30 MISTAKES YOUR BAND IS MAKING! Part 1

Hey Guys!
Here is 30 mistakes your band is making and how to avoid them!
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Hey! I'm Damian Keyes and I've worked with musicians every day of my life for the past 20 years. The internet is deeply untrusting understandably and here is my background so you can have the full picture.
When I was 18, I was signed to a major label (dropped 6 months later) and at 23 I co-founded a Music University in Europe called BIMM (valued at $300M). I’m also a bass player, I’ve played for a number of artists including Eric Clapton, Alanis Morrisette and Billy Cobham. I initially retired at 30, but realised that life gets boring if you’re not building!
I have always been in-between the music industry and education which is how I ended up building my KZbin channel - I’ve been teaching artists how to release music long before it was a ‘niche’! I now educate artists around the world with my Academy, KZbin channel and I work directly with labels internationally alongside owning a live agency and management company.
It’s great to meet you and looking forward to working together on your music!
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[@gilbertsevdays]

1. Picking a band name 2. Only working on the band only when together. You need everyone work individually as well as when you're together as a group 3. Not having individual job roles and targets 4. Not allocating enough time to your band. We all need TIME more than anything else, spend as much as time as possible spent on your band. 5. Not having a common goal. 6. Not rehearsing with a click 7. Rehearse ur songs without breaking things down. If we only rehearse start to finish, start to finish, our song not gonna sound as tight. Analyze every details! 8. Not rehearsing an entire show. People want to see you play live not to just listen to ur song, it's the SHOW. The links between the songs, how's the gap between the songs, any messages that you want to get across 9. How to spend money (gears & promotions) "time,effort,money" 10. Tracking to many songs a day 11. Play a gig thats too big 12. Play a gig too long 13. Finishing your show with the biggest song as a young band. 14. Not gigging for free 15. Cross over too many genres

[@FirebrandVOCALS]

Egos end bands very quickly

[@erwindevries267]

It didn't end motley crue...

[@YKULTRA]

*overbearing egos

[@NoGasProductions]

I really wish I could get my whole band on board with watching these, but I'm slowly persuading them, haha. Great advice, as always.

[@severedblaze]

This comment was posted 5 years ago, any update?

[@GirlNamedNino]

"Genius is in the detail" yes, yes, yes!

[@brianmaldonado8282]

IM SERIOUSLY CRYING AS I WRITE THIS CAUSE I PROMISED A FRIEND WE WOULD MAKE IT AND I CANNOT FIND DEDICATED PEOPLE.

[@armanandredude]

I don’t think it’s fair to say you shouldn’t mix genres it’s that kind of experimentation that pushes music forward (check out Boarding House Reach- jack White) but I guess it all depends what you want to do with your music

[@IdleAcheiver]

Arman Andre I said the exact same thing! Genre crossing can be a HUGE trademark and selling point for your band if executed well. Now granted, if you have a country verse, jumping into a metal chorus without any sort of transition, or interlacing, it’ll be awful. Haha. But it’s all about the execution. You want the styles to be so well mixed, that they end up sounding like a brand new genre.

[@zerolelouch22]

It’s all about timing. Easier to niche first then expand out when you have an audience

[@jacobunderwood4691]

boarding house reach isn’t really the album for me, but as a big Jack White fan, I respect that he is trying to take rock to new different places. Some of the songs on there I think do work really well, like Over and Over and Over, Connected by love and ice station zebra.

[@kurenai_or_bust]

5:50 : my personnal advice, especially if you plan to record at a studio that is not yours, is : Estimate the time you will need. Then triple it !

[@ThreeandAHalfMenBand]

Hi Damian, We have just recently discovered your channel and find your content very useful. We've learnt a lot from watching your vids. Further more we are taking your tips board they have come really helpful...

[@satchmo1991]

Great stuff here, Damo! Thanks as always!

[@DamianKeyes]

Thanks dude :) Poor Morgan had a big editing job as i seemed to lose the ability to talk properly while filming lol

[@thelowertownsound]

This is one of the most relevant posts about being in a band i've seen in the vast ocean of KZbin info. Every one of these 'mistakes' is actionable. He not only describes what the issue is, but what how it can stall your forward momentum, and how to fix it. Brilliant.

[@alexeyvlasov8790]

Wenn Talking about Mixing Genres - absolutely right! Sometimes I wonder what is that I’m listening

[@tannerrice8932]

The only one I'd disagree with is the last one. I know ppl who won't go see a show because they dont like pop or rock or country. My band used to play everything from Katy Perry to Eminem to led Zeppelin and Miley Cyrus. The bars loved us cuz we did it all, and the crowds liked to come cuz they knew they would hear at least a dozen songs they liked. I think being versatile would be better than being strict to one or a few genres. The important part is to make sure the songs are cohesive, and it sounds like the same band. We didn't do the songs verbatim but more like rock arrangements of their favorites, they knew the words, but the music kept them interested.

[@dannyspelman1468]

You were a cover band. The pubs loved you because you played tunes that all the punters knew and kept them dancing and buying drinks. I'm pretty sure he's directing that tip towards a new, up and coming originals band who's material the audience will have never heard. You also just admitted that you played every song in a rock arrangement. So basically, even you knew not to stray too far from your chosen genre. I really don't see where you disagree.

[@iankelosky8358]

Poppy.

[@InveterateMusic]

Great video! Thank you

[@sittingonabench6084]

Super useful info, thanks a ton! :D

[@spambamsniper7980]

omg this is exactly the tips we needed. thank you for making this video!

[@DamianKeyes]

Thank you, good luck 🙂🙂🙂

[@v4v819]

Thanks again!

[@nowheretosit]

This is great advice, I love this channel!

[@DamianKeyes]

Thank you so much!

[@analogdragon4709]

Amazing tips bro

[@MrHollahead]

Some really cool points here, great video!

[@DamianKeyes]

Thanks dude :)

[@FilipKillanderMusic]

Great as always! What program do you use for editing your videos? Looks great 👌

[@pierreandrewt1347]

the caption for "not having a common goal" read "not having a common girl". yeah. right.

[@DamianKeyes]

lol Well I guess both work in some way!

[@pierreandrewt1347]

absolutely! but hey, these tips are real great. Not mixing styles!

[@LuisEduardoGalindo]

3:58 Rehearsals: ¨break things down, that is the best way of getting your songs as tight as possbile¨ and I would humbly add: ¨...and when the time`s come that you pass on that particular bit you carefully broke down at rehearsing room, you`ll see how easily, fluently and confortale it came out afterwards as a whole, building confidence in and paying off for the work done, it`ll keep you interested in more complex pieces as you go along¨

[@hallongrotta9114]

"don't record an intire ep in one day" me and the band in in recorded 18 songs in 2 days, it was fun

[@IdleAcheiver]

Hallon Grotta my band recorded 13 in 2 days. But we do a lot of electronic production at home before hand for synthesis. But it was an awesome experience.

[@yisa3615]

Rob scallion and Andrew huang: am I a joke to you?

[@zerolelouch22]

Jay yes... lol

[@kobsy7074]

Quality over quantity

[@kody2461885]

Hey Damian, I love your videos and watch them all the time. I'm in a band, named Electric Talk, that's been writing music for a few years now and were extremely late to making it onto the live music scene which has resulted in it being difficult for us to find any gigs. If you haven't already, was just wondering if you'd be down to make a video about how to book gigs starting from the bottom? I think it would help a lot of indie musicians and artists as well as myself, thanks for all your time and effort!

[@matthewbracamonte4627]

Email all the bars in your area. Good luck.

[@udkline]

I am always taken aback by the advice about the length of performances. I rarely play gigs that aren't 3 hours, so I'm wondering what your thoughts are on those sorts of bar shows? I don't think it's realistic to just play festivals or multi-band events, right? But I love the tips! Really helps me think about what I can bring to my bands (I'm a sideman so am in multiple projects), and puts focus rightly on setting and achieving goals. Currently working on booking gigs for my own band, so this is loads to think about :)

[@CT-Records]

I have issues with tips numbers 12 and 14. They are mutually exclusive in a way: If the band can't play longer than 25-30 minutes, do they really deserve to be paid? A 30 minute set certainly doesn't fly in all venue interests. If you get hired to play a jazz gig, you will usually be expected to play at least 2 and a half hours. I've been hired to play 4 hour jazz gigs before, and I'll be damned if I don't get paid for that time. Everything else you said makes sense though.

[@djung9064]

it really depends on the venue and show type. IF you're booked with other acts, then a 30-45 minute set is good. playing for marathons of 3 to 4 hours will suck and get old quick....why i avoid casino gigs.

[@dannyspelman1468]

A four hour Jazz gig would bore a typical gig goer to death! Even the biggest names in the music industry don't go for that long. Obviously you're talking about vaguely interesting background music as opposed to an actual gig full of young and energetic college students who want to chant, jump around, get drunk and get laid. Not quite the same scene.

[@CT-Records]

@@dannyspelman1468 Yeah, I was mostly referring to background entertainment gigs as far as that length of time specifically. That being said, I would say it would behoove any band to have more than 30 minutes worth of material in their arsenal before any gig. Most bars expect 2 at the least 2 hours.

[@dannyspelman1468]

Depends on the bar and how many acts they are planning to show. Where I come from, If there's only one band, they'll play for two hours, sure enough but it's usually a cover band. In general, if a gig is put on with original bands, playing their own stuff, they usually get about 25 minutes each to fill out a two hour set. That's where the originals band scene has gotten whether we like it or not. This guy is only trying to help.

[@hugperssn4303]

He really is a M A D L A D

[@PaulAJacksonMusic]

Great video. Should it not have 1of2 in the title though? In the last few seconds I was trying to work out how you were going to cram in another 15. Excellent advice as always in there. Thanks for these tips.

[@DamianKeyes]

Good point I will get that swapped over! Thanks dude

[@PaulAJacksonMusic]

Well in the grand scheme its not overly essential. Its all good stuff.

[@luisechising]

Hey Damian, thanks for your videos, really helpful... I would like to make a suggestion. making a list or writing down your tips/points in the description or comment section. I think it would help alot. Cheers from Mexico ;)

[@Mrs.Laetitia]

Hi Damian, thank you for this amazing video! I liked what you said about starting the set with the strongest song. My question is: what song to finish the set? Are covers a good idea?

[@jenshennig6297]

I think so ^^ normally we end with an crowd-interactive song where they can sing/perform along. But if they still want some more we play a Cover of a well-known song so even the people who didn't move along with the last one, can't resist anymore. For now its working fine :) Im also interested what Damian is going to say about that.

[@jenshennig6297]

That was after an 45minute set and even though we're are a real small band people still want to move along with a song they know kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZOkgaOooLCph8k

[@Mrs.Laetitia]

@@jenshennig6297 thank you ! Nobody knows my songs so that's why a cover sounds good to me.

[@PaulAJacksonMusic]

A mix is good I think. Scatter 2 or 3 and do them your own way between your own songs. But people like hearing originals too for the first time live. Its down to how you construct your setlist

[@Mrs.Laetitia]

@@PaulAJacksonMusic okay ! I guess you're right. Thank you for the advice !

[@myleighdanzberger8866]

maybe it's just me but i think making just a couple songs of a different genre is cool, so there's something for everyone. maybe you're a country artist and make a pop song, someone who likes pop might hear it and become interested in your music, then maybe get more into country.

[@anythingspossiblemusic]

What's the best tip for a solo artist like me who doesn't play live? Marketing, social media, recording is so time consuming for me. Need some help.

[@robandmurr1770]

I’m not even in a band... I am hoping to join or start one soon though.

[@jakenewland2897]

Same here

[@kevinschindele4829]

We just got asked to do a 3 hour set. Lol we accepted and we only got an hour if we are lucky. We are bringing all of our gear and it's for a charity so fuck it why not. Time to learn some covers

[@banburydrumtuition8651]

Unfortunately, Damian, so many towns are totally apathetic to live music, so building a following in 2019, is much harder then when you played...we're so intertwined with each other on Social Media (the new 'screening' service) but have never been so 'disconnected' There are so many distractions, like The Kardashians, Love Island and Nandos...which is unfortunate and very sad. Venues are closing down left right and centre, for the very reasons I have mentioned. If you do find a venue, often is tightly controlled by promoters who 'promote' local bands only. And many existing venues have had the licence changed to 'acoustic' music only and cannot have a live band if they even wanted to.

[@DamianKeyes]

Hey dude, Thanks for the message I appreciate it. While I agree that things are different I don't agree it's harder. I have been hearing it's harder than it used to be for 20 years. When I was a kid it was that the industry was shrinking and labels were closing.. that you couldn't get signed unless you were in London... Then there was Napster broke the industry. This idea that people used to come to your gigs and now they don't is not true.. I have done a million gigs to nobody lol I understand that if a band wants to do it in the traditional way then that is difficult because of the noise but if they embrace the change and find new ways then there are more opportunities than ever before. A few weeks ago a friend who has a very sizable KZbin account told me that building a big YT from scratch is silly now as times of changed and it's not feasible like it was when they started. Too much noise etc. But then I see someone like Matt D'Avella who came out of nowhere by doing something original and amazing and he has smashed 1 Mill subs in months. Im not saying it's easy but what I am saying that maybe the good old days weren't as awesome as we think. If someone had given me the power of talking to my audience (like we are), targeting ads to exact people, being able to contact anyone in the world from my phone, watch videos on how to do things to learn, make content and music for next to no money and distribute it for free I would have shit my pants! And yes we have had to sacrifice some things for this but the opportunities now are soo much bigger and better than ever before. This is the time where you can take control more than any artist has ever been able to. It's just my belief but I'm happy to hear from others and get people's thoughts. Thanks for messaging dude I appreciate it and if I can help with anything let me know :) Damo

[@banburydrumtuition8651]

@@DamianKeyes I agree with pretty much everything you say and yes, each generation of aspiring pop stars has had to deal with the issues and roadblocks of their era...getting their music out to the right people. Social Media has a lot to answer for entrenched apathy. I'm starting to think the best approach, is a combination of doing live gigs and "if you can't beat them, join them" youtube gigs like stars such as Due Lipa, Justin Bieber, 5 Seconds of Summer, Shawn Mendes etc and build a following that way too. Not many bands in there but if you can get your sound right, which I believe you can, do gigs from your practice room. While I'm here, this is the band I'm helping out, my son is the bass player. www'lakeacacia.co.uk kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5mwYodvZ752pc0 They write, engineer, produce all their own material and do the videos too. I've been there and got the T-shirt, certainly in terms of trying 'make it' in the music industry, so I can at least keep them away from the bullshitters and predators in the industry. So, if you know any good promoters, they really just want to get their stuff out there. Watch this space, eh? Nice to talk, Damo.

[@DamianKeyes]

I know it's a very pop and even teenage culture and KZbin feels less credible than the old way of touring and selling CD's from your guitar case like the old days. It's legit. It's just another way to connect. It's like texting vs writing a letter, one feels more personal but they both get the job done. Thanks dude I just checked out the band and they are great. I have added them on Insta and will be watching, if i can help with anything just hit me up! Good look and tell them well done!

[@groethej]

@@DamianKeyes Hey, thanks for the support. Yeah, just pass their stuff to any promoters that are looking to fill a band line up. I mean, Kerrang voted them 'best band in Oxfordshire' just before Christmas, so I guess they must be doing something right. 🎸🎶

[@b-regsproductions]

When one venue close's another opens, you just have to find the new ones. That being said Entertainment consumption has changed, more people would rather stay at home and watch Netflix or youtube videos than go to a bar. The value of experiences is huge now.

[@cederickforsberg5840]

Rule 1 was broken by Ghost tho hahaha

[@chrisgoodrich46]

"If you go out the please everyone. You are guaranteed to please no one" quote of the century

[@simonmurray8220]

This advice is for vacuum salesmen in United States of generica. Conform to the uniform and die from boredom alone in a crowd. Or Be authentic, creative, find your tribe and share, be courageous, love what you do warts and all. It’s just music and Music doesn’t sell! What actually matters is the energy and emotional connections you create utilising genuine personalities and artistic expressions. Manifest that and your tribe will seek you out and grow. This is what audience’s want - not a manufactured, transparent trying too hard, egocentric marketing campaign to crowd fund a bunch of individuals seeking a vehicle to ride to the promised land. Keep it real and get the deal! - just saying !

[@IdleAcheiver]

I 100% disagree with the last one. There’s a huge community of people who seriously Love genre crossing. Look at Linkin Park, Twenty One Pilots, or similar. A lot of people love when you get to mixing styles that you wouldn’t think work together, but they make it work. Now, I do agree, not everyone can do it, but when done right, it can be an effective trademark. It can be a selling point for your band... At least I know it works for my band. We’re not big yet, but in recent months, when people give feedback, they talk about how unique it is, and that’s the point. You have to be able to mix the genres well enough that it begins to sound like a whole new Genre.

[@nsc217]

U3?

[@theneonchimpchannel9095]

Do you think that ALL bands should work with a click though? Like punk bands and things like that where being a bit sloppy is part of their charm, wouldn't making it "perfect" take away from that?

[@DamianKeyes]

Good point, I guess it depends on the vibe of the band.. (I'm a massive Stranglers and Pistols fan hence having a black P bass like JJ and a white one like Sid) I guess it would depend on if a band wants to sound tighter and bigger or looser and more raw. I certainly wouldn't want to turn a band into a machine but too many bands I see aren't tight enough

[@tollywhyte]

@@DamianKeyes Great points you've made, but to say using click track is what makes a band sound tight will actually make many musicians laugh. A good musician is supposed to be tight without the use of the click. Every musician in a band is supposed to have the clock internalised within, and not having the need to relying on any external device to keep them in time or make them tight.

[@esagerat_a]

Hey guys, I'm not English speaking and I cannot understand one thing. What does "rehearsing with a click" mean? You can find it on 2:54.

[@louistyson4305]

Is there a way to send the same click to everybody's ears in rehearsal?

[@DamianKeyes]

Louis Tyson do you all have in ear monitors? You could just run a click through the pa for everyone to play to. If everyone has in ear monitors you can run the click through the pa without it coming out front 😊

[@louistyson4305]

Damian Keyes would we have to buy individual transmitters and receivers for each of us? There is 4 of us, cheers Damian

[@curtisrobinson9696]

Genre mixing, if you’re gonna do it, be subtle instead of in your face. Music nerds will notice and give you a thumbs up, general audiences will be too busy enjoying the show to care. If it’s in your face, music nerds will say you have no identity and general audiences will be confused

[@TheMidnightModder]

If you can't play live like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble then try not to cut albums live 😂

[@kearonandrewobrien7460]

Whats your Bands name,? My school Band in 1989 was InsideOut. Therr you go mate😎 1991 was Sweet Vamdiction Then 1995 name was Soul Affair

[@victorbergholz]

"Band should be as tight as possible" ... it depends upon genre , in metal yes, but only in metal

[@MikaelLewisify]

Viktors Bergholcs...errr...what! If you’re band isn’t tight...what’s the point? You gotta be tight, no matter the genre.

[@t.b.a.r.r.o.]

@@MikaelLewisify One word... "Rush"

[@brianmaldonado8282]

I AM DISBANDING MY BAND I AM REALZING I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO WANTS TO MAKE IT.

[@jimhughon621]

The problem with gigging for free is there are some dodgy people

[@xxlplldlq1307]

1. Un-google-able band name

[@eatsleep8688]

1. Ungoogleable

[@IshanII]

Hey Damian, I really enjoy your videos. They've given me a lot of insight into marketing my music. I just reached a thousand subscribers on KZbin and I'm trying to figure out how to grow faster from here on out. If you have the time, do you think you could check out my music and give me some insight or advice about what to do? Thanks again for all this content

[@DamianKeyes]

AAH 1000 subs is f***in awesome! I'm so chuffed.. I can promise you the next 1000 are so much easier to get. It took me a year to get to 1000 even though I assumed I would hit 1000 in a month lol but the 2nd year I got another 4000. If you keep on pushing, experimenting and filming videos it will keep expanding. Congrats that is brilliant!

[@IshanII]

Thank you so much!! I'm really happy with this too but I know I got long ways to go. Definitely gonna start working even harder now :)

[@kearonandrewobrien7460]

Keep looping 😂😂

[@kearonandrewobrien7460]

EYE

[@azuretigers5562]

Also - Trying to build a Facebook Empire with ZERO SONGS or 2 shitty songs WILL NOT WORK. Take the time to build 5-6-7-8 songs, capture videos of your rehearsals. Put in the time and effort. Don't promote EMPTY stuff

[@nodaysback8390]

Rehearsing with a click.. AKA: A drummer who can keep time.

[@JirkaMichalik]

My band does all the mistakes. The name is Soul Keeper, just put it in a Google... 😀