Running A Band

"The problem with the music business is that everyone knows something about it and no one knows everything about it. There is no place that you can go for all the answers because there are too many right answers for every question...and even more wrong ones"(Suzanne, Stein, and Niehaus 9). Schools teach many aspects of music notation, theory, etc., but don’t teach much about the industry itself. The music industry is not like a normal company where you move up as you gain more experience(9).        Most people build knowledge by using trial and error. Since this takes a lot of time, music is not a long lasting career. Most people start young and play at clubs for a few years. They then settle down and consider a more serious career. Some people also play music to work through college and never pick up their instruments again, except at parties. "Nevertheless, you can have a serious career in music, even without being a star, if you approach it as just that - a career"(9).        "A life in music requires much more than creative and technical skills. As John Candy once said, ‘It’s not show art. It’s show business’"(qtd. in Suzanne, Stein, Niehaus 11). The skills you need to have to make it in the industry as a musician, whether you’re shooting for local recognition or aiming for nation attention, are the abilities to build and run a band and to work with people, an awareness of politics, a realistic and challenging career plan, and the knowledge of situations(11).        Choosing people who have the right abilities and attitude for your band is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever have to make in your career. There are four types of bands(12). Remember, no matter which type you pick, all four will run into problems(17).        The first type of band consists of a group of friends. The are usually the first bands that people are in. These types of bands usually come up with poor tracks. A strong group almost always has a leader. If no natural leader emerges, appoint one. The trouble with these kinds of bands is that being in a band can kill friendship(12-13).        The next type is leader and sidemen. This is the best known best formula. Although the leader gets the spotlight, he also does most of the work. A good leader is what makes a band successful, but then again, "a group is only as good as its leader"(13-15).        Another type is corporate rock. These groups are made when someone picks the musicians, promotes them, finds songs for them to play, and the band becomes popular even if just for a while. These kinds of groups are usually created just for moneymaking(15-16).        The final type is coordination of a partnership. They have no leader, and the band plays well known songs. The money is split evenly, and everything is short-termed. These bands are good starts, but in order for it to be anymore than just that, a leader needs to emerge(16-17).        When first starting a group, you will need to figure out a name, make a rehearsal schedule, and figure out the type of music you are going to play. When figuring out the type of music your are going to play, ask yourself if you are going to play cover tunes or original music. Most groups compromise by using cover tunes to find work and use their own music at shows(Weissman 18).        At first, perform for anyone who wants to hear you. This includes hospitals, nursing homes, senior meal centers, mental health clinics, and psychiatric facilities(Weissman 24). Night clubs also have talent contests for new performers(29-30). Remember, at first, it’s not about money, but performing experience. You’ll find out which songs receive the most reaction from an audience, and you can try experimenting(30).        After about six months of free performances, put together a promo kit that you can show prospective clients(30). This package should include pictures of the group, a group biography with information on each member, reviews, lists of places that you or your group played, a list of the types of music the band plays, a set list(if you have one, and if the songs are recognizable to a broad audience), a demo tape, and videos. Make sure your promo pack stresses the style of music you are selling(5). Package your musical talents for people who aren’t musicians but know a lot about the business, such as club owners. If a club owner asks about you, hand him a promo package(5).        Negative attitudes, lack of commitment, laziness, etc., etc., hurt bands(Suzanne, Stein, and Niehaus 18). In order for a group proceed any further, they must get past and deal with these problems. In a group of friends, if talking to the person doesn’t work, the group will have to vote if they want to keep the person. In a leader sidemen group and you’re a sideman, and the leader is constantly late, you will either have to tolerate it or leave the group. If it’s the sideman, and you’re the leader, talk to him and judging from his attitude, give him a chance or start looking for someone else. In corporate rock, there’s nothing you can really do but report it. In coordination of partners, you can’t do anything about it since you can’t fire anyone you didn’t hire(18-19).        "Burnout is having used up your enthusiasm for what you’re doing..."(20). This is a "good indication that a particular phase of your career is over..."(20-21). This doesn’t mean that your career is over. To get past burnout, try new things(21-22).        Drugs and alcohol can ruin your whole career and your hard earned reputation. Since "...society at large still views musicians as people who play instead of work. The overall image of the public is not in your favor"(22-23). Basically, the bottom line is, if you are going to use drugs, you’re going to trash your career(24-25).        Music is a source of income, and just as a scientist makes sure that he’s getting paid fairly, a musician should watch for the possibility that he’s may be cheated. When playing for a gig, if you’re not getting paid in cash, cash the check as soon as you get it. "Major corporate chains have been known to bounce checks"(Suzanne, Stein, and Niehaus 30). Always cash the check at the bank the check is drawn on until you’re sure that your employer has good credit. If you pay your group by check, make sure you do it after you cash the check the employer gives you(30). Also, when playing for out of town clients, especially if you’ve never worked for them before, get a 50% deposit upfront before you start to drive out of town. Also do this with a club that isn’t in a great finical situation(Weissman 106).        Working for "the door" is when an artist gets paid for a percentage of the tickets sold. Don’t work for the door alone because you can be very easily ripped off(107). Instead, ask them to pay you minimum Union wage and a percentage of the door(107). Also, never work for a club where you have to pay to play and get paid a percentage of the door(107).        If you’re a serious musician, you should join the Musicians Union. "Even though some Union agents will book non-union talents, they’re not supposed to..."(Weissman 51). Most local bands don’t join the union because they think it’s "a bunch of old swing musicians." But, if some young musicians join the union, it wouldn’t have that kind of reputation. Almost all big rock and country stars are members of the Union because their TV appearances and record contracts require that affiliation(51).        The Union sets wage scales, offers pensions and benefits for those participating in national contracts, and job protection(72). Like every other good thing, being a member of the Union has many restrictions. For example, members are not supposed to work with non-union musicians, contracts must be filed on all jobs played, and members must pay work tax on all their jobs(72).        The Union co-sponsors local concerts that are free and open to the public. They take place in malls, hospitals, schools, parks, nursing homes, prisons, etc., etc.. Of course, wages in NY or LA are higher than they are in small towns like Dubuque or Tupelo. Working in a couple of these jobs a year will be enough to pay your fees for being in the Union. It is important to remember that these jobs may open pathways to future jobs. The Union gets money for this through the Music Performance Trust Fund, or MPTF(51).        The MPTF also helps pay for benefits. So, if you get a request to play a benefit, have the request refereed to the MPTF through the Union. You will be paid minimum and the client will pay for only a part of the cost, unless the charity really doesn’t have any money. Then, the MPTF will pay for the whole gig(51).        There are two other unions that you may be required to join. They are the AFTRA(American Federation of Radio and Television Artists) & the AFM(American Federation of Musicians). These are necessary if you are going to appear on TV or the radio(73).        You should be careful of taxes. If you pay your group members in cash, make sure they sign a receipt, or you’ll end up paying all the taxes(30). Also, you should keep a record of musical instruments, sound equipment, music accessories, music lessons, and miles driven to and from work, auditions, and rehearsals. You may be able to get tax deductions from the IRS if you do this, but only if you keep clear, organized records(Weissman 24).        Having a career plan is the most important thing you can do to insure success. "In order to go somewhere, you must know where you want to go....In the music business, this is no easy task because there are no surefire ways of getting anywhere, except out of the business. One of the best ways to proceed is to think backwards from where you want to be"(Suzanne, Stein, and Niehaus 38). "...Striving for a little bit than you think you can accomplish might just give you the push you need to go over the top. Without a plan, you won’t even be sure what the top is"(39-40).        Picking a name is one of the "agonizing" decisions a group has to make(40). Mr. Burton agrees with this. His band is named Blues Deluxe. Blues is the type of music they play and deluxe usually means something good. He thinks that some good band names are Smash Mouth and Gin Blossoms(Personal Interview 1/19/98). The name really means more to you than anyone else. If you become famous, it will be remembered. If not, it’s not because of the name. Make sure to trademark it(Suzanne, Stein, and Niehaus 40-41).