Week 49 - Your Stage Self

 (This is Week 49  of my Fifty-Two Weeks of Music Do-It-Yourself advice)

Hi, I’m a Rock Star.
Who The Hell Are You?

Do you have a pitch? Do you know how you’re going to present yourself? Do you know how you’re going to act on stage? There is a persona. There is an “other person” you can sink your soul into when you hit that stage and those can lights shine down on you. You just need to find it.

The best performers I have seen live are the ones who flip a switch when they get on stage. They aren’t the same person I was chatting with 10 minutes before the show. And you know what? A crowd digs that. They feed off of it. They fall for that persona.

Kimberly Freeman, who performs as “One-Eyed Doll” is a prime example. She is the nicest person you could ever meet, gentle, happy, and lovable. Then she hits stage and she transforms into an anime-esque guitar slinger who acts as the leader of a legion of metal-punk-black lipped-rejected kids. If you’ve never seen her show, treat yourself. You’ll love it or hate it. 

Here’s a glimpse:

Of course, sometimes it’s the opposite. Edwin McCain is one of the funniest musicians I’ve ever talked to. When he launches into a song, though, you’re taken to another place. He presents a place of love, a place of loss, a place where he poetically and beautifully weaves in and out of personal stories. 

Then there are the ones who create a spectacle every time they hit the stage: GWAR, KISS, Black Veil Brides (who bear a striking resemblance to Mötley Crüe a la “Looks That Kill”), Alice Cooper, or Rammstein.

And the ones who play up their looks to gain attention: Backstreet Boys, Ashlee Simpson, Shakira, Ke$ha, Usher, or Bon Jovi.

Who are you? Think about it. Be yourself is a good thing. But you need to find the “yourself” that you can amp up a few notches in order to get that crowd going. You need to be the best yourself on your best day every time you hit that stage.

Believe me, I know how hard it is to get up on stage. I’ve done it a few times. Of course, for me I have a much more forgiving crowd. I sing in my church praise band. I know... it’s not the same… but when I first got on stage, it was really, really hard. I’ve been at it for over a year and I’m just now getting comfortable enough to move around and have fun. But… I don’t consider myself an indie musician. I sing in church. I’m not making any money, trying to cut an album, trying to get media to notice me, or trying to make this a career. You are.

Think about it. Would you rather go see your friend that you just had lunch with walk up on stage and perform the same way he acted while eating that burger and fries… or do you want him to rock out and get into his set? I know when I see a band perform; I’m as interested in the music as I am in the actual performance.

I’ve seen a lot of bands. More than most people. I remember a few. Very few.

The Top 10 live shows I’ve attended:

Image from Ask.com

- U2 – Pop Mart Tour (San Antonio, TX) 1997

Bono and Co. won me over with an AMAZING performance. I tried to hate the show because I really, really didn’t like their new music, but it was amazing.

- Grupo Fantasma – Triple Crown (San Marcos, TX) 2004

Picture an 11 piece (at least) band fit into the front of a single-wide trailer. That was pretty much what they looked like on stage (and pouring over into the front half) of the Triple Crown. They impressed the hell out of me and the 40-50 people who fit into the club. Now, they are Grammy Award Winners.

- One-Eyed Doll – Texas Rockfest (Austin, TX) 2008

I’d seen One-Eyed Doll on the smaller stages and she impressed, but this was a big crowd and she commanded it. It was amazing to watch. I posted a video from that performance where I mentioned her above.

- Darrell Scott – Cactus Café (Austin, TX) 2006 

He is one of the most amazing singer-songwriters ever and watching him perform is like seeing a glimpse of genius.

- Hank Williams III – Stubbs (Austin, TX) 2006 

I’d just finished interviewing him and he strolled onto the small stage at Stubbs and tore up 3 sets worth of material – A country set, hellblly set, and punk set. Amazing.

Edwin McCain w/ my wife, Jodie and I

- Edwin McCain – One World Theatre (Austin, TX) 2009 

It was like sitting in the living room and listening to a friend, except the friend would break into amazing and beautiful songs.

- Terri Hendrix – Cheatham Street Warehouse (San Marcos, TX) 2000 

A Terri Hendrix Show will change your attitude. You can walk in pissed off and walk out loving the world. She is a poet, a beautiful person, and a dedicated and amazing musician.

- Loblolly – Gordo’s (San Marcos, TX) 1998 

These guys were Redneck Punk at it’s finest. Songs like “Going To Jail (To Visit Dad),” “Love Is A Horse,” and “White Trash America” and a band that included a washboard player, a drummer named Mojo, and a lead vocalist that would spend the last song stripped down to his underwear and wearing a Tweetybird head. They were my favorite college band.

- Monte Montgomery – Gruene Hall (Gruene, TX) 1997 

Technically this was my wife and I’s first date, but it was masqueraded as work. We got in free w/media passes and I took photos and got mesmerized by the amazing guitar work and lyrics of this man. This is one of the reasons his “Girl Like You” is my wife and I’s wedding song.

Full Service @ Backwoods Bash

- Full Service – Backwoods Bash Music Festival @ ThunderMoon Ranch (Mannford, OK) 2008 

They drove up from Austin, Texas on my word that they’d have a great time and played the first ever Backwoods Bash… and it was epic. You had to be there. This video I got doesn’t really do it justice. 

Don’t get me wrong, I would probably list out another 10 easily, but these shows, to me, were them performing as their best selves on their best day. Impressed the heck out of me.

I don’t care how personable and easy going a person looks up there on stage, they’ve worked at that banter, they’ve rehearsed the stories, they know what they are doing up there. There is no room for “um” moments and there’s no use in getting up on a stage and trying to entertain if you look, dress, and sound like you’d rather be at home playing Madden 2012.

Of course, I’ve stated this before on this blog. I’m writing this assuming you are a good band who plays music people will WANT to hear and you’re trying to make music your full-time occupation. This column is just to try and give you some advice to get to that next level.

So, figure out who you are… and who you will be on stage. It matters.

Sean Claes is the owner of Austin's INsite Magazine and has been a freelance entertainment writer since 1996. For an introduction to his "52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice" visit this link - http://www.tinyurl.com/Claes52DIY. If you like what you read... please share. To visit Claes' homepage, go here - http://www.seanclaes.com/. 

Week 48: Which Comes First?

So, I took 2 weeks off… I’ve been busy being sick. Instead of writing the column, I’ve been sleeping. It’s amazing what sleeping for 8 hours a night for a few nights can do for you.

---

 (This is Week 48  of my Fifty-Two Weeks of Music Do-It-Yourself advice)

Which Comes First, The Gig or the CD?

About a month ago, a question was posed to me from a friend of mine, who happens to be a guitarist, Sonny Bihl. The question? Well, it’s the subject of my new column.
The question: Which do you recommend…

1. Getting a band together, playing shows, garnering fans, build from live shows?
   or
2. Getting a band together, get a Website, market online, record a CD or EP, and mass promote all before the first show?

If there was a mixture of the two, I’d probably go there. But I’ll pick apart both scenarios as I see them.

Play Live First
I think this is the direction most bands take. You get yourself 3 or 4 other folks together and jam in a garage or practice space for a few weeks and then take your show to a bar or club. If you’re lucky, one will let you play there on a weeknight for a few months.

If you do your homework, promote the shows, get fans to sign up for your email list, and create a bankable draw (meaning the bar doesn’t lose money on you) you can ask for a weekend show opening for a bigger band. The more fans you get, the more clubs will want you to play there, and the more money you may make.
Pro:

• You’re honing your stage presence and that will take you far.
• The more you play live, the tighter and better the band will sound.
• You are getting the band’s name out there and, if you’re worthwhile, creating a buzz
• Earning $$ that can be used to record debut CD, which you’ll have a demand for when done.

Con:

• You may have begun playing before you have actually arrived at the sound you’d like your band to have, which means the shows will be rough.
• If you aren’t giving people anything to walk away with. How are they going to remember you?
• If you don’t have a Website, Facebook page, Twitter account, Google+ for the band… how are people hearing about you?

Overall, this isn’t a bad direction to take. The more you play live, the more comfortable the band will be together and as long as you’re looking longer term and looking at actually making it, you’ll be releasing a full-length CD within a year of forming the band.

Produce A Record First
If you have OCD or was a perfectionist, I’d imagine this is the route you’d want to take as a musician. I’ve known a few bands that go this route as well and it’s not a bad one. What you do is assemble your band, work in the studio for a few months until you have an album together, then produce it, print it, and use that as your calling card to get bigger gigs and to have merchandise at the shows.

While you’re in the studio, you’re also establishing a Facebook, Twitter, Website, and using other outlets to start a buzz about your band.


Since you already recorded the songs, the band should be tighter from the get-go and the sound of your band will be established. With a CD you can pitch your band to bigger-named acts and perhaps get to open for them.

Pro:

• Having a CD shows you’re a serious band, one a booking agent can bank on being around for a while.
• You have something to give or sell to people at shows.
• You will have had time to get to know your band, so you’re going to be more comfortable playing with them.

Con:

• You are going to try and sell a product having never played live, meaning you probably won’t sound great those first few shows.
• If any of the band members quits, that CD is not representative of your band.
• The money for the recording has to come directly out of pocket.

A Little of Both
My recommendation would be this… Once you get your band together and settle on a name, publish it. Make a Facebook account, twitter account, link to it from your personal accounts, invite your friends.

Then, start working on your sound. If you have one track in particular that you think it a good one, record it. Get some of your music out there.

When you’ve got a 30-45 minute set down and you think you’ve got a solid band together, hit up a few clubs. Maybe you have a few friends in bands that play at the club you’re hoping to gig at. Call them up, see if they’ll vouch for you and see if you can get a spot opening up for them.

When you play your first few shows, be sure and give away that track to anyone and everyone… include it as a free download if people sign up for your mailing list, or hand them an actual CD with it burned onto it. Make sure they leave knowing who they just saw play. There are millions of bands in the world… and you are just one. Make sure you are the one they think of when they wake up the next day.

Make sure you’re collecting e-mails for your mailing list and using all the social media outlets you can to reach new fans and keep existing ones informed.

Once you’ve got a few shows under your belt, you know how a crowd is responding to your sound. You have a better idea of which songs work and which songs don’t… you can use the crowds in the early shows as a test group for your music. If you have their butts shaking, you win… if you have their butts moving towards the door… consider revising the song.

After playing for a few months, you’ll have a good idea of what to record, and if you’ve been a smart band you’ve saved a little bit of money as well. Use the money to record the debut CD.

Once your CD is done, you should have a decent sized mailing list and a good amount of friends on Facebook and Twitter…. It’s time to have a CD release show.


Rinse and repeat if necessary.

Sean Claes is the owner of Austin's INsite Magazine and has been a freelance entertainment writer since 1996. For an introduction to his "52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice" visit this link - http://www.tinyurl.com/Claes52DIY. If you like what you read... please share. To visit Claes' homepage, go here - http://www.seanclaes.com/. 

Week 47 - Ian Moore

 (This is Week 47  of my Fifty-Two Weeks of Music Do-It-Yourself advice)

An interview with the amazing Ian Moore.

There are very few artists I can think of that have walked away from a major label and recreated themselves into what they desired to become, musically, and been successful.

Ian Moore is the textbook definition of DIY.

He began his career as an Austin-based blues axeman who was being poised to be the next Stevie Ray Vaughan. One small problem... he didn't WANT to be the next Stevie Ray Vaughan. 

So, after two successful blues-rock albums on Capicorn Records (1993's Ian Moore and 1995's Modern Day Folklore) he walked away from the label and started crafting his own sound on his terms. And the world is better for it.

This week, my column is going to be dedicated to Ian Moore, whom I interviewed for INsite Magazine.

Read the interview here: insiteaustin.com

And if you're in Austin, come out TONIGHT (9/6/11) to The Scoot Inn to see him play with his current outfit, Ian Moore and the Lossy Coils.

Sean Claes is the owner of Austin's INsite Magazine and has been a freelance entertainment writer since 1996. For an introduction to his "52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice" visit this link - http://www.tinyurl.com/Claes52DIY. If you like what you read... please share. To visit Claes' homepage, go here - http://www.seanclaes.com/. 

Week 45: Promote From Your Phone

 (This is Week 45  of my Fifty-Two Weeks of Music Do-It-Yourself advice)

 

Is That A Promotional Tool in Your Pocket?

 

Hey, got a Smartphone? Pick it up and look at it. Do you know you’re holding what could be the center of your band’s promotional efforts? With what you’re holding you can e-mail, call, surf the web, and interact with the world at large, or just one person at the tap of a screen.

Confession time. I just joined the ranks of the iPhone, so I’m pretty new at this. And yes, “Angry Birds” was the first app I downloaded. But, I quickly realized that this is a much bigger animal than an app about flinging birds at pigs and monkeys. PLUS, it has some great social and promotional tools. So, I’m dedicating this week’s column to a few thought on how you can make that phone work for you.

NOTE: All of these things are free, or included with your service plan (provided you have a data package and unlimited texting…which I think I may be one of the last people in the world to get).

5 Things You Can Do To Promote
Your Music from Your Phone

1. Store Media contacts and USE them – yes, you can store thousands of phone numbers on that little device, but do you use them to promote yourself? Shoot a text to the writer at the local newspaper/magazine/entertainment blog when you release a new song or have a show… or just to tell them you enjoyed their review of Dog Face Cow’s new album. Tip: ALWAYS include your name and band name.

2. Use Gowalla and FourSquare – When you’re doing band things, “check in” on one of the apps that let people know where you are and what you’re doing. If you’re checking out another band.. share the love.. and share the pictures too.

You may even use one of these for promotions. “Anyone who is coming to the show and checks in here can get $1 off cover if they show the doorman when paying.”

3. Photos – Use them, take them, and encourage them. When you’re at a show, take photos and post them to your Facebook page, Twitter account, Flickr… anywhere you can. I use a free app called Instagram (the “free” version of the popular Hipstamatic). It takes “square” photos and gives you the option of posting it to Twitter, Facebook, Email, Flickr, Tumblr, Foursquare, and Posterous. I don’t use all of these... but if you did.. it’s one stop-shopping.

4. Play Games – I’m currently playing “Words With Friends” and “Hanging With Friends” with members of several Austin bands. It‘s fun, it’s relaxing, and it’s keeping me top of mind with these bands. Nobody has pitched anything to me while playing, they’ve shot me some Facebook invites (like every other band that’s vying for my time out there) and you know what? I read theirs. Why? Because we have a bigger connection than an ominous e-mail or Event Listing. I play Hangman with them. Yes, on the surface it seems trite, but think about it. If you had the ability to play a game with your fans one on one… and it brought them closer to your music… would you?

5. Is there an App for that? – I have seen a few bands that have their own apps. So, I googled and found a few companies who do this service, there’s Mobbase, who has, among others, a Rebelution app, Mobile Roadie, who handles the likes of Train and Xenodium has several bands represented on their “Artist” page. I used Xenodium to create a version of what an app for my fictitious band Dog Face Cow could look like.

I didn’t get a Smartphone for a long time because I thought it was too expensive. I still think paying over $100 for a phone is robbery, but I’m doing my best to make things happen to allow it to earn it’s keep. Now, I just came up with 5 things you could do. I’ll bet you could come up with 20 more. If you do, let me know. Oh, and if you friend me on Facebook, you can challenge me to Words with Friends and Hanging With Friends. As long as you’re not Dave Madden or Twinky P (from Full Service)… I think I have a shot at beating you.

Sean Claes is the owner of Austin's INsite Magazine and has been a freelance entertainment writer since 1996. For an introduction to his "52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice" visit this link - http://www.tinyurl.com/Claes52DIY. If you like what you read... please share. To visit Claes' homepage, go here - http://www.seanclaes.com/. 

Week 42: Where Are You Headed?

(This is Week 42 of my Fifty-Two Weeks of Music Do-It-Yourself Music advice)

Know Where You’ll Be

In case you don’t know me, I support local music. I really am a fan of homegrown talent. Luckily, I live near Austin, Texas so it’s pretty easy to find good music (although I’ll admit there is A LOT of music I wouldn’t want to hear again that I’ve heard in Austin). Sometimes bands and entertainers make it harder than it should be to support them though.

One thing could make it much easier. This is the subject of this week’s message. Know your schedule. If you’re gigging, know where you’ll be next. It’s pretty simple. Like I’ve said many times before, music is your job. Treat it as such. Know your work hours.

Now, I’ve had two separate instances happen this week that made me want to write about this subject. 

The Facebook Music Share Incident

I’m a member of the Facebook group “I Support ATX Hip-Hop. Do You?” There’s a member who posts songs, videos, and the like almost every day to promote himself. That’s great. I finally asked him where he played so I might be able to catch his performance. His response was “anywhere that pays.” I still don’t know where he actually performs. Promoting your music doesn’t work too well if you can’t tell someone where they can go to support you. 

Roots and Branches of Americana Taping

Tuesday night I was invited to be a member of the audience of a live-broadcast radio show. It was New Braunfels radio station KNBT’s Roots and Branches of Americana, hosted by Ray Wylie Hubbard. The set-up is, there are 2-3 performers who sit up on stage, perform a few songs and in between Hubbard interviews them. Pretty simple.

One of the performers did a song and afterwards, Hubbard asked him where he was playing next. He didn’t know. I looked him up (because I recorded 2 videos of him and wanted to get the song names), come to find out he’s got 9 gigs in the next 3 weeks, and one of them is in the town where the radio station broadcasts out of. You know, KNBT is a REALLY big deal in Americana music circles. This is where many artists consider having gotten their start. All this is to say, it’s not a Podunk radio station in a town where nobody is listening. If you get a chance to be on the show KNOW WHERE YOU’RE PLAYING NEXT.

Now, I’m not saying anything negative about the music.  I loved all three performers from the Roots and Branches gig (walked away with 2 autographed CDs, including the person I mentioned above) and I’m sure the Hip-Hop guy would be great live. That isn’t the issue. My issue is, nobody is going to be able to see you live if YOU don’t know when you’ll be playing.

These are just two examples of things that I saw this week. It happens more than you know. Musicians on every step of the fame ladder fault at this one, so to the two I mention above, just know you’re not alone. But, as a professional, it is something that should be second nature to you. You should always know where your next few gigs are going to be. ESPECIALLY if you’re doing a radio show.

Eh... saw this and thought I'd share.

Week 41: Standing Out or Outstanding?

(This is Week 41 of my Fifty-Two Weeks of Music Do-It-Yourself Music advice)

Mike Truth and the Replacement Killers - Stood out.. and were outstanding.
They are no longer playing together though.

Let me first state something that I’ve stated a few times before, but I’ve been told I’ve got a lot of new readers to this column… so it bears repeating. I make one simple, but important, assumption when giving advice in this column. I assume you make good music. And by good music I mean music people enjoy listening to… not necessarily earth shattering and unique… just good. Without good music, you are likely not going to go anywhere in the music world… at least not when you’re in a do-it-yourself world. Actually, if you don't play music that is palatable to a segment of the public all the promotion in the world, if you do it right, will just speed up your bands demise. Nothing travels faster than bad news.

With that said, let’s talk about this week’s column.

Do you Stand Out or are you Outstanding?

Standing Out but not Outstanding
I’ve seen plenty of bands that stand out because of how they dress or their stage show, but musically they don’t have anything new to offer. Many of these folks are going to be a blip on the radar because they will not be able to book shows after one time… but some of these bands are really packing the crowds in. The music isn’t bad, it’s just bland. There’s nothing new to discover.

Plenty of bands sound just like any other band in their genre. I’ve seen quite a few rock, country, and metal bands that fall into this category. It’s the showmanship that gets them fans. If you aren’t doing anything earthshattering with your sound… and you’ll know it if you aren’t… the stage presence is the key.

And, although DIY music is my focus here… remember that being in a good cover band can actually net you some really quick cash. I know a couple of bands whose members play in cover bands for private parties. It’d be pretty easy for a band to raise the money to produce an album by playing cover shows.

There’s a reason cover bands make so much money. Some people really want to hear Loverboy, The Gin Blossoms, Snoop Dogg, and Bruno Mars in the same hour… performed live. I’d be lying if I told you I haven’t wanted to jump up on stage at 11:15p on a Tuesday on 6th Street during a rousing rendition of “Jack and Diane.”

So, your look and stage presence is a big deal. Think about it.

Outstanding without Standing Out

In the same breath as knowing some sub-par bands with great stage presence and good crowds, I know my share of really, really excellent sounding bands who play to an empty house. Your sound IS important, but it’s the rest of the package that will gain fans. Do you have a stage presence? Do you play to the audience? Do you promote your shows?

In a perfect world, great music would be rewarded with great adoration, respect, and great crowds to listen. But, this isn’t a perfect world and sometimes mediocrity with great promo is rewarded. If that wasn’t the case, there’d only be about 100 bands in Austin, Texas (If you’re in an Austin band and you’re reading this, I’m including your band in the 100.. of course).

The base line is, promotion is going to get you where you need to go… and the bands that are getting noticed these days are doing things that are getting them noticed. They are doing contests for house concerts. They are doing video chats. They are getting involved in video games and going on reality shows. They are doing radio and TV. They are playing in public places unannounced and handing out fliers for their . They are tweeting funny things. They are interacting with the world, a lot.

Why not both?
Here’s a few ideas that may get you some attention, if you’re lucky. If you try any of these and it works.. don't forget where you learned it.

1. Flash Mob Music Video

I don’t think I’ve ever seen this… but it would be fantastic. Get 3 or 4 video cameras, invite 80-100 people (or talk with an organized Flash Mob group), meet at a certain location in public (the more public the better) and shoot a video. The planning may take weeks, but the video would only take 5 minutes. And if it’s a good song, this little trick may make it go viral. And if you do it after reading this.. please send me a link.

2. Contest for best Fan Video

Do you have a new album out? Why not give your fans a chance to win something (a private concert, a stage-worn outfit if you have outfits, CD collection, etc) for making a fan video. The first time I saw this was when One-Eyed Doll did it. She’s now got over 90 videos made by fans… one of them has over 4k views.

3. Buy the Cover

This is totally unorthodox, but if you can find someone who will play ball (read, accept payment for having you on the cover of a magazine), you have some great PR. Before you scoff let me tell you two things. 1. A lot of magazines will sell their cover. It’s all about sales. I know this from personal experience. 2. If you tell people you bought the cover… word will get out and it will backfire.

In case you’re wondering (because someone probably is) I have never sold a cover. I’ve put unknown bands I believed in on the cover, but never sold it. Maybe I’d be printing the magazine this month had I sold the cover… but I never could bring myself to do it.

4. Play Benefits and Walks…

There is a walk for Alzheimers, Breast Cancer, Heart Disease, etc… What if you were the band who played EVERY walk? Contact organizers for any and every walk you can find… and see if they’d like to have a free concert after the walk... or maybe at the ½ way point. Who knows how many fans you’ll make from the people who are there. The bonus is, you gave to something THEY feel strongly about. So, you’ve got a bond.

5. Hand-write notes to all people you send your CD to. Especially media.

So I get a number of CDs in the mail to INsite Magazine. Usually I pile them into 2 piles: Austin and Other (the INsite I own is the Austin one). I listen to every Austin CD, and if I have the chance, I’ll listen to the others. It usually ends with me having a bunch of “National” CDs I never get around to listening to. Well, last week I Opened the mail to find a CD by California’s Paper City. Along with the CD was a little note that explained they will be playing in Austin on September 11, 2011 at The Beauty Bar… along with contact number if I needed any additional information.

Paper City's Popular Talk (w/ note)

In case you’re wondering Paper City is a trio who has that has a modern sound that is reminiscent of the free and fun 1960s when everyone seemed as innocent as Ward Cleaver and the music was a bit bubble gummy. Lead singer Marisa Predisik delivers songs in a beautiful and addicting way. They’re on tour now, and if their live show is anything like the record, it’s going to be great.

And I wouldn’t have known that if I didn’t get the hand written note. It was that little extra step that showed me that the artist was a little more interested in making sure I listened. That’s al it took.

So… What are you doing to stand out in an outstanding way?

Sean Claes is the owner of Austin's INsite Magazine and has been a freelance entertainment writer since 1996. For an introduction to his "52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice" visit this link - http://www.tinyurl.com/Claes52DIY. If you like what you read... please share. To visit Claes' homepage, go here - http://www.seanclaes.com/. 

Week 40: Wasted Potential

(This is Week 40 of my Fifty-Two Weeks of Music Do-It-Yourself Music advice)

Don't Waste My Time

and Your Potential

If there’s one thing that bothers me in the music world, it’s wasted potential. Bands that just don’t try.

I’m not talking about bands that make great music effortlessly, I’m talking about the bands who have a good thing going, but for some reason they don’t work on promoting themselves. 

They don’t release songs, cut an album, work on postering, cultivate a following, get press, learn about bands they’d play well with, invite people to shows, have a Facebook and Twitter account OR Website.

Band who Wastes Potential

1. Has a great album and is not doing anything to promote it.
2. Even when asked about the band, doesn’t like to talk about it.
3. Have no idea when and where the next gig is, when asked.
4. Pulls a no-show with no excuse for a scheduled interview.
5. Shows up, performs, and leaves without interacting off stage.

These are usually the bands that complain the loudest, too. I call these bands the product of living a life of entitlement. Band members EXPECT things to happen for them because they’ve never had to work for anything in their life, so why should music be any different? 

OK... Before I get into calling people “whippersnappers” and shake my tiny fist at the young’ns I’ll digress. 

Fact: Nothing is owed to you.

Fact: You have to earn your fanbase.

Fiction: As long as you play well people will come.

Fact: If you don’t draw people into shows, the venue won’t invite you back.

Fact: There are a lot of options out there, you are in charge of making people aware that you are playing. You have to make them decide that they should not only choose your band over every other band playing at a multitude of venues, but also choose you over going to a movie, bowling, sitting at home watching Netflix, wandering around downtown, or hanging out in their backyard with a beer and a couple of buddies.

Don’t waste your potential. It’s VERY easy to get the word out about your band… and it can fairly inexpensive as well. As I stated in an earlier article, even if you have to hand-draw a show flyer… badly, it’s better than not doing anything at all.

Do you think you’ve wasted potential? Want to change?

• Do you have a Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, and Twitter account?
• Do you update them and use them?
• Do you have a website? Updated?
• When is the last time you invited people to a show in person?
• When is the last time you emailed or called a radio station to ask to be on a show to promote a gig?
• When’s the last time you uploaded a song to YouTube?
• When’s the last time you posted photos of your shows?
• When’s the last time you called or emailed a magazine about your gig?
• Do you walk the streets telling people about your gigs?
• Have you handed your demo out to people you respect and admire in the music business?
• When you do get press, do you announce it to your fans?
• Have you ever actually written a press release about your band?
• Do you know the names of 5 music writers in your city? Have you contacted them?
• Have you been available to play benefits and festivals, even though you don’t get paid?
• Do you carry a few CDs or demos with you wherever you go… and hand them out?

If you’re not thinking about pushing your band forward, why should anyone else?

Sean Claes is the owner of Austin's INsite Magazine and has been a freelance entertainment writer since 1996. For an introduction to his "52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice" visit this link - http://www.tinyurl.com/Claes52DIY. If you like what you read... please share. To visit Claes' homepage, go here - http://www.seanclaes.com/. 

Week 39: What goes Around....

(This is Week 39 of my Fifty-Two Weeks of Music Do-It-Yourself Music advice) 

Treat Every Interview Like It's For Rolling Stone.

aka: What Goes Around Comes Around.

I’m an entertainment writer. My specialty is music. Friends who aren’t completely into music don’t get me. I don’t have the newest CD that is being promoted on radio. I couldn’t really name 3 of the top 10 songs on the charts right now. I don’t know when your favorite band is coming to town. I can’t tell you who won American Idol (and I stopped watching The Voice when Austin’s Nakia was no longer on). So… how can I be an entertainment writer?

Monte Montgomery - Look him up.
Amazing.

Here’s the deal. 15 years into me being a writer, 10 years as a managing editor of an entertainment magazine and 4 years as an owner of an entertainment magazine, I’m not interested in interviewing the “Rolling Stone Big” bands out there. When I talk music, I tend to talk about bands that are local Austin, Texas bands, many of whom still have day jobs to make ends meet. I actually KNOW the bands I write about. I’ve talked to many of them before interviewing them. I usually attend a show and see how a band is live after listening to their music to see if it is a project I’m interested in writing about.

Now, could I interview big names? Sure. I have all of the connections to do so. The only person I’ve failed to interview that I really wanted to is George Strait… and it’s easier to watch a movie while texting in Alamo Drafthouse than it is to interview that man.

So, why did I choose to take this path in my writing career? I’ll explain it to you by telling you this story.

College me w/ Robert Earl Keen

In 1996 I was a college student trying to learn how to be an entertainment writer. I’d been a writer for a few years, but when I moved up to attend college in San Marcos, Texas (Southwest Texas State University... GO BOBCATS) I joined the student newspaper. I ended up writing for the official entertainment magazine (Galaxy Magazine) of SWT.

The first time I secured a major interview with a big name (NOT anyone pictured BTW), I called them up and they treated me like I was some 3rd grade dropout they were too good to talk to. This happened a few more times in the next few years.. and it always seemed to be the big names that did it.

Now, I understand, when you’re a star, or a star on the rise, you’ve got to schedule interviews in blocks. You could do 30 a day, in 15 miute intervals. You get the same question every call. By the 4th call you’re sick and tired of talking about your influences, the meaning behind your one radio hit, and what it was like to hear your song on the radio for the first time. I get that. It’s not lost on me. BUT… every time you treat a media person like crap, you are setting yourself up for a negative write-up AND you’ve lost a champion for your band. Forever.

One-Eyed Doll and I in 2008.

I chose to write about the “undiscovered” bands because I felt that they got it. They were still hungry. They appreciated me taking the time out of MY day as much as I appreciated them taking the time out of their day. It was mutual. Nobody loses, everyone wins.

Now, have I encountered some indie bands that are still unknown that give me the cold shoulder and make conducting an interview sound like they are being inconvenienced? Sure. You’ve just never heard me talk about them because I’m not the guy you can walk on and then have me promote you. I’m a firm believer in the idea of “No publicity is bad publicity as long as you spell my name right.”

I booked Nellie McKay in 2009.
Very interesting in person AND music.

If you’re reading this, chances are you aren’t one of the people I just referred to. And if you are, well, be aware that the newbie college reporter you just gave the cold shoulder to may just end up owning an entertainment magazine in a major music city someday. A magazine where you’ll never be mentioned.

Sean Claes is the owner of Austin's INsite Magazine and has been a freelance entertainment writer since 1996. For an introduction to his "52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice" visit this link - http://www.tinyurl.com/Claes52DIY. If you like what you read... please share. To visit Claes' homepage, go here - http://www.seanclaes.com/. 

Week 38: Five Ways to Brand Your Band

(This is Week 38 of my Fifty-Two Weeks of Music Do-It-Yourself Music advice)

Five Ways To Brand Your Band

Photo by Brandon Marshall (from willienelson.com)

Quiz Time:
Name That Musician/Band:

• - The Red Headed Stranger (hint above)
• - The Pelvis
• - The Lads from Liverpool
• - The Jazz Singer
• - The Man In Black
• - King of Pop
• - “You wanted the best and you got the best, the greatest band in the world… ______!”

Chances are you got most, if not all of those correct. Why do you know them? Branding. Weather it came upon them accidentally, or if it was an awesome marketing move, branding is why you know that Willie Nelson, Elvis, The Beatles, Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash, Michael Jackson and KISS are the folks I mentioned above.

A band’s brand is much more than just an alternate way to know the group, and the above examples are VERY extreme. Usually a band’s brand is a combination of look, logo, sound, and story. It’s in what you say. It’s in what you write. It’s in what you wear and play. It’s the genetic make-up of your band.

Here are five things you should consider when branding your band. This isn’t all aspects of branding, but it’s enough to get you going.

BAND NAME:

 Does it have anything to do with the music you’re playing? It doesn’t have to (like The Beatles) but sometimes it helps (like Metallica).

This is a band reference too. Know who?
Buy the t-shirt

The biggest thing to consider when choosing a name is... make sure it’s timeless and it’s something you can live with 20 years from now. I was in a band when I was younger (by “in” the band I mean I sang backup every now and then and brought the beer to rehearsals) by the name of Soundscape. First, it was a horrible name, just stunk, I know (sorry guys if you read this). Second, it was not appropriate for the genre the band played (70s and 80s rock a la Van Halen, Pink Floyd, and ZZ Top).

The next thing to consider is something that has become an issue in the last 20 years. Can you purchase your band’s name online? If you name yourself Spatula, is spatula.com already taken? If so, unless you’re really married to the name… change it to something you can buy “yourband.com” with, because nothing is more annoying than having to type the word “band” after a band’s name. Yeah, spatulaband.com is probably not taken, but how many people will know to do that when looking you up.

Now, if you have a cool last name like Vallejo, Hanson, or Van Halen, for the love of God… use it.

The last thing to consider about your band name is… the story behind it. If you gain some popularity, you will be interviewed. If you’re interviewed, one of the first questions will be “what does your name mean?” Have an answer.

LOGO / IMAGE

The Dangerous Toys Clown

Journey has a giant cockroach looking scarab. KISS has the make-up and the lightning bolt SS. Weezer has the flying W. The Rolling Stones have the lips & tongue. Iron Maiden has “Eddie.” Dangerous Toys has the clown. Radiohead has death bear. The letters in Toto look like a face. Nine Inch Nails has the “NIN.” Slayer has the pentagram with red 10th grade “I’m In A Rock Band” letters. I could go on and on. The point is... create a logo and/or image that is associated with your band. Something that someone sees it and thinks of you.

Want some great examples? I found a site while writing this column that has over 300 logos of bands and iconic images that are born of musical artists. Check it out. It’s a blog called “Band Logos – Brand upon the Brain." Word of warning… there’s a cheesy but slightly shocking photo as the header… but the logos are awesome.

BAND PERSONA

Ice Ice... house?

No, you don’t have to create a fake name and backstory. Ask Vanilla Ice how THAT worked out. The band persona is just the way you talk about your band. Consider it your band’s “elevator speech.” Every member of your band should be able to tell someone about the band in about 2 minutes… and make it a consistent story.

“We’re a bar-room rock band that plays a lot of the clubs on Red River in Austin, Texas. I play bass. We’re wrapping up our first album in the next few months. If you’d like to check us out go to DogFaceCow.com. Oh... here’s a business card, if you end up going to a show, show the card for a buck off at the door.”

BAM…

It’s not hard… but you have to get everyone in line to say something similar.

BAND LOOK

Angus Young of AC/DC has the Catholic schoolboy outfit. Willie Nelson has the hair…. Well... HAD the hair. Millions of country bands on the circuit are in Wranglers and cowboy hats... and older bands have western shirts and bolo ties. Lady Gaga dresses like she went to the same store Madonna went to and Elton John before her. Ray Charles had the signature sunglasses. Billy Ray Cyrus had the mullet. One Eyed Doll has crazy long hair in big pony tails that she whips around (not like Willow Smith).

Rolling Stone RS952 Cover

If you decide to take this part of branding your band to heart, you have to figure out something that will make someone remember your band. A look that makes people take notice. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box (Buckethead), but just make sure you have the musical chops to back up an original look.

Now…it doesn’t really matter what you wear, as long as the music is good. But, if you’re reading this, please don’t let your band look like you just walked up out of the crowd and found an instrument and 3 other people who were playing as well. Maybe you just say, everyone wear button-down shirts, or nobody in shorts, or let’s all wear matching pink Converse tennis shoes. You’re the entertainer at your job. Is shorts and a ratty t-shirt proper work attire?

MERCHANDISE

Handmade One-Eyed Doll band merch. More here

Make your banner look similar to your Website which looks similar to your flyers which look similar to your stickers, CD packaging, and anything else you do in print. Make sure everything looks like it came from the same place, and not 15 different bands that happen to have the same name. 

Here’s a fast food example. Everything you get at McDonalds looks like it’s from McDonalds. The logo, the wrapping, the box, the bag, the catsup, the napkins… EVERYTHING. Your band should be the same. Everything needs to look like it came from the band unmistakably.

Here’s a few band sites that get it right:

http://www.alanjackson.com- See how the look is wrapped around Alan Jackson's latest single (or at least was on 6/28/11)

http://oneeyeddoll.com/ - You know EXACTLY how exciting a show One-Eyed Doll can be from this site.

http://nakia.net/ - Nakia is capitalizing on his appearance on The Voice, as he should be.

Nakia on The Voice

So there it is. A few hints about branding your band. Hope this helps.

Until next week. 

Sean Claes is the owner of Austin's INsite Magazine and has been a freelance entertainment writer since 1996. For an introduction to his "52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice" visit this link - http://www.tinyurl.com/Claes52DIY. If you like what you read... please share. To visit Claes' homepage, go here - http://www.seanclaes.com/.

Week 37: It's A Job

(This is Week 36 of my Fifty-Two Weeks of Music Do-It-Yourself Music advice)

Hard at Work or Hardly Working At It?

You’ve got a job. It’s making music. It’s entertaining people. It’s not one that pays regular. It’s not one that will impress most people outside the musical realm. It’s probably not something you can put on a resume that will garner you a $60k a year job. But it’s a job.

For some, it’s a full-time position. You work day in and day out chasing the dream that puts your name up on the marquee in the headliner position. The dream of hearing your songs on the radio, seeing your album listed in the top 50 in Rolling Stone, or getting sponsored by a major company. The dream of being able to afford a home and car from the money you’ve made off of your craft.

But…for most it’s a part-time job because in order to afford the luxuries in life you are used to, like a roof over your head and at least one meal a day, it doesn’t pay enough. But, still you do it. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an evening rock star… it’s a passion that you’re not willing to give up.

It really doesn’t matter if you fall in the full-time or part-time working musician role… you must understand, it’s a job. Every time you play a club, you’re being hired to entertain people. How much you get paid is either part of a “guarantee” or directly in conjunction to how many butts you bring through the door.

Want to see a hard working part-time musician? Find Ben Mills.
He plays in Waiting for August, books showcases, and
promotes like a mad circus seal. See him 7/8/11 @ Elysium in ATX

It’s hard. I know. Most jobs are. If you have it in you to write and record music and are trying to share that with the world, it’s going to be an uphill climb. You have to climb above all of the self-important crappy singers out there… and deliver something that appeals to a large group of people… not just stroking your own ego.

If ego isn’t in the mix… and you are a decent musician. Consider being in a cover band. You make a lot of money, you just have to be OK with being known as “The guy at my wedding that played Erasure” Instead of a serious singer-songwriter. But you know what? It doesn’t matter. It’s a job. You’ll make money… you can use that money to invest in your serious music career and elevate yourself out of the cover-band genre. Of course… you may just want to play music and make some money… and a cover band is a viable option. Someone will always want to hear “Piano Man,” “Sweet Caroline” and “Brown Eyed Girl.”

Just an option. And a little ego ain’t a bad thing… as long as you can back it up. But, think about it… How many people are working somewhere because “It’s a job?” More people than those who are working at the position of their dreams… I’ll tell you that. Lots of people can go through the motions. And that’s fine if that’s what you’re doing with music. But.. if that’s what you’re doing…this column is not for you.

This column is for the ones who believe that the band they are in just might make it. If someday you’d like to quit your full-time job or be able to stop sponging off of all of your friends and make an honest living at music, this is for you.

Treat your musical career like a job. Make sure you work at it every day.. if only just a little bit. Always move forward. Make progress daily. Get your name out there. Get to be known. Move up the ladder. Have meetings. Plan your week/month/year. Brainstorm ideas. Schedule vacation. Have working lunches. Make friends, attend conferences. Make friends with club owners, bands, producers, and other people who you’d like to work with in the future.

Then… here’s the important thing. At the end of the day, walk away from it and be you. Your music career should not define you as a human. You are a musician, that’s your job. It’s not 100% or who you are. Make sure you are able to feed the other parts of your life as well. Get right with God, find and fall in love. Don’t blow off the important people in your life for music.

Music is your Job. It is not your life. It is a job though. Work.

Sean Claes is the owner of Austin's INsite Magazine and has been a freelance entertainment writer since 1996. For an introduction to his "52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice" visit this link - http://www.tinyurl.com/Claes52DIY. If you like what you read... please share. To visit Claes' homepage, go here - http://www.seanclaes.com/.

Week 36: How NOT To Treat Fans

(This is Week 36 of my Fifty-Two Weeks of Music Do-It-Yourself Music advice)

How NOT To Treat Fans

I have been an entertainment writer for over 15 years. I've been backstage, at the bar, in the dressing room, recording studio, and homes of some pretty interesting characters in this time. I'm not saying this to boast... it's to prove a point.


I've often told people that I get a viewpoint that not many people get. I get to see the "people" behind the musicians. It is an honor. I take it very seriously. There are some really wonderful performers out there that you probably own a CD or two (or have downloaded a song) from that I know for a fact that they are complete tools.

There's an Austin band that is adored by fans that mentioned in a marketing meeting "I don't give a @$#@ about the fans, they'll love what I give them."


There's a national artist that was a headliner of a music festival in the Hill Country that refused to answer a simple question (that about 30 other performers had already answered for me with no problem or hesitation) and called me an idiot and scoffed.


There's a drummer for a well known rock band that was so cocky you'd think the band was named after him and didn't give anyone else credit for anything (it's not the one you're thinking BTW).

Now... these we all done in "private" and I respect that. I'll never tell you their name, because the important thing is... they do their job well. They make beautiful music that means something to a great number of people.

Here's where I have a problem. Last week on Facebook... I happened to see a performer's posting of a banner he had created to promote his website. He'd posted up an image and mentioned "I just OK'd the proof of this banner..." and gave the printing company some love.


I saw he'd just posted it... and it looked like the mission of the banner was to make his Webite URL as big as possible, so I posted a suggestion. I suggested that he drop the "www" off the sign and blow up the letters even bigger, as when people see ".com" at the end of something they know it's a Website.


Here's where I'm guilty. I assumed he'd want this advice. I foolishly posted it as a comment under the photo instead of sending it to him in a private message. I deleted the comment when I saw his completely off-putting response.

Now.. I made a screen capture of the exchange (sadly I'd deleted my original comment..which was the first comment that he's replying to initially) and deleted the names... Here it is:

"I'm not forgetting that the audience is made up of MOSTLY idiots..."

Click image to read the whole thing.... via my Flickr

Now.. Dean took me to task for the unsolicited advice. I can take that. It must have rubbed him the wrong way...which is fine. I'll take MY lumps. I was out of turn in giving the advice. But he takes it a step further and says:

"I'm not forgetting that the audience is made up of MOSTLY idiots and everything has to be spelled out for them."

THEN.. he picks everyone else who posted off by telling them they aren't fans because they haven't bought a CD from him (including fellow performers)... and explains his definition of a fan as "Bought a CD or went to a  show to see a performance  and tipped money in the jar."

Fan = someone who has put $$ directly into his pocket... oh... and most of them are idiots. Or it could be the vast majority of the people who attend a show DON'T put $$ in his tip jar or buy a CD and therefore are idiots. Not sure. Well.. he lost a fan, cheerleader, and a supporter in me... as well as a Facebook friend (which is NOT the definition of a fan according to him).

Anyhow.... here's the lesson:
If you're a performer who is a tool (you may prefer to call yourself ecletic, serious, or driven... but if you treat people like dirt... to me, you're a tool), do me a favor and don't let the fans know about it. It ruins your great gift.

And when you see people with the media... don't assume they are all bad and want to destroy you. There's a lot of us who are trying to elevate your career because we believe in your song, mission, and dream.

Oh.. and if you are a performer that is boasting the fact that you're a Christian (as Dean does very nicely via his Website)... this is NOT the Christian way to respond to anyone... much less your fans.

Hope this helps.

Sean Claes is the owner of Austin's INsite Magazine and has been a freelance entertainment writer since 1996. For an introduction to his "52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice" visit this link - http://www.tinyurl.com/Claes52DIY. If you like what you read... please share. To visit Claes' homepage, go here - http://www.seanclaes.com/.