Interview with Raj of: GUITAR TONE TALK
For many musician’s deciding which guitar to buy can be the first decision in deciding what kind of music you want to play. Too much twang in your guitar and it might ruin your dreams of becoming a punk rock prodigy.
When I was a Senior in High School I attempted to learn the Guitar. (I had already failed at learning drums, clarinet & singing.) I always thought it was my calling to be the guy that always pulls out his guitar at camp fires, on the beach, at tail gate parties. (Also… he’s the one that gets the ladies… right?) After one year of lessons I realized I sucked at playing the guitar.
TOURING ADVICE FOR BANDS
Video and Interview by: Stefan – SF Intercom
When you’re on tour you suddenly realize how much you value sleeping in a bed, eating food at home… and having the ability to take a shower every day if you so choose. I quickly discovered the pleasures of a baby wipe shower, a gas station sink for brushing my teeth and variety within a fast food menu.
BATTLEHOOCH’S ADVICE FOR BANDS
Battlehooch is larger than life, they pack more punch than Mike Tyson and are better for you than Tyson Chicken. SO CHECK THEM OUT!
OR, THE WHALE’S ADVICE FOR BANDS
Video and Interview by: Stefan – SF Intercom There are some people you just don’t run into enough. Lindsay from Or, The Whale is one of them. What are 5 survival tips you’d give a new band? 1. Don’t sweat the small stuff, especially when it comes to publishing. 2. Enjoy the ride, because you never [...]
MUSIC FOR ANIMALS’ ADVICE FOR BANDS
Video and Interview by: Stefan – SF Intercom
Everybody keeps saying MFA this, MFA that, MFA, MFA… so now MFA here and now.
What are 5 survival tips you’d give a new band?
1. Write good songs.
2. Make sure you tour.
3. Make sure you sweat.
4. Moderate your drug and alcohol intake.
5. Get your merch in order.
5b. Collect emails.
5c. Maintain connections/relationships
5d. Your merch is your brand. (persona)
JUDGEMENT DAY’S ADVICE FOR BANDS
Video and Interview by: Stefan – SF Intercom About a year ago… Anton from the string metal band, Judgement Day, and I sat down to a cup of coffee. During that cup of coffee we talk about, what is music, what do bands need to do to sell CDs, and what is the role of today’s [...]
TRANSFER’S ADVICE FOR BANDS
Video and Interview by: Stefan – SF Intercom
Long Live Logos say’s the best band in San Diego is Transfer, Transfer and Transfer.
Do you have any advice about being in a band?
Don’t do too many drugs the first night of tour.
Do you have any success stories?
Purchasing baby wipes… works!
LONG LIVE LOGOS’ ADVICE FOR BANDS
Video and Interview by: Stefan – SF Intercom
SF Intercom cares about San Diego too. Thus… Long Live Logos on Survival.
Do you have any advice for bands touring from SD to SF?
Make friends with SF bands, then book your shows with them.
Has your band made any mistakes?
Put oil in your van… and save up for gas money!
BUTTERFLY BONES’ ADVICE FOR BANDS
Video and Interview by: Stefan – SF Intercom
Mentioned as one of Julie Schuchard from Tricycle Records favorite bands, I bring you Austin from Butterfly Bones.
Do you have a any horror stories about what bands shouldn’t do?
Don’t try to find any shrimp costumes. Oh and don’t make 1,200 cds on your first go!
THE INDUSTRY ON SURVIVAL
If you still haven’t heard of Tricycle Records or Wiretap Music… you’re missing out!
The goal of SF Intercom is to collect advice from fans, bands and industry professionals. One way to do this is by gathering industry professional on a panel and grilling them with questions about the SF scene. Thus that’s exactly what I did.
Please enjoy this survival video, with advice from Olivia from Wiretap Music and Julie from Tricycle Records.
JHAMEEL’S ADVICE FOR BANDS
Video and Interview by: Stefan – SF Intercom More unique than any other musician I’ve ever seen. This is Jhameel on Survival. What advice do you have for Bay Area Bands? Play every show possible. Don’t be too big for any type of show. Enjoy and love your music. What bands are you currently following in [...]
LETTERS AND NUMBERS’ ADVICE FOR BANDS
Video and Interview by: Stefan – SF Intercom I met Nick in January at an open mic at The Candy Shop in NY. To my delight he was from SF. We met up at my art studio, this is what he had to say about survival. What advice do you have for Bay Area Bands? Don’t [...]
WES LESLIE’S ADVICE FOR BANDS
Video and Interview by: Stefan – SF Intercom I attended a Wes Leslie show at The Art Explosion in San Francisco. This is what he had to say about Survival. What advice do you have for Bay Area Bands? Give away your cd for free, nobody is paying for that shit anymore. Just get your music [...]
MIDORI LONGO ON SURVIVAL
article by: Stefan – SF Intercom photo by: Midori! HIYA! So… I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about you recently. I’d love to get your thoughts on Surviving in a band in the Bay Area. Hello, Hello! Well, I think the most important thing I have learned so far is to create music that [...]
DownDownDown ON SURVIVAL
article by: Stefan – SF Intercom photo by: Rus Anson I’ve caught up with Jayce Alexander Basques from DownDownDown. My hope was to discover how other bands could get down with the survival advice of DDD. Jayce Alexander Basques: “Ok… lemme answer. This is my take on these; the rest of DownDownDown may or may not agree [...]
STEP 9 & 10 OF PLANNING
The 5 P’s of survival are Plan, Personify, Promote, Plug-in and Play. You have survival tips 1-8. Today I give you #9 and #10.
AXIUM ON SURVIVAL
article by: Stefan – SF Intercom Bay Area band Axium has been promoting, plugging-in and playing all over the US. In an effort to help you with your efforts I stopped them to ask how they do it. Does your band get together and plan? (Plan) ISM: It’s always a challenge to meet and discuss [...]
STEP 7 & 8 OF PLANNING
article by: Stefan Aronsen The 5 P’s of survival are Plan, Personify, Promote, Plug-in and Play. You have survival tips 1-6. Today I give you #7 and #8. 7_DON’T CREATE MORE THAN YOU CAN SELL: Sale or no sale … don’t get dooped into purchasing more than you can sell. I know to many bands [...]
STEP 5 & 6 OF PLANNING
The 5 P’s of survival are Plan, Personify, Promote, Plug-in and Play. You have survival tips 1-4. Today I give you #5 and #6.
5_DON’T BE CHEAP OR YOU’LL LOOK CHEAP: Everything costs money. Some things cost more money than others. This is why many bands lean towards using cheap alternatives to the more costly commercial products. The down side is… You look cheap! You didn’t realize you were being judged but I received your lame flyer/cd/poster and instantly judged you. Consider this the next time you try and save a couple bucks.
POETRY POST-MORTEM
photo by: Stefan – SF Intercom article by: Samantha Rubenstein The other night I read my poetry in front of a large group of people at a bar called Amnesia. It was just as scary as I thought it would be. There was no, “now I’m on-stage and I suddenly turn into a great performer.” [...]
CRITICISM AND ADVICE
Photo Courtesy of: Josh Draluck Article by: Robert – Body or Brain One of my favorite things in the world is meeting new people. In playing a band, I meet people, and connect with people very often. Hand shakes, hugs, and high fives are always flowing around. One thing I also enjoy, if not more [...]
