| Depending
on whether you're shopping your music, looking for gigs, or trying to get press,
your kit should be tailored to either the industry or the press. If you're targeting
the industry, don't hype! Be honest. Make sure your kit is as unique as you are
factual and to the point. They are most interested in your sound, your presentation
and your talent. For the press, you are trying to generate interest: give them
enough to build a story on. So tell them what you're doing that's newsworthy,
what makes you unique, and when writing your biography for the press, you can
be more descriptive. |
|
The
cover letter:
Personally addressed (hopefully you called in advanced
and were told to write "solicited" on the package!). and include a small letter
such as: "As promised in my conversation with Mandy, I am forwarding my bio
and 3-song CD for your review."
No typos! Get a friend to proof read everything!
Start off with the key points to interest A&R (or the press). Use concise
bullets to catch their attention. "I am an experienced acoustic performer with
a growing following and my songwriting shows influences of Steve Earl and
Bruce Springsteen"; or "Our 4-piece band has been rocking L.A. clubs for
two years with our unique brand of rockabilly punk…we already have 400 fans on
our mailing list."
If you were referred by someone - name drop!
Highlight
any significant points: touring, opening for major acts, name producers, management
or agency representation, sales or radio play. Who are you selling to, and what
will grab their interest?
Demo
notes -
i.e. "this is a 3-song demo recorded on a 4-track home studio";
or "this full- production demo was recorded at "SoundAdvice Studios" and
produced by local hip-hop producing guru "Black Ice".
Thank them, and
tell them you'll be calling in two weeks. And if you say you'll call...call!
No more than 3 paragraphs, don't tell your life story, yet!
The Biography:
If the folks you're sending to have a website, check out the bios on their artists,
and follow their format. If there's an artist who has musical or career similarities,
check out their bio.
Write it objectively -- like a story someone else
wrote about you. Go back to the good old who, what, where, why, when, how journalistic
format.
Include contact information (phone, website, e-mail)
on the biography page.
Try to open with a summary that'll get your story
across in one line. Make them want to read on. Writing your first paragraph
is like selecting the first song on your demo. What's going to happen in
those first 5 seconds that'll make them keep listening?
If you can't
expound your own virtues, get a friend to work on it with you.
When you play at gigs, go ask a couple of audience members for three words that
would describe your music. That could be helpful.
For example...
"Illinois
native John Doe is new to the L.A. scene, but already has developed a small but
loyal following at "the whammy bar" where he plays twice a month. His songwriting
is unique because it incorporates ____. John's musical influences are _____ .
As a songwriter, he has had two local bands cut his material, and is currently
shopping for a publishing deal. As a performer, he exudes confidence, and you
can hear a pin drop when he sings. In addition to his Whammy Bar dates, he performs
regularly on the songwriter circuit in Toronto, and he recently opened for ____
at the Roots Festival on May 14th. John honed his skills while working at a coffee
house in Chicago. "It's like I sat at the feet of the masters," John says. "There
were amazing songwriters every night, and I couldn't believe I was getting paid
while I listened and learned the craft from people like _____ . I even collaborated
on a few songs with ___". John moved to L.A. to get more stage experience and
to land a publishing deal (he is with AMI Music Online). Now he's ready for the
next step and with his new CD it shows both his ability to write provocative lyrics
and rockier material with commercially viable hooks. Although the CD captures
John's clear vocal ability, you've got to see him in a live performance!
The
Fact Sheet:
Some people just don't think in prose, and your bio (even if
it's just 5 paragraphs) will put them off.
Always include a one-pager
with about 8 or 10 (max!) highlights in point form i.e.
- Dynamic stage presence
-
Performs regularly in New York clubs
-
Opened for Motley Crue at the Hollywood Bowl
-
Co-wrote "Hep Yo Mama" with B.T.U. (reached #4 on the dance charts!)
-
Just inked a publishing deal with Frittata Publishing (you get the
picture)
-
Playing at the Empire on July 4th - 8:00pm -
Include contact info on this,
too!
Next week - Marketing Yourself Part 2 will discuss packaging,
your demo, photos, and more! |
