There are 3 things I look for in bands that are just getting started. 1. Sonic quality, 2. On-Stage performance & presence, 3. Crowd interaction and draw. It really is amazing to me how many people struggle with those simple and obvious things. My heart with Spin 180 is to give people who have a passion for Jesus and their faith and want to share it through music, a platform to be heard. Weather or not, masses and masses of people are draw to the music or band, doesn't really matter, because if we sing songs about Christ, and try to represent our Lord through loud rock music, isn't the point that we are trying to worship God and get closer to Him? <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />....
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Sonic quality comes from; practice, gear, and confidence. Those things are what every artist in the whole world has to work at and it’s a never ending task that comes with the craft. You can never practice enough, you can never invest enough money into good gear, and as the great bob Dylan said in the amazing song 'hard rains gonna fall', "I will know my songs well, before I start a singin'". Another tip on that is hiring out songwriters(*like asking the leaders of the bigger more successful bands you know to write you a song, or collaborate with you guys, you might have to pay them for it, but it gives you another creative input). Another idea, doing a couple of what I call 'deep covers', Maybe play a deep cut off a bands cd that everyone in the band likes, that way you give the fans in the audience a chance to hear something they 'might' know and if it’s a signed band with a well written song, and most average concert-goers or passer by's won't even know that you are playing a cover, they will just walk by and say, OH I like that!....
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Stage performance and presence comes from practice and comes from what you are doing right now, seeking counsel. I find that no matter what the only way to get better is to keep doing it over and over and over and over and over again. Play as much as you can, and always try to be professional and look good. Video tape performances and like a pro sports teams, watch them together afterwards and critique what is cool , and what looks wack. As far as looking good, just try to put effort into looking the rockstar 'part'. I saw the lead singer of Building 429 walking through the mall once, he was wearing just these black pants, a black t-shirt, and a cool light black jacket, but he looked so COOL, like he was Brad Pitt's cousin! With no big clothing labels on him, just good clean basic outfit, that fit his body form and personality. Watch tons and tons of live concert footage from major artists to get good ideas for this and shop around you will find its easier then it looks, again like everything else just takes time, practice and effort.....
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Crowd interaction and draw. I will be totally honest with you because you are a friend, ready? I do this because its fun! I love my job, I love what I do!!! I HATE it when bands show up all mousey and quite and shy, and don't try to meet new people or have fun at spin 180 or listen to powerfm, or support Christian music. That is SO annoying when I'm responsible for this band to meet people or have a good time?!?! I find the reason is ignorance, and selfishness. Entertainment is not a one man sport?!?!!! You go to the movies with friends, you buy a good cd or find a good band, you tell other people, "dude, I heard this song today it was awesome!" Concerts are a social event, you go to meet new people. If you are a band or artist that is just getting started at an event like the Spin 180's Live in the Spin Lounge, you could meet(*and I bet even get the facebook or myspaces) of everyone in the freaking building. You just increased the number of people who know who you are.