I have a band. I won’t tell you the name or anything yet because my "band" is just me and 3 other friends who write rock music and we practice. But how do we even start? First, how do I make my band name official so that nobody is allowed to steal it? Second, how do we play our first gig and more later? I heard you need a manager but where do I find one? Please don’t recommend a friend because they want "REAL" jobs. Not the people in our band but other friends want real jobs. I’m sorry about all the questions, but there’s more. Also, how do I record an album we already wrote? Then, how do we have the songs put on millions of CDs? Next, how to we make stores sell those CDs like the real bands? Next, how do we get our songs played on the radio like real bands? Also, what are record labels for and is it easier to get famous through them? Also, how do we go from playing at restaurants and small gigs, to large stadiums that guns n roses and led zeppelin played? How do we get music videos played on tv and whatnot? Lastly, who do we go to once we have recorded our first album? Where does that recording go and what do we do with it? How does it go to the shelf of stores and how to get it played on radio? Lastly, I promise, how can we get famous? If THOUSANDS of bands can do it, I think we have a shot at it. Sorry for all the questions but we have NO CLUE what to do or where to start. ABSOLUTLY nothing. Please answer the questions and don’t tell us keep dreaming or whatever. All famous bands career began with dreams of success.
You can’t make your band name official so that nobody can steal it if you’re not big.
To play your first gig, make sure that you have a set list first, then look online or in the paper for places that are looking for bands. If you can’t find any, go to local bars and restaurants and see if they have any live music played there and try to get in there.
You don’t need a manager until you are big. Don’t get ahead of yourself.
To record an album, go to a recording studio.
Put the songs on the CDs yourself, or if the recording studio will do it for you, have them do it. Don’t make millions of CDs. Make about 30 or so and once you sell them, make more.
To get places to sell your CD, ask a store owner. You can’t just make a company buy your CD and sell it. They’ll only do it if you’re good. Same with getting on the radio, ask a local station to play your stuff. If they like it, chances are they will.
Record labels market your CD basically, you should be well known (played in quite a few towns/cities) to get approached by one, if one approaches you while you’re still fairly unknown, chances are, they’re trying to just take your money. It’s easier to get famous through them though, you just have to be very careful. In the end, you’ll only get famous by your talent though.
You’re gonna just have to work your way up through the gig ladder. You’ll eventually get bigger and bigger crowds.
To get music videos on TV, it’s extremely hard work. You’ll have to be already big and famous for a TV station to even look at you. Secondly, your music video must be of high quality to be played, you don’t want some crappy video shot with a cell phone in your basement.
Getting famous is all about your talent, just because you say "thousands" of bands can do it doesn’t mean it’s easy. It’s one of the hardest ways to make a living in the entertainment industry. Never think you’re gonna be famous. Just let it happen. Bands may start with dreams of success, but it doesn’t matter what your dreams are, it matters how you put those dreams into action, and with your actions, I believe you can do it.
