The older and more professional bands & musicians are usually good at putting themselves out there ’cause they know what they are doing. They’ve been around it long enough ’cause they know how the music industry works and knows how the music world goes.

For the younger bands just getting into the scene, they’ve got a lot of learning to do. The younger bands seem to be doing everything they can to get noticed. They seem to be jumping at every opportunity that throws at them. It seems like they’ll get any gig they can get, and they seem to be wanting to play almost anywhere.

I understand bands & solo musicians do whatever they can to achieve their dreams & goals, but they need to do their careers responsibly and carefully. I mean, there are sleazy things they have to watch out for. They have to be careful of the scams that go around the music business, the pay to play schemes, they have to worry about getting ripped off by venue owners, etc. All kinds of bullshit.  This is why you can’t say yes to everything that throws at you. Some of these bands will still think this stuff is legit and a good opportunity for them. Plus, worst of all they have to watch out for sleazy club & venue owners ’cause not all of them are going to be so kind to you, believe me.

If I ever get my own band going, I’m going to be careful with everything and take everything we do seriously. Before getting booked a gig at some venue, look into it in detail and make sure the gig is worth it before saying yes to it. Don’t be afraid to turn down gigs you don’t agree with. You don’t need to agree with everything in the music world. Don’t be afraid to be real and honest about things.

Of course, when you say this stuff to other bands, they’ll think you’re full of shit and they’ll get upset easily, when all you’re doing is just looking after them as a fan and friend.

If you want your career to be on a positive note, you have to take everything you do seriously. This post is not just aimed at the young and new bands, this is aimed at the some of older bands as well, ’cause even they can mess up their careers sometimes as well.

Take it all seriously… the way you put yourselves out there. Your music, the way you promote yourself, the way you book gigs, the way you enter contests & other competitions, the way you talk to people, etc.

Another thing, communication skills. When you want to put yourself out there, you have to have your best communication skills possible. Having a good attitude and being professional is a must. Bands make the mistake that they think they can act however they want to in the music scene. They think they can act like an asshole to people whenever you want to, but if you want your music to go somewhere you can’t. Bands have the worst communication skills, it’s crazy.

This goes for me too. In the past, I wish I put myself out there better but I learn from my mistakes and I’ll learn to do much better in my next musical run.

Kev