c S



 

 
j OK, so you're really ready to start
a band. What should you do first?
The answer: nothing but think.
Before you do anything, you'll
need to establish as many details
about your future band as you
possibly can. This way you'll know
exactly what you're looking for in
a bandmate and what direction the
band will take. You wouldn't walk
into a car dealership before
deciding what kind of car you're looking for, right?
2. What musical style will you play? Punk, metal, jazz, ska, country, a combination
of many styles?
3. What will your instrumentation be? Would you prefer a stripped down trio of
guitar, bass, and drums, or would you rather have multiple guitarists, a keyboard,
and/or a horn section? How many vocalists will there be?
4. Original songs or covers? Would you rather play only music that you write
yourselves, or cover other artists' songs that you enjoy? You could also do a
combination of the two.
5. What will your band's image be? Like it or not, these days image matters. Will
your band have that grungy, shaggy-haired, flannel shirt look? Will you all wear
glasses, ties, and slick your hair back? Or will you go the KISS route and wear
makeup during your complex stage show spectacles?
6. How serious are you about starting a band? This is a very important question,
because you're going to want everyone in the band to be on the same page.
Whether you'd like to rock out in your basement, become regulars in the local
club circuit, or tour arenas around the world, you'll want to establish your general
goals now if you can.
j The brainstorm stage is not an exact science. You don't have to answer every
question, and none of it is set in stone. It is simply the best launching pad for you
to start from. And, as we'll find out later, the only way to accomplish a goal is to
set one first.
 

  

j inding some fellow musicians to play with can be the hardest and most
important aspect of forming your band. You're going to need to find people that
you have musical and personal chemistry with. You are, after all, likely to spend
quite a bit of time with them. A good band will become a family of sorts, so you'll
want to surround yourself with good, like-minded, talented people.
j -

 


2. Is gender an issue? Keep in mind that while discriminating against a good
musician simply because of their gender is unreasonable, tensions among mixed-
gender bands could potentially reach a whole new level above those of same-
 gender lineups (think of Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal dating and breaking up
while in No Doubt).
3. What do you need musically? You know what you can do, so you need to find
musicians who can fill in the spaces of what you can't do. Do you need a
songwriter? A vocalist? A sideman who simply plays the part you give them? A
collaborator? A lead guitarist? An experienced bandleader?
4. What do you need non-musically? You'll probably require the person to have their
own equipment. But do you also need them to have their own car? To have
connections within the music industry?
5. Think of any other specifics regarding age, experience, location, etc.
j ’ 



j Bands often come together almost by accident when friends get together and start
jamming and having fun. or some people, this can be a simple and fun way to
get the lineup together, but it is not necessarily the best way.
8. Always keep in mind that being in a band with friends can be a lot like going into
business with them; it could potentially lead to serious arguments and possibly
lost friendships. Conversely, many great friendships have been formed in bands as
well.
9. If your intentions are mainly to fool around in the garage and play the local talent
show, starting a band with friends is usually a great idea.
10.If you intend to be very serious about the direction of the band, you'll want to find
some like-minded musicians instead of simply calling up a few buddies.
11.Try advertising online on sites like Craigslist and on bulletin boards in local
music stores.
Ú
Ú Lay out as much detail as you can about
what your band will be and who you are
looking for (without writing a novel).
Ú Include the style of music you want to
play, some artists who have influenced
you, and what you expect out of the player.
Ú Êxample: Bassist wanted for
serious rock band in the style of
Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Must
be punctual, have a passion for
loud music, and have reliable
transportation. Age 16-21.
Ú If you're posting a flyer, make it eye-
catching so it isn't lost in the mix of other
bulletins. Include a drawing or your band logo if you have one already.
Ú Don't forget to include your contact information! Your e-mail address is
usually the best.
Ú Always use good common sense when advertising online, and don't reveal
any personal information.
12.While you await responses to your ads, look for other people who are also hoping
to start a band on the same bulletin boards and websites that you posted on. Also
 be sure to ask around among your friends or any musicians you know; they may
know someone who is in the same situation as you.
j 
 

14.When someone contacts you about your band, ask them if they have any demo
recordings of their playing/singing that you can hear.
15.Now would be a good time to ask more detailed questions to see if you have a
similar musical vision. A phone call can reveal whether or not you have
chemistry.
16.If you like what you've heard so far, have them "audition." This doesn't have to be
as formal as it sounds. It could simply be a quick jam session to see if you "click"
musically.
17.Always stay safe when meeting strangers for the first time. Make sure a friend
knows exactly what you're doing, where you are, and how long you'll be gone. If
they were recommended by a friend, you probably have less to worry about.
18.If you'd like, ask the person for a reference from a former bandmate.
 S  

j Ah, the band name. Surely you've been talking with friends when somebody says
an interesting word or phrase that made you think, "that would be a good band
name!" Well, now it's time to get together with your new bandmates and put those
creative juices to work for the real deal...
1. Although it may not be the most important decision you'll ever make, just
remember that a band name is your identity, your brand.
2. It's also good to keep in mind that this is a decision you'll have to live with for as
long as the band exists. You can, of course, change your name, but if you begin
establishing yourself, this can be a tough task. Because of this, sleep on band
name decisions overnight. Many times, a name that seemed funny or clever
yesterday just doesn't have the same impact today.
3. Simple band name ideas can come from the names of band members (think Van
Halen, Bon Jovi, leetwood Mac).
4. Come up with pop culture references from movies and TV shows you all like. If
you all like £
, for example, you could name your band "The Dead
Kennys."
5. Many bands name themselves after songs written by other artists, such as
Radiohead and Godsmack. Your band could be "Rainy Day Women."
6. Try looking up random words in the dictionary or encyclopedia, or finding
phrases in your favorite quotes or books. Your band name could be "ear Itself."
7. Your name should be memorable and, preferably, easy to spell. Therefore,
"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" is a poor choice. But it should also be unique
so that people searching for you online can find you easily. If you name it "Soda
Pop," it will be easily lost in the mix of Internet search results.
8. After choosing a name, look it up to make sure another band hasn't beaten you to
the punch.
Ú If another band had your name before you, they can force you to stop
using it.
Ú Êven similar names pose a problem; "The Dead Kennys" is probably too
close to "The Dead Kennedys."
 Ú Search online using Google and look through sites like MySpace and UBL
for bands with the same name.
Ú or more officialdom, you can go through the U.S. Trademark Office.
9. If you or someone you know has artistic skills, try designing an eye-catching logo
to go along with the name. You can use this logo on flyers, posters, T-shirts, etc.
10.If you can't agree on a band name right away, sit on it for a while. There's no rule
that says you can't start playing music before you have a name.
 £ 


 
j You have your name, band members, and a general idea of what your band will
sound like. Before you start jamming, you should figure out a little more about
your goals as a band and the role that each member will play.
1. Now is the time to bring up your initial brainstorming ideas from above to the rest
of the band. ill in the blanks for questions you didn't already answer, and discuss
any other ideas or concerns the band might have.
2. Who will write the songs? Will they be the work of one or two people, or a full-
band effort?
3. If you're doing covers, how will you decide which songs to do?
4. Will band decisions be made democratically, or by one or two people? Must all
decisions be unanimous, or does majority rule?
5. If you have multiple singers, who will be the lead singer? Will you switch off
singing duties between members?
6. Where do you want to be three months from now?
Ú Some goals might include practicing regularly, a repertoire of 10 songs,
playing your first show.
7. How about 6 months from now?
Ú Goals might include a regular show schedule, a demo CD, or local radio
airplay.
8. One year and beyond?
Ú Do you want to be signed to a record label? Go on tour? Make a living off
of your music?
j Although goals and roles can change over time, the only way to stay organized is
to establish them early on. Get into a habit of regularly sitting down to go over
your goals and how they may have changed.
 [
[
j The final piece of the preparation puzzle is the least fun to talk about: money.
Nothing can destroy a lifelong friendship quite as easily as monetary matters, so
even if you're not particularly serious about your band, it's important to talk about
finances even before you make a penny.
1. If you legitimately are not planning on ever making money, that's fine. But as
soon as the prospect arises (a paid gig, talent show prize), you should discuss it
d  it happens.
2. Decide how money will be split up. Will it be divided evenly? Will the frontman
or songwriter receive a higher percentage?
 Ú Income from different sources can be split in different ways. Maybe
performance earnings will be split evenly, but the songwriter will make
more from CD sales.
3. If you have a manager, they typically make 10-15%. This should apply even if
your manager is just your friend. If you make money, they should, too! Keep in
mind that most bands don't need a manager when they're just starting out.
4. Discuss band savings. There are many possible expenses for the working band
(rehearsal space, recording studio), so you may want to save a percentage of your
earnings to put towards those investments.
Ú You can legally make your band its own business. This would allow you
to start a bank account in the band's name.
5. Decide who will be spending money, as well. If you need to pay for a rehearsal
space, whose account will that money come out of? How will you split these
expenses up?
6. If necessary, contracts and lawyers can make terms official and protect everyone
involved. Don't ever be afraid to bring up the possibility of a contract²it is
extremely common in the music industry for a reason.
j When it comes to money, the more you know going in, the fewer surprises there
will be. The fewer surprises there are, the less possibility there is for fallout.
 £ 
j Congratulations, you've gotten through all the drudgery of preparing to be in a
band. Now it's time to start actually playing some music... inally!
  
j Besides your instruments and amps, you're going to need a PA system for the
vocals. This includes a microphone for every vocalist, a mixer, amplifier (often
combined with the mixer), and speakers.
j As we'll discuss next, some rehearsal spaces will provide a PA, but most will not.
A small PA system will run you at least a few hundred dollars and can be
purchased from your local music store. To save a few bucks, try finding one
secondhand.
 

! !
j Before you can plug in your Les Paul and start
cranking out power chords, you're gonna need a
place to do it that:
1. Has enough space for your band and all of your
equipment, and
2. Won't get you arrested for playing "Won't Get
ooled Again" at 150 decibels.
j So, what are your options for rehearsal spaces?
4. If you live in a house, you could be in luck. Many
bands practice in the garage or basement. But
check with your neighbors first. They may not
appreciate the noise, especially late at night. Don't
forget that you'll need your own PA system if you play at home.
 5. If you live in an apartment, you're not likely to get one hit of the snare drum out
before the boys in blue come knocking at your door. You'll need to rent out a
space elsewhere.
j Rehearsal spaces (also called rehearsal studios) are usually one of two options:
hourly rentals and lockouts.
7. Lockouts usually work like apartments in that you sign a lease and pay a monthly
fee.
Ú The room is yours and yours only, so you can leave all of your equipment
there.
Ú Many lockouts are 24 hours, allowing you to flick on that power switch
any time your creative juices are flowing.
Ú In most cases you will need to provide your own PA system.
Ú Sharing the room with another band can cut down on costs. inding
another band with their own PA system can be strategic.
Ú Prices vary greatly depending on location, just like apartments. Êxpect to
pay at least $200-500 per month on average.
8. Hourly rehearsal studios charge a fee for every hour you use them.
Ú They almost always provide you with the PA system, and sometimes even
other equipment (such as amplifiers).
Ú If you're not rehearsing a lot or have a tight budget, you aren't forced to
spend a large amount of money every month.
Ú You're on their schedule, so if all rooms are full, you're out of luck.
Ú Some places allow you to reserve a certain time each week, allowing for a
regular practice schedule.
Ú You're not likely to be able to practice for long periods at a time (a couple
hours on average).
Ú Costs can range anywhere from $10-30/hour on average.
j Look for local rehearsal spots online and in the phone book, and ask any musician
friends where they rehearse. Once you're all settled into your space, it's time to get
rockin'. Set up the band so everyone is comfortable and can hear one another well.
Decorate the walls with posters or tapestries that help you feel more at home. The
more at ease everyone is, the easier the process of rehearsing becomes.
 
 

j Before you can really do anything as a band, you're going to need to build up your
repertoire, which is just a fancy way of saying "song list."
1. Many bands start out by covering the songs of artists they like.
Ú You can learn these songs using printed transcriptions, by finding the
music online, or just by ear.
2. You can also play original songs.
Ú Write them as a band at rehearsal, or have one person write music
beforehand and bring it in for the rest of the band to arrange.
3. Try to get the songs sounding "tight."
Ú Music sounds tight when everyone knows their part backwards and
forwards, and really "locks in" with one another while playing.
Ú Learn to listen to each other while playing rather than just yourselves.
 Ú If something doesn't sound right, discuss what is not working, and adjust it
until it does.
Ú Committing to a regular practice schedule once or twice a week will make
the process smoother and easier.
Ú Recording your rehearsals with a tape recorder or camcorder can give you
perspective on how the music is really sounding. These recordings can
also be used as a demo for booking shows.
4. Learning songs takes time.
Ú Don't get frustrated when learning songs. If you feel like you've hit the
wall with the tune you're working on, move on to another for a while.
Ú Original songs are constantly evolving and changing.
 S £

j As you build up your repertoire and start thinking about playing shows, put
together some sample setlists that you might perform live.
1. A setlist is simply the song order of a live set.
2. Because different shows will require different set lengths, put together sample
setlists that last 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, and an hour.
3. If you don't have enough songs to fill up longer set times, you'll know not to
pursue longer shows until you're ready.
4. Account for time spent talking and tuning in between songs.
5. It is important that sets begin and end strong. Êxperiment with different song
orders to see where each song fits best in a set.
6. Practice performing the setlists during rehearsals as if you were playing them in
front of an audience. Invite a few friends to a rehearsal to hear you perform (don't
forget to warn them about the volume level).

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 £"! 

£ #
j The music is the most important part of your band, and if you've been following
the guidelines of Step 2, you will be getting pretty good at it in no time. When
your band feels ready, it's time to take the next
step: playing your first show.
1. Try organizing your own show.
Ú If you have a garage, basement, or
backyard to set up in, you can put on your
own concert.
Ú Invite your friends, provide refreshments,
and ask any other bands you know if they'd
like to play.
Ú Get permission from the neighbors
beforehand, and look into any
neighborhood noise ordinances that may
end your performance early with a visit by
the police.
 2. Play at someone else's party or event.
Ú Ask a friend if you can play at their graduation party, birthday party, or
other special event.
Ú Once again, be aware of any possible neighborhood noise issues.
Ú Keep it appropriate; people attending a quiet dinner party probably don't
want to hear a Sex Pistols cover band.
3. Sign up for a talent show or battle of the bands.
Ú Some talent shows and battles have potential cash prizes, although they
also usually involve entrance fees.
Ú This can be a great way to play your music for many potential fans and
network with other bands that you could play shows with in the future.
4. Play an open-mic night.
Ú Many coffeehouses and smaller venues have open-mic nights where
anyone can perform.
Ú Some of these places are a bit too small for a whole band to play in, but
are great venues for acoustic sets.
5. ind a venue that will book new bands.
Ú Most music clubs and venues require a certain level of performance
experience in order to book a show, but some will give new bands a
chance to play.
Ú Contact some venues in your area and ask who you can speak to/e-mail
about booking a show for your band.
Ú Persistence is key; these people get many bands trying to contact them, so
be sure to follow up more than once.
Ú Don't waste your time trying to book a venue that's way out of your
league; stick with the easier shows and work your way up.
j However you find a show to play, here are some things to keep in mind.
7. Be prepared to make no money from early shows your band performs.
Ú Although you could charge a fee for certain shows (such as playing at a
graduation party), it's best to offer to play for free early on. Your first
shows are all about exposing your music to new people and gaining the
experience of playing for an audience.
8. Be wary of "pay to play" venues.
Ú These venues make you buy a certain number of tickets ahead of time to
ensure they make enough money from you that night.
Ú Unless you know you can sell those tickets, you may want to avoid these
situations. They often result in your losing some cash.
9. Don't forget to promote your show. The only way people will know you're
playing is if you tell them!
Ú Hang up posters, hand out flyers on the street, promote online, and use
word of mouth.
 £!

!


j Mahalo's Guide to How to Overcome Stage right
j Before you hit the stage, you'll want to be fully prepared to captivate the crowd.
2. Whether you sing or play an instrument, you should warm up before you perform.
This will ensure you are comfortable and at 100% from the first note of the show.
 Ú Stretching beforehand will help keep you lose, especially if you're playing
an instrument.
Ú If there is no green room or backstage area at the venue, warm up at home
before you leave for the show.
3. Arrive at the venue early. Any bad impression you give to the person running the
show is reason for them not to book you in the future.
4. If you suffer from stage fright, it can be hard to relax before the show.
Ú Listening to music that pumps you up can get you in the zone.
Ú Try learning some basic meditation techniques and relaxation breathing
exercises.
Ú Think positive²the more you dwell on the things you could mess up, the
more likely you actually î

mess them up. Picture yourself executing a
flawless performance.
Ú Don't forget that when it comes down to it, it's no big deal! You're there to
have a good time, and there's no reason to worry about mistakes. Just have
fun!
5. Having a band pow-wow right before the show starts can help everyone focus and
get on the same page.
j Once you're on stage, it's time to wow the
audience.
7. Make eye contact with the crowd. It may seem
distracting at first, but it's better to get used to it
than staring at your feet the whole time.
Ú If you're in a dark club, try looking at the
wall on the far end of the room. This way,
you're looking up at the crowd, but you
won't get distracted since you can't see any
audience member's face from that distance.
This only really works if there are people
standing in the back.
8. Don't be afraid to let loose and move around a
little. The crowd wants to know that you're having fun, so let your inhibitions go
and let the music take control.
9. Just like in rehearsals, be sure to listen to your bandmates. The sound onstage can
make this a difficult task, but do your best.
10.Don't forget to talk to the crowd during and after the show. If someone asks for an
autograph, sign it!
 ! $ # £#
  

j Now you've started your very own band and gotten a taste of how much fun it can
be to play rock star on stage. But this is only the beginning. Maintaining and
furthering the career of your band is a whole new monster. When you're ready to
take it to the next level and play better shows, go on tour, hire a manager, and get
signed to a record deal,

c £% - 

 j Your band's demo is a recording of 3 or 4 of your best songs. It is used to give the
listener a good idea of what your band sounds like.
2. Cover songs are usually only used for demos of cover bands. If you write your
own music, you probably should not have any more than one cover song, if any,
on your demo.
3. Demos are your first impression, so they should be your absolute best songs that
define your band's sound the most.
4. Don't save the best for last. Your strongest song should come first, followed by
your next strongest song, etc.
5. The first song shouldn't take longer than about 30 seconds to get to the chorus or
hook. The people listening to your demo do not have much time and probably
listen to hundreds of songs a day. They î

skip to the next song if they're not
immediately sucked in, and won't bother listening to more than a few tunes.
6. Though the songs matter more than the recording quality, you should do what you
can to ensure the best sounding demo you can make.
  

- 
j Since first impressions are so
important in music, you'll want
your demo to have as much impact
on the listener as possible.
j - &d
2. Most bands opt to start out with a
demo or ÊP, but if you have the
budget and enough songs, you
could record a full-length album.
3. No matter how many songs you
choose to record, you will still
need to make a 3 or 4 song demo.
Most industry people don't want
you to send them a full album.
They don't have time to listen to the whole thing, anyway.
Ú This means that if you're thinking of recording a full-length album, you
not only have to factor in the costs of the extra studio time, artwork, and
CD replication, but also the costs of making additional CDs of your demo.
4. You don't have to record a full album to make money; you can sell a 5 song ÊP
for $5 as easily as selling a 10 song album for $10.
Ú This can save you some money in recording costs, and allow you to
basically sell your demo to fans.
5. Sit down with your band to discuss your budget and goals. Decide what makes the
most sense as far as recording goes.
j !

  
7. Together with your band, choose your best 3 or 4 songs to include on the demo.
Ask an outside source for an opinion on what their favorite tunes are. This source
could be anyone you trust who has heard your band perform. If you've already
played live before, consider which songs got the best reactions.
8. Put in some extra rehearsal time to make sure these few songs are perfected.
 9. Decide how you will record:
Ú  


 Renting out a recording studio guarantees you a block
of time in a quality space with good equipment. While you will be shelling
out some cash, some studios are very affordable ($20-30 per hour). You
can also find someone with a home studio who is willing to record you for
a lower price.
Ú $ 
 These days, technology makes it easy for anyone to have
their own personal home studio. Investing a few hundred dollars can get
you enough equipment to start recording right to your computer. See your
local music store for more details.
Ú  & If your options are slim for ways to record, there is
always the option of recording the band live in the rehearsal space with a
portable audio recorder. Tape recorders are cheap, but recording to flash
drives is much more preferable²most people will require your music to
be on CD, and you're going to want to upload your music to the Internet in
the next step.
10.Master the recording. Mastering puts the finishing touches on a recording and
increases the volume so that it can compete with commercial CDs. Mastering isn't
mandatory, but it will make the recording sound nicer for a few extra bucks. You
will need to pay an engineer to master your recording for you if you don't have a
home studio with mastering software yourself.
11.Make CDs. Once the recording is done, the final step is making multiple CD
copies.
Ú You can make them yourself using a CD burner.
Ú Multiple CD burners allow you to make many copies at once in a single
unit
Ú Some CD burners will print labels right on the CD, eliminating the need to
use a Sharpie or print stickers.
Ú Clearly written on every demo should be: the band name, song titles,
website (see step 3), and contact info. If you want your CD to have cool
artwork on it instead, save it for the one you sell to fans. The demo you
send to industry people should be clean and easy to read.
Ú Services such as Disc Makers, Oasis, and Diskfaktory.com will press
professional CDs and have more affordable options for short-run CD-R
duplication.
Ú If the CD is shrink-wrapped, take it off before putting it in your press kit
(see the next step). The last thing anyone wants to do is wrestle with
plastic wrap before they can listen to a demo.
 £['!(

j Check out Mahalo's Guide to How to Make a Press Kit
j If you want to graduate beyond playing open mic nights, you're going to need a
press kit (also called a promo kit). You will send these to venues and concert
promoters, and eventually to record label people and other industry folk. They
typically include:
2. -  Your demo is the most important part of the press kit.
3. S  Include a personalized cover letter when you send the kit. or an
added touch, print it on paper that includes a custom letterhead with your band
logo and contact information.
Ú
4. 
   This should be a cool-looking 8x10
photo (color or black and white) of your whole
band.
Ú Hire a photographer or ask a friend with
photography skills and a nice camera to
take your picture.
Ú Try a variety of backgrounds, position
band members in different ways, and bring
a change of clothes to get a diverse photo set to choose from.
Ú Êveryone's face should be clearly seen in the photo. Consequently, live
shots are not often good candidates.
Ú Dress appropriately and make the photo reflect your band's
image/personality.
Ú To mass-produce photos, try a site like ABC Pictures.
5. 
d
 Your bio is a brief background and description of your band. Keep it
simple and to the point, and entertaining or funny if it fits your band's image.
Ú It shouldn't be more than about three paragraphs (unless you are an
established band who has been around for a long time).
Ú Get the important information out of the way in the first paragraph: your
band name, where you're from, what style of music you play, and what
popular artists you sound like.
Ú Don't say you play a ton of styles, even if you think you do. People would
rather hear exactly what you sound like and who you sound like. Don't say
you don't fit into any musical genre²you do, even if you think you don't.
Ask a friend to give an objective opinion of some artists they think you
sound similar to.
Ú Don't lie about accomplishments, but don't be modest either. If you have
something impressive to say, say it!
Ú Give a little background about who is in the band and your band history. If
you're a brand new band, it's OK (and inevitable) that it's short.
6. )

 If applicable, include a list of accomplishments in bullet
form (like impressive sales numbers, a string of sold out shows, radio play, etc.)
and include any venues your band has already played. If you're a new band, omit
this altogether.
7. !


 If your band has ever had any reviews or articles written about
them (including online), include them in your press kit.
Ú You do not have to include the full article. Make a page or two of
clippings, blurbs, and headlines. If someone wants to read more, they can
ask you for the full articles.
8. S


  Êven though we already established that the demo is the most
essential element of the press kit, your contact information is a close second.
 Ú It is absolutely necessary to have your contact info on every element of the
press kit: demo, photo, bio, etc. Things get separated, so if anything gets
lost, you'll want your contact info to be available anyway.
Ú Include the contact person's name, phone number, email, and your website
address.
j Making the press kit look slick and eye-catching is never a bad idea. Keep
everything to the point and easy to read quickly, since most people reading your
press kit will just be skimming it over. Decorate it with your band's logo if you
have one, and do what you can to make whoever is looking at it actually î  to
listen to the music!
 £"£’d

j These days, there's no excuse for a band to not have a website. The Internet is a
free promotion machine and allows potential fans to listen to your music without
wasting money on blank CDs.
1. Êvery band is on MySpace. It's free, it's easy, and if you have no other option it
can be used as your band's main website.
2. Other online music venues for artists include acebook, PureVolume,
GarageBand.com, ReverbNation, and Soundclick.
3. Rip your songs to MP3s from your CD to upload to your MySpace page or other
site. This can be done easily using iTunes.
4. or a more professional look, register your own domain name for your band's
website.
Ú Hire a professional or ask a friend with web design skills to build your
site.
Ú Purchase a domain name from sites like Go Daddy.
Ú Some services, such as Hostbaby, provide web hosting aimed specifically
at musicians.
5. Use your site to list your show schedule and band bio, post news updates, and
allow web surfers to listen to some of your music. You could also have a photo
gallery, blog, lyrics, guitar tabs, etc.
6. Promote your band in the forums and discussion boards of music sites that cater to
the genre you play.
7. Take an active role in seeking out and interacting with fans online. Write blog
posts and tell stories about the band. Help your fans get to know you as real
people. The more they identify with you, the more loyal they will become.
 £* 

 
j Besides the music, the most important part of being in a band is definitely the
fans! Building a fan base is a long, hard task. There's no formula guaranteed to
win you fans. The best thing to do is try every method and think up some creative
original ideas to see what works for you.
 £!

[ £ #
j Once your press kit is together, you are ready to get out there and start booking
some more gigs. The more shows you play, the better the band will get. The better
the band gets, the more likely it is people will start taking notice. Many venues
 will not require you to have a full press kit, but it's important to have it ready just
in case.
1. Contact as many venues and concert promoters in your area as you can.
Ú Ask who you can speak to/e-mail about booking a show for your band.
Ú Remember that persistence is key; people who book shows get many
bands trying to contact them, so be sure to follow up more than once.
Ú Inform them that you have music online that they can listen to, and that
you have a press kit if they're interested.
2. Look for any unique spin on a performance that you could use to get press
coverage. Playing a benefit concert or fundraiser, for example, can be considered
newsworthy.
Ú An article about your band gets your name out there and can be added to
the press kit.
Ú Many local music magazines review live shows. This can be another great
addition to the kit.
3. If you're playing at a club or bar, you will often get paid per number of patrons
that show up and possibly with a percentage of the bar tab.
Ú Any time money is involved, be sure you see a contract explaining exactly
what and how you will be paid.
Ú Keep in mind that you usually have to be 21 or older to play in a bar.
4. Some bands can get "residencies," or regular gigs at a particular club. This can
help you build up a fan base and tighten the screws of your live show.
5. Keep finding new ways of promoting your shows. Don't just hand out flyers, hand
out flyers with demos. Advertise that the first 10 people to show up will get a free
CD or T-shirt. Put out a acebook flyer. Come up with a unique spin to convince
people to show up!
6. Playing shows is the ultimate way to tighten up your sound, work on your stage
presence, and gauge reactions to your music. Getting comfortable on stage doesn't
take long when you're playing regularly.
7. Play for strangers whenever possible. You won't make new fans playing for
people who have already heard your music.
8. Book shows with bands who already have a following. Offer to open for them;
they will be glad to have a headlining show, and you will get a new group of
potential fans to play for.
9. Interact! Talk to your fans at shows. The more they feel connected to your band
personally, the more likely they are to come out to another performance.
10.Build an e-mail list so you can keep fans up to date. Always bring a sign-up sheet
to shows. Have someone walk around the crowd and ask fans to sign up.
11.Play great music. You can think of as many gimmicks as you'd like, but the real
way to get fans is to give them what they want²music they love.
 


+ 
j When you're sick of the same old local dive bars
and want to spread your band's musical influence,
it may be time to hit the road.
1. A tour doesn't have to mean you pack up the van
and drive around the country for a month. You
 could simply take an extended weekend to play two or three cities in your general
area.
2. Be sure you schedule in enough time between shows to travel to your next
destination and settle in a bit.
3. A booking agent can be a great help in booking a successful tour. Or you can read
up on how to do it yourself.
4. Save money by staying with friends and relatives instead of in hotels.
5. A large tour is quite an undertaking. Be sure you're secure enough financially to
cover costs like hotel rooms, food, gas, and your rent while you're gone.
6. Many artists like to book college tours. College students are huge music fans and
often receptive audiences.
Ú It takes time to build up a rapport with enough colleges to book an entire
tour. You can go through organizations such as NACA, but they usually
require a significant fee.
7. Touring often can help you build a fan base in some new cities²and make you
money in the long run.
 


j Wouldn't it be a great feeling to hear your song played on the radio? Radio play is
another great way to spread the word and gain new fans. Although it's probably
out of your reach to get into regular rotation on a major radio station (most DJs
have little control over their playlist anyway), you can try targeting:
1. College radio
2. Indie/AM radio
3. Satellite radio
4. Shows featuring local artists
j Go to stations' websites to see if there are guidelines for submitting your demo.
Many major radio stations have a weekly program that features local artists. Get
in contact with the station of every college you are playing at (or near) if you are
about to embark on a tour. With a little effort, you may find yourself gracing
those airwaves soon enough.
 £,+ 

-

j Now that we've pretty much covered most of the fun stuff about being in a band,
it's time to talk business. While the business end of things may not be the most
entertaining aspect of being a musician, it is extremely important if you take
music seriously. If you feel there's something inherently wrong with taking fun
seriously, this may not be the section for you.
 [



j At some point in time, you may start to realize that your band duties are becoming
less manageable without some outside help. This is where managers and agents
can come into play.
j [
 help you organize your business affairs. Typically, they manage the
band's money and try to keep things running smoothly at all times. They are often
listed as the contact person in the press kit and will use any connections they may
have within the industry to hook the band up with opportunities (like recording
contracts). They will usually take a cut of around 10-15% of the band's earnings.
 j 
 book and help promote shows. They are responsible for all the details of a
performance and can organize and book tours. Typically, an agent will receive
around 10% of income from a gig (and from gigs only).
j Some notes about managers and agents:
4. You will want to sign a contract with a manager or agent so that both sides know
exactly what is expected of them. If you are uncomfortable with legalese, contact
a lawyer.
5. Many beginning bands hire a friend as a manager just to help keep them on task
and take care of the business side of things. Just be sure that whoever you hire is
trustworthy and enthusiastic about the band.
6. Hiring a professional manager or agent early in your band's career will often
require paying a fee, since you won't be making enough money to make it worth
their effort.
7. If you don't feel like you're ready for a manager, you can always try using
software such as Indie Band Manager and do it yourself.
 £

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j One of the best ways for a band to make a little extra cash is by selling your CD
and other merchandise.
1. Copyright your songs first. Though it does cost
money, it is an essential step in protecting your
creative work. Read Mahalo's guide to how to
copyright your music.
2. Have you ever heard the phrase, "you have to
spend money to make money?" In the case of
merchandise, this is true. Mass producing a CD or
getting T-shirts printed can be expensive, so you'll
want to make sure you have enough demand for a
bulk order.
3. Some sites like Cafepress and Zazzle allow you to
upload images onto merchandise that is made to
order. This allows you to avoid a large upfront
cost, but you'll probably make less money and
have to charge more for the merchandise. Also,
you won't have any physical merch to bring to
shows.
4. People like unique items. Besides T-shirts and CDs, put your band logo on
posters, flyers, mugs, keychains, bottle openers, or anything else you can think of.
5. Get reviewed. Getting a review of your CD or an article about your band in a
magazine, newspaper, or online can bring exposure and more sales.
6. Always bring merchandise to every show. You never know who will want a T-
shirt after the show, or who will really connect with that one song you play that's
on the CD.
7. Set up a store online.
Ú CD Baby is a low-cost way to sell your CDs online. Many independent
artists use the service, and they'll take care of shipping the CDs anywhere
 in the world. Also, their digital distribution deal allows you to sell music
on the iTunes Music Store and other music download services.
Ú You can use PayPal to accept payments through your website and ship
merchandise to fans yourself.
Ú There are several options (including selling directly through MySpace) for
bands to set up their own online merch store with various pricing schemes.
Do some research to find what works best for you.
 

£


j Getting signed used to be the holy grail of band accomplishments. But with the
Internet age allowing anyone to have global distribution and exposure for their
music, this isn't quite the case anymore. However, signing a record contract
usually means financial support that will allow you to record an album, distribute
it in stores, and go on tour to promote it.
j If you're thinking about trying to get signed, here are some things to consider.
2. Because of declining revenue from record sales, record companies are mostly
looking for bands that have already done most of their work for them. This means
they're looking for bands who already have a fan base, are playing regularly, and
are selling CDs and merchandise on their own.
3. The record business is just that²a business. This means your band is your
product and you must sell it to them. Music may be important, but they really
want to know that they can make money off of you.
4. There are hundreds of independent labels out there. Don't just sign a contract from
anybody²make sure it actually benefits you.
5. Take stock of your band. Are you commercially accessible? Do you have a
marketable image? Do you write "hit" songs? If not, hope is not lost, but you
should probably think about targeting indie labels that specialize in your style of
music instead of wasting your time with the "major" labels.
6. ind a label directory book or explore the web to find contact information for
different labels. Contact whoever is listed as "A&R."
7. Many record labels do not accept unsolicited demos. That means if you mail them
an unasked for press kit, they will just throw it out. Look into the label's
submission policy before you waste time and postage.
8. Êntertainment lawyers can be hired to shop your demo to their label contacts. This
will help you get around the solicitation policies.
9. Any time a contract is presented to you, 
î
 consult a lawyer. If you've seen
enough episodes of    
  you'll know that musicians are constantly
getting themselves into bad deals without even realizing it.
 !d



j When it comes down to it, a lot of musicians just want to make some money from
their craft, whether it's enough to live off of or just to cover some of the many
expenses of being in a band. Besides merchandise and shows, the best way to
make money is through publishing.
1. Publishing is a way for the songwriter (and only the songwriter) to make money
by "exploiting" their songs' copyright.
 2. Some ways of doing this include placing your music in films, television shows,
and commercials.
3. A publishing deal involves splitting royalties with a company who actively
exploits the copyright of your music. These companies usually have connections
to film and TV production companies.
4. Be careful of record deals (or any other deal) that asks you to sign away your
publishing rights. All that means is that the company will be able place your
music in commercials and movies while raking in all the money for themselves
while you don't see a dime.
5. Register your music with a performance rights organization such as ASCAP,
BMI, or SÊSAC. These companies distribute publishing royalties to songwriters.
 -

#
S


j Any time you're working on something as personal as music, it is inevitable that
conflict will arise. Luckily, this usually only entails a brief argument about the
structure of a song or the color of the logo. But sometimes conflict between band
members elevates to a point when something must be done.
j It's unfortunate, but many bands have to go through the painful process of kicking
a member out. You should think long and hard about this decision, as it can affect
your friendships with people you've grown very close to. Some legitimate reasons
to kick someone out include:
2. A lack of interest or difference in direction. If the band is becoming serious, all
members must be serious about it. If one member is in another place mentally
from the rest of the band or clearly doesn't agree with the direction things are
going in, it may be time to part ways. You can't afford to have one person holding
you back from your ambitions.
3. Serious personal conflicts. Sometimes people just don't get along. If it seems like
everyone is constantly ready to wring the neck of a certain member, the chemistry
just might not be there.
4. Drug or alcohol problems. Unfortunately, drugs and alcohol have broken up
countless bands in the past. Before kicking someone out for abusing substances,
however, you should make a good effort to help them. You could be saving their
life if they have a real problem.
j Just remember these things:
6. Always give them warning. Just like you wouldn't want to be fired from a job
without notice, it's only fair to give them a chance to clean up their act.
7. Be polite. There is such a thing as an amicable break-up. Do what you can to
avoid an angry argument that ends a friendship.
8. Keep it fair. If you're firing someone who has written songs for the band, they
have the right to receive royalties from sales of
albums with their songs on them. Always consider
what the member has contributed so that the
arrangement is fair when they leave the band.
 

 
j By now you probably have a good idea that being
in a band can be an incredibly complex thing.
 Members of successful bands have to put hours and hours of time into making
things run smoothly, and this page can only really scratch the surface of all the
different aspects. But when all is said and done, the real point of being in a band
is to have fun, no matter how serious or casual your band may be. Here are a few
final words of wisdom to remember:
1. Be very careful when signing 
 . Be wary of anything that asks you to sign
over your publishing or copyright privileges or any wording that may strike you
as odd. The general rule: read every word of every contract and hire an
entertainment lawyer if necessary.
2. Seeing any sort of success takes time. The music business is a tough industry to
break into, and it is filled with people who will try to take advantage of you. It's
also got plenty of cool people who are just like you, too!
3. Don't burn any bridges. You never know who may be in a position to help you
later, and ideally, music is supposed to be a community.
4. There are a lot of bands out there trying to do the same thing as you. Any way you
can make your band stand out is an advantage you have over everyone else.
Êmbrace it!
5. It's always good to weigh in on what other musicians are saying and doing to
advance their careers. There are some great resources online such as CD Baby's
advice section that allow you to check out some new ideas that you may never
have thought of.
6. Don't lose sight of the basics: great music, and great fun. If you're no longer
having fun, there's no shame in stopping. Besides, you can always start another
band.