1. Make Good Music. Write Good Songs. Record them well.
So often do bands wonder, "How come nobody will sign us?". There are so many different answers to this question. Sometimes it's all about being in the right place at the right time. Sometimes it's who you know. But the easiest and best way to get signed to a record label, is to write good music. Simple as that. That's not saying that there aren't bands that write horrible music that are signed. But obviously somebody out there liked it enough for them to be signed to a label. Focus on perfecting your craft and writing great material and the rest will fall into place. There are several definitions of what "good" is though. Good can range from simple arrangements with memorable melodies and hooks to extremely talented musicians with complex song structures and interesting song arrangements. Good can also mean being completely original and inventive. It all depends whose listening and interpreting the sounds they are hearing. After you write some good songs, make sure that you make a good recording as well. You could be the most talented musicians in the world and have the most amazing songs ever written, but if the quality of your recordings is poor nobody will want to listen to them. It is possible to get signed to a label with low quality recordings, but it is rare. Recording technology has come a long way and has become more readily available than ever, so it shouldn't be difficult to find a way to produce decent sounding recordings on a low-budget. A lot of bands nowadays are self-producing major label quality recordings on their own that end up getting released as-is with little to no additional mixing or mastering after they get signed. Having great sounding demos will ensure that your music gets heard by fans and labels alike.
2. Be Marketable.
There are several ways to make your band marketable. For some bands they rely heavily on their image or physical appearance for marketability. This means going to the gym and/or coordinating a wardrobe or overall style for the entire band. Some bands have a shtick or a gimmick they rely on for mass appeal, such as wearing masks or costumes on stage or having a big stage production or theatrical aspect to their live show. Other ways you can be marketable include focusing on filling a specific niche in the music market. Sometimes a specific style of music or type of band will become wildly popular and labels will begin scooping up anything that remotely resembles it. Another way to be marketable is to set yourself apart from everything else and be completely different. There are many ways to judge what is marketable and what is not, however it usually boils down to looking professional, interesting, or appealing.
3. Practice. Rehearse. Repeat.
It's one thing to be able to "write" good music and look good - It's a whole other story pulling it off live and actually sounding like the recording. Nobody likes paying money to see their favorite band and being completely disappointed by how horrible they performed or how awful they sounded. You must be able to play your instruments well and do the recorded songs justice live. Sometimes, because of the evolution of technology and the increase in availability of computers and software, a band will program parts on the recording that cannot be fully achieved by the actual band members. The musicians in the band should be talented enough to perform their parts correctly, as they appear on the recording, and put on a good show while doing so. This is the easiest and fastest way to gain fans and get exposure. People will talk about a great show they went to if the band sounded great and performed their parts well; and the next time you play that venue they will bring their friends and so on and so forth. Another reason to rehearse and practice as much as possible is, if and when a label decides they want to sign your band, they are more than likely going to want to see you perform live. If you can't pull of a good show, then you won't get signed.
4. Get your name out. Gain exposure. Work Hard.
A label wants to see that you are willing to do whatever it takes to become a successful band. They aren't going to do all the work for you. Many bands and artists are under the impression that the instant you get signed you start making lots of money, get really famous, and go on huge tours with huge bands. The truth is, a lot of bands end up doing the same exact thing they were doing before they got signed, after they get signed to a label. The only difference is, after you get signed, you will be more accessible and your music will be more readily available to the public. Play as many shows as possible and build a local fan base. Play shows regionally and book your own tours even. Advertise on social networking sites. Design and print merchandise and sell it at shows. Press your own albums and cds and sell them online and at your concerts. Pass out flyers and free samples of your music. Get a manager to help represent your band and get you more gigs. Get professional photos taken. Make your own music videos or pay somebody to do it for you. Open up for touring bands and national acts. Do anything and everything you can to get your band noticed. Make your presence known!
5. Save your money. Spend it wisely.
Being in a band can be very expensive. You need gas money to get to shows. Money to print flyers and cds. You'll need to purchase good equipment and reliable transportation. The amount of things you'll need to spend money on, to make your band successful, can really add up; with little or no return in the beginning. So many bands waste their money on things they don't need, when they could be investing in their music and their future. Get a job or find a way to make some money and spend it on necessities for the band, instead of wasting it on things like alcohol and drugs. There are so many bands that party like rock stars, way before any actual success has been achieved; and a lot of bands have horrible equipment and instruments because they would rather waste their money on other, less important things. Get your priorities straight, and get serious about your goals as a musician and a band. You can celebrate all you want AFTER you get a record deal and achieve some sort of commercial success.
6. Be a good person. Be Professional.
It's amazing but so many musicians and bands overlook this one. The golden rule: Treat others as you want to be treated. So many people in the music industry are mean, selfish, shady, rude, and dismissive - in the long run, it comes back to haunt them. Don't be one of those people. Having a professional demeanor, a positive outlook, showing up on time, making friends with other bands, being good to your fans; it will all pay off in the end. A club owner or show promoter will be more likely to remember you. Fans will be more likely to like your band and spread the word about your project. There are too many bands that try and act above all this and react to fans and other bands with arrogance and indifference. This will get you nowhere fast in the music business. It's all about networking and building relationships that will last your entire career. People want to work with and be around people they like. It's a universal truth that can't be ignored.
7. Don't give up. Do it because you love it.
This is the most important piece of advice for any musician, band, or artist out there trying to "make it". So many bands never end up getting anywhere because they were too easily discouraged, were too impatient, or simply couldn't handle the pressure and the competitiveness of the music industry. Often success will not be achieved overnight. Most of the time it takes years and years of hard work and dedication to make it anywhere in this business. Do not be easily discouraged by bad comments or negative feedback, because there will always be haters and critics out there just waiting for an opportunity to voice their opinion or bring you down. Instead, focus on the positive reactions you get and the constructive criticism you receive. For every person out there that hates you or your music, there will be five more that will be fans of what you do or what you create. Do it because you love it. You should be creating art and making music because you love to do it and because it is fulfilling to you; because in all actuality there are thousands and thousands of people trying to reach the same places as you and achieve the same goals as you. Unfortunately most of them will never see their dreams come to fruition because they weren't sincere in their efforts and were doing it for the wrong reasons or they just simply didn't want it enough. "It's a long road to the top, if you wanna rock and roll." Have fun and good luck!
Article by: Noah "Shark" Robertson
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Deep Ellum, Texas
I've been depressed lately. There I said it. And with depression comes all it's nasty symptoms... Sad, empty, tearful feelings; loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable; difficulty sleeping; agitation; reduction of physical movements; fatigue; loss of energy; feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt; poor concentration; difficulty making decisions...well, you get the point. Despite all these side-effects, which would make it seem obvious to one's self what was going on, it's hard to realize sometimes that you're actually suffering from depression. Like so many nights before, I was up all night last night for no apparent reason at all. Growing increasingly tired of my situation, around 7 AM on this particular morning I had decided to do something about it. I needed to get out, explore the city, and collect my thoughts. I scrounged up enough change for bus fare and headed toward my favorite place in the city, Deep Ellum, an arts and entertainment district near downtown in east Dallas. You see, I'm originally from the middle of nowhere Texas and in the country, things are slower...much slower. But the pull of the big city has always been there. In my young, adolescent mind Dallas was a woundrous place where anything could happen. Where opportunities were around every corner. There was an exciting energy in the air. It's what brought me here, and more specifically to Deep Ellum. It's a place that has always seemed to attract creative and adventurous people. When walking the streets one can expect to see artists, musicians, bikers, skate-boarders, photographers, and many other variations of interesting people. But it's not just the people here. As I'm walking the streets on this day, my surroundings beckon me to take a closer look. Every nook and cranny of this place has a story to tell. You would be hard-pressed to look in any given direction and not see a mural or a sculpture or a painting of some kind. As my mind's eye takes in the sights, and I begin to take note of the hidden messages on the walls and sidewalks, I'm reminded not only of why I fell in love with this place; but what's really important to me in life. I begin to snap photo after photo...and eventually become completely immersed in the task at hand. I couldn't stop. And it doesn't take long for one to realize just how much beauty is actually here! It's really quite remarkable. Like any unique destination, this place has had its ups and downs. But for better or worse, Deep Ellum has always been, and will always be a magical, culture rich blip on the map that continues to attract and inspire the creative masses. I have so many fond memories from this area; the shows I've played here, the art galleries I've attended here, all the bands I've discovered here, the great places to eat, the tattoos I've gotten here, the friends I've met, and so much more. For me there is no place like this anywhere, however for those reading this who have never experienced Deep Ellum I am sure there is a place in your life that continues to draw you in and inspire awe. If you haven't been to that place in a while, I encourage you to revisit. If you haven't made it there yet, I implore you to seek it out. You may just find what you've been looking for, or possibly take in a fresh breathe of inspiration. (I have included a video I put together of all the pictures I took that day down in Deep Ellum. Enjoy!) THE ART OF DEEP ELLUM VIDEO
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
She's Buried Out Back
She's Buried Out Back. What a great band name! These lads should do well with their name alone. Fortunately they have great tunes to fall back on, if the name doesn't get them the attention they deserve. SBOB is dishing out brutal american deathcore and it will only be a matter of time before someone takes notice.
Band Name: She's Buried Out Back
Hometown: Denver Colorado
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/ShesBuriedOutBack
Styles: Deathcore
For fans of: Suicide Silence/Carnifex/White Chapel
Monday, May 9, 2011
Collapse Unconscious
Do yourself a favor and check out Collapse Unconscious! This is one band that is sure to impress! Brutal guttural vocals and nasty screams - Insane guitar work - Progressive compositions - Great rhythm section. Hopefully these guys keep pumping out music, I have a feeling they will do great things in the future.
Band: Collapse Unconscious
Hometown: Oakhurst, NJ
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/Collapseunconscious
Styles: Deathcore/Metalcore/Progressive
For fans of: Born of Osiris/Winds of Plague/Veil of Maya
Ready The Messenger
If you can't make it out to any of their Texas dates, then make your way over to their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/readythemessenger and give their Fracture EP a listen. The recordings are stellar and definitely do the band some justice. Songs like "Seamless" and "Wearing Thin" are sure to empower the listener and keep you coming back for more. In an endless sea of metal music and a boundless ocean of metal bands, Ready The Messenger are making waves! - Swimming with Sharks Entertainment
Sunday, May 8, 2011
California Progression: Jahmbi
As every metal fan knows, California has been pumping out great metal bands since the genres awkward birth, near the end of the 1960’s. Fast-forward to 2011 and The Golden State continues to give us an exciting array of metal bands to enjoy such as Suicide Silence, The Faceless, As Blood Runs Black, The Human Abstract, and more. Although there is no shortage of good metal bands to listen to these days, some wonder if the sound has become stale, as the number of similar sounding metal acts has reached a crisis point. Ontario California’s, Jahmbi, are showing that creative, original metal is alive and well! Jahmbi has been tearing up the scene for over 10 years, and brandish a unique blend of experimental metal that is all their own. I recently had the pleasure of spinning their newest disc, an eight-track wondrous metal achievement, entitled “The Demetalizer”. The cover boasts fantastical artwork featuring giant medeival wooden ships, sailing the open sea under darkened sky. The Demetalizer, is as every bit as epic as the cover would indicate!. The E.P. starts off with an electronic/synth composition, that makes the listener feel like they are playing a fantasy role-playing video game like Final Fantasy, however the very next track reveals the true nature of the band as complex guitar riffs, intense double bass, and massive screams pour from the speakers during the first official song on the CD, “Golden Axe”. Jahmbi utylizes a brutal style of experimental metal that hints at several other styles of music, which can be heard prominently on tracks like “Paradise”, “Brutal Tea-Bag Party”, and the hilariously named “Dragons are Real!” and “The Awakening of the Spirit of War in the 15th Century”. The album is a viscious display of Pure American Metal, interlaced with eccentric compositions and electronic masterpieces. Listening to The Demetalizer several times, I quickly appreciated the re-listen-ability of the work itself, due in large part to the originality and creativeness of the music they create. Anyone looking to break up the musical mundane-ness in your life, should definitely check out Jahmbi! They are guaranteed to renew your faith in the future of metal!
5 fins out of 5 - Swimming with Sharks Entertainment
Nu Metal/Industrial Picks
The late 90’s and early 2000’s was a glorious time for Nu-metal and Industrial metal fans! In my case I was an impressionable young 18 or 19 year old at the time, and the music scene was completely overrun with Korn knock-offs and Rob Zombie wanna-be’s…however shameful it may be to admit I was into this craze, I was. Music fads come and go and this will be a time in music I will always be quite fond of. Don’t get me wrong. I was, have been, and always will be a fan of the old-school. Thrash, Death, and Power metal have always been my absolute favorites. But there was just something about this sound that took a hold of me! The groove oriented riffs based on syncopation were ultra catchy! Bands associated with nu metal derive influence from a variety of diverse styles, including electronica/electronic music, funk, glam rock, gothic rock,grunge, hardcore punk, hip hop, industrial rock, jazz, post punk and synthpop. It wasn’t just the sound of Nu-metal and Industrial metal that was turning heads, but their looks as well. From the costumes and masks of bands like Slipknot, Mushroomhead, and Crossbreed; to the make-up and extreme fashion statements of Marylin Manson, Godhead, and Nine Inch Nails. Spikey hair-cuts, piercings, dread locks, tattoos, eye-liner…the look of these bands alone was getting them massive exposure within the metal community. I can remember being at Ozzfest one summer, approaching the second stage, and seeing Motograter. They all had their tribal war paint on, and there was so much going on up there; I was blown away! I can also remember walking through the isles of my favorite local music store and spotting the Mushroomhead disc XX. I had never even heard of the band before, I just bought the album because I thought they looked cool and I ended up loving it! I guess I have always been a fan of bands with an image like Motograter, Mushroomhead, and Slipknot; and I’ve secretly always wanted to be in a band like that. I guess that’s why my first professional tour I ever embarked on was with the band Pinhed (leather mask, spiked-armor wearing blackened death metal band); we opened up for Mushroomhead every night and it was honor to meet those guys and tour with them considering I was such a huge fan of the band growning up. I played it cool, but my inner fan boy was screaming! I have compiled a collection of my favorite bands from this time in music and have included links to some of their videos and songs. Check ‘em out!!!
SWIMMING WITH SHARKS ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS:
THE BEST NU-METAL AND INDUSTRIAL METAL BANDS. EVER.
Motograter - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWNAzMyDv58
Mushroomhead - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOaqcfTZgno
Slipknot - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1zCN0YhW1s
Mudvayne - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIqbdnaPcT8
Nothingface - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgVV9XQyI2Y
Crossbreed - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F9y-J5H7wA
American Head Charge - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIibR7M9uZ4
Rob Zombie - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqQuihD0hoI
Ministry - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBGMW86u1Qk
Drowning Pool - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO_QntXc-c4
Nine Inch Nails - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bfxD60rV9k
Marylin Manson - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypkv0HeUvTc
40 Below Summer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nIdIPVE35I
Slaves on Dope - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06e7NvIHyNQ
Coal Chamber - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-sYWaOrLdI
Demon Hunter - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_H0p5E__bs
Disturbed - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy6ZHsM0U5Q
Nonpoint - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSajjsER8iQ
Papa Roach - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0lSpNtjPM8
Sevendust - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya8dT7oC8qA
Trust Company - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE_0m5OkyN4
Twisted Method - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gg3RFKM9uA&feature=related
Primer 55 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ruHfeq87qo
Spineshank - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-TO-L1Escc
Genosha - CD Review
There is a brutal sound rising out of the Kansas City area and that sound is being pumped out by local heavy-weights, Genosha. The band has been busy making a name for themselves since October of 2009 and they show no signs of stopping any time soon. They just released their debut self-titled EP, “Genosha”; 7 throat-punching tracks of down-tuned metal. The band is comprised of Paul Howell on Vocals, Josh Tandy on Guitar, Collin Woroniak on Guitar, Austin Hale on Bass, and Rick Lalicker on Drums. They recently recorded and released the album all on their own, and although the production isn’t state-of-the-art, the songs speak for themselves and the message gets across. When asked about their sound, drummer Rick Lalicker states, “We try to get a lot of our sound from Meshuggah, Monsters, The Acacia Strain, a little of Decapitated, Whitechapel. We’re trying to create a good mix of heavyness and groove, while throwin’ in some good ol’ thrash while were at it!” Genosha’s influences can be heard throughout the release in songs like “The Origin of Deterioration” and “Tainted With Malice”, which can currently be heard athttp://www.myspace.com/genoshametal or by venturing out to one of their shows and picking up a copy yourself. This is one promising heavy band that is worth checking out – Genosha.
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