With my recent band change, it got me to realising that bands are businesses in disguise. When you get past the initial line up, songlist & performance issues, you then have the hard part.
So I thought I'd start this thread for people to share their hints & tips on anything from keeping harmony within the band, to how to get the killer gig!
Issues that I can think of are....stagecraft, recording, management, promoters, photos, publicity material, gig sources, vehicles, insurance, equipment maintenance, PA requirements, lighting, man management, roadies, additional duties for band members, time management (something that as you know, I'm pretty poor at!)....& probably a hundred others.
Starting a band
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tony_carey
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Starting a band
'Rickenbacker'...what a name! After all these years, it still thrills me.
Holy cow! One thing at a time, please. I've never played in a band that had to tackle all that at once. In fact, one band I've been in for 20 years has never had to deal with half of that stuff, like managers, insurance, and lighting. And we are a regionally recognized group.
First things, first. And that would be focusing on your music. Get that down, get arrangements polished, and then think about establishing a local reputation and fan base next.
JimK
First things, first. And that would be focusing on your music. Get that down, get arrangements polished, and then think about establishing a local reputation and fan base next.
JimK
Well, again i cannot be helpful i'm afraid. From my experience, starting a band is no problem... going on is a different thing. All bands i was in (including one "virtual band") started well, with lots of enthusiasm and plans, but didn't get anywhere & remained "plans and dreams" - maybe there's something wrong with me? 
Nothing will get you dead quicker than being deadly serious about yourself.
Tony,
The very first thing that you need (I do mean you in the strictest sense) is a business plan. You have to aim your focus squarely at your target market and create a product that is designed to sell sell sell.
Everyone who is in business needs a business plan. No matter whether your ideas are big or small.
The very first thing that you need (I do mean you in the strictest sense) is a business plan. You have to aim your focus squarely at your target market and create a product that is designed to sell sell sell.
Everyone who is in business needs a business plan. No matter whether your ideas are big or small.
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
"You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother" - Albert Einstein
I know a cheap roadie..... I believe he lives in Yorkshire and works for Guinness.
Oh..... there's another one in Oz and he comes at the same price - with the odd Otter thrown in!
That's a huge list to contend with, Tony. Assuming that the other band members have 'day jobs' and perhaps families as well I would say that setting a schedule of regular practice sessions and rehearsals is pretty important but you've probably taken care of it in the 'time management' category.
I'm constantly frustrated by the unavailability of the other members of my band for practice but that's my problem - they have more things to deal with in their lives that I do!
Oh..... there's another one in Oz and he comes at the same price - with the odd Otter thrown in!
That's a huge list to contend with, Tony. Assuming that the other band members have 'day jobs' and perhaps families as well I would say that setting a schedule of regular practice sessions and rehearsals is pretty important but you've probably taken care of it in the 'time management' category.
I'm constantly frustrated by the unavailability of the other members of my band for practice but that's my problem - they have more things to deal with in their lives that I do!
"Never eat more than you can lift." - Mr. Moon
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tony_carey
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Vehicles: an insulated trailer is a very handy addition, particularly if a member has a garage to park it in after a long night.
As far as set up & tear down are concerned, finding what everyone prefers to tackle & 'assigning' them that task seems to keep the work flow balanced, things moving along, & confusion to a minimum.
Equipment maintenance should be a shared expense, & also the work should be shared as much as possible.
There are usually one or two who don't mind this stuff & are reasonably good at it (not to mention having the appropriate tools).
On stage it's best to keep the pauses between songs to a minimum, or at least have someone fill the void with some witty banter with the audience (this takes some talent!).
No one wants to pay to see a band stand around deciding what the next song will be!
Lighting effects really have a large impact for relatively little investment & effort. It doesn't have to be spectacular to leave a big impression on the crowd. A nice clean backdrop helps the whole atmosphere. Throw in a little fog machine action for spice.
As far as business goes, I don't know s#!t.
I'm no expert, & this is all just from personal experience.
One of the most important thing outside of the actual playing is spreading of responsibility, IMHO.
If one or two guys are doing all the work & paying for all the gas, gear, promo stuff, etc. pretty soon there will be some tension, and that will kill any band eventually.
We all have other responsibilities & interests, but a good band is like a good marriage. Everyone has to do their share.
As far as set up & tear down are concerned, finding what everyone prefers to tackle & 'assigning' them that task seems to keep the work flow balanced, things moving along, & confusion to a minimum.
Equipment maintenance should be a shared expense, & also the work should be shared as much as possible.
There are usually one or two who don't mind this stuff & are reasonably good at it (not to mention having the appropriate tools).
On stage it's best to keep the pauses between songs to a minimum, or at least have someone fill the void with some witty banter with the audience (this takes some talent!).
No one wants to pay to see a band stand around deciding what the next song will be!
Lighting effects really have a large impact for relatively little investment & effort. It doesn't have to be spectacular to leave a big impression on the crowd. A nice clean backdrop helps the whole atmosphere. Throw in a little fog machine action for spice.
As far as business goes, I don't know s#!t.
I'm no expert, & this is all just from personal experience.
One of the most important thing outside of the actual playing is spreading of responsibility, IMHO.
If one or two guys are doing all the work & paying for all the gas, gear, promo stuff, etc. pretty soon there will be some tension, and that will kill any band eventually.
We all have other responsibilities & interests, but a good band is like a good marriage. Everyone has to do their share.
Plus five minus five!
Thanks, Tony, it's good to be back...at my age, it's good to be anywhere.
With my recent employment change, I may have more opportunities to contribute to this thread, and I'm seriously preparing to launch one or more of my band 'ideas', so I'll be able to share with you everything I step in on the Road To Success...
With my recent employment change, I may have more opportunities to contribute to this thread, and I'm seriously preparing to launch one or more of my band 'ideas', so I'll be able to share with you everything I step in on the Road To Success...
I didn't get where I am today by being on time...
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tony_carey
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My band is brand new, and we're tackling originals. The other guitarist and I are the self-proclaimed "Lennon & McCartney" of the group. We meet once a week (sometimes twice since he lives 1/2 mile away) and write and arrange the songs. Then we teach them to the others, either by playing or with chord charts.
We have a full size piece of scratch paper on which we've drawn a "table" of all our songs. The first column is all the song titles. The 2nd-6th columns house checkmarks once the songs are "jams" "lyrics" "arranged" "polished" and "rehearsed." We try to keep the difference in checkmarks to a minimum. For example, if three songs are "polished" and two songs are only "jams" then we know it's time to write some lyrics. It really saves a lot of time when deciding what to work on that day.
Once a song has made it to the "arranged" section, we bring it to the whole band, and usually their fresh ideas will spark the "polished" process, where we add in the odd bar or drop a weird beat to give it some more flavor. Five heads are better than two!
Make sure everyone knows what everyone's strengths and weaknesses are. I know I sound all businessy now, but it works. Utilize the strengths and either build or avoid the weaknesses. And always always always remember, it's just music, so be very patient, take on the challenge of accepting others' ideas even when they don't seem like the best one (because often they're right!) and have fun once the work's done.
We have a full size piece of scratch paper on which we've drawn a "table" of all our songs. The first column is all the song titles. The 2nd-6th columns house checkmarks once the songs are "jams" "lyrics" "arranged" "polished" and "rehearsed." We try to keep the difference in checkmarks to a minimum. For example, if three songs are "polished" and two songs are only "jams" then we know it's time to write some lyrics. It really saves a lot of time when deciding what to work on that day.
Once a song has made it to the "arranged" section, we bring it to the whole band, and usually their fresh ideas will spark the "polished" process, where we add in the odd bar or drop a weird beat to give it some more flavor. Five heads are better than two!
Make sure everyone knows what everyone's strengths and weaknesses are. I know I sound all businessy now, but it works. Utilize the strengths and either build or avoid the weaknesses. And always always always remember, it's just music, so be very patient, take on the challenge of accepting others' ideas even when they don't seem like the best one (because often they're right!) and have fun once the work's done.