getting noticed

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 12:25 am

im kinda new to this whole band thing...
but is it hard to get noticed ??
and how do you get your music out there to people that actually count
e.g radio stations, MTV, channel V etc ?
is it tru that radio stations who recive demo tracks just throw them away ?

plz help very lost :s

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 4:27 am

It's all relative - what one person tells you is gospel (for them) may not apply to you at all - but here are a few things I've picked up that may help.

1. Product - It's all about good songs - and if you want them to be played on the radio - make sure they are of broadcast quality (ie. the right volume, mastered, mixed etc...) Although a good song will shine regardless of production - when you deal with radio - they often confuse the sound quality with the writing ability.

2. MTV and most of the big internaitonal outfits are pretty much a closed shop - They prefer to deal with someone they've dealt with before and unless you can get someone inside into your tunes, it's pretty much impossible to break in without a deal or representation (doesn't have tp be a big deal)

3. It's like snowballs and banking - when you need the help noone wants to know but once one bit of the industry notices you - they all want a piece. It's getting that first step that takes the work

3. It's a business - save the attitude for the stage - they're looking to invest and need to feel you understand enough about the real world to turn up on time, deliver product on time, ie...be professional. All those crazy antics you see on TV are kept well away from contract negotiations. If you are proper rock and roll - get a manger who isn't!

4. If you can't describe what you do in a few sentences - how are they going to get you and then sell you?

5. All of the above may not be true at all - passion, hardwork, selfbelief and GOOD SONGS will get you there eventually.

(P.S. Don't hold out for a deal assuming everything will change once your signed - if you cant get your sound sorted on a budget - you wn't with millions. if you can't organise yourself to get to a pub gig, you won't when it's a serious money deal, and if you don't enjoy it now - you never will!)

Here endeth the lecture

Ominus Dominus Patrus Intravenus etc etc etc....

Practical advice

Get on Pure volume, Myspace and UBW.
Get you friends to listen to your tracks online. Spread the word anyway you can.
Get a website up.
Sending demos is part of the daily grind - yes alot get binned but if you shoot no hoops, you score no baskets,
Find a promoter (local), get to know him - you need to be able to bring people to gigs for them to make money so get some fans - from wherever you can - family....friends....phone books.
Set up a txt network.
Make sure you gigs are listed in local press -it's free but they need a good months notice.
Enjoy yourself - you're living the dream son! Wink

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 5:49 am

thanks for the help, i appreciate it and well im only 13 so i got a long way to go

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 3:27 pm

I like that. phone books. Sounds like good advice to anyone!

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 5:55 pm

I like what Soulfish wrote.. I think more you stick with it for example ( put your music on websites,send songs to college radio stations etc) you'll be able to develop a buzz

Its a hard industry like anything. You have to love it and stick with it. Good songs definilty help but its really about networking.. its who you know and who can put your music in the right hands...

I think its important to have a good marketing skeme as well.. reallly creat a buzz about your band.. promoting (mag,radio stations,internet) when you have a big show coming up for example a cd release show. Amazon Blonde just recently had a our cd rlse party we made it a huge event.. postcards, invites, huge posters=the place was packed..and other bands start talking about you " that band so and so really had alot of people there" thats a start to getting the name out there.. If you bust your ass and act bigger than you are.. people start noticing..

Stick with it you'll be glad you did
Look into the Indie Bible too Smile

getting noticed

UBW Resources

Music Forums

Music Forums

Partners