As a music writer I often have musicians and bands contact me requesting that I listen to and review their ‘new’ album. At very least I will go check them out and see if I like the tunes or get a feel about the band and if I like it, I write the review.
However- and this is my biggest pet peeve so be warned- however, it drives me mad when the band hasn’t done their basic homework and recently I’m finding myself saying no, and often quite bluntly.
So what has my knickers in a twist? What is this band homework I speak of? Listen and learn.
Being in a band is either a job, or a hobby. Plain and simple. Yes we all get that its a ‘higher calling’ and you ‘can’t imagine doing anything else’ and you’re ‘an artiste’ but its either a hobby (part time band, good day job that you will never give up due to perks and pension plan etc), or its a job (I want to make a living as a musician).
So?! Treat it like a job then. Realize that a record label, independent radio station (like CBC Canada), music festival coordinator, and club owner ALL NEED to see your resume! Where? How? Simple. Facebook, Onesheet, Myspace (if you still use it), Youtube, Website and to some degree Twitter.
And what does your resume NEED? Not all the superfluous extras about how you are the best band since sliced bread or that ‘such and such’ small town radio station in Nowheresville played your song 3 days in a row, or (my personal favorite- heavy on the sarcasm) “we’re #3 on the Reverb Nation indie alternative rock punk pop chart for mid-western Eastern central Hicksville” you get what I mean yes? The ONLY chart that matters is the radio chart. So unless you hit Top 20 on a syndicated station best to skip that last one.
So back to what do you need?
You need an album cover icon so we can scoop it for our articles.
- We need a clear band photo of everyone who is currently in the band- if you’ve had a lineup change, get a new photo asap. If you’ve added members get a new photo asap.
- We need band members names and what position they play- I personally need to know the singer’s name so I don’t have to keep calling him “the frontman” (cringe).
- We need some live shots NOT from fans who sneaked cameras and cell phones in- something reasonably clear that shows your band’s energy on stage.
(Sidebar!!! DO NOT. I repeat, do not steal fan photos and then ‘forget’ to credit the source, or worse, CUT OFF THEIR WATERMARK! You want us to NOT steal your work- don’t steal theirs! ) ‘K. On with it-
- We need a link to your Youtube so we can actually watch you in 3 dimensions and hear you without autotune.
- We need a link to your Facebook page so we can read what you post, get a feel for who you are, how you treat your fans, how committed you are to your band (is your last post a week ago or 5 months ago?)
There are other things I snoop around in but these are the basics for me when I write about a band, and they are the same basics others need in order to write about you, or add you to their weekly radio show, monthly indie blog etc.. feel free to go one step further and add more. Just don’t give so much info that its overwhelming!
Got it? Good. Go brush up that resume.
