nose-to-the-grindstone, unglamorous life of the touring musician know a secret: people…
House shows, and all sorts of DIY shows, are a great way to create an alternative, personalized space to hear live music in your community. If you aren’t near any good venues, need a place to host all-ages shows, or simply want to invite some people over to your house, apartment, backyard, roof, basement (you get…
The single most important thing I’ve learned in this industry is the power of community. This one, often overused concept can actually change everything. Community is giving up the notion that we’re better off alone and embracing that we’re stronger together — and then making it happen. It’s taking the time to talk to newcomers and…
It might seem like a good idea at the time, but saying yes to every gig your band is offered could spell catastrophe for you and your bandmates.
Nothing gets me thinking about sacrifice more than going out on the road. Everyone’s making sacrifices to be there. Leila and John are both working their day jobs remotely using wifi hotspots that don’t function all that well in the-middle-of-nowhere US. Lots of nowhere. And my written log feels like something out of Oregon Trail. Phil fractured…
My band, the Gnarly Shredderz, is one of the greatest bands of all time. We’re so awesome, in fact, that bands on the same bill as us never ask my group to play another show with them because they know they just can’t keep up. We just end up embarrassing them with our insanely interesting…
