Discussion Thread

My band and I have been together for almost a year now, and like most other musicians were having trouble getting organized, and getting our plan into effect. I'll try to sum up our situation as best I can, and hopefully somebody can give me some good advice. We are called August Is Over, you can listen to some of our music @ www.myspace.com/augustisoverband

We started playing shows in June/ July 2008. We've been playing about 2-4 times a month in MA and CT mostly, but we feel no progress has been made. People always come up to us and say they loved our set, sometimes they buy some merch. Then we never hear from them again. We hoped a mailing list would help, but It hasnt done to much. The only shows we usually end up on are those ones where the bands have to sell "X" amount of tickets, and we make like 1 doller for every ticket sold.

It's hard for us to get paid shows, because none of us are 18 ( were all 17, but turn 18 this spring). Also, we all are graduating high school this june, and will have more free time after that, b/c we all are going to local colleges.

We have three lines of shirts, some rough demos and mixes of some older songs, and have to take 3 cars to all of our shows ( we'd love a van!), and we really just need an effective way to promote and get organized. If somebody can help me out and just getting the ball rolling, I would seriously appreciate it!!!

It sounds like you're off to a great start actually. Everything takes time and builds on itself.

As for advice  have you had a chance to read a copy of The Indie Band Survival Guide? It's what this site is based on and it's really an excellent starting point since it covers everything you're asking about (live shows, merchandizing, distributing your music, etc.) and much, much more. It's 336 pages of practical know-how...

The only thing it doesn't cover is getting a van (although I agree, every band needs one!).

Thanks Jason. I actually have read the book, and It was a huge help in gaining some knowledge. I'm just not sure where to start with all of it, you know?

Maybe your right, I just need some patience knowing It's going to take some time.

My advice would be to make sure that you're ready to do the launching. I've seen way too many artists start out when their material and performance wasn't yet up to scratch.

I'm not saying that you should put it off forever, just that you need to make sure that what you're putting out there is strong enough to generate interest.

Ian

Check out "Get your band out of the basement and keep them out of the asylum." It goes from finding members, naming the band, getting the first gig, and tons of markting ideas. You can find it at www.musicianlibrary.com

I agree that you are actually off to a good start. You're doing everything you're supposed to. Obviously what ever you can do as far as shows and digital resources is the best. The issue lately is that Myspace is diminishing and Twitter and other sites don't really appeal as well for bands, at least on a basis of being heard, which is where my new site comes into play. Go to www.zigned.com and check it out. It's a brand new site that just launched and is a great resource foor bands such as yours. You can sell your music off your profile directly, sell your merchandise on the Z-store or just network your music.

Perseverence is the name of the game. Most overnight sensations are about 5-10 years in the making. At 17, you're whole world is ahead of you, but you've actually got a fairly solid base to work from.

Keep doing what you're doing (make sure you get your own website set up, too), and make music that you love and take it out online & in public to find other people who'll also love it.

It's like body building (not that I've ever done it, but I've heard it spoken of from time to time). If you look in the mirror after every workout you're going to disappointed by your seeming lack of progress. But if you wait a bit before you do your official "how's it going" evaluation you'll be much more impressed by what you've accomplished. I bet you've come a long way since this time last year. Don't over-analyse your progress until this time next year.

Build a realistic 5-yr plan that has your band self-sufficient by the time you all turn 23. Baby step to world domination, that's my motto.

I'll keep it simple:

1) Look at bands more successful than you, 2) watch them, 3) and do what they do (in terms of business).

I love what podcasting and blog has done for us.  Youtube and Blogger and great and free ways to get yourself out there in a little different manner.

You can see what we have done with it at http://www.youtube.com/TheSweaterFriends and thesweaterfriends.blogspot.com

Best of luck to you!

Jake

I got signed to an great little independent after working at Apple Beam Studios www.applebeam.com by using their Platinum Package. I don't know if they still do that package but it was thorough and they've actually writen top 10 hits before so you know they are good.

They also have a sister company called Song Pitch Pro that you may want to check out as that looks good, although not yet joined.

Just keep questioning everything, don't assume you are the best band in the world, ask professionals how you can improve .. and listen!

Good luck guys :)

When you get to college, one of you should study marketing. Someone else should learn about business management, including basic accounting. If you want to make the band work, you'll need to treat it like a business.

Here's an example: you say that having an e-mail list didn't help you much. Have you studied the art of effective e-mail marketing? There's a lot more to it than you might think, but it's dead easy to find articles that discuss some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them, as well as things you *should* do.

You bought the indie guide to marketing, which says to me that you're not afraid to learn and work hard. I suggest your next read be "Guerrila Marketing" by Jay Conrad Levinson. If you substitute the word "band" everytime he writes "local business," the guy might just set you on fire.

Best of luck!