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entertaining u newspaper: your monthly guide to entertainment
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by hilary johnson and
jon bosworth
Putting together a band is something that nearly everyone thinks about, even those of us who can’t play an instrument. But there is something inside a song that is glamorous, enticing and hard to resist, even if it is just a daydream. For many people, though, that dream attempts to wake up and become a part of daily life. When that happens, it’s important to know there is more to it than just buying a guitar and learning some chords. Putting a band together requires a lot of hard work, patience, and a malleable vision.
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It all starts with the itch to make some music that kicks in motion the creation of a band. It might start small, with a simple guitar lick that just felt right. Or, it could be an entire song or string of songs that just need a few more people for fleshing out. Whatever the case, it starts with the music. Only then do the musicians come. But don’t undertake this lofty dream just because you hope to one day trash hotel rooms, because forming a band is more painful than building a relationship with a mate. Imagine having three girlfriends/boyfriends. Only take this task on if there is a song or a type of music that you think the world is in dire need of and you are in a unique position to provide it. The last thing any music scene needs is another trite rip-off band.
“Usually it’s best not to force things,” says Justin Long, a local musician and producer who has worked with many major label artists, as well as being signed to Atlantic himself. “Let the right people come together organically and you’ll all be happier later. Chemistry is really important.”
Although many great bands started by responding to a flyer on a music store wall, the best way is to work within the circles you already know. Who likes similar music as you? Do they play an instrument? Do they know some musicians that will be interested in your idea? Post for your dream player on Craigslist or MySpace. “Drummer Needed: Hardcore rock band. Must wear lots of black and rock extremely hard.” If you have to go this anonymous route, it’s best to utilize the places you go to see or buy the music you love and find people there.
Once the band has been selected, it’s time to practice. And there must be something to practice during practice, so songs must be written, parts must be determined, a groove established. This is when the magic happens. This is when the group of random musicians becomes a band. A practice space is also necessary, of which there are many around town. Stay Tuned Studios and Sunburst Studios are both good places to start. There is also nothing wrong with starting on a couple of acoustic guitars in a quiet room, but if you want to rock, you will need to find a place where you can rock loud during rehearsal.
There are two important things to remember about touring. 1) Know what you are doing. “No one likes to see a band stumble through a set, with all those long pauses in between songs,” says Long. “You don’t look cool until you look confident.” And 2) Remember who is at the microphone. “Don’t forget that your band is only as good as your singer,” says Long. “That’s what most people key in on. Everything else will work itself out.” Otherwise, it’s important to find places with line-ups that usually reflect your band’s sound, and with a crowd that matches your main audience. It’s probably safe to say that if you would go there yourself, your band will probably fit its description
It’s important to have a record so that when you play a show, the audience can take you home with them. Otherwise, they might just forget all about you. In order to make an album you need a studio and, if you’re smart, a producer. Not only can a producer help develop a band’s sound, but it can also offer some great opportunities and connections. “Get a good producer into your career as young as you possibly can,” says producer Scott Fravala, owner of Vision Sounds, one of Jacksonville’s recording studios. “It will open up your career. Being around successful people will make you successful in some way.”
But don’t get ahead of yourself. Start by recording one or maybe two songs to post on MySpace and give out at shows. If you go into a recording session with an objective of recording ten songs, you will be broke and have ten half-assed songs. Spend five times the effort on two songs and they will represent you better.
If you’re lucky, likable, and at least decent musicians, there’s a chance for a real record deal. Striking gold and becoming a rockstar is unlikely at best, but it does happen, even here in Jacksonville. From Lynyrd Skynyrd to Limp Bizkit, with Yellowcard, Shinedown and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, rockstars spring from the city’s lifeblood all the time. These days, in the MySpace era, many bands make it to the big time without a label. Like Nate Ruess of The Format told EU, “Labels and major radio are so 1998.”
Remember, once the band leaves the bedroom, and that little nugget of an idea becomes reality, the music leaves the realm of simple organized sounds and becomes a product. “The band is a product that is meant to be bought and sold,” says Fravala. “And that is what is called the music business.” Once you have a song that everyone loves to have on their iPod, you’re well on your way to trashing that hotel room.
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EU Critic’s Choice Awards
