I'm with you Megaloud. I saw a band open for Heathenfest last night that was great, but they really seemed like they just wanted to stand there and play some metal and hoped it went over well. NOT the way to get your music going.
I hope to have a few different bands in the future (for my different musical ways, since I shouldn't shove thirty genres into one group) and I've already been thinking about what I will need to do to get them going and keep them alive.
Only thing is, you point out the mistakes that bands make but don't offer the correct method.
Here are the biggest mistakes many bands make when trying to become successful:
Mistake #1: Most bands focus either on the wrong things, tiny insignificant things or no specific things at all.
What kinds of insignificant things might a band get hung up on?
Mistake #2: Most bands put a lot of effort into their music (which is good), but very little effort into the many other critical elements needed to make it in the music business.
Mistake #4: Most bands have a fundamental misunderstanding about what record companies look for, and expect from, new bands. This misunderstanding puts bands on the wrong path.
What sort of critical elements? Image, business aspect/marketing, interacting with fans? And what might a label be looking for, other than of course a band that will make them lots of dollars?
Mistake #5: Most bands severely underestimate the importance of their image. Yes, music is about 'music', but music business success is about a total package which includes music, image, visual stage show among other things which need to be fully developed in a congruent way. (This is where the term "Artist Development" comes from!)
Mistake #6: Most bands' live show is mediocre at best. The music might be good, but a live 'show' requires more than great music. If people only wanted to hear the music, they would save their money and listen to the music at home. Both fans and record labels want (and expect) to see a REAL show. Neglecting this area results in talented bands quickly forgotten.
I've seen plenty of local bands with no stage show, and others that do their damndest to wow the crowd for their full half hour of playing. Aside from metal outfits, headbanging/thrashing and maybe a few posters with their logo, what else can an unsigned band with limited cash do to put on a SHOW as opposed to just a setlist?
Mistake #8: Most bands do not understand nor have an effective music marketing strategy to promote their band. Without this you will continue to struggle.
What would be an "effective music marketing strategy" in todays metal world? I notice many bands today have a sticker on their CD that reads "If you are a fan of Band X, Band Y, or Band Z, you will like this album/this album is a must for you!"
