The most overlooked things when bands or artists are trying to break into the music industry are,
1) Songs
2) Production quality
3) Presentation
4) Knowledge of your business, the music biz that is
Why would anyone overlook these simple "steps to success" in the "music industry." I'm not saying that
luck isn't a factor. But if you don't have the aforementioned 4 things, nothing will come of the luck.
Why is this so?
Lets look and see.
If you don't have good songs you don't have anything. What is the "thing" that record companies/iTunes
"sell."
songs.
So, just knowing you need great songs is one thing, writing them is another.
Do they "just happen" in the rehearsal room?
Sitting on your bed alone?
Come to you in a flash of inspiration?
Collaborating with people other than your band mates or friends?
The answer is yes.
You should not limit how they come about. I have seen my share of musicians and bands actually say,
"thats not how we write." And I say "yeah, I can tell." To myself of course.
There is a saying in the movie industry, A good script isn't written it is rewritten. Good idea, hmmmmm
maybe those songs your working on could be a little better. Maybe the lyric could be more metaphoric or
use a real persons name instead of "She." Think of how many great songs use real names, Eleanor Rigby,
Roxanne, Iris, Adam's Song. Look to your real life for lyric ideas. Real places, real people and real
situations will always "work" in a song. Besides, it is actually an easier way to write. There is always "stuff"
happening in your "real life" Write lyrics about it.
Production quality.
I love when A&R reps say "Oh, don't worry about the quality, we can hear though that."
I've seen industry types say, "NOWAY, turn it off." as soon as they hear a few bars of a crappy recording.
I've seen demo Cd's being used as coasters.
I've seen people who love all the demo Cd's they get, because they always have a "jewel case" for their
backup DVD's.
But,
when a well produced demo starts, they go "yeah, this is nice"
Now,
what do I mean, "Well Produced" Do I mean wonderfully engineered with the best mics, the best pre's, the
best studio or the best of every thing money could buy. Nope. Do I mean the best musicians writing what
they feel are their best songs with the best of intentions. Nope.
Being Well Produced means;
1) The perfect lead vocal, whatever the style.
You have to believe the lead vocal. Most "demos" have what I call "demovocalitis" Most of the lead vocal is
only just "OK" and also there are usually a few "clunkers" that have made it though. A great vocal producer
will not let this happen. First every single word, utterance or melody is in there for a purpose and its "thee"
best performance that made it to tape/hardrive and if it isn't there, you do it again till it is there. No ifs, ands
or buts. Why do you think every CD you love, sounds "perfect" Because, it is "Well Produced."
2) Rock solid groove, whatever the style.
This should of been first, If you start with a "suspect" drummer with "suspect" timing I "suspect" it won't be a
rock solid groove. Especially if your recording with only the assistant engineer at your local studio on the
weekends. We all know your "drummer" wants so very bad to play on the demos, but maybe using live
drum loops to start (the Joey Kramer library is a great choice) would serve the song better until you have
the money and time to spend a half day getting good drum sounds with a good engineer, a day getting the
best performance for each song with a good producer and a few days of that same producer editing it till it
"is" rock solid or in other words,
"Well Produced".
Starting to see a pattern here?
3) Song selection, whatever style.
Actually this should of been first, Since this is what I feel is the "first" job of the producer on a new project.
Because, if your not producing good songs you wont have a good production. Now, I've heard people say
"I don't like that album, but it is well produced" What does that mean? I think what they mean is; It is a "well
engineered" album with "mediocre songs" what I would call "not well produced"
would you not agree?
More often than not, A "band" will not pick their "best" material by themselves. It just makes since having a
person whom you respect inside that sacred circle. This is easier for solo artists to achieve but ego does
rear its ugly head.
So, being well produced means working hard till it is well produced
Next time I will address" presentation" of your product ie: you or your band that is.
Rob
YourSongSpace.com