I have been a full-time musician for 8 years now, I have 2 previous bands and now a bassist in a band called Me Gusta!! which focus on Indie-Alternative Rock. Some of you might have a band, you guys have recorded some of your own songs, but still, your band is not in the gig's list. Have you ever asked yourself and your bandmates about this type of questions? :
-Why we are not in a gig?
-Why we never perform?
-Why we don't have enough exposure?
-We have our own songs and recorded it, but still, why no one notice about us?
Well, if you're puzzle about that, here's 6 reasons on why your band is not in a gig!
WARNING! THE FACTS MIGHT BE OFFENSIVE
1. Your Band Is Not Good Enough, To Be Exact, Sucks!
Why your band sucks?? Simple, you guys didn't frequently rehearse or practice. It's important to your band to always rehearse even if you guys have played for 20 times for the same song. If you don't then your band will definitely lose their fitness, such as, the timing is not tight, the sound will not blend perfectly, your band loses it's sound balance, vocalist out-key and many more. But you still have the guts to asked why your band have not receive any invitation to perform at any gig, perfect!! Did you ever recorded what your band played during rehearsal or demo and listen to it? If not, then you will never know if your band is good or totally sucks!! If you want to be invited, then listen to your own records! Record it, listen to it, correct the error, tighten it, sharpen it and spice it up!!! That's the only way to know if you're good or in the "sucks" zone!!!!
Rehearse And Record, Do It Repeatedly, Then The Magic Happens!
2. You & Your Bandmates Are An Irresponsible Asshole
Well, here's the chance you're waiting for, an invitation to perform at a gig! The organizer informed you, that your band soundcheck will be at 8PM the day before the gig, but you came 9.30PM, to make it worse, you didn't came at all without any messages or calls. And when the organizer told you that your set is 30 minutes, but then, your band performed for an hour, your band will distract the set for other band that perform after your band. Imagine what kind of dick you are? Slowly, the news will spread between organizer community, soon, your band will be label as an asshole, and for your info, an asshole band will not be invited to any gig, because you're a time waster to them and non-tolerance to the organizers and also the bands that play in the gig. So, when the organizer informed you about your set and soundcheck time, be there early and respect the schedule, be professional!! Respect the organizer and also all the other bands. Organizer love to work with someone who make their job easy!
Punctual And Respect Are The Key
3. People Don't Know Who You Are
You gather your guts to talk to one of the organizer, and told them that you have a band and would love to perform in one of their gig, then the organizer asked you for your band demo, Ep, or any video of your band performing for them to listen, but, you don't have any!! That's the problem!! How can you formed a band and wanted to perform at any level of gig, but you didn't have any documentation of your songs/performance?? Even if you're an underground bands or whatsoever, you must have your band social media page!
Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, or at least, a Facebook page. That's the modern way for people to connect with you guys, to know and listen to your songs. Update your page frequently about your activities or any upcoming gig, project, songs and many more, so that people know that you guys are active!! An organizer will want to hear and see your performance first before inviting your band at their gig, to avoid disappointment! Show them what you're capable of, dazzle them, and sure organizers will be inviting you to numbers of gigs!
Connect With People, And People Will Become Your Fans
4. Your Music Did Not Suit With The Organizer
Don't get me wrong, its not that none of the organizers want to hear your songs, but organizers too are human, they have their own taste of music. For an example, your band is a Thrash Metal band, and you approach an organizer who organize a local Pop and RnB shows, such as Taylor Swift and Bieber kinda of vibe, so, do you think its suitable?? When do you saw Cannibal Corpse playing alongside Usher??That's gonna be a huge confusing and awkward to the crowd. Got what I mean? Its about choosing the right organizer with the right venue and platform. Study your local organizers, make sure they organize a gig that you think suitable to your genre and playing style. Different venue, different crowd. Its important to know who you're delivering to.
Delivered Your Songs To The Right Soul
5. None Of You Is Searching For A Gig
Let say, that your band is hardworking band during rehearsal or practice, they never get tired of playing the same song repeatedly, never complains, but when it comes to searching for a gig, none of you guys stood up and do their part. Do you really thinks that your band will go somewhere just by rehearse perfectly?! Use your brains! To get a gig, you need to socialized and connect with people!! You must involve with other gig whether your band is not playing in that gig. Be the crowd, and socialized with other people in the venue. Make friends and share what your opinion and your band's plan, search for information. Sooner or later, people starts to spread the news that you have a band, and people wants to see you perform, so they will demand to the organizer to bring your band for the next show. Its a bonus for you if you have the chance to talk to the organizer because, normally, the organizer will be quiet busy handling all kind of stuff during the gig, but its ok, just talk to the people in music scene community, by the way, the crowds too have a powerful voice, don't ever forget that and never take that for granted.
Before You Are Even A Musician, You Were A Crowd, Never Forget Where You Came From
6. Your Band Don't Have Plans And Vision
The words of Helen Keller says it all. Before dreams and hope, there's vision. Imagine your band 5 or 6 years from now, where did you think your band will be. I bet all musician wanted to perform at Wembley Stadium, playing infront thousand or millions of people, sing along with your songs. Every band must have a vision, so that you and your band have the motivation and working hard to achieve that level. An organizer will get attract by a band if they know your vision and they will also try to help and guide you guys in hope to make your dreams come true. And don't waste your time on involving into negative kind of people and thoughts. Every scene must have their trouble-maker, but ignore it and mind your own business.
Be A Band That Knows What They Are Doing And Where Are They Heading To
I hope that everyone who are sharing the same dreams as me will achieve what they dream of. And I do hope that some of my tips will be usefull to other musicians. Till' the next blog steemians, Ciaaaaaoooo~~~~~
