When artists go to market their next thing, be it a record, show, a vote-for-us thing, the message is usually pretty clear. That is, the artist says “I need you…”.
But with how easy faux marketing has become on the internet, “I need you” has turned into meaning “We want anyone”.
Your music is not for everyone. It is definitely for some.
Do and say things that are so specifically relevant for the people you NEED, that it further turns off the ANYONE.
I’m stunned at the array of places the music business has taken me.
The life you have in the this business is going to take you some interesting places. A handful of times per year you will find yourself playing a gig in an awful place. Dingy, depressing, in the sticks, terrible system, terrible people, no people, lots of people/no security.
We all have our war stories.
And then a handful of times per year you wind up in amazing places you could have never guessed playing music would bring you to.
Places that are off limits or at least out of the realm of possibility for anyone in any other profession other than music. Beautiful cities and buildings. The country side and a wide expanse of nothingness in all it’s natural glory.
The music business is a wild place. Cherish the good nights.
It’s CMA week here in Nashville. The awards were last night, I didn’t go. But I did go to an after party.
It was wild downtown. I swear, countless middle-aged men had spiky hair with frosted tips DYING to be mistaken for Gary LeVox…the Rascal Flatts guy.
At these after parties, whatever record label is hosting the party, a few of their acts will play a handful of songs, and the crowd is a mix of industry people and tourists who wait in line forever to get in.
The band I went to see, The Railers, were first. They’re a new country band with lots talent from lots of years of experience. You do the math.
Everything was really great, but there was a subtle little thing they did that only pros would think about (or not think about it at all, but just do it instinctively).
Jordan sings bgv’s and plays a bunch of instruments all throughout the show. He’s lined up right on the front of the stage equal with the lead singer and bgv/percussionist. So right in the stage lights where everyone can see him.
But part way through their third song he disappeared from the front of the stage and went and hung out in the darkness with the drummer and bass player.
At first I just thought, oh right on, he’s just takin a stroll for a bit.
But as the bridge of the song approached, it made sense why we walked toward the back of the stage for a minute.
So he could walk forward.
When it was time for him to solo.
So that when it came time, he could re-insert himself into the front of the stage and make his grand entrance back into the bright lights as he started his solo. It worked. The people cheered.
Would they have cheered otherwise? Maybe. It doesn’t matter.
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In a live show, creating a temporary void, an empty space, taking something away, removing a constant, can be really powerful and a great way to call more attention to it when reasserted.
Being on the road is a lot more boring than most people think. You know what I’m talking about.
You’ve heard everyone’s stories, you know about your bandmates weird fears, what they like to eat after the gig, their past lovers, their current predicament.
You need fresh.
If you haven’t jumped into podcast world, it’s a must. Great dialogue, which creates great conversation afterwards.
I was on vacation last week at the beach and here’s what I saw.
People taking pictures.
In a lot of the same places.
Here’s the thing: If you build something big and symmetrical, people will come and take pictures in front of, next to, on top of, inside of, or beneath it. (giant doorways, Eiffel Tower, the beach, a flag, a bridge, a castle, a staircase, a tunnel)
Nobody builds the thing and then has a sign next to it that says “come take pictures here, they’ll look cool”. People just do.
You know what else people just do: dance when there’s confetti, are impressed by high notes and low notes, clap easier at 130 BPM, feel special when you look them in the eyes, want to trust a lead singer, want to smooch the guitar player, remember a stage dive, remember a failed stage dive….the list goes on…
You barely even have to point people to these things, you just have to create them and the people will do the rest.
It’s no mistake that most of the pictures I saw getting taken last week were taken where they were. The beach gods knew it would happen.
It should be no mistake what most people talk about when they leave your show.
I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com
