Hey, nobody said the music business was going to be easy. It truly is a jungle out there filled with: snakes, rats, rabid carnivores, sharkswell, you get the picture. In the course of your musical journey, there will be confrontations, arguments, misunderstandings, and miscommunications. Youll get jerked around, screwed over, ripped off and disrespected. So, you want to be a rock star? Welcome to your nightmare.
But this is also a business of good people, wholl give you opportunities and chances and help you out when you least expect it. Thats why its so important that you, as musicians and as a Band, act professionally and respectfully regardless of the behavior of those you encounter. You dont have to be a pushover and of course, you have a right to defend yourself against the questionable actions of others, but the music community can be a very small town and the behavior you exhibit will follow you throughout your musical career.
On the flipside of t hat, there are musicians out there who, either knowingly or unknowingly bring negativity on themselves through their own actions. Short temperedness, egocentricism, brazen entitlement, compulsive lying and just plain old psychotic behavior can brand your Band as troublemakers and deprive you of important opportunities that you need to move forward in this business.
So, how can you make sure that youre doing onto others as you wish they would do onto you? What can you, as musicians do, to eliminate aspects of your personality that may be causing bad blood between you and the people you run across on your way to superstardom?
The following are a few tips that may help you to make sure youre exhibiting professional behavior at all times:
1.)Be Timely And Courteous---Whether youre playing out live or emailing booking inquiries from home, there is never a substitute for courteously or timeliness. At gigs, show up when youre supposed to, be friendly, treat oth ers with respect, set up quickly, end your set on time, break down quickly, be mindful of other Bands on stage, compliment those around you and dont forget simple things like, please and thank you. When you leave a positive impression in peoples minds, youll be high on their list when it comes time to fill an open booking slot, recommend a Band for a review, etc.
2.)Make Sure Your Actions Match Your Words---Its such a simple thing but youd be surprised how many musicians seem incapable to doing what they say theyre going to. If you book a gig, show up and play. If you say youre going to bring twenty friends and fans to your gig, do it. If you reserve an ad in a local music magazine, pay for it. If you write a check, make sure that it doesnt bounce. If you say youre going to send out a press package or a CD, mail it. It is true that many people in the music business are distrustful of Bands that they dont know, and with good reason in many instances. Build your good reputation in the industry by proving that you will do what youve promised. Start small. Once youve gain peoples trust, youll see more and more doors opening up for your Band.
3.)Take The High Road---It may be tough but theres nothing to be gained from returning someones improper behavior with a heap-load of your own. That doesnt mean that you need to let every industry slime-bag from New York to LA ride roughshod all over your music project but there are ways to deal with the negative behavior in this business without branding yourself with a label equally as negative. Sending firm yet professional letters, making intelligent and informed phone inquiries and, if need be, taking legal action against those who have acted inappropriately are ways to handle unpleasant situations without drawing negative attention to yourself. Public scenes, yelling and screaming, long-winded and ranting emails, threats and accusations and spiteful actions may make you feel vindi cated but it may chase away the good people as well as the bad and that just sets your Band back.
4.)You Cant Undo What Youve Already Done---Its much harder to undo past bad behaviors, or reverse negative reputations than it is to foster positive ones. Its best when starting out to avoid acting rash as a rule. If you have a Band member that is incapable of keeping his or her Cool, perhaps its time to rethink his or her place in your group. The Entertainment industry has a long memory and a spiteful tongue. Make sure when people speak of you, theyre speaking well.
This may all seem like such common sense that it isnt even worth mentioning but youd be surprised how many shows, interviews, tours, and record deals have never materialized because of burned bridges. You may have talent and great tunes, but if your attitude sucks youll get passed over time and again. No one wants to work with rage-aholics, egomaniacs or crazies. Dont let anyone think thats what y our Band is about. Sure its important to be creative geniuses but if no one likes you, youll be performing your masterpieces in the garage for grandma and her Pomeranian. Get smart and treat people right and you may find yourself rockin all the way to the bank.
Sheena Metal is a Radio host, producer, promoter, music supervisor, consultant, Columnist, journalist and musician. Her syndicated Radio program, Music Highway Radio, airs on over 700 affiliates to more than 126 million listeners. Her musicians assistance program, Music Highway, boasts over 10,000 members. She currently promotes numerous live shows weekly in the Los Angeles Area, where she resides. For more info: http://www.sheena-metal.com.
Author:: Sheena Metal
Keywords:: sheena metal, music highway, Column, Band, Artist, Entertainment, Indie, Radio, Clubs, Cool, Song,
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