Recent Posts in ‘Q&A !!’
Writing a Band Biography
From: Mike Question: Hi, Mark. Do you have any tips on writing a band bio? I realize a professional can always be hired, but most of us musicians are poor (and some of us actually do have good writing sense). Thanks! —————————————————————————————— I think it’s great that you are thinking about a band biography. The
Marketing Your Band Without Being Annoying
How do I market my band without being annoying? I recently got an email asking two things: how to be behave like a professional band and how to market a band without being annoying (and spammy). Well, to answer the first question, you’re off to a great start by asking your second question! Marketing a
Q&A: What Are Some Tips for Booking a tour
From: Ricky Question: Hi Mark. I’ve recently started to work with a young but hardworking band in a management role. Because the band is small, I’m also acting as their booking agent. I’m quite new at this and I am especially unsure of my abilities as an agent. Venues, promoters, etc, simply haven’t been responding to
Likeness Ownership and Playing a Festival
From: Peter Question: My band Bicycle Thief have been selected to play an end of year festival. They sent us a contract, stipulating that they own all the rights to any photo’s or footage taken of us being “Bicycle Thief” during the performance. I was just wondering if that is standard practice? and if not how
Q&A: Should we make a good DEMO?
From: Austen Question: Hey Mark! A few friends and I are in the process of forming a hardcore/metalcore band after some like The Chariot, Haste the Day, but with influences from all over everywhere. I, being screamed vocals/bass, have 90′s-to-modern hardcore and metalcore influence, while our guitarist LOVES hair metal, with that being his main
Q&A: How do you get moving with little money?
From: Randall Question: I had some questions about small/local labels.How do you get signed to a small/local label if you dont have the resources to record a decent sounding recording? my band has worked very hard to get where we are at, it was hard enough to pay for a one song rough demo,how would you
Q&A: Aftermath from an exiting member
From: Kyle Question: We kicked out our singer… Here’s our band’s current situation. Our singer and co-founding member just quit on us then a couple hours later tried to come back to the band. We decided it was best to go on without him. It was a messy split. He wrote the majority of the
What makes a venue successful?
From: Brad Question: What does it take to start a successful music venue? Music venues take a ton of work to not only get going but to keep successful. You need to have a clear understanding on the front-end of where your revenue will be coming from and how you will make it. You CAN
Q&A: Qualities For A Good Manager?
From: Brian Question: I’m just curious what you think are the most important qualities for someone to possess if they are looking to make a career of managing bands, promoting, or the music business in general? Also, what are some of the most important skills you’ve had to use in the past to get where
Q&A: Should we release an EP with a label?
From: Anonymous Question: We feel like we are on the right path as far as getting ourselves out there and smaller labels are starting to show interest in us. Something that i’ve heard of bands doing is putting out a record/EP with a smaller label with the intentions of moving up to a bigger label
Q&A: What are some standard percentages for agents, labels & managers?
From: Jake Question: What are the standards in percentages for Managers, Booking Agencies, and Record companies as far as how much money and revenue they take from a band? ————————————————————————————————————————————— What you pay a manager is almost always up for negotiation. Read more about this here. The standard with agents is 10%. If an agent
Q&A: I write music. How do I get it heard?
From: John Question: I have been recording for about 10 years now. I have written tons of songs, submitted music for tv and film placement, and produced some really great bands. How do I get a break and get my stuff heard or sold? I write music, lyrics, rap beats and instrumentals. I have a
