| Step 1: Record a collection of tracks. Properly. | | | | So set yourself apart from all the other players.But |
| Contrary to what some people may think, few people | | | | keep the myspace page as well. It’s good for |
| are going to notice your abilities as an artist by listening | | | | everyone to see you have thousands of friends and |
| to a rough demo. Either hire some studio time, enter | | | | fans too.. |
| into an agreement with an up-and-coming producer, or | | | | Step 4: Play out. |
| buy some studio gear. Gear is not expensive | | | | Now you’ve got your package together, start |
| nowadays, and $800 should get you up and running. | | | | playing to audiences. Anywhere you think industry |
| Haven’t got the money? Save up for a while. | | | | types may be. And it’s not just A&R people |
| There are thousands of artists doing the same thing - | | | | you’re after. Promoters, managers…all these |
| why not you? An A&R person wants to listen to a | | | | people may see you perform. If you’re good, word |
| polished product. Represent yourself. | | | | will get passed around quickly enough, and |
| Step 2: Get some decent promo photographs made. | | | | opportunities will present themselves. Which leads me |
| Myspace site got a picture of you taken with a web | | | | onto.. |
| cam? Using your phone to shoot pictures? Not good | | | | Step 5: Attract the attention of a music attorney. |
| enough, sorry guys. You’re going to need some | | | | Want to know who are the most under-rated, yet |
| great photos of yourself, airbrushed, the works.It’s | | | | important people in the music industry? The music |
| the first thing an A&R person sees, I’ve found it | | | | attorney. These people know everyone…A&R |
| has a huge bearing on whether your music get listened | | | | execs, managers, the works. If you manage to meet |
| to or not. | | | | one (and it’s easier than you think..) doors will open |
| Sounds harsh? I think so too, but that’s the way it | | | | for you, especially if the attorney becomes involved |
| is, so make your photos count.You can get great | | | | with you on a professional level. |
| results with a digital camera, and some free photo | | | | Step 6: Go to industry days and events. |
| software. It need not be expensive. | | | | Here’s a story. Whilst I was promoting an artist, |
| Step 3: Get a proper website. | | | | there was a music event on in town: A gathering of |
| This is a big one, and possibly one of the most | | | | music equipment manufacturers, open to the general |
| important things you can do. Everyone has a myspace | | | | public. In the small print of the flyer, a “demo |
| site, but to set yourself out from the crowd, I’ve | | | | session” was advertised as part of the music |
| found a proper website with domain (eg: is the way to | | | | event, giving folks the opportunity to take their demo |
| go. | | | | CD’s along for the critique of music professionals. |
| Web hosting is extremely cheap nowadays, and web | | | | So I went to the demo session, armed with a CD |
| development software is free, so there’s no cost | | | | thinking they’d be a huge demand for this, and that |
| barriers to getting this done.Your website must display | | | | there was only a small chance my CD would get |
| three things clearly. | | | | listened to. I was wrong. There were about 6 people |
| 1) Your music. Try to have a track start playing when | | | | there, including me. So whilst downstairs, in the main hall, |
| the site is opened. | | | | thousands of up-and-coming artists were playing with |
| 2) Your photos. | | | | the new toys from instrument companies, I was |
| 3) Contact information. This is make or break. Make it | | | | upstairs with the attention of attorneys, managers and |
| clear and obvious. | | | | A&R men, all to myself. Can you believe this? It’s |
| So why the website? Why not stick to myspace? | | | | true. |
| Well, I’ve found that A&R people usually have a | | | | The moral of this point? Keep your eyes and ears |
| million things going on at once. Their offices look like a | | | | open for every chance you get. |
| war zone for the most part. They won’t be | | | | Conclusion. |
| searching the web for sites - instead, they may have | | | | Hopefully, this has given you some ideas on how to |
| received a tip-off or recommendation about you. | | | | get the attention of A&R folks. So what happened |
| Your website will be looked at in passing, so you | | | | when the A&R guy from Sony came to my house? |
| don’t want to cloud the A&R persons attention | | | | Well, he wasn’t impressed when he found out my |
| with a glaring, comment ridden myspace page. | | | | artist didn’t write her own material..but that’s a |
| Secondly, everyone has a myspace page. My | | | | tale for another day! |
| brothers cat has a myspace page.. | | | | |