Go Pro
Professionalism. Work ethic. I know they don’t sound very rock and roll, but I’d wager that behind all that bravado even the wildest of rock bands have someone keeping it together, or trying to. I’ve witnessed first hand horror stories where the most talented bands stuff up the biggest opportunities because they got wasted too early in the night or were rude to the wrong person.
It would be such a shame for that to be the reason you don’t make it. For some types it takes a real effort to be professional, for others it’s easy. I definitely recommend making the effort. Being easy to work with, respectful, humble and — uh oh not the ‘n’ word — nice, is very attractive to the kinds of people who could give you your big break.
Use What You’ve Got
Engage a network of supporters and use them! It might be as simple as recruiting your family to support you on your journey, or perhaps if you’re still in school or uni, enlisting your peers and fellow student to become your core supporters.
We used to beg borrow and steal all sorts of help from friends and family. I think if you let people feel as though they’re a big part of your growth and keep them involved in your journey they’re more likely to come and fill the floor at that crucial gig.
Furthermore, they’ll feel like they contributed to your success when you do eventually go gangbusters. People are usually pretty eager to be involved in exciting creative endeavours, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. Use your people!
Be In It To Win It
It can feel funny to mix art and competition together. Art is not by nature a competitive pursuit, it’s usually more personal. However, competitions are a great way of exposing your art and challenging yourself.
I definitely recommend entering songwriting and performance comps and getting as much feedback as you can. My first big break was winning Triple J’s Unearthed comp, so I know how valuable that exposure and experience can be.
I now work with a few great programs and competitions, like the Melbourne Music Bank and the Telstra Road to Discovery. I love seeing people run with the amazing opportunity they provide.
Upload!
Online presence is a massive, massive deal these days. To me it’s part of a larger puzzle that still includes great live shows and the use of more traditional media, but going online is definitely an easily achievable and important first step.
From SoundCloud, to Facebook, to YouTube, the stuff you put up online for free is going to be the content that’s accessed most easily and the most often. Make sure it’s just as good as what you’re planning to sell at shows or on iTunes.
YouTube videos are a major source of discovery for new acts. I’ve heard of many people getting signed from their YouTube success or a huge Facebook following. But it’s not just about numbers – it only takes one tastemaker blog to link to your SoundCloud (which might only have a few followers and two songs on it) and within weeks the world could be listening.
So make sure you’ve put your best foot forward out there in Internetland.
First Impressions
People often see a picture or logo or read a band name on a poster before actually hearing the band’s music. Your band or artist name and the font that it’s written in is important. It can say a lot about you, or say nothing. Or worse, it could be totally misleading.
A bad band name is a matter of opinion I guess, but I reckon there’s a good reason many famous acts have changed their names a few times before you heard of them. If you’re not happy with your band name, change it! It’s never too early to have good typography or an awesome logo on your side.
Whether you like it or not, a band is a brand and it doesn’t hurt to spend a little bit of time thinking about how yours comes across visually. Again, something unique is a hot tip. Look a little farther afield than just the fonts in Word or even better, get an artist or designer to create something just for you.
Melbourne Music Bank is a community-driven music initiative, created by Bank Of Melbourne, offering aspiring artists a chance to break into the music industry. Head to their website or socials to find out more about the career-making prizes up for grabs.
Ella Hooper’s debut solo album, ‘In Tongues’, is slated for release this September.
Watch: Ella Hooper – The Red Shoes (Live at Music Feeds Studio)
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