So You Want to be a Rockstar?

by Nic Evans
2.09 V2.0

1. Spend the time to write good songs before playing shows.

2. Don't waste your money on expensive equipment thinking it will make you sound better. Work on your playing technique instead.

3. Record a cheap demo and try to get honest criticism (your girlfriend's opinion doesn't count). If you don't get a lot of positive response, go back to the songwriting stage and start over.

4. Listen to local bands. If there's something similar to your sound go to those shows and meet people.

5. Once you feel like you could get a decent number of people to come out and see you; talk to other bands and ask if you can open up for them. Be polite and respectful, have some humility. Don't be disappointed if you don't get a lot of offers at first. Eventually there will be a time when a band cancels and they may need another band to fill in. If you made a good impression they will remember you.

6. When you play shows make sure you have some merch, you will make more money off merch than the door. Don't expect to make any profit at first. This will mostly just cover your transportation costs.

7. Don't play too often or the same place too often, people will get tired of seeing you. Spread out your shows.

8. Promote heavily but don't get on people's nerves. Nothing is more annoying than a band using your myspace profile as a billboard.

9. Don't get angry if people don't show up, they have lives. When they do come out, tell them thanks.

10. Don't get involved in the band drama and ego contests that go on. If your confident, let your music do the talking.

11. Don't use generic fonts for logos or artwork ripped from another source (this can get you into trouble with the original copyright holder.) Most artists that are starting out will do work for you relatively cheap or even free.

12. When you have a quality recording send it to magazines and web sites for reviews.

13. Avoid "Battle of the Bands" or "Artist Showcase" type gigs and other scams. If you have to pay to get on stage or on a CD compilation it's probably not worth it.

14. Get out of town! Start regionally and play anywhere you can.

15. If you've made it this far you've done as well as any other band from Chatt-town. If your goal is to be a career musician you still have a long ways to go. The reality is that very few bands will ever make the big bucks.

You may be better off just going to college instead.

It's more likely something like this will happen...

1. Write some mediocre songs and play for ten people.

2. Become an egomaniac douche bag.

3. Start petty rivalries with other bands.

4. Keep telling your girl your gonna make it one day.

5. Realize you have bills to pay and put the rock star ambitions on the back burner.

6. Sell your gear at the pawn shop.

7. Wonder what the hell your gonna do with all those t-shirts.

I should add that if your goal is to simply fulfill your artistic vision and create something of lasting value; that can be done without ever becoming a rock star. Some of the most influential and well-regarded artists were neither fortunate nor famous.

Share

Comments