Author: Egbert

You have to leave the bar on a very high note to be able to imprint an unforgettable memory of your show into the public’s minds. You also have to take into account that a large part of the attendees has already had a great experience. We have seen everything, even artists arriving by helicopter to the stage... but the background is the same: the public pays to create unforgettable memories and to forget, at least for a while about everything else going on in their lives. So, in order for you to being able to offer that kind of unforgettable experience, we have prepared a list of tips to...

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Many people wonder what a music producer is and what functions it has in the process that leads to the making of a record, a song or the recent EP (Extended Play or short disc). Let’s talk about how the perspective and experience from music producers can influence the quality of an artist and know a bit more of this key role "Behind the scenes" in the music industry. A music producer basically works in all stages of the album as an active collaborator. Therefore, a music producer has both, creative and administrative responsibilities. A producer has different roles: controlling recording sessions, instructing and guiding musical performers in the recording...

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In part 1 we covered how being spammy can hurt your chances of getting a review, and how it’s best to take the time to study the people you’re trying to reach and craft a personal email. But that’s not all, there are other deadly mistakes most newbies make when it comes to getting music reviewed by a publication: Mistake #2: You’re Not Making It Easy So you’ve done your homework, researched publications, and reached out to each editor individually, had patience and kept at it for months… and nothing. What’s going on? Well, it could be that your sound is not good enough, but it could also mean that...

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Anyone looking to make a living off of original songs is aware that knowing how to play excellent music is as important as knowing how to promote it. Nowadays everyone can put up a website, set up a SoundCloud profile and promote away on social media, but there’s something that eludes even the most social media savvy: how to get critics to notice and review your music. Social media has made the process of reaching audiences a lot easier than just a few years ago, but it hasn’t really done that much to ease the process of getting some press for your music. If anything, it’s made it harder seeing...

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Cover bands tend to get a bad rep, certain musicians look down on them thinking there really isn’t that much to them besides learning to play someone else’s chord progressions and mimicking another band’s stage persona. And yes, that sounds completely uninspired and boring, and it also doesn’t accurately reflect the reality of most cover bands. In reality, cover bands have to carefully study the source material experiment how much of their own twist they can add to it (jury’s still out on whether a cover should be an exact replica or can deviate from the original), still work on their stage presence and the cohesion of the band as...

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Once you’ve booked a show, the most stressful part is making sure people will actually show up to hear you play. In fact, it can be the most nerve-wracking part of the entire ordeal. While there are no guarantees, there are smart ways to play around so that you do everything in your power to get people into your show: Invite Another Band Unless you’re participating in an American Idol type of deal, don’t view other bands as your competition. Doing a show with another band is a great way to expose your music to an entirely new fanbase without doing extra work. Think of it as unpaid advertising. What’s...

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When you’re making a living off of art, be that painting, dancing, or creating music, waiting for inspiration is not an option. Any artist will tell you that yes, inspiration is very much real and there will be moments when you will feel more compelled and inspire and the work will come out without you even trying. But that doesn’t mean you get to sit and rest on the days that it feels like you can’t even get a note out and you can’t even imagine writing a new song. When there’s no inspiration, you still need to be making music. The process of writing and composing a new song...

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Now that practically anyone can set up an account on YouTube or Vimeo, it makes sense for bands to make videos for their songs. It’s an opportunity for people to find them, and if the video is entertaining enough, it will convert a lot of people into fans and maybe even go viral. People are more visual than ever, so visual content adds another layer of value to whatever you put out. They’re a nice little extra to have for any artists, and with good quality cameras being available for accessible prices, it’s not that hard to put out a great music video. Still, as a first timer, it’s important...

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Whether you’re a signed artist already wondering what else is out there, or an up-and-coming musician speculating about how to secure your big break, it’s worth learning about how independent record labels are not only a viable option, but a vital part of the music industry. Whoever you are and whatever your circumstances right now, signing with an indie label could be the right move for you. Even some of the biggest names in the business, like Rough Trade, Sub Pop, XL and Creation, are actually independent labels with successful artists and lots of clout on the music scene. A Special Relationship Immediately one of the plus points of going...

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Kickstarter has said that only half of the projects in the site get fully or overfunded. The other half completely fails or thoroughly underperforms. Some will say it’s a matter of popularity, that the more famous you are, the more likely you’ll get completely funded, but in reality, as we saw in Part 1, fame isn’t the end-all-be-all of crowdfunding. Finding backers has a lot to do with planning ahead, being smart about your resources, and understanding that it’s not asking people for money in exchange for nothing, but about giving them value. Here are the things you have to keep in mind: Have a Community Your community is what...

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