Once again, this is a rant without spell check, punctuation, or even proof reading. This is off the chest, what I feel is pissing me off this week about the Midwest scene and how it can improve. With that said and out of the way, to the meat…
Something that I have noticed, especially lately is the premadonna attitude that many of these local bands are getting. Even when they are only drawing 25-50 people to a show, they still act like they are some sort of God and that everyone should be bowing to them because they have a spec of talent.
Guys (and gals), this MUST stop. You are independent, your bread and butter revolves around your fans and them showing up to pay your ticket and buy your merch. If you act like you are this A-List talent, especially when you are not, you are going to fail miserably. Not only are you going to fail miserably, but (and I saw it this week) the only people that are going to show up to your shows are your family and the promoter that put you in the venue.
A good attitude, especially while independent is a must. If you blow people off, there are 400 other bands playing the other clubs within walking distance that these fans can, and will, go to. You have to build a relationship with your fanbase in order for it to grow. I am not saying you need to go out for beers with every fan that shows up, but show them respect. Show them that you appreciate them coming and spending their money on you instead of seeing a movie or some other thing they can do for entertainment. You absolutely NEED these fans, not only because of the economy, but if you are serious about your music and getting it out there – these are the people that will talk about you.
When you are being interviewed, and the reporter is asking some tough questions, don’t start blowing them off and acting like it does not matter. Telling a reporter “that’s the worst question I ever heard” (and yes that happened last week, I watched it) will not only ensure that you are not going to get that write-up that you are hoping for to get a little press going, but it will also ensure that reporter is going to pick at every flaw you have. Reporters are egotistical, they think they rule with the pen. Is this true, no, but they can make you look like crap to a ton more people that have never heard of you, that will in turn not even give your music the time of day to look up and listen to.
Be real. Don’t change who you are just because you are in a band. If you are a snob in real life, then hey, better not change it because the truth eventually comes out. On the flip side, and I know this is the case of many band members, don’t act all high and mighty because you got a band. Your talent will only carry you so far. When you are watching artists on TV being a prick to someone, that is an isolated incident 99% of the time, and is the reason it is on TV. A vast majority of signed A-List artists are there because they are humble, know how to treat their fans, and are real to themselves and their music.
The minute you get an attitude with your fans or the media, they will turn on your and make your life hell. It will not happen overnight, it will boil over a period of months. Once it does though, for every day of damage you did, it will take you 5 days to reverse it.
In the end, drop the attitude and you will be surprised how many new fans you can pick up. You will be shocked at how many local and regional writers will bend over backwards to try and make you look good. Attitude is one of the keys to success and if you got a bad one, your career in entertainment is over before it even starts. Guaranteed.
Frank Arena
Project Backstage
