weirdmominaustin wrote:

You need to definitely get a presence on the web so if people see you perform they can follow up and continue to feel connected to you. Also, all of you need to practice individually every day and practice (or play out) together as much as possible. You need to be able to play those songs in your sleep. Lastly, you need to really brutal in critiquing yourselves. And have thick skins about others doing the same.

minnesotamary wrote:

i'm in marketing so i just HAD to comment! looks like you need the grass roots approach. word of mouth is everything. you need people talking about your band...but they can't do that unless you have presence somewhere. And the cheapest way is, like the others have said, the World Wide Web! myspace is a great way to spread the word, but you need a god Web site as your base. Just some quick ideas off the top my head:

--branding-> you need something by which you can be recognized or associated...i.e. logo, etc.
--create a virtual "tour" or cafe on your site where you can promote your band and music. you need enough bandwidth to hold snipits of your songs---TEASER!!
--develop a mailing list (having a database of your "fans" will be crucial when promoting).
--sign up to play (for free if you have to) at venues in your area (might not be easy at it seems on paper!) just know that you'll need to know how to deal with rejection. just imagine how many popular bands were turned down at one point or another.

$$ will be involved, but the Web is a cheap medium.

Good luck and I'll send more ideas later!

--m

GotChrist wrote:

I've only just realised the pressure that'll be put on us when we're on stage. And I don't mean like a pub, I mean like a proper stage. I am so so so nervous about singing now.

weirdmominaustin wrote:

I'm a singer too and I know it can be hard. In many ways the singer has to put themselves out there more than the others. Again, practice practice practice. Your body has amazing muscle memory so it can do things even when your brain feels like goo. Watch other singers that you admire(live and otherwise) and observe what they do on stage. Everyone does different things but what the best ones are all doing is putting the song above themselves. They don't care if they look cool or what anyone else is thinking. They only care about expressing what needs to be expressed in the song. Think about Andy (I know he's the guitarist but go with me) he plays bent over half the time! That isn't exactly a cool pose but he gets in his zone and produces amazing sounds out of that guitar. You have to hone your skills (please learn proper breathing techniques or you will KILL your voice) and you also have to care only about the music and not about the audience or critics or anything. If you do that you will be successful. Perhaps you won't sell a million records but you'll be expressing your art honestly and to me that is success.

Also, your band has to try and be a functional family. The music industry is a mean beast. Your inner circle needs to be very tight to survive.

GotChrist wrote:

we're already really really close, like a family. but i'm still scared incase something, even something very little, could go wrong. It worries me but all I really need help, confidence, and support. And i'm having trouble getting those at the moment.

Gladly (the cross-eyed bear) wrote:

You are only 14.You have a long time to learn and a long time to make mistakes.
Keep working hard keep looking for opportunities and believe you can do it.
A large percentage of luck is of your making and the work you put into it.
Go for it and dont let the doubters get hold of you.
To be honest their are only 4 guys on here who could give you some real help.
Maybe they will read this.

mozman68 wrote:

btw...a lot of "mankind" organizations/groups out there already on the web. You may want to lock in your name on a site soon...www.mankindband.com...or something like that.

Gladly (the cross-eyed bear) wrote:

You'll do it. When i was your age a mate of mine had dreams like yours.
They came true it just took time.
I know i am wasting my time telling a teenager to be patient.
I aint that old that i don't remember lol

Gladly (the cross-eyed bear) wrote:

You'll do it. When i was your age a mate of mine had dreams like yours.
They came true it just took time.
I know i am wasting my time telling a teenager to be patient.
I aint that old that i don't remember lol

weirdmominaustin wrote:

I agree. When you're a teenager it is hard to understand how long and hard you have to work at some things but it's so worth it and honestly better than it just being handed to you. And, GotChrist, to be pretty blunt with you, seems like you're making a lot of excuses of why you or your band can't do this or that and I think you as a band are just going to have to do it and not wait for someone else to sort it out for you. Take suggestions and advice but then make some decisions and just do it.