I'm back! Ha, it's not that I've been slacking on guitar, it's just that I don't have much time to write daily - which is quite unfortunate.
Yesterday was interesting, I was hanging out with one of my good friends who is the lead guitarist in a well-known, local band. He's "deep in the scene" as I call it. He filled me in on some of the news regarding bands from the local scene that have gone national...well if you can call it national. It's pretty pathetic at how much drama goes into bands. In my professional life, I don't see that type of drama, but in a band situation - an alternative work environment - it is amazing to see how personal everything is; it's the nature of music.
Anyway, one of the (name-withheld) bands that I haven't heard from in a while, is in a crappy situation; kind of sad. Long story short, they are signed to an indie label that does nothing, they haven't released a record in over a year, they had to change their name because of a lawsuit and the name sucks. They are on tour with some well-known national acts, but I can't imagine they are having a great time.
There are a lot of bands out there that want to "make it," but there nearly just as many indie labels out there. Don't fool yourself. You can only depend on your own skills, not others, to make it in the industry. Networking is important, but your product (your music) is more important.
Words of advice I was given from a Grammy-winning big shot, "focus on bringing in crowds to your shows. If you can draw people, the record companies will find you." You may have heard this before, but it's the truth!
A lot of bands in your local scene, take a business approach to their music. This is not wrong, but, they end up focusing more on the business element, than they do on their music. This is a fatal mistake. I don't care if your band can draw 800 people to a show, if your music sucks, your band sucks.
I know for a fact, having been there with industry folks, when they listen to your demo they give you about 10-30 seconds per song to win them over. If your can't grab their attention immediately, you're done. So, you might love your middle-eight break-down or the sick solo you have about two and half minutes into the song, but don't count on anyone at a record company hearing it.
Just focus on your music and you'll be fine. Besides if you're not in it for the music, if you're in it to be a rock star, you've already failed. And remember, if you do land a record deal, don't let it get to your head! You might have overcome the local scene you came from, but now your in the big leagues. You might feel like a rock star, but you now have to compare your band's music and influence to say Led Zeppelin/Nirvana/The Beatles/etc. Get it? Keep your head, be nice to people, work hard and you might last more than two years.
