Just Ask

     I feel that I have recently stumbled on one of the biggest reasons most bands don’t make it out of the basement, or garage, or garage basement?! Is that a thing? Did I just invent the next major innovation in architecture?! The number one thing holding a group or an artist back is that they don’t ask. What?! That can’t be right, well, let’s take a look at the graph.

     As you can see in this photo, my hands a looking old as shit, and I’m right (ignore the part that says financial plan in the heading).

How can this be? This is such a simple thing, but so many people don’t do it. I recall a recent experience where I got a residency at a local venue. When I got the gig, one of the other local acts came up to ask me how I got it. I said, “I came up to the owner, told her I wanted to play as often as she would let me, and she gave me the gig.” The other artist acted surprised! Now I have had about 300 other stories that end a different way. But I have been lucky to play a more than 6 handfuls of awesome gigs, simply because I asked. I say lucky, but really it came down to me just asking. I feel like that has very little to do with luck.

Maybe you want to get onto a Spotify, or youtube playlist (and you should definitely be wanting to do that). How do you get on one of these? I think you know where I’m going with this… but just in case you started the article right here… just ask! Go to the youtube page or Spotify playlist and find an email address attached to it, then email them and say, “What do you need from me to make this happen.” Then do that thing! You will be told the word no often, like a lot. But that is ok! We are learning, we will make mistakes. Our feelings will be hurt. If you can’t handle that, seriously, don’t try to pursue this as a career and just make music for fun. There’s no shame in that! We can make this into more of a life lesson for you. So often we’re afraid to let our mouths say what our hearts desire. It’s ok to want to be a musician! It’s ok to want to be known for being a musician. Own up to what you want! I’m sure you have the power to change your life, motivational speakers making a living off of this. The fact of the matter is, they are right. Most of us just don’t verbalize what it is we want.

If you want someone to manage the band, just ask. If you are want to record an album, collect some funds, then ask to record somewhere. Maybe even ask for a discounted rate?! Huh! You can do that? Hell yes, you sure can! Seriously, just ask. What are you waiting for? Ask right now! Send that text, make that phone call!