Band photography

August 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

For me a good promotional band photo is one that makes me think, “Wow, that’s cool, they are hot, why did they think of doing that! and wow that looks like a fun/odd/cool shoot”. Something that makes the viewer react to the flood of emotions or questions surging through their body. It is with these thoughts in mind that I approach each photo shoot (not only the band promo shoots).

Band photos are an important part of the bands website and online persona. It is one of the most visited pages on band websites and something that can help fans feel closer and more connected to a band. It can also mean having the edge to being featured in a magazine or not!

Here are some things to think about when planing your band shoot…

  1. what does your music say?
  2. Are these photos to help promote a new album/song if so how can you tie the name in?
  3. What else do the band enjoy other than music? can this be used too?
  4. Location?
  5. Clothes?
  6. Make a picture idea list?
  7. Think about band composition?
  8. Keep a good time schedule for the shoot?
  9. it’s always best to use a professional band photographer so make sure you plan it with them as well
  10. It may seem obvious but…

Also DON’T upload every single photo, alot of photographers will give you some that are so similar to each other that it is pointless, boring and just off putting for fans to troll through them all. This is especially the case with live photography where you can end up with some quite arty long exposure shots of the light show and your FX pedals and leads looking cool etc.

Band photos can also be used heavily in your CD and album artwork! So getting some strong creative ones is always a good start.

Check out Band promo and live music photography by ASYLUMseventy7 here. Then get committed to creativity!

And don’t forget that ASYLUMseventy7 can take care of all your Music artwork and design needs as well!

Filed Under: Advice and answers, Music industry, Photography Tagged With: , , ,

Combichrist promo photoshoot with Attitude

August 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

A few weeks ago now I noticed a post in a secret group run by a friend and great designer Matt Vickerstaff. From this I was invited by Attitude clothing to go along to Rock City and shoot Combichrist before their interview for the latest catalog/magazine!

Needless to say I jumped at the chance, here are my favorite results from a great day.

Photos and edits by: ASYLUMseventy7
MUA: Alivya V Free
Clothing: Attitude Clothing

Get your band committed to creativity and get in touch with ASYLUMseventy7

Filed Under: ASYLUM adventures, Music industry, News and updates, Photography, Portfolio Tagged With: , , , , ,

Music industry and publishing must-read books

February 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There is a lot more to making it in music than being able to play a good riff, sing a strong note or bash out a catchy beat.Here are some top must read books on the industry, publishing, business and some must have contacts to help you find what you need…

  • Industry

Working in the Music Industry: How to Find an Exciting and Varied Career in the World of Music by Anna Britten (Paperback - 29 May 2009)

The Music Management Bible by Music Managers Forum (Paperback - 4 Aug 2003)

Music: The Business: The Essential Guide to the Law and the Deals by Ann Harrison (Hardcover -7 July 2011) (Pre order at time of publishing)

All You Need to Know About the Music Business by Donald S. Passman (Paperback - 31 Jan 2008)

This Business of Music Marketing & Promotion (This Business of Music: Marketing & Promotion) by Tad Lathrop (Hardcover - 1 Oct 2003)

How To Make it in the Music Business by Siân Pattenden (Paperback - 9 Aug 2007)

  • Publishing

The Plain and Simple Guide to Music Publishing by Randall D. Wixen (Hardcover - 1 Jan 2010)

Making Music Make Money (Berklee Press) by Eric Beall (Paperback - 30 Nov 2007)

Music Publishing by Ron Sobel and Dick Weissman (Paperback - 31 Aug 2007)

Music Publishing: The Real Road to Music Business Success by Tim Whitsett

  • Business

Music: The Business: The Essential Guide to the Law and the Deals by Ann Harrison (Hardcover - 1 May 2008)

Making Music Make Money (Berklee Press) by Eric Beall (Paperback - 30 Nov 2007)
  • Useful

Musicians’ and Songwriters’ Yearbook 2008: The Essential Resource for Anyone Working in the Music Industry. By Jonathan Little (Paperback - 31 Jul 2007)

The Unsigned Guide The UK’s leading music industry directory. The Unsigned Guide is an essential tool for unsigned bands, emerging songwriters, musicians, music managers and music students.

Filed Under: Advice and answers, Music industry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Band promotion: Press Packs

February 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The main idea of a press pack is to be attention grabbing. Presenting your bands information in an interesting way that gets the full attention of managers, labels, Gig Promoters, Venues, Labels, Press (on and off line), Radio DJs and anyone else in the music industry.

Sending a hard copy of your press pack is much better than sending an email with your Myspace/soundcloud URL.

Press Packs should 
include:

  • band name
  • genre
  • email address
  • website URL and social media links.
  • Photographs
  • CD/DVD
  • Business Card
  • A small bio not your life story.

Band name: This is obvious, no need to explain this one :p

Genre: Keep it simple and not overly confusing with really bizarre sub-genres only your band has heard of “coat-hanger chutney thrash,” ” lollypop jazz grind” and  “sub yogurt crunk”

Email address: It is best to use your Manager’s if you have one, Also using a band domain email address (such as contact@yourband.co.uk) will help show you are a committed band

Website URL and social media links: Having your own domain website will show you are a committed serious band. Include your Myspace as well as a couple of your other social network URLs showing how you interact with fans but don’t go overboard and list 100′s!

Photographs: Get a professional to take some photos of the band for press and promo purposes as well as using a professional for some strong live shots, you will see the difference! (photos at 300dpi +)

CD/DVD: You shouldn’t judge a CD by it’s cover but… make a good first impression by taking a bit of time over the packaging and presentation. Include 2 or 3 tracks and lead with your strongest song! Most people will only give you a minuet to impress them, remember they are getting loads of songs thrown at them everyday by loads of bands.

Business Card: This is good to have included so promoters, managers, venues and labels have your contact details to hand on a pin board or on file with out taking up to much room.

A short bio of the band: This should be kept short. Your target is only after a brief intro to the band, your style, aesthetic and not your bands favorite foods and first pet. If you think they may want more just wet their appetite with a brief intro then direct them to your website where you can put a mini bio for each member and go into more detail if it is an interesting story.

  • Tip: Do your research and make sure you send your press pack to the right people.
  • Tip: It’s a good idea to contact the recipient of your press pack first, to find out if they want it, and how best to deliver it.
  • Tip: Create different versions for different targets.
  • Tip: Keep it simple and direct.
  • Tip: Make a PDF copy or single web page press pack for those not wanting a hard copy.
  • Tip: remember to double check spelling and grammar.

Contact me to get committed to a creative eye catching press pack.

Read more on press packs and what to include here (Via www.unsignedbandpromotion.com)

Filed Under: Advice and answers, ASYLUM adventures, Music industry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

50 tips for band promotion

January 31, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Band promotion is one of the keys to success in the music industry, you need to get your band out there and heard by potential fans, promoters, managers, labels etc…

Here are my 50 top tips to promoting your music!

  1. Follow and get the @unsignedguide for lists of venues, promoters venues and help
  2. Join Myspace, start a Myspace group, start a band fan group/profile to support the main band page.
  3. Do the same with facebook
  4. Do the same with Twitter
  5. Regularly change your profiles avitar
  6. Network a lot, add friends, comment and @ people
  7. Tell your fans and followers about your website and social networks
  8. Join relevant forums and interact
  9. Start a blog and keep it up to date with your activities, good practis stories new songs etc
  10. Get a proper website and use your bands name for the URL
  11. Use your URL and social network URLs everywhere and on everything, CDs t-shirts, stickers etc..
  12. Start a street team to help promote your band and upcoming gigs.
  13. Start a mailing list.
  14. Take part in #MusicMonday on Twitter.
  15. Give away something for free.
  16. Give away exclusive material in return for joining a group.
  17. Run competitions where you give away merch in return for promo activity such as RTs.
  18. Sell cheap CDRs of your gigs.
  19. Make a video and put it on Youtube or VimioLook for keywords related to your genre and use them on your Website.
  20. Start a e-newsletter about your band and/or genre.
  21. have a facebook Share button on your site
  22. Have a tweet this button on your site
  23. Keep it all local to start with, and from this grow your fanbase out.
  24. Design your fliers with a striking image/artwork and the minimum of legible text.
  25. Brand your band!
  26. Make an  PDF Promotion Package.
  27. Optimize your band websites front page
  28. Link to other bands from your Website and blogs.
  29. Write a controversial and or political song.
  30. Ask your fans to retweet, share and talk about your music, blog, site etc
  31. See if your local record/music shop will give away your free CD/demo.
  32. Make a Shared promo CD with other local bands of the same genre
  33. publish your lyrics and tabs in a blog or eBook.
  34. Trade links with other bands and appropriate websites
  35. post fliers and posters around your town in local shops and venues
  36. Dress for your music genre
  37. Give away band t shirts to popular and cool members of your fan club to wear when they are out and about.
  38. Get some good band photos
  39. Get a strong band logo
  40. Look around for E-zines as well as Magazines looking for content.
  41. Ask your Myspace fan page to target venues, music magazines, other bands, promoters.
  42. have a lot of photos of fans, gigs, practising, nights out even, let the fans know you.
  43. Sell your band with your personallities, so have member band Twitter accounts too.
  44. Sell your music online.
  45. Ask friends, fans and family to text your gigs and releases.
  46. Make a link page with with reviews
  47. Let people know the kinds of events/gigs you’re happy to play next to your contact information.
  48. Search the web and Myspace for similar bands, make friends.
  49. Network with other similar bands for gig swops.
  50. Follow me on Twitter @ASYLUMseventy7 I usually retweet and help out where I can :)

Filed Under: Advice and answers, ASYLUM adventures, Music industry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Marketing your music

January 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Whether you’re in a band, a manager, producer, sound engineer, promoter, or in music marketing and PR, it all comes down to contacts, and the best place to start is with a marketing strategy.

There are several steps you should follow.

  • Step one: Have something to market!

“The fist bite is with the eye”

A band logo is a key factor in getting your band noticed and remembered. Think of the Iron Maiden logo, or Areosmith, Oasis, Megadeth, or NIN, their logos are known all over the world.

Band photos are also a strong visual element to band identification, Think of the press pictures from your favorite bands, you don’t need to listen to the music to know what style and sound they are going for. for example you wouldn’t see a photo of black metal band Emperor and think its going to be in the same style and sound as Mumford and sons and vice versa.

CD album artwork and design can all be tied into the look of the band and carry alot of weight in identifying with your fan base. think of Cannibal corpse, Fear factory and Queens of the stone age album covers and their strong visual relationship with the music genre they inhabit.

  • Step two: Get online.

Next you need a place to direct people to hear your music and see your band so sort out a band website and social media.  There are lots networking sites to choose from these are the 4 most popular and  therefore get your message to the largest audience.

Remember to include your band logo, Photos and music where possible, a small bio and of cause up to date contact information. If you don’t have a website yet, use MySpace or Facebook as your link, remembering to change it when you have a .com/.co.uk/whatever domain hosted site.

  • Step three: Get networking and find some good contacts!

You can have the best songs and the strong coherent look of a top signed touring band, but if you don’t have any decent contacts and fans you’re not going anywhere fast. The way to do this is with a good strong marketing plan, just like you would in any other business venture.

Here are some of the basic guidelines to help you get started.

  • Know who your future fans are.
  • Know where your future fans are.
  • Know who can help you.
  • Know where you can find help
  • Know who your competition is.
  • Know where your competition is.

There are many types of marketing you can use and you will need to focus on in your marketing plan. The three main types are…

  • Brand marketing,
  • Promotional marketing,
  • Online marketing.

I plan to go into these and other helpful tips and advice over the coming weeks in this new series of band/music promotion, information and advice.

If you have any questions on anything in this or future articles feel free to contact me.

Filed Under: Advice and answers, Music industry Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,