Welcome to Task 1 (of many) for getting it all straight in your head before taking on 2023.
We wanted to start with a few burning questions but it's a bit deep so we will come back to that and focus first on your true vibe..
This is a great task for checking in to make sure that you (or band) aligns nicely with what music you want to put out there. I.e: an authentic representation of who you are WHILST also quality controlling yourself.
Disclaimer: Quality control is something I speak of often (you'll read/hear it a lot) because being in control of your own music is a hefty task.
Things get overlooked. You get excited and want to get that release out. Sometimes before a bit of extra thought...and the knock on effects push you back a few steps.
Sometimes we don't like the answers we find...But that's life lovelies, and finding adjustments to what you are already doing is the golden nugget. When you find something you can do differently, it is a blessing, not a curse.
With that said, here is a SIMPLE task that can either;
a) Confirm you are on the right lines already (top marks)
b) Uncover concepts for further branding, content creation and promotions
c) Send you in a new direction which represents you better
d) Give you production ideas / communicate your ideas more effectively
Part 1 of 2:
- Create 2 x playlists...They don't need to be extensive, just thrown it all in there without overthinking it (it must be instinctive) following the two rules;
- Playlist 1 should be your MUSICAL INFLUENCES.
The bands/artists that make up your musical DNA. Those you want to be like and have inspired you to do what you do.
- Playlist 2 should be made up of songs you like based on the SOUND.
Anything that resonates with you, chuck it in.
BUT it's important to reiterate that you are not basing this on the lyrics, or the singer's voice, or the memory attached to it. If you hear a track and the bass line gives you that face (you know the one) or the synth part wakes you up. It goes in.
IF you are in a band…You MUST do this individually. Additional notes for bands are below (I haven’t forgotten you)
Part 2 of 2:
Now is the key part. Once completed, compare the two and list this all out.
Do your influences and the sound match up?
What similarities between the two playlists are there?
What differences between the two playlists are there?
Does it bring two genres together if you were to merge the two playlists?
Check out the production values of Playlist 2 based on sound, what are the effects, is it all live instrumentation, is it heavier than your influences, is it more electronic?
What would happen if you applied the sound/production values/instrumentation/general vibe of playlist 2 to your influences?
Does it match your existing sound? And if not, what tweak do you need to make?
It could just be a matter of the mic you use, or live drums instead of beats. Effects added/removed. You’ll know if you complete this task correctly.
Here is an example of it in action;
A solo artist I met with a few months back did this task to help ‘find’ sound and direction.
& we did…Here is how.
1) Influences playlist was all ‘old’ soul singers.
Classic, raw soulful vocals such as Marvin Gaye, Ben E King, Aretha (Amy Winehouse was thrown in there). All ‘Raw’, ‘Retro’, ’Live instrumentation’
2) Playlist based on sound had a few Motown tracks but the majority was electro, futuristic synth, heavy effects on the vocals & funk bass lines.
I don’t need to tell you that we have two different vibes here. But what we do have is something exciting; everything that speaks to this artist is both retro and futuristic.
When asked to describe his sound before this task he would’ve said ‘Retro Soul’. Only really communicating half the story by describing his voice, not artistry. The music that sums up all of who he is could be Electro-Retro/Future soul…or however he will spin in. It is still old soul but laced with synths and effects, and space like bass lines…rather than a Motown tribute that he has been over done, and done again.
From a promo and branding point of view, this is very cool. Gives guidelines and boundaries of what is appropriate and in keeping. But the golden nugget is that it gives musical direction…Now he can create a perfect balance of future & nostalgia through research into the artists that satisfy both sides of the coin.
Fun times. :) A good place to start.
A note for bands:
Working as a band means communication and compromise. But above all of that you need to be on the same page creatively, or willing to try out versions to compare.
If the front person is in charge and you are effectively a session band behind them then follow their lead with an agreement that you are with them all the way.
Or if this is a more of a collaborative project then you need to find a balance between ALL members. Try new ways out, and if it doesn’t work then you know and can move forward to never speak of it again.
Complete the task as individuals and shortlist your thoughts. Have a band meeting over a beer and go through your shortlists.
What common theme runs through them all your shortlists combined? (For example, you may like a DIY punk looseness that must be present in your production values, or it must always be polished with a pop sheen.)
What areas can you introduce or remove?
Does combining them all push you into a genre? I have seen this happen where bands state that they are Rock, but turns out they are Indie pop and not as heavy as they were branding themselves.
It will help you check in and move forward together.
My advice for effective band work is to be open and on the same page with creative decisions. People don’t need to fall out over creative endeavours, they just need to set expectations of how much they are involved in the decision making. Hopefully this task will give you clarity either way.
GOOD LUCK!
If you need help with working out the differences/similarities in your playlists then get in touch (only available through January) at hello@mountainmusicgroup.com with ‘Task One’ in the header.
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