(Photo Source:Multiply.com)
You have a lot of your self written songs hidden somewhere in your garage or inside your bedroom, and you and your band mates had been singing these songs over and over during your practice sessions. But, how come nobody recognizes them during your gigs? Why not use your charm and try to join Song writing Contest, check out first from your area or your nearby town. If your song wins either first, second or third prize then you have your ticket now to join bigger Song writing contest, like; upload your song to International websites that caters to new talents, join a televised program or even go to radio stations and ask for slots where you can ask them to play your song(s). These actions can help you a lot to also promote your song as well as your band. So,why not try it?

(Photo Source:You Tube)
“You Tube”? Most musicians nowadays uploads their music videos via the You Tube, because they know they can be seen worldwide and chances of being discovered is high! Make a video with a catching title and perform as if it will be your last. Some or even most record producers are searching for new talents via the Internet and the most popular venue for this type of search is through the You Tube. There are a lot of new talents who were discovered only through this medium and they are making waves already, so what are you waiting for! Gather your band mates and start making your video, so the road for stardom will open for you. Goodluck!

(Photo Source:Fotosearch)
As a starter, you should make your demo tape. A demo is instrumental in getting you gigs. Nowadays, a demo “tape” is usually a CD, and sometimes you upload them to your self made website with your songs on it. How many songs you wanted to include really depends on how many you have: you could have a whole album’s worth or as few as three or four to one. Since a demo generally isn’t for sale, you can feel free to include covers as well as your original material. A well-recorded demo is better than a poorly-recorded one, and don’t worry because a demo doesn’t have to be “radio-ready.” Sometimes the quality of the recording can be rough but as long as you maintain the quality of your songwriting and performance, and as long as the demo gives the listener a good idea of what you play and how well you are playing it. You can record your demos on a home studio, your PC, a digital recorder, or even a tape recorder(if that is still acceptable or if yours is still working.)

Join Battle of the Bands – First, send your demo tape/cd plus your press kit to any local battle of the band competitions. Most competitions locate up and coming talent in the area or schools for their Battle of the Bands. Great thing about these competitions is that you can start networking with the promoters, other bands involved, and get exposure. Many of the competitions or gigs are promoted on the radio or television and through other means. The winner usually takes home a decent prize like studio time or free promotion. Have your business cards ready anytime during the competition. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for, so grab that chance while it last.(Source:Mediawebsource)

(Photosource:Google)

(Photo Source:Fotosearch)
Make your band’s own website! Promote your band over the internet. If you don’t have a website yet for your local band or garage band, Get one now! It’s a valuable tool for indie promotion in today’s internet world. Once you have your web address, start submitting your URL to local band listing websites. Do a research on your city and nearby towns and see what sites list local bands and show dates. Once you found one, email the site and ask to have your web link added. Moreover, e-mail concert calendars and have your band gigs and shows listed. You’ll be surprised how many you will find in your area and nearby town. In addition, email your local clubs with your website and see if they would like a press kit. (Source:Mediawebsource)

(Source:Wolfgangsvault.com/photography)
If you are planning to form a band, whether its a rock band, reggae, grunge rock, etc., you MUST first think of the right name for your band that will catch the fancy of your would be fans/market.
Like any other industry, some names are good and some are not. Stay away from names that leave you with a negative feeling or names that will raise the eyebrows of the listeners. Try to choose a name that is positive and reflects the moods and music of your band. Picking a name that is controversial can also be good, but be careful not to choose a name that gives off harmful signals.
If you can combine a great name with a great logo, you’ve got the best of both worlds. A memorable logo helps with band identification and also serves as a handy marketing/merchandising tool for you.
You begin the name selection process by asking each of your band member to compile a list of names. Spend a couple of days or even weeks putting each individual list onto a master list. Then, during a band meeting, begin reading off the names to see if any of them strikes a chord. If you didn’t came up with something from this meeting, don’t force it. Some of the most famous band names came accidentally.
Then, once you come up with a name you all agree on, live with it for a while before you go spending lots of money on flyers and business cards. Is this name really you? Does it say anything about the type of your music? Is it easy to pronounce and to memorize? The point is : You’ve got to live with the name of your band—you’ve got to be proud to see it, to say it and to write it. And that’s all that really matters.(Source:Mediawebsource)

1. The Libertines
2. Blur
3. Goldfrapp
4. David Holmes
5. Richard X
6. Girls Aloud
7. Franz Ferdinand
8. Joss Stone
9. Mr Scruff
10. The Coral
11. Coldplay
12. Sugababe
13. Dizzee Rascal
14. Martina Topley-Bird
15. Broadcast
16. The Streets
17. David Bowie
18. Cinematic Orchestra
19. Basement Jaxx
20. Harvey P J
21. The Radiohead
22. Mis-Teeq
23. Robert Wyatt
24. Petshop Boys
25. Beth Gibbons
26. Spiritualized
27. Lone Pigeon
28. British Sea Power
29. Fallacy
30. The Darkness
31. Muse
32. Chemical Brothers
33. Lemon Jelly
34. Roots Manuva
35. Four Tet
36. Rishi Rich
37. Hundred Reasons
38. Sebastian and Belle
39. The Furry Animals
40. Selfish Cunt
This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 at 4:44 am and is filed under Bands.

YouTube has become more than the usual posting place for funny videos and commercials – it has become the launching platform for those who want to become famous.

One such group that has made it so far, largely due to their fan base from their posted videos on YouTube is Boyce Avenue. The groups prides itself with its upbeat and acoustic covers of famous songs. Even Justin Timberlake’s song ‘Lovestoned’ has not been spared, as a testament to the expertise and talent of the group to take a piece of music and make it their own.

The band is mainly composed of brothers Alejandro, Fabian, and Daniel Manzano. They have several gigs lined up, and have just finished a successful tour of the Philippines. From internet sensation to real-life stars, you can be sure that we’ll be seeing more of Boyce Avenue.

The Canadian rocker group has unanimously voted out their lead singer Kevin Matisyn who has agreed and has parted ways with the rest of the group. His departure was quite a shocker and unexpected but the move is said to have left no ill taste with the rest of the band members. According to the band’s founding member Parker Lauzon:

“I could go on a rant about how much of a bad person he was to everyone in the band or how we hated each other, but that’s not what it was about at all,” said Lauzon. “Creatively, four of us were going in one direction, and Kevin was on a path of his own.There was no question that the best decision was to part ways. It was strictly business.”

They simply put the break-off as a move for the better of all as they were heading in two distinct reasons and that happens to be mere business. Meanwhile, the rest of the band has found a replacement singer to take Kevin’s place but he still has to learn the ropes and has not been seen in public yet. Seems to need a lot of work to fill in the shoes of Kevin but they say they’re getting there. He has started working in the studio with the group along with producer Trevor Kustiak in pre-production of the next album slated for release this year. They only regret that Kevin happened to bring in a lot of innovative and hip lyrics into the group for which he was most known. But as they say in showbiz, “The show must go on!” and so must we.

Image Source:bbc.co.uk

Kaiser Chief has promised its huge fan base that it will continue with their world tour inspite of being hindered by their keyboardist’s hospitalization when they were in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Kaiser Chief is set to conquer the cities in South America and are scheduled to proceed to the North America the following weeks. Their keyboardist, Peanut was forced to have his appendix removed as it may endanger his life. Although the operation on Peanut was a success, the keyboard player was not allowed to fly to the US until Wednesday. Peanut is okay and has managed to play in Brazil at Planeta Terra. Their show in the US will kick off at the Henry Ford Theater, without Peanut.