Recording - November 2013 - 26

I had a glass of champagne in one hand and a
shot of vodka in the other. My guitarist/producer,
Brian and I looked at each other and as the first
measure rolled by, we downed the shot and
chased it with some champagne.
As we all know, drinking isn’t an unusual occurrence in the studio, on stage or really in any corner of the music industry. However, the situation
that brought us to double-fist alcohol was relatively atypical, particularly for an independent band.
What was happening while we were calming our
nerves was a listening party. Behind our backs, literally speaking, 20 people sat with scorecards,
ready to analyze, break apart, and constructively
criticize our songs.
Brian and I were working on releasing a record, one that later became Rooftop
Revolutionaries’ current album, Resolute. This listening party was one in a long line of surveys used to help us in creating the best damn album we could write.
The result? The best damn album we could write—with the help and guidance of some
great ears, minds and experience.
Get input at every stage
As artists, we all strive to do the most with our work; we all want to take our music as
far as we possibly can. A problem I’ve noticed, however, is that we don’t always think
like the artists we want to be. We compare ourselves with bands at our same level or
behind—and it’s hard to move forward if you’re looking backwards or sideways.
Working with bands on your same level, your contemporaries, your local and unsigned
bands is vital. Using digital marketing combined with collaborative efforts between bands
is incredibly important in building a scene, thus bolstering everyone’ success. What I
mean by not looking sideways or behind is simply this: When reflecting on your own
work, your own process, look to those who are more successful than you for guidance.
When I said that our listening party was particularly unusual for independent bands, I
refer to acts at similar points of their careers, i.e. independent club level. For artists further along, this sort of surveying is not so uncommon. For example, artists signed to
labels, management, agencies, etc. will customarily have visitors at the studio while
recording. There is, of course, the grand finale listening party, but there are several stops
along the way where outsiders will lend their ears, experience, minds and opinions to the
process. Granted, things are different if there’s a lot of money and deals on the line, but
if those are the shoes you’re hoping to fill, take a step inside that mindset first.
It can be overwhelming to wear the hats of all the players (pun intended), from songwriting through recording to release and marketing. Many times, the artist will leave the
business aspect entirely out of the studio, allowing their creative energy to overtake the
entire experience. That sounds nice, but this mindset will leave you ill prepared once you
step out into the daylight with your release.
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RECORDING November 2013

Recording - November 2013

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