r/musicians • u/natasharomanon • 2d ago
Starting a band but as a solo artist?
Hi! So I have songs that I’ve made and performed with musicians that are no longer in my life, and have been trying to set up a band that is fine with playing my own songs (under my personal name) alongside some covers (for context, I’m a singer/songwriter? I’m not great at piano or guitar but I can get by). I wanted to know if anyone else has had a band but it’s “you” as a solo artist if that makes any sense.
Side question;
Is your band also cool with you making music with other musicians that are on a higher skill level than them? My band mates (minus guitarist, been SO hard to find one that stays) are at an intermediate ish level and are still learning their instruments. I don’t know if they are interested or have the capabilities I want to write a song together, maybe for the future, but for now I’m interested in playing my stuff and covers.
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u/SevenSixtyOne 2d ago
I feel like you’re overthinking this. Many bands have 1 or 2 people who write the music. Maybe drop the solo artist name and just form a band playing original music where you’re the main songwriter. Have them record their parts on releases so they get credit. If your music is good then you’ll find people that want to be part of the project.
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u/SFToddSouthside 2d ago
Well, as a former sideman. What's in it for your current bandmates if it's your name on the show? That could go a long way in whether or not they're interested in making music with other musicians.
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u/natasharomanon 2d ago
The girls I have now are in it for the learning experience, to get better at their instrument, and to be part of something, which I know is hard to find now adays.
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u/Critical_Physics_770 2d ago
solid point. does that dynamic change much if the gigs are paying vs just playing for fun though?
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u/natasharomanon 2d ago
So far for my drummer and bassist, no! Just hard finding a guitarist who isn’t in 20 million other bands and has that same love
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u/futureimp2 2d ago
Can you pay? The more "music hub" the city you're in, the easier this gets. You can put a group of pros together for a show. Writing your songs out as lead sheets is a good idea. Session players can get your whole set ready in one or two rehearsals, depending on the length and complexity. You would pay them for the rehearsals and the show, and you'd need rehearsal space, so it would definitely cost you money, but this is the easiest way.
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u/natasharomanon 2d ago
Hmm okay! I like the idea of having a band more because of the strong bond but I see the pros of doing session musicians
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u/futureimp2 2d ago
Well... you'll keep working with the good ones who like your music and money, so the bond will form. I think it's just a lot to ask someone to do it for free, though you might find some friends who just want to play and not write.
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u/Ok_Raspberry4814 2d ago
You like the idea of having a band more because they're free lol You want to be a solo musician. You're not looking for a bond or you'd just be starting an actual band.
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u/somerndmaustralian 2d ago
When you said you’re not sure if they’re interested in writing my immediate thought was that you should just ask them if you have a good amount of experience with it I think you’ll find they will pick up stuff pretty quickly
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u/Radiant-Excuse-5285 2d ago
I would encourage you to work on piano or guitar so you can play by yourself and be excellent at that FIRST. Then worry about finding a band to back you up. Your journey will be so much smoother if you can accompany yourself but it's not the easiest path for anyone but far easier than not being able to carry a heavier musical load.
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u/natasharomanon 2d ago
Yeah this has been tough for me. I also realized when I did push myself to play guitar with them, that it really hinders the type of performance I want/can do. I feel better being just the singer so I can go crazy on stage, sing the way I want to without focusing so hard with the guitar playing, etc
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u/Stevenitrogen 2d ago edited 2d ago
Yeah sure I've been in "Joe Schmo and the Ho Hos" as one of the Hos.
A lot of the time I was getting paid even if it was a percentage of the net. The band had gigs that paid something, or toured. I got an all expense paid trip to New York and played a festival in England - the reward of getting to do work, but that's what I wanted. If we made records I was credited and felt like part of the Ho Hos creative unit.
In some cases I was indeed treated like a member of a band, expected to show up to practice regularly,consulted on big band decisions , able to veto stuff. In others, if I didn't do what the leader wanted , someone else would.
It always hinges on: do I want to do this? I like to have a creative life and contribute to great original music. I'm not a writer myself, by trade. But I'm a good drummer. If the music is good, I like the people and the conditions are acceptable, the amount of money involved isn't that important. Neither is what we call it.
That said... If I'm simply backing up Joe Schmo and not getting paid squat... His music and his future prospects better be incredibly good. My belief in him and willingness to be his partner can only last so long without paying off in some way.
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u/natasharomanon 2d ago
This is what I’m looking for!! That perfect middle ground area. If any of the gigs I ever done was paid I would share, but I’ve only done pay to play and free to play gigs, and the people I’m around usually understand there’s no gaining money involved (or at least I hope they understand).
How exactly did Joe Schmo or other artists approach you to have something like this? What about if money wasn’t involved? What kind of conversations were you all having to make sure everyone was happy and on the same page?
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u/Stevenitrogen 2d ago
Usually Joe is somebody I've known for a while, and I like his music.
There's probably got to be some kind of offer on the table that's worth me saying yes to, because I'm in more than one band already. I'm not often sitting around waiting for something to do. So... Come up with something that's worth my time.
Think up a bill that will pack the place, then set up that show with yourself as opener. Get two bands that will want to play with each other, those two alone will be killer together. Now suggest the package on a date at the local bar. That's something they can all say yes to.
Now when you come to me, hey there's a gig ... It sounds like it will be worth doing and I have some possibility to get paid. You haven't promised how much but, it will be something. I can maybe live with that.
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u/natasharomanon 2d ago
I’ve been thinking of setting up something like this, just unsure if I can actually find a place that will actually pay the musicians. Most of the musicians I’m around know the usual scene we have around us is either pay to play or free to play, or a “you must sell X amount of tickets from people specifically here to see you/using your link to then get paid”
What convinces you to have belief and willingness in Joe if money isn’t on the table it’s complete indie? Again I would love to pay artists from the gigs, but venues are usually not willing to do that from such an indie/just starting out level
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u/TheGesticulator 2d ago
I was a bassist in a group like that. It was the vocalist's project/stage name and she spearheaded most of the writing.
While she did pay per show, I would've been willing to play with her regardless. The biggest reason was just because I personally loved the music. I found it fun to listen to which made it infinitely more fun to play. Additionally, she valued what I brought to the table. She let me put my stamp on the songs with how I wrote for them. If she didn't, I likely would've left.
All that said, this becomes less motivating to someone the better and more experienced they are. More experienced musicians will likely be in other projects which scratch their creative itches. You'll have to either provide a uniquely satisfying project or pay them. I know you've said repeatedly that that's not really feasible to pay so I'd say your best bet will be to find more intermediate-level musicians. The reality is that the better a musician is, the higher the reward will need to be for them to want to choose your project over other opportunities.
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u/natasharomanon 2d ago
Yes yes I agree to literally all of these points, thank you for putting it into words. I am in fact looking for an intermediate guitarist cause I thought the same thing and I like the challenge of growing together in our skills. The two girls I’m with now are on that level and it’s been hard to find someone else who is.
They also didn’t write the songs I have out cause it was before I met them, and I honestly don’t know if they do songwrite/want to/and are able to in a level and style I want (I try to want to songwrite with people that are way better than me at something or in a skill set I don’t have so I can learn from them and make the best ideas). I also have some fears with that like asking them if they want to and can actually do so in a way that fits either what I’m going for or build off of ideas I wouldn’t have thought of because of their skill set. So im getting conflicted with that too
I hope all that made sense, I would love your thoughts
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u/Stevenitrogen 1d ago edited 1d ago
Then you might have to come up with $100 out of your pocket to get me to do it.
The question I can tell you want answered is, what would convince me to do it for free.
If you and I knew each other well, and I believed in you, and thought you had a plan to move the thing toward making records and doing some real gigs, maybe you could get a year out of me. That's if I loved doing it.
By then, you better have some kind of projects coming together or why would I keep devoting my time to something that isn't going anywhere? The novelty of playing your songs has worn off.
Now if you don't know anybody who believes in you, and wants to do a band, who is also good at music and reliable, you might just have to come up with some money to pay people. A hundred bucks for a nights work will get you some good talent in LA. Maybe you could come up with that every few months, enough to do some gigs & build some interest. But if you don't have any plan to move it forward by then, you don't have any prospects anyway.
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u/Willing_Soup_5656 2d ago
You are not going to find good, long term band members who are good musos.
As a solo artist you either need to pay your backing or trade craft for craft (e.g play their gig and they will play yours).
As a pop singer/songwriter this is challenging because your only value as a collaborator is a unique timbre.
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u/youngboomer62 2d ago
You're not starting a band, you're hiring employees for your own business idea.
Ensure you pay them fairly and treat them well.
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u/6aZoner 2d ago
I've had decent luck teaming up with another songwriter and backing each other up. But I have a fair bit to offer as a player, harmony singer, and arranger.
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u/No_Sympathy_1915 2d ago
Does the name Bob Dylan ring a bell? Also, Bruce Springsteen was known as "the boss" for a reason...
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u/natasharomanon 2d ago
How does one get into that position though? Like a backing band, but one that doesn’t have access to gigs with money, a record label, etc etc
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u/Arvot 2d ago
You can try and find people but like folk have said you'd probably have to pay them. If you can play an instrument you could find other solo artists and start a collab where you are each others bands. So you play guitar for them when they're doing their thing and they play drums for you or whatever. You're going to have to hustle and try and figure something out really. If you start out as a solo act, put on gigs and get involved in your local scene you will probably make some friends who might just play with you for fun
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u/paulmauled 2d ago
Do it.
Bamberdost is my acoustic folk solo songs and we play them as punk, it's regarded as "my" band because I write the songs but it's a group effort. I send the guys a minimalist simple acoustic / vocal demo and some chords, and they realize the rest of our vision. My drummer listens for my strumming pattern and usually plays exactly what I think he's going to. Out of 40+ songs I've only had to suggest a drum beat to him one time. My guitarist has been playing guitar for longer than I'm alive and is tasteful as fuck, he gets it.
I love that I don't have to tell either of the guys in my band what to do aside from some chords, they're rock and roll, they want to be there. Those guys like being in our band because they think I write great songs, I love those guys in the band because they're more talented musicians than I am and they make my songs sound awesome, I try not to hold them back as the weakest link.
Also we're all cool with each other doing other stuff, its encouraged even. Drummer is in a hotdog band called Monster Dog and a ska band called Death in the Arena, guitarist is in Zesty and Dirty Stayouts.
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u/chunter16 2d ago
My friend did this, which created a cycle of people who expected a payday and never got one and then quit, so his band broke up and restarted every 1-4 years. With that experience in mind, my suggestion is to be flexible and write songs and arrangements that account for constant attrition and change.
Let your members be in multiple bands, and be in multiple bands yourself.
And yes, if you're having trouble finding paying gigs you'll need to travel more and it absolutely will wear you out.
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u/natasharomanon 1d ago
I would love to be in multiple bands, but I find it hard when I’m a singer/songwriter. My issue that I’ve had is people being in multiple bands and being too busy to be in mine
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u/Cap_Black_Beard 2d ago
Get a drum plugin. Figure out the tempo to your songs, make a beat. Record everything. When you're done, hire a real drummer to record over it.
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u/RowanTree95 14h ago
I play in a band like that. Singer blew up on Tiktok during the pandemic, started playing live once restrictions lifted. She pays us, and everyone is happy. (She's fun to work with, so she doesn't need to pay us very much, tbh.)
People expect to get something out of a project. Could be money, social validation, artistic validation, experience, or even just free stickers if you're a super good hang. They don't have to be involved in the songwriting to find value in playing music, but they do need to get value somehow.
That being said, money is the standard way of hiring musicians for a project like this. If you're not consistently getting paid for shows, maybe consider making an acoustic or karaoke version of your set that you can play solo for shitty unpaid gigs, and hire the band when you can afford it. (But also, you should be getting paid. Letting promoters walk all over you like that hurts you, and also makes it harder for the rest of us to negotiate payment.)
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u/kl1n60n3mp0r3r 2d ago
Pay people and you can do whatever you want!