Should I Start a Band? (dance, pop, rock, single)

The Boy · 08-10-2008, 09:19 PM

Hi everyonne, I'm new here. I've been looking for a place to recieve advice to guide through the process of making and distributing music. Currently I've been wondering whether or not I should start a band. Recently I have been making demos on my own, and I intend on making a mixtape with them. However, I would like to perform and record with a live band, but I don't know if I should find musicians to make a backing band and remain a solo artist or myself and the musicians be a unified band?

The main reasons for my unsurity are 1) I already have a concept of an album and live performances and don't want to compromise with band members and 2) I feel like I should have a band so that I can easily move between genres. My idea was to start a band for doing rock music and be solo for my more pop/dance oriented songs. I fear if I mix the two people will reject the band or myself as an artist. Basically, I'm unsure if there is an audience for a band or artist that intermixes rock/pop styles like Morrissey, Blondie, and Patti Smith with pop/dance material like early 80s Madonna, Kylie Minogue, and George Michael.

The material I write is sometimes in the deep, poetic vain of Patti Smith and sometimes more simple, cheese pop like early 80s Madonna. I figured if I had a band, I could seperate the two by being part of a rock band, while keeping the other material for my solo ventures. Or perhaps it would be more interesting to not seperate the two?

Anyway, I would be extremely grateful for any suggestions or comments you can give me. Hopefully, I wasn't too confusing in this post.

~~CAPTAIN CAVEMAN~~ · 08-11-2008, 03:04 AM

no

**Janszoon** · 08-11-2008, 07:20 AM

Yes, start a band. Craigslist is your friend. There are always tons of musicians looking for bands to play in on there.

As far as the splitting you music into solo/dance and band/rock I guess you have to do what feels right for you but it might help give your band more of its own unique sound if they did a mix of dance and rock.

Double X · 08-11-2008, 11:25 AM

Focus on making a good single first. Don't try to stretch everything and actually try to be successful. When you get a record company with a studio then you fool around.

insinkerator · 08-12-2008, 08:13 AM

I think you should start a band. Having other people to share music with broadens your horizons as ye are bound to have some musical interest that dont overlap. And also by mixing these interests you could develop your own unique sound and possibly be a sorce of inspiration for many aspiring musicans.

By all accounts keep your pop/dance project if you fear it will be damaged in the process, but i think that if you have the facilities and capabilities to start a band then you should. It is an ejoyable pursuit(for the most part). There is NOTHING like the exhilaration of getting up on stage in front of a crowd of people and playing your music. And for the lucky few there is the chance to make a living out of something that you truly love.... who is to say that you will not be one of those lucky few?

08-10-2008, 09:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
The Boy Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 66	Should I Start a Band? Hi everyonne, I'm new here. I've been looking for a place to recieve advice to guide through the process of making and distributing music. Currently I've been wondering whether or not I should start a band. Recently I have been making demos on my own, and I intend on making a mixtape with them. However, I would like to perform and record with a live band, but I don't know if I should find musicians to make a backing band and remain a solo artist or myself and the musicians be a unified band? The main reasons for my unsurity are 1) I already have a concept of an album and live performances and don't want to compromise with band members and 2) I feel like I should have a band so that I can easily move between genres. My idea was to start a band for doing rock music and be solo for my more pop/dance oriented songs. I fear if I mix the two people will reject the band or myself as an artist. Basically, I'm unsure if there is an audience for a band or artist that intermixes rock/pop styles like Morrissey, Blondie, and Patti Smith with pop/dance material like early 80s Madonna, Kylie Minogue, and George Michael. The material I write is sometimes in the deep, poetic vain of Patti Smith and sometimes more simple, cheese pop like early 80s Madonna. I figured if I had a band, I could seperate the two by being part of a rock band, while keeping the other material for my solo ventures. Or perhaps it would be more interesting to not seperate the two? Anyway, I would be extremely grateful for any suggestions or comments you can give me. Hopefully, I wasn't too confusing in this post.

08-11-2008, 07:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Yes, start a band. Craigslist is your friend. There are always tons of musicians looking for bands to play in on there. As far as the splitting you music into solo/dance and band/rock I guess you have to do what feels right for you but it might help give your band more of its own unique sound if they did a mix of dance and rock. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

08-12-2008, 08:13 AM	#5 (permalink)
insinkerator Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: IRELAND Posts: 95	I think you should start a band. Having other people to share music with broadens your horizons as ye are bound to have some musical interest that dont overlap. And also by mixing these interests you could develop your own unique sound and possibly be a sorce of inspiration for many aspiring musicans. By all accounts keep your pop/dance project if you fear it will be damaged in the process, but i think that if you have the facilities and capabilities to start a band then you should. It is an ejoyable pursuit(for the most part). There is NOTHING like the exhilaration of getting up on stage in front of a crowd of people and playing your music. And for the lucky few there is the chance to make a living out of something that you truly love.... who is to say that you will not be one of those lucky few? __________________ my band my blog my last fm my music collection

08-11-2008, 03:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
~~CAPTAIN CAVEMAN~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: VAN Posts: 2,530	no

08-11-2008, 11:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
Double X sleepe Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: boston Posts: 1,140	Focus on making a good single first. Don't try to stretch everything and actually try to be successful. When you get a record company with a studio then you fool around.