How do you start a band and make money?

Question

If i start my own rock band but ti takes a couple of years to get established (if you ever do)... how do you make a living in the mean time? And if the band never becomes successful, then what?

Answer 1

get a second job like everyone else..something flexible..part-time ..give lessons..maybe in the music industry so you can keep exposed and in the loop...

maybe even self "produce" and learn the tools of the trade of music and marketing

most of all stick with it.. if that is your true dream

Answer 2

Yeah a second job is a definite necessity no band anywhere is just gonna be able to start living off the shows you play, small venues don't pay enough. If you are in college, taking some music theory and some sound tech classes are a big plus to everything. Self-producing is probably the easiest way to go if you know what your doing. Start by getting recording software on a computer and hooking it up to equipment and then you're ready to start copying your own cd's. That will give you a little bit of material to send to venues to apply for shows and to radio stations that air local music. If the band never becomes successful, you gotta come to terms with it, but if its your dream its not worth giving up on. Good luck, I know Im trying too.

Answer 3

1. You make a living in the meantime working whatever job you can get. In fact, most rock musicians never make it big, they enjoy playing local clubs, and they support themselves as computer networking techs or city planners or whatever (didja see Tony Snow, White House Press Secretary, on MSNBC today? His group won a for-charity battle of the bands; he was playing flute and covering Jethro Tull).

What was it that Hunter Thompson wrote--something like 'the music business is like a long, dark hallway where pimps, pushers and thugs prey and decent people die like dogs. Then there is a negative side.'

2. Even if you make it to a recording contract and sell a lot of your first album, the industry does bookkeeping tricks so that you don't make much money. Watch the film "That Thing You Do" and take note of how much cash the band members got paid for their top-ten single at the end. In most cases, nada.

The only bands that break that rule are the ones with indie success who can then force the major labels to negotiate: Dave Matthews, Pearl Jam, etc.

3. If you never make it, and you're in love with the music industry, there are opportunities for producers, coaches, roadies, marketing reps, distribution coordinators, and other corporate factotums. Or you could wind up like former Jethro Tull bassist Glenn Cornick, who worked as a pet food sales rep. in southern California for many years after he quit the biz. And BTW, he DID make it!

Answer 4

Well it depends on where you live. If you live close enough to drive to a tourist area that has clubs that regularly hire bands, then make a good demo and promo kit and walk in and ask for work. If you're any good you can probably find work. I know LOTS of bands who make a living just playing the local circuit. But until you get known in the area, get a day job!

Answer 5

Most bands will never earn enough money from their music to make a living. My suggestion is to get a job on the side, work on the band as a hobby, and if you make it; great! But don't put all your future planning into it.