Alright Google: How Do You Start A Band?

If you google “how do you start a band” there’s a very clear answer given. It’s not a good answer but its very clear.

Most artists (well, I suppose most people in general) are looking for clarity.  The path seems confusing, are things working or are they not working, is my music good, do people like me, what’s the proper next step…I NEED SOME CLARITY!!

But don’t be so romanced by clarity that you automatically believe it’s the right answer.

You and I both laugh to ourselves that Google would have a clear answer at the top of the page for the question of “How do you start a band?”…because we all know there is no real answer, it’s incredibly messy, there’s no formula, there’s no clarity.

So for someone to be excited that Google has a clear “answer”…the clarity they FEEL, in truth, got them nowhere.  They’re no better off.  Clarity was no good, even though that’s what so many think they’re after.

The answer to “How do you start a band?” isn’t answered with clarity, it’s answered experientially.

Rather than searching, hoping, praying for clarity…ask “What’s the next experience that I can participate in that will lead me to where I want to go?” (spoiler…there is no clear answer on Google…I checked).

In this case it’s the lack of clarity that makes spending time with the question valuable.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Here’s How Streaming Services Can Help Artists More

Artists should be able to see who users are listening to just before them and right after, so artists can get insight into what artists people relate to them, and perhaps what triggers someone to listen to them.  

It could set up some pretty fantastic touring packages too.  If artists A finds out that lots of people are listening to artist B just before them, it’s likely a tour of A and B would be pretty great.

Artists should be able to see how much of songs their listeners are listening to.  Are people really listening to the first song on the album or are they only listening to the first 10secs because it’s first on the list and then jumping to something else.

Better geographic detail of listeners.

What time of the day people are listening to which songs.

Integrate the touring section with the streaming data.  After you play Chicago is there a spike in streaming there? Or maybe there’s a spike in Chicago leading up to the show because your team worked hard on tour press?

All this data is there. We all know it is. Streaming companies are already using it for marketing, ads, building playlists, etc…artists should have access too.

p.s. I can’t back this up, but I would argue that artists getting this information could be more valuable than begging the streaming services for a better royalty rate.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Triggering On Stage

When you’re on stage and the thought occurs to you “this show isn’t going well”, what is your reaction? What does that thought trigger?

Singing louder?

Getting pissed?

Going nuts?

Standing still?

Checking out?

Speeding the song up?

Getting mad at the keys player for not hitting the right part…even though it was three songs ago?

Telling yourself the audience just sucks, writing them off?

Some of these aren’t totally off the mark, but typically their laced with a lot of fear and a reactionary attitude.  Typically all of the responses above are that persons version of freaking out.


I think you can do better. I think you should start replacing what the “this isn’t going well” thought is triggering.

I know I know, every audience is different so making a plan is impossible.

But make a plan anyway.

And by make a plan I mean start giving yourself some new triggers.  Some things that lead you to take responsibility for the show rather than dodging it.

Here’s some ideas that I’ve seen work in the “this show isn’t going well” situation…

Tell a good story

Break a song down and build for a long time to a climax

Go into the crowd

Change the setlist, play a slammer

Make a legit reference to the city you’re in


Figure it out. What’s worked for you in the past? Whats show you can think of where you turned it around after it wasn’t going well? What did you embrace and carry out in order to do that?

The thought “this show isn’t going well” is going to happen to you…what response do you want that thought to trigger?

p.s. You’re right…there’s only so much you can do.

But before you go there, take out the word ‘only’…there’s so much you can do.



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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Adapt And Implement

One of the reasons its a very good idea to get out there and play a couple hundred shows as soon as possible is because there’s a very good chance it will increase your ability and willingness to adapt, to implement new things in a short amount of time, to let your intuition mature.

And this opens up possibilities.

Because when you’re 200 shows in and then it’s time to play some bigger high profile stuff, the process of maximizing those shows’ effectiveness is a LOT of tiny little tweaks.

Important tweaks, tweaks you have to remember.  Important tweaks that have to look natural to the audience at a minimum, but it would be best if they actually ARE natural.

If you’re a new band, its a good idea to simply practice implementing new things to shows. Even if they’re not home run ideas. Even if it’s little things. It’ll exercise that muscle that becomes good at doing new things, which will need to be strong if you want to be a big act.

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Humans Love Seeing Other Humans

Humans love going to see other humans.  It’s been happening forever.

Something so ingrained, so time tested that its easily forgotten and overlooked.

But if you and your show can be the humans other humans want to see, you’ve tapped into the thing that doesn’t go away.

And more specific to entertainment…

Humans love to watch humans act out and tell a story.  This type of thing goes back a bazillion years.  Look it up.

So it’s simple…Are you telling a story where you are the people other people want to come and see? 

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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Things That Cause An Artist To Feel Good 2

Applause

A confident photographer/director

Pre-selling out the shows

Getting paid on time

Getting a swift, clear explanation/resolution when there’s confusion about what you just got paid

Going back and selling out the first venue you played to 3 people

Not having to pay for guitar strings

When a fan wants a picture with you…not the whole band.

Encouragement from a respected source

p.s. As you are in the position to make these things happen for others, do it. Even if you’re not thanked, the artist will be thankful.


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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com