When I was researching tips and advice about recording drums, I read over and over that the most difficult aspect of recording music is recording the drums.  I tasted snaps of drumming frustration a few weeks ago as I tackled the first steps of putting together a few songs with a friend.  Although there are various breakdowns and outlines to follow for recording drums, a structured plan may be quickly abandoned due to the tremendous number of variables. READ MORE

 - David James

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April 7th 2010

BLOG CARNIVAL: Music Industry Blogs

In this second edition of Breakthrough Band’s Blog Carnival, I have invited bloggers within the online music community to submit a blog post with relevant advice or information pertaining to the music industry and starting a band.  Check out the Blog Carnival page of Breakthrough Band to learn how you can be part of the next round.  READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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March 27th 2010

 

REFLECTIONS: When You Try... You Fail

 

What happens when you try? …you fail. Commitment and determination have such a high impact on success in any field.  For any aspiring musician tackling the challenge of starting a band, these words are not encouraging at all.  If the odds are stacked against you, why try?  Why sacrifice and why risk finances, time, and relationships to try and succeed?  I think that is the point of the cliché above.  READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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March 13th 2010

 

STARTING A BAND: Practice Space

 

Any group of musicians looking to start a band will be not only looking at venues and clubs to play, but also searching for the right place to write music, practice songs, and rehearse for each show.  While you may be fortunate enough to have a space that is perfectly designed for each of these purposes, most bands will need to put some work in to find a practice space.  READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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March 6th 2010

 

YOUR MUSIC: Stagehands Music

 

Marco Pandza of dramatic rock ensemble, Stagehands, connects with Breakthrough Band to share some insights into starting a band as they are carving their own niche in the music industry.  READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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February 27th 2010

 

ADVERTISING STRATEGY: SWOT Analysis

 

Simply defined, the SWOT analysis is a marketing guide that summarizes a brand’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.  Pertaining to band promotion, whether you are starting a band or re-evaluating your band’s marketing strategy, the SWOT analysis can outline important core elements of the current situation.  The SWOT analysis becomes a fitting summary for the Situational Analysis.  READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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February 21st 2010

 

BREAKTHROUGH BAND: Competitive Analysis

 

Breakthrough Band is positioned within an unsaturated niche of music blogs where options are limited, but the resources are very powerful.  Rather than diving into comparisons with the plethora of music blogs, the focus here will be on three resources aimed at aspiring musicians.  These resources include Artist House Music, Indie Band Advice and Head Above Music.  READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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February 13th 2010

 

NOTEWORTHY: Supernova Band Wars

 

Learning how to start a band goes beyond grabbing a group of friends together with instruments.  There comes a point where a band is ready to rock and needs to begin promoting the music and performing live. What better way to promote your band than to get out into the community and play your heart out.  READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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February 5th 2010

 

MUSIC IN THE NEWS: Angels and Airwaves Free Music

 

Another band is offering free music as part of the marketing strategy for their new album.  Angels and Airwaves announced that they will put up free downloads of “Love” their newest album, online at Fuel.Tv.  You can even download “Hallucinations”, the first single, right now.  But, why the free music?  READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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February 1st 2010

 

STARTING A BAND: Guitarist Wanted

 

Although a guitarist may not dictate the success or failure of a band, it is the guitar that directs and sketches out each song.  The guitarist of your band will have tremendous impact on the sound of your band’s music.  It is no wonder why most band leaders and writers are guitarists.  The guitar outlines the thoughts of the writer. Learn what to consider before posting that "Guitarist Wanted" ad.   READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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January 30th 2010

 

ADVERTISING STRATEGY: Local Band Promotion

 

For any rock band looking to gain exposure in the music industry, there is a priority to start small and saturate the local area first.  If your band promotion strategy can a specific geographical area, then you can build support and translate that strength into other channels.  By grasping every opportunity for local attention, you can build a network that will drive a loyal fan base and create opportunities.  READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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January 28th 2010

 

YOUR MUSIC: Promote Your Band

 

The opportunities for online band promotion are constantly evolving each day.  Breakthrough Band will dive into each avenue for band promotion and unveil tips and tricks to reach new listeners and expand your fan base as content continues to grow.  At the same time, Breakthrough Band will be reviewing YOUR music to see which bands have what it take to succeed.  READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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January 26th 2010

 

STARTING A BAND: Buying Drums

 

Hopefully through the process of finding a drummer to join your band, you connect with a drummer who has a drum set.  A no-brainer, maybe, but if you are like me, your drum set is in working order, but not 100% for performing.  As you are starting a band, you will need to take inventory of the drums and ensure that when you book your first gig, you are prepared to play.  READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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January 24th 2010

 

NOTEWORTHY: The Weekend Musician

 

As much as every aspiring musician day dreams of light shows and head banging fans, the phrases “Get Rich Quick” and “Start a Band” clash right from the beginning.  As much as it may appear to be lighting strikes of luck that push many artists into stardom, the reality is that getting struck by lighting is a matter of timing and opportunity, not just luck.  READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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January 22nd 2010

 

CONTRIBUTING WRITER: A J Clark

 

Developing real and grounded content for aspiring musicians involves writing from the viewpoint of aspiring musicians.  To challenge the obstacles of starting a band and promoting a band, the writers of Breakthrough Band need to fully understand the perspective of the audiences.  Claiming his name on a category that digs into the gems of the music industry is a contributor – A J Clark.  READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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January 17th 2010

 

MUSIC IN THE NEWS: Music Industry Helps Haiti

 

With history unfolding before the eyes of Haiti, I keep returning to the song, 'Cold Cash and Colder Hearts' by Thrice as it paints a picture of the tunnel vision created by a dangling dollar bill a few inches from our faces.  While people are living outside of our daily interactions under different and often desperate circumstances, we are here at the top of the world, completely focused on ourselves.  READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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January 15th 2010

 

SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS: Competitive Analysis

 

The last segment of the Situational Analysis for your band’s Advertising Strategy is the Competitive Analysis.  This is a great way to compare your product or service against another.  If you are looking to start a band or are strategizing a new campaign for band promotion, you want to look at the strengths and weaknesses of other bands.  READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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January 11th 2010

 

STARTING A BAND: 20 Songs of Inspiration

 

The inspiration behind successful endeavors can be the single most important motivating factor for a band.  As a musician, inspiration can come from a variety of angles and situations and should be captured for quick reference.  The way that I look at it, on the road less travelled, a person needs to stop, sit down, take a deep breath, and remember why he or she is there to begin with. READ MORE

 

 - David James

 

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January 9th 2010

 

BREAKTHROUGH BAND: Product Analysis

 

Breakthrough Band understands offered product is a service to aspiring musicians.  This service must provide sound advice, access to great resources, and a sense of belonging.  While Breakthrough Band builds solid articles and a strong presence in the online music community, time will indicate the successes in these three areas. READ MORE

 

 - David James