The Indie Band Bible

This next review is of a book I have read though a few time. The Indie Band Bible By Mark Makoway.

This is a great read. Mark Makoway is the lead guitarist for the Canadian band Moist. Though out the book he talks about how they toured from the start of the band to the great success they had. he covers all kinds of topics like playing live, to handing out stickers, making posters, to the troubles one can have in the middle of no place when the van breaks down on tour.

He covers lots of ground all based on personal experiences over the years in a working band. There are tones of helpful insights great little quotes from other artists and very solid ideas to try. Things like posters and postering to contracts with venues all have a real life story to them.

The personal stories of some of the things that didn't work so well for them really helps make the book. The things that happened to them along the way really make you think, and should make you plan and be prepared for anything that could happen.

I think this is just one of those books that not only Cnadaian musicians should have but all artist who want to get out there should read.

Open Mic

So if you are like me and find you have a bit of a gap between gigs why not hit an open mic night at the local pub.
open mic night can be a lot of fun to go to if you head out with the right attitude. Its not a big gig or a paying one, but sometimes it can lead to other things. there is always a lot of different music played at open mic nights and it can be very interesting to see what people respond to. I find its a great way to test drive a new song that I have written or practice a good cover song.
A lot of time you don't see massive crowds at the smaller places where an open mic night is. They usually fall on off nights when the venue is a bit slow. This is fine its a good place to get practice and help you feel a bit more comfortable on stage. you usually meet other musicians and can get some good feedback from them. Often times you can network and find different opportunities like and opening spot for this band or if the venue has an opening spot available. You never know.

When you do go play at an open mic night it helps expose different people to some of your own original material.
A few basic rules usually apply: wait your turn as there maybe other ahead of you. Be courteous to the other musicians. Be positive any way you can, some of the others participating maybe nervous or just starting out like you once did. Don't over stay your turn, there may be many waiting to get up and play there turn. Always thank everyone after you play before you get off stage. Smile and look like your having fun because you will get it back in turn.

I always look at an open mic as a chance to network with other artists, a testing ground for a new song, away to expose possible new fans to your music, and it is always good experience to play live no matter what.

So, take the chance and hit an open mic or two, smile and have fun.

The Complete Singer-Songwriter

My second Book review. This is another good read for anyone starting out in music.  The Complete Singer-Songwriter By Jeffery Pepper Rodgers.

This is a great book for new artists and artists with some miles on them. It is a fairly comprehensive guide that covers a lot of topics. it covers things like getting started, writing, to getting on stage, promoting yourself, what to expect when going into the recording studio. It also has a great list of resources one can tap into through out you life as an artist.

There are also lots of quotes from other artists and singers though out. Tell of there experiences and they give helpful advice. The list of artists that give advice is varied and very impressive, and I found inspiring.

This is one of those books I think every aspiring artist and musician should have on the book shelf. It is a great read and a very good referance as you travel along making music.

Made To Stick

Well The fist book I would like to share a bit about is Made to stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.

This is a great book to go through, lost to make you think about how you get your ideas across to people. Very good examples that help make points about what you are saying and how you say things. Great guide lines on how to become better at communicating you ideas. A must read if you are trying to sell yourself as a professional in any way.

This book is a great help if you are looking to make you Band bio stand out. It helps you think about what you are trying to say, it does not tell you what to say. It gives you a guide line with 6 basic principals to follow on making your message stronger and more effective at sticking.

You can find it online through amazon.com

A very good read to get the mind going.

Its been a while

Well its been a while since I had time or any thoughts about this blog. Time to start working on it.

Not sure how many people are interested in what I am doing, but I'll just keep plugging a long.

So I am going to be doing a few more things on pushing a indie band a long. I have been doing a bunch of reading and testing of a few things over the last while. I'm going to start doing a few reviews of books that can help a new artist, share some ideas on promoting a band, and sharing in some of the things that have worked for me and some that have not.

I also have a second blog going about my ups and down with my own music that I have started. It is at www.kevinfreyband.blogspot.com

I hope that some of the things I cover help and give you some ideas as well. I would like to share with anyone who needs some ideas.

I hope you will join me as I plug along.