How the Audience Perceives You

 

 

Just imagine you are on stage at a local sweaty nightclub, the lights sizzling hot and the sweat pouring out of your body as you strike the first few chords of your opening rock anthem. The lights over the audience are dim and you can’t really tell what’s up with the crowd, whether or not they are feeling your music. It seems the people look bored and start wandering around talking. Why isn’t anyone feeling your music? Could it be that you just plain suck? Or was it the fact that an hour before you took the stage the whole club saw you diss some fans who wanted to talk to you, and watched as you left your girlfriend hanging out at the table alone while you cavorted with some of your groupies?

 

How the audience sees you will largely impact the success of your music and your music career. How the audience perceives you depends on two different factors. The first factor is your own personal conduct. That’s right, your behavior can either have a positive or negative effect on your music career. If you are renowned for treating your friends, fans, and family like crap you’re not going to have a very large fan base. And the fans you do have are more than likely just other jerks like you who have now found a hero in you. If you treat your fans well, conduct your behavior respectfully, and dedicate yourself to doing the best job you can, then the audience will have a positive perception of you and your band instead of a negative one. People who have a positive view of you will be more apt to buy your album and support you playing live.

 

The other factor that will determine how your audience perceives you is how you market yourself and your band. If you market yourself to a specific audience and use tactics to try and fit in that mold you might get pigeonholed into that particular genre and never be able to break out. Or if you use a gimmick, such as your skin color or a certain political message you believe in, people will see you as either racist or socially aware. How you advertise yourself plays a huge role in how the whole world sees you, so be careful how you market yourself.

 

The 5 Rules of Preparing for an Audition

 

One actor speaks:

 

“I’m a wreck at auditions. I always have been. But over the years, I’ve learned certain precautions. One time, I went out partying the night before a really important audition. Can I tell you how stupid that was? I actually thought I might get sick on the director! I most definitely did not get the part. I didn’t even get a callback. Plus, I left a bad impression with the company. So now I stay home the night before an audition. I usually go for a run the day of the audition. Oh and eat…you have to eat even if you don’t feel like it!”

 

This actor’s story is a good example of the basics you need to have in place for an audition:

 

Rule 1: Don’t party like a rock star the night before. You will undoubtedly do more poorly. Your instincts are dulled, your reaction time is affected and heck, you might smell like booze – not good!

 

Rule 2: Eat before an audition. Not a huge meal obviously. You don’t want to be in a food coma! Just eat something substantial and protein-based for long-burning energy. Eat several hours before the audition and bring some water with you.

 

Rule 3: Intone. It doesn’t matter whether you’re auditioning for a band or an acting troupe, intoning is a great way to improve your voice as well as grounding you. How do you intone? Get in a relaxed position, take several deep breaths and begin humming. It doesn’t matter what. Just make sure your lips are buzzing. When you speak afterwards, your voice will sound more forward and resonant – which is helpful at any audition. Authoritative, grounded voices are more commanding. 

 

Rule 4: Remember to breathe during the audition. When stressed, we often breathe shallowly, which affects our mental functions and overall performance. Deep breaths, conversely, naturally relax us. Relaxed bodies perform better, bottom line. Another way to breathe more deeply is through exercise. Expel some extra energy the day of the audition as well as strengthening your breath through some exercise.

 

Rule 5: Have fun. Auditions are hell, no doubt. But make the most of it by taking chances and enjoying yourself. Laugh, smile, and be light. Auditions are hard enough. Think of yourself as a child, open and ready to try anything, without any fear of consequence.

 

These basics hold true for many different stressful times when we need to perform.

 

What do you do to prepare for your auditions?

Padme Grace

info@coachpamela.com

Dating on the Rocky Road

 

Whether you want admit it or not, part of joining a band is the eternal ego stroke. As you become a more skilled artist, the need for “Look at me! Look at me!” gives way for something deeper and longer lasting. But there is always a narcissist lurking somewhere in the shadows!

 

It all seems like a good thing at first.  It is part of the picture, isn’t it? You’re in a band and one of the best bonuses is the adoring fan. And if a cute one wants to adore you behind closed doors, who are you to stand in the way?

 

Well before you dive into all that um, adoration, think twice. First off, are you in a committed relationship? Oh that’s right – you forgot! It’s easy to do while on the road. Sure you send your daily “I love you” texts in between sets but the rest of the time, you’re surrounded by temptations that are more than happy to stroke your…ego.

 

If you are in a committed relationship and are battling with the need to know your fan base more intimately, you may want to ask yourself – and call me crazy – this question:

 

Why are you in a committed relationship?

 

This is what we call the “have your cake and eat it too” syndrome and it’s none too fair to the parties involved. You like to have the safety and security of your high school sweetheart waiting back home …but damn, that chick in the front row is smoking!

 

It’s one or the other, my friend. You need to grow up and grow some. Either break it off with high school sweetheart or take a cold shower after the show.

 

If you are available and want to hook up with the random girl (or guy) on the road, it’s your life. Remember there are a few things to be concerned about:

 

1. STD’s

Diseases are not fun. Some of them are for life. If you’re going to look for love in the all the wrong places at least wear a condom. Bring a big box with you before you hit the road. Give them to your band members. Have them handy and ready to go.

 

2. Emotions

We’re humans. And while we’d love to believe that sex is something we can “grab on the go,” remind yourself that a lot of the times when we want sex, we’re also looking for a little intimacy as well. One night stands after a show can feel great at the time but leave you a little hollow afterwards.

 

3. Sleep Deprivation

Touring is notoriously tough. It’s broken many bands and marriages. Your health can suffer, both physically and mentally. One precaution touring pros take is making sure they eat well, drink plenty of water and sleep. A roll in the hay after every show can lead to exhaustion if you don’t watch it, Romeo.

 

4. It is about the music, right?

Sure, the attention is great. That guy that wouldn’t have noticed you 3 years ago is hanging on your every word backstage. But remember, when it’s all said and done, you are on the road to showcase your music. Keep the focus and you won’t fall into a pothole.

 

Gut Check

Striking Out on Your Own: The Indie Artist

 

More and more musicians today are going on their own in the music business and not relying on major labels any more. The Internet has provided a great deal of resources that makes it a lot easier for people to be able get their music heard by a much larger audience than ever before. Artists are building their own home studios, recording and producing their own music, and starting up their own labels. It sounds like an adventure doesn’t it? Be warned. Having a DIY attitude is great and admirable, but it does take a certain kind of person to actually become successful at it.

 

If you desire to say “screw you” the Man (anyone who owns a major record label or just anyone who tries to tell you what to do) and do things your own way, you have to be self motivated. If you are the type who constantly procrastinates and puts things off, you may not be cut out to be an Indie artist. You have to be self-motivated. This means that you don’t need someone to stand over you, breathe down your neck, and nag you to get things accomplished (although your coach will do this for you if you want J).

 

As an Indie artist you will be putting in a lot of work on various aspects of the music industry. For example it will be up to you to write the music, record it, produce it, and promote it. You won’t have a super large budget provided for you, nor will you have a full staff and team who will do all the work for you. This means you have to get off your lazy butt at the crack of dawn and cover your entire city with flyers promoting your music and your upcoming shows.

 

Going in alone is a tough road that requires a lot of work. If you are just another lazy person who thinks being a rock star will mean you won’t have to work, you’re in the wrong business. You would probably be more comfortable wearing a Burger King hat and scraping grills for a living. However if you have a super strong desire for success and are willing to put in the work, you are on your way to success.

Are you a Diva in the Making?

 

Divas and Divos

 Who doesn’t love them… or at least love to hate them? They’re so over-the-top, larger than life and melodramatic. We love them from afar but what must it be like working for Pavarotti, Cher, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, or Elton John?

 

And if you’re a burgeoning artist, do you possess any of those oh-so-regal qualities? If so, do you like those aspects of yourself? Do you even notice those parts of yourself? Do you need a little Diva in order to succeed? When have you gone too far?

 

We could get into a heavy discussion of Freud’s concepts of the Id, the Ego and the Superego and how they need to be in balance. Or we could talk about Narcissistic personality disorder:

 

Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance and a deep need for admiration. They believe that they’re superior to others and have little regard for other people’s feelings. But behind this mask of ultra-confidence lies a fragile self-esteem, vulnerable to the slightest criticism.

 

But that would be boring and lofty. So let’s bring it down to earth a little, shall we?

 

Artists often pursue their art in order to get attention. We could shun this idea and believe it stems from a deep, noble calling (which is true, too) but we’d be in denial to not think we’re not attention getters! That’s fine. The world is made up of all types. And wanting external validation is a commonality we all share, to some extent.

 

Problem lies… well, you can guess it – what happens when you don’t get that external pat on the back? You’re left to your own devices, which can be fragile (or you wouldn’t be seeking so much external validation in the first place!) You can sound defensive, self-righteous, overly opinionated, demanding – A Diva!

 

Of course, the answer is to develop inner resources to help you during times where your self-esteem is challenged. Get centered. Breathe. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. Believe in something bigger than yourself.

 

Now, let’s get something straight… being a Diva isn’t always a bad thing. It’s depends on the degree, ultimately. Heck, Divas are successful for a reason. They ask for what they want. They are proud. They believe in themselves (at least outwardly, which can be impressive too!), they get the job done (because they don’t have problems asking for what they want) and they’re talented and often charismatic.

 

 

So if you’re a Diva or Divo in the making, figure out what qualities you do and don’t like (or at least qualities that others may not like) and teach yourself ways to get centered and confident from the inside (especially when the chips are down), like meditation, spirituality or good, old-fashioned love (which needs give and take in order to survive.)

 

Bottom line: Keep a little Diva alive while making sure you’re not stepping on others.

 

 

Does Conduct Count?

 

How you band conducts itself is a major indicator of your seriousness and professionalism. The more you come across as a unified, polite and professional band, the more likely you are to meet people who genuinely want to work with you or further your career.

 

As the music industry experiences major growing pains, there are becoming extremely choosy as to whom they are willing to invest in. If you are sloppy, unprofessional, late, drunk or just have lousy manners; you are risking a bad reputation in an increasingly smaller community where people definitely talk. The same applies if you’re keeping it small and local. You want to keep that weekly gig? Then clean up after yourself and be respectful of the owner. 

 

I’ve already discussed the importance of band meetings, though we all know how annoying they can be. Frequent meetings are important ways to check in, clear the air, come up with game plans and generate concepts not directly related to your music. The conduct of your band is a great topic to discuss, although you may feel like you’re in 4^th grade again.

 

Here are some conduct questions to toss around:

 

• How does your band come across as a whole? When you walk into a venue, are you friendly? Professional? Respectful?

 

• If there’s a disagreement in the group, how is it handled? One way to destroy credibility is in-fighting. An audience likes a group that seems to like one another.

 

• How business savvy is your group? If you sit down with a promoter or a record producer, can you hold your own as a group or do you sound like you crawled out from a rock in Stoophole, Arkansas?

 

• Drinking on stage is a slippery slope. Make some guidelines so you don’t appear like a bunch of careless drunks.

 

• Who’s the spokesperson for the group? If someone is well spoken, let that person do the talking. It’s nice to have a “wing man” as well – a secondary spokesperson that can back up or reiterate.

 

• How do you deal with hecklers or drunks in the audience? Yelling back can cause some more problems if you’re not careful. What are some clever ways to diffuse a tense situation?

 

• The Big One – Do you clean up after yourself and respect the venue you’re performing in? Once you enter the building, your professionalism should begin. Same holds with touring and the places you stay. 

 

You may think you’re beyond all this “conduct” stuff. Maybe you’re too rock and roll, too free-spirited. The truth is: if you plan on moving forward musically, conduct counts. People gravitate toward professionalism. They know they can count on you and your band and that you’re hassle-free.

 

Simply put, good conduct shows you mean business.

 

 

 

 

 

Seeking Sponsor

 

One way to find a sponsor that appropriately fits your image is to seek them out. We’ve discussed previously how your band is a business so the quicker you swallow that pill, the better off you will be. And sponsorship is a business move, that’s for sure.

 

What exactly is sponsorship?

 

Sponsorship is when a company (or sometimes an individual) finances your project or event in exchange for advertising exposure.

 

If you are seeking the fortification of a sponsor, then it is time for one of those business meetings with your band mates. The topic this week? Who could we solicit to be our sponsor? How can we approach them and prove we are a good investment?

 

Once you’ve chosen a few companies that suitably fit your music, then the chain of events should go a little something like this:

 

1. Cover letter – A short, polite and concise letter introducing yourself and your brand, which is the music. Explain briefly why you think this association would be beneficial. Imagine it like a first date, when you’re proving to someone why your personalities would be go well together. Attention the letter to the marketing person or promotions person.

 

1. Follow-up the letter with a call and arrange a meeting. This is where you can discuss this potential fit in greater detail. Finances would be discussed in the meeting as well, not the cover letter, by the way.

 

1. Be prepared to discuss the image and the personality of the band. What are you trying to portray? Do you have a message? Who is your target audience? What differentiates you from other bands?

 

1. Be prepared to talk numbers. How many people come to your average gig? How has it increased in the last year? What’s your demographic? Do you have a list? How many members?

 

1. Bring samples of your music, obviously! And toss in any other gifts you can think of, including free tickets for upcoming shows.

 

If you’re a small band, start off small. Approach a local, up-and-coming company that matches well with your group. Think outside the box as well. You don’t need to approach music-related organizations only. What other products would appeal to your band? To your audience? What products enhance a certain aspect of your band’s personality?

 

You need to portray your band as a sound investment. Keep it small at first. Sponsorship can certainly be a win/win situation for any band and brand name.

 

Here’s a link to get you started:

 

http://www.sonicbids.com

 

 

 

Maintaining a Relationship

 

It’s a hard time to be in a relationship in the first place: shorter attention spans, “me first” attitudes and people spending more time on computers than with loved ones. Maintaining a relationship while pursuing a musical career seems even a bigger challenge. But of course, it can be done.

 

A. How Serious is it?

 

It’s important to establish the seriousness of a relationship. Do you talk about the future? Do the two of you have a game plan (where to live, children, etc.) Before you try to fit someone in to a difficult schedule or situation, you need to ask yourself the hard question: Am I really serious about this person?

 

B. How Stable is it?

 

Being in the music business poses very particular challenges. Most accountants don’t have underwear thrown at them, for instance! Fans abound and want to get to know you as intimately as possible. Your relationship must contain a deep level of trust and commitment to endure these tests. You as the musician have to be an understanding person who can empathize with some of the insecurities that may arise.

 

C. Can you Make Time for it?

 

It’s tough as you find yourself becoming more successful – or even more committed – to your musical pursuits. It can feel all-consuming. But it’s important for your relationship (as well as your emotional health) to take the time to connect with someone you love. Relationships are about maintenance. They don’t run themselves. Besides, do you really want to be that singularly focused? Life is short and people matter!

 

 

There is no easy recipe here. But love and connectivity matter in this life. Practically speaking, you get more done when you feel that sense of emotional support. But guess what? You have to give support as well. And therein lies the rub. Can you manage emotional availability and a musical career?

 

Of course you can but will you?

 

Practice, Practice, Practice

 

There’s a given formula to getting better. We all know it but hate to admit it. It’s practice. You think you can stop reading this now, right? You know this already! We all know it cognitively but most artists don’t fully integrate how important it is. That’s because a little ego issue comes into play – we think our magical gift will just show itself if we can’t manage as much rehearsal as we need. We’ll ride the coattails of our own charm and talent, right?

 

Well, for about 2% of you, you’re right! Ride away. The rest of you need to practice. It’s not always easy when you’re working full-time or raising kids or maintaining a relationship, but there is no way around it. You need to take a carving knife to your schedule and make it happen.

 

I know a writer who works until from 10 – 8 pm, 5 nights a week. She comes home, eats, rests for a bit and spends one hour writing – from 10 – 11 pm. That may not seem like a lot but she writes that entire hour. She allows absolutely no distractions. She is finishing her third book.

 

I know of a violinist who practices from 5 – 7 am, then goes to the gym, then to work. How does she avoid burnout? She takes the weekend off completely. And when I say completely, I mean completely. She doesn’t take phone calls, doesn’t run errands, and doesn’t listen to music (she says music makes her feel like she should be practicing!) She uses the weekend as a total “recharge” time, just for her.

 

Consistency can often matter more than amount when it comes to practicing. If you can’t rehearse with your band 3 nights a week, then make two nights really count. Don’t cancel them unless an emergency arises. If the rehearsal is 2 hours, plan it out. Define the night. Have a schedule. Take a 15-minute break then get back to work.

 

You really feel a sense of accomplishment when you’re on the right track, rehearsal-wise. You know deep down inside when it’s working and when it’s not. Adjust accordingly. And realize charm or talent alone won’t cut it. Nothing, absolutely nothing, replaces practice as a way to improve your art. It’s that simple. 

 

 Time management issues?

email coaching available:

info@coachpamela.com

Seattle Local ?  Ask for the special one on one time management session to jump start your New Year!

Padme Grace

 

 

 

 

Going Full-Time – How to do it sanely

 

Your gigs are more frequent. Your day job is becoming more of a drag. You have some bigger offers in the works, maybe even a record deal. Is it time to quit your day job? You don’t want to shoot yourself in the foot financially… but man, this is what you’ve been waiting for. Life in a cubicle was never for you.

 

It’s a really exciting and challenging time when you move toward becoming a full-time performer. But if you’re like most of us, you have expenses to contend with, maybe debt. Can you afford to take the leap? Will the money be consistent enough? What if you leave your day job only to have to crawl back to it months later, with your proverbial tail between your legs?

 

These are all valid concerns. The life of a performer can be as inconsistent financially as a traveling salesman (which on some levels, you are!) There are certainly no guarantees but you can do some things to make you feel a little more stable as you take this monumental step.

 

First off, congratulate yourself. You are finally on a path that is closer to your heart and that’s a good thing. It’s what life is all about. Money tends to follow when you’re living closer to your heart. No longer do you have to struggle with that duel existence of most artists, pursuing your dreams in the evening and then returning to a thankless 9 – 5 job. You did it!

 

Second, it’s time to do a very thorough evaluation of your budget. Hopefully, you’ve stashed away some savings. Your first year or two could be unpredictable financially so you need to be prepared. Write down your monthly expenses. Know how much it takes to survive and be very realistic. Include everything: credit card debt, utilities, car payments, food, and entertainment. What exactly does it take to get you through an average month of your life?

 

Third, be persistent. The stakes are higher now that you’ve left your dependable day job. Your treatment of your creative pursuit as a business is imperative now. Do you have business cards? Demos? Press kits? A manager? An agent? A publicist? A website? Which of these things do you need? Can you snag a few steady gigs that are your weekly bread and butter? What other forms of financing can you receive? Can you snag a day job in the music industry that will pay the bills and contribute indirectly to your creative pursuits?

 

If you’re feeling really nervous about letting go of your day job and its dependability, give it some time. You may need to go to part-time for a while. For some, nothing can disrupt their creative life more than survival fears, so do what it takes for you to feel truly comfortable. Being chronically broke and worried about money does not help your creative pursuits. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.

 

It can be a scary time, releasing the old life and moving toward a new one. But transition is part of the process. You’re on the right track. Just take some steps to make sure you’re doing it as safely and sanely as possible.

 

Get some help…

info@coachpamela.com

Padme Grace

Kick Butt Performer’s Coach