Recording Artist Advocate: Talking to your audience.

An artist I work with was feeling a little under the weather but he had a show that he had committed to. It was an acoustic show with just him and his guitar. There was no way to hide the hoarseness in his voice. I suggested he spend a little time before each song giving some background on the song or telling an interesting story. When we talked after the show, he told me that he was able to rest his voice between songs and it really helped. But the best part was how he was better able to connect with the crowd.

I’m sure you’ve seen artist just go on stage and do a great show. But I believe you’ll do even better when you talk to your audience too.

I was at a show where there was so much going on, I expected someone to burst into flames. Every song was a bigger event, but the audience started taking out their phones and generally loosing interest. Maybe it was sensory overload. The artist and everyone on stage were pouring their harts out and getting less back. Someone realized this and at the next song she had an acoustic guitar brought out. The quieter she got, the more the audience reconnected. At one point she just stopped. The audience began visibly bouncing. I thought she milked it too long, but to her credit she never lost the audience. When she knew she had them back, the show was back full-tilt to the end.

A tight, well-rehearsed set list is vitally important, but watch the pros and you’ll see they know when and how to connect to their audience in a way that sets them apart. Learn to do that and your shows will be received on a much deeper level.  

Recording Artist Advocate: Career Killer

In his song, "best I ever had", Gavin Degraw says, “I’m lookin’ at the crowd and they’re staring at their cell phones.” 

There is no better way to tell someone they don’t matter to you than to split your attention between them and your phone. If you do that while talking to a booker, you won’t get the gig. You can say, “I can multi-task. Really, I’m listening.” But the meeting will be over. Even while you’re still there, you’re done.

You have a real flesh and blood person in front of you who can give you money. The person on the phone might be important, or they could be wasting your time. Don’t let them interrupt. It’s like cold water in the face of the person you’re talking to. Even if they use their phone as a prop to seem important or busy, don’t do it back. 

There was a time when a “mobile phone” was a big deal, but today homeless people have them. Get over yourself and show some self-control. You can read a text later, and a caller will leave a message. In a meeting, phones go on silent. Grown Folks is talking.

If you really want to stand out from your competition, search for articles on active listening techniques.  The simple body posture of leaning toward the person you’re speaking to and tilting your head slightly makes them feel that you’re engaged and listening.  When a person perceives that you’re actively listening, they like you more, and we all know we’d rather work with people we like.  Likeability translates into cash in this industry.

Women especially hate it when you’re just waiting for your turn to talk. Show that you are listening and it sets you apart from the other bands, playing with their phones like a toddler on a road trip.

Recording Artist Advocate: The Nastiest Business.

I’m sure you have met people like this guy. He tells you how successful he is and how much he helped so-and-so make it… so why isn’t he still working with them? He may be a hot shot sales expert, producer or manager, and he’s making you a super-special deal. Listen to what he tells you. Follow up with calls or e-mails to the people he claims to have worked with.

But, if you get a bad feeling, pay attention to your gut.

Success doesn’t come knocking just once. If you are really doing the things to make it in this industry, it will present itself several times.

A young artist I know was offered a deal with a label and knew he was in over his head, so he talked to another signed artist. He asked so many questions I thought the seasoned artist would get tired of answering questions. But he didn’t. Just a few years prior, he had the same questions. He patiently worked through the younger artists’ concerns. It was a great thing to watch.

The con will always tell you, ”don’t miss this chance, don’t wait!” but that’s how you know he’s lying. The more pressure he applies, the more you need to distance yourself from him.

This is not to say you can drag your feet, and definitely don’t let a fear of success (and the work involved) keep you from making a decision. But you need to know their tactics.

I never promise what I can’t deliver. Even when someone tries to get me to, I tell them success is up to you more than anyone else. When you’ve reached a level where you are valuable to a booker, you’ll get bookings. To a concert promoter, you’ll get those gigs. To a label, and they’ll want you on their team. Until then, keep getting better and working up the food chain.

Maybe we’ll get to work together along the way and I can tell people I knew you. But I promise to never say, “They couldn’t do it without me.” That would be a lie.

Recording Artist Advocate: Fear of Success…

Most artists won’t admit it, but they are afraid of success. They want the trappings of success; the money and all. But success means a lot of work… and following up the initial success with more success. It can be stressful just thinking about it.

I’ve seen people sabotage their careers. I’ll bet you have too. If you could get them to be honest with themselves they’d tell you it was fear that made them do it.
So, what is the answer? For me it's breaking it down into easily manageable parts.
I can get overwhelmed starting a big recording project. I have to plan ahead and block the overall project into its parts. As I knock those parts down, it starts to gain momentum. I get busy doing the little things and before I know it, the project that was so big is almost done.
Think of your career the same way. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you don’t like booking, get someone who does. If you are not great with planning, find someone who is. If you have a few good people around you, then you can focus on the writing and preforming part. And isn’t that what you got into this for?
Every successful performer has a team, so that they can do what they do best. Find yours.
Another thing that comes up is that some people don’t think they deserve success. The truth is that you don’t. No one does. And no one owes you anything. But, if you have talent and do the right things, and if you’re lucky, success can happen.
Decide what you want to make per year. Divide that by 52. This is how much you will need to make each week to reach your goal. What is the one thing you can do right now to move yourself closer to that goal? When you've accomplished that, what's the next one? Each small, manageable step will bring you closer to the life you want, and ease your fear. 

See. Small, manageable steps.