| The Importance of A Good Bio | | | | person an idea of what to expect if they where to |
| After scouring the Internet checking out Toronto | | | | see you live. |
| indie bands it became apparent that the art of even | | | | - Band Members. Very briefly describe who is in the |
| a mediocre bio is lost on most bands/artists. With the | | | | band and what they play. Unless you’ve made |
| increasing popularity of myspace and other such | | | | a name for yourself, forget about writing 2 |
| online music communities, everyone and anyone has | | | | paragraphs about who came from what band and |
| a home for their music. Unfortunately, this has all lead | | | | why. However, if one or more members |
| to bands losing their professionalism and becoming | | | | ex-members can give you some kind of instant music |
| lost in a sea of enthusiasts recording tracks in their | | | | cred, be sure to drop their name a little more often. |
| basements. | | | | As well, pay more attention to this information if the |
| Most bands hate the commercialism associated with | | | | band has numerous members or plays more bizarre |
| the bio or feels that no one reads them. Regardless | | | | instruments. |
| of your feelings on the music industry, every band | | | | - Any Other Relevant Information. Briefly list off |
| should realize that this is a business no matter how | | | | anything that was a major accomplishment for your |
| indie you think your band is. Even if your just playing | | | | band. Maybe you played a well-known festival, toured |
| for the love of music, you still need to promote | | | | with a popular band, or were a major draw at NXNE. |
| yourself as a product in order to get fans into your | | | | Quotes from reputable music journalist sources also |
| shows. In the end the bio is your business card to | | | | help. Just be sure not to dwell too much on these |
| the music community. It helps fans, press, booking | | | | facts or it may look like your band is holding on to |
| agents, managers, and record labels know who you | | | | glory days of the past. |
| are and what your about. | | | | - Humour/Individuality. Be sure to personalize the bio |
| Key Points To Make In Your Bio | | | | to the personality that fits the members of the band |
| - Contact Information. Always make sure that | | | | or the genre of music you play. If your music |
| everything associated with your band has contact | | | | doesn’t sound like everyone else’s, |
| information on it. Always have the contact directly on | | | | why should your bio be a carbon copy of countless |
| each piece of media from cd’s to bios. That | | | | others? |
| way even if elements get lost, your contact | | | | Many bands are guilty of ignoring the bio, but it |
| information still resides on anything that didn’t | | | | seems like Hip-Hop artists are the majority of those |
| make it to the trash. | | | | ignoring this key marketing tool. Regardless of style, |
| - Influences. Every band loves to say that they are | | | | every band needs a bio. All news is good news and a |
| starting a musical revolution or don’t wish to | | | | bio can help get press about your band from every |
| pigeon hole their band by using genres. The fact of | | | | angle, everywhere from Major music publications to |
| the matter is though, that no band is 100% unique. | | | | local music rags to fans writing about you in their high |
| We all get our influences from somewhere no matter | | | | school newspaper. |
| how random. If your band is afraid of being trapped | | | | In most cases this is your bands first impression to |
| within a genre, use words like hybrid, myriad, collage, | | | | make on somebody before they’ve even |
| or infused. Its still unique if you merge different | | | | heard your music. It is sometimes your only chance |
| genres, artists, political ideals, and non-linear thinking | | | | to get your music heard and the last thing you want |
| to describe your sound and it will give the average | | | | is to mess up any opportunity. |