Tips for getting started as a new originals band...

[sixesandsevens]

I've started recording with some friends and we're in the process of finishing up our first EP. All originals. A mix of pop rock, jam numbers, and some spacier stuff, but not too heavy on the extended improv.

Last time I did this (early-90s) the singer and drummer handled the publicity, so I've got almost no experience in promoting a band, building a following, etc.

What kind of tips would you give just-getting-started you about how to start to get music "out there" and line up some all originals gigs?

(We're in "the DMV" (MD/DC/VA), so if you know specific venues, festivals, etc. that are open to new acts, I'd love to hear about 'em.)

[Tres Aardvarks]

"We're in "the DMV" (MD/DC/VA" - I think there's quite a few around here, so you should get some locally relevant advice

[Carl.B]

Is this current line up of players playing as a cover band now?

If your a cover band it is very easy to mix your original stuff in just make sure it fit's in musically. Another way is to play your songs as break music between sets.

Maybe you can try the local college radio station see if you can get them to play your songs. Not sure as to how many of those are around anymore.

Then there is the all mighty Facebook post some songs on there and ask your friends to like it and share it on there Facebook accounts and hope it takes off.

It's pretty cheap to create a website and make your songs and contact info available there.

I would tighten up your musical style as it sounds like you are trying to do to much. "A mix of pop rock, jam numbers, and some spacier stuff, but not too heavy on the extended improv."

Just my 2 cents and good luck and have fun with it!

Carl B

[sixesandsevens]

Is this current line up of players playing as a cover band now? If your a cover band it is very easy to mix your original stuff in just make sure it fit's in musically. Another way is to play your songs as break music between sets.

We're not playing as a cover band right now, so sadly that's out.

Maybe you can try the local college radio station see if you can get them to play your songs. Not sure as to how many of those are around anymore.

Good idea. I agree that I have no idea if they exist and/or are relevant, but some of the local stations must still have a "noise in the basement" show at o'dark-thirty on Thursday nights.

Then there is the all mighty Facebook post some songs on there and ask your friends to like it and share it on there Facebook accounts and hope it takes off. It's pretty cheap to create a website and make your songs and contact info available there.

We're working on the web presence right now. In general have you all found it's better to have your own page and then link out to bandcamp, facebook, twitter, etc. or do folks just link everything back to facebook?

I would tighten up your musical style as it sounds like you are trying to do to much. "A mix of pop rock, jam numbers, and some spacier stuff, but not too heavy on the extended improv."

Good advice. I probably overstated the diversity a bit, but we've discussed this before and are more than willing to bucket our songs into different projects and promote them all differently if that's what fans and venue owners want.

Thanks!

[tommy p]

Tip from Richmond: don't come down here. The money is terrible, the venues unsupportive, and audiences nonexistent. The local scene here is in serious decline.

[cmatthes]

Damn - Turdus and I were chatting this week, and lamenting the exact same thing about the DC/NoVA/MD scene!

There ARE some places though, mostly some of the new places in Adams Morgan/U St. Corridor, and in some of the outlying 'burbs, but it's pretty slim pickins these days.

I'm not sure how things look in upcounty Montgomery/Frederick/Anne Arundel or Howard, but would assume it has to be better!

I also spoke with a client on Monday who mentioned that the Southern MD music scene is totally hopping.

What are you using for your "launch pad" town/county?

Tip from Richmond: don't come down here. The money is terrible, the venues unsupportive, and audiences nonexistent. The local scene here is in serious decline.

[Studio Custom]

If you are over 24 years old, you're doing it just for fun, because everyone knows making it as an original band is a young mans game.

[sonic1974]

If you are over 24 years old, you're doing it just for fun, because everyone knows making it as an original band is a young mans game.

That's the truth! I'm 40 and still playing originals, still it's a lot of fun. Any ideas of "making it" are long gone. But it's still a blast.

[atomicwash]

Hit the live scene and talk it up with other bands. Work on some opening spots with bands that have been around a while.

Start a Facebook page and invite your friends to "like" you.

Good luck and make it fun!

Dan

[sixesandsevens]

I'm not sure how things look in upcounty Montgomery/Frederick/Anne Arundel or Howard, but would assume it has to be better!

Once I learn more about the local scene (we're spread out across HoCo, Montgomery, Carroll, and Baltimore), I'll let you guys know. I'm not particularly optimistic...

I also spoke with a client on Monday who mentioned that the Southern MD music scene is totally hopping.

Cool. I'll have to look into it.

What are you using for your "launch pad" town/county?

This is a great teaching moment: What's a launchpad town and why does it matter?

As far as "making it" goes, ... I'm not too stressed about it.

[Studio Custom]

If you are over 24 years old, you're doing it just for fun, because everyone knows making it as an original band is a young mans game.

That's the truth! I'm 40 and still playing originals, still it's a lot of fun. Any ideas of "making it" are long gone. But it's still a blast.

I'm 46 and doing the same, it's just a hobby, guys nite out nowadays.

[gorch]

I prefer bands playing originals. Rarely go to cover bands. You just can't throw in a coin and select the songs you want to hear.

Quite often I buy their CDs to support even more.

[hamerhead]

We were mixing 5 or 6 of our singer's originals into the regular cover sets and they went over really well. Granted it wasn't 3 solid hours of fresh unheard stuff, but the crowd was OK with it in small doses.

[Steve Haynie]

Hit the live scene and talk it up with other bands. Work on some opening spots with bands that have been around a while.

Opening act.

Poorly paid opening act.

Ubiquitous poorly paid opening act.

Make sure the person booking bands sees you play and hammer that person for more gigs any way they can use your band. If you show up at a club, you are there for business every bit as much as you are there to have fun playing.

The touring acts sometimes bring their own opening acts, but often enough there are local or regional bands opening up. Some of those bands make me want to see them again.

Get your band and show dates on pollstar.com to look a little bigger, too.

[Thundernotes]

I love originals. More for me to cover.

Seriously, I'd like to do some originals just for the satisfaction of it.

[DaveL]

Hit the live scene and talk it up with other bands. Work on some opening spots with bands that have been around a while.

Start a Facebook page and invite your friends to "like" you.

Good luck and make it fun!

Dan

agree... and take the time to put some nice shots on there (instead of say, grainy, blurry cell phone

shots)

[bcsride]

As soon as I know a method that works, I'll share it with you.

[Steve Haynie]

Hit the live scene and talk it up with other bands. Work on some opening spots with bands that have been around a while.

Start a Facebook page and invite your friends to "like" you.

Good luck and make it fun!

Dan

agree... and take the time to put some nice shots on there (instead of say, grainy, blurry cell phone

shots)

Everyone here is too old to get away with beginner mistakes when it comes to image. PAY a professional photographer or videographer.

[hamerhead]

As soon as I know a method that works, I'll share sell it with to you.

Fixed.