subject: Top five factors to enter into the spotlight of the music industry as an unsigned band [print this page] Top five factors to enter into the spotlight of the music industry as an unsigned band
I would first like to say that Leeds is an amazing area to work in and I enjoyed every day working there as a music journalist; however it can be very expensive to live in Leeds city centre, with increasing rents and a lack of available properties to occupy, making it difficult for a young professional to live comfortably.
These are my five top factors for entering the music industry and being successful, regardless of the age of the band, gig history or presence in the music scene.
5. Subscribe to a plethora of magazines and online blogs Even though NME and Kerrang are industry leaders in terms of music magazine publishers, there are an array of others to choose from that can yield similar (and sometimes better) stories in which you can retrieve news and get a lot of information from. Online blogs also usually have up-to-the-minute information before any magazine could; however it is vital to check sources and reputability of the blogger. This will give you insider information that you can use to further your band's progress.
4. Join Last.fm and promote your band as much as possible: Last.fm is much more than a website that collates information about who you have been listening to - you can build a band page for free, upload any songs that you have recorded and stream them, as well as linking to music stores, netting you a small profit. Whilst facebook has begun to make itself a presence in this respect, using Last.fm presents the easiest and most generally recognised way to get your band out there.
3. Post blogs about it: Whilst it might seem counter-intuitive to display writing skills online instead of music, it is a fast and effective way to improve SEO rankings and fully publicise your band. Search engines can play a huge part in making your band more noticeable and an intelligent SEO strategy can be highly effective - however, try and write your blogs on music news or activity, as opposed to a personal account, as this will draw more readers in.
2. Visit a number of festivals, read newsletters and news of small bands: Smaller bands, despite not having the same popularity and impact as others, are a great method of gaining popularity via osmosis and striking a mutually-beneficial deal. It can also help to make obtaining gig spaces even easier. It is beneficial to build up support from a regional fanbase before attempting to break out further. My experience working an office in Leeds has shown me the evolution of a lot of regional bands such as Kaiser Chiefs.
1. Make friends in the industry Much like starting your own business, much of your success will depend on your contacts and who you have strong relationships with. Attend as many networking events for the music industry and speak to music experts. Even an e-mail address or telephone number can be an effective way of breaking into the music industry.
Whilst a lot of your success will come down to the quality of your music and the originality present (unless you are spotted by a talent scout), these factors really can help to strengthen the potential for your band.
