Author: Jordan Henrie
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Understanding Why Artists Like Taylor Swift Might Avoid Meet-and-Greets
Meet-and-greets have long been a cherished tradition in the music industry. Fans save up, sometimes for months, eagerly awaiting that magical moment when they can stand face-to-face with their musical heroes. For many, it’s a chance to express gratitude, share a personal story, or simply revel in the aura of someone who has soundtracked their…
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10 Effective Ways to Find Open Mic Nights Near You
In the life of a musician, open mic nights hold a special significance. They’re the unofficial gateway to the music industry, offering an environment of learning, growth, and opportunities. Whether you’re a singer, instrumentalist, or part of a band, these platforms are where you can showcase your talents, polish your performance skills, and connect with…
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8 Best Indoor Plants to Liven Up Your Home Music Studio
In the vibrant world of music, it’s not just about the sound. The environment in which you create can significantly influence the quality of your songwriting. One way to ensure your home music studio nurtures your creativity is by introducing indoor plants into your space. Adding greenery to your studio does more than just enhance…
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Decorating Your Home Recording Studio: The Complete Guide
Have you ever thought about the power of a well-decorated space? If you’re a musician, you’ve probably felt the magic that comes from recording in a studio that feels just right. After all, a home recording studio is more than just a place—it’s a sanctuary for creativity. Whether you’re an up-and-coming artist or a seasoned…
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Top Mistakes Artists Make When Reaching Out To Music Industry Professionals
As a musician, getting noticed in the music industry is essential to achieving success. However, knowing how to reach out to industry professionals can be a daunting task. In this post, we’ll explore the top 10 mistakes musicians make when contacting music industry professionals and how to avoid them. These mistakes can result in missed…
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12 Exciting Careers In The Music Industry For Non-Musicians
The music industry is a vibrant and dynamic world filled with passionate artists, groundbreaking sounds, and innovative technologies. It’s a place where creativity and business come together to entertain and inspire audiences worldwide. While musicians and producers often take center stage, the truth is that a vast network of talented non-musicians plays a crucial role…
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Outside LA: Building A Successful Music Career From Anywhere
Hey there, music enthusiasts! Los Angeles has long been known as a major player in the music world, home to record labels, concert venues, and recording studios that have drawn countless aspiring musicians and industry pros alike. But guess what? Times are changing! The music industry has been spreading its wings with new ways to…
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Unlocking Your Local Music Scene: How To Get Involved & Make Connections
Do you have a passion for music and want to immerse yourself in your local music scene? Whether you’re a musician or a music enthusiast, engaging with your community’s music scene can result in new friendships, creative collaborations, and unforgettable experiences. In this blog post, we’ll provide practical steps to help you confidently navigate your…
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Effective Networking: Building Music Industry Connections For Success
Networking is an essential part of building a successful career in the music industry. As a musician, establishing and maintaining relationships with industry professionals, fellow musicians, and potential fans can provide access to a range of opportunities and help you achieve your goals. Networking involves reaching out to contacts, building rapport, and staying in touch…
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What To Expect At Your First Concert: Tips & Tricks For A Memorable Night
Are you getting ready for your first concert? That’s awesome! You’re in for a real treat. Attending a live performance is a thrilling and unforgettable experience, with the chance to see your favorite artist in person and share the energy of the crowd. But before you head out to the venue, it’s important to know…
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The Different Types Of Music Releases: A Comprehensive Overview
As music enthusiasts, we are often presented with various types of music releases, such as records, records, albums, singles, EPs, LPs, splits, compilations, mixtapes, and vinyl records. While these terms may seem interchangeable, they actually refer to different types of audio recordings with their own unique characteristics. Understanding the distinctions between these different types of…
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11 Essential Steps To Launch Your Music Video & Boost Your Career
Welcome, music enthusiasts! If you’re an artist, a part of a band, or just passionate about the music industry, you probably know the significant role music videos play in shaping an artist’s career. These creative and expressive visual representations of a song can be the catalyst for success, propelling a track or an entire album…
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How To Create The Perfect Setlist: A Comprehensive Guide For Musicians
Live performances play a vital role in the success of many musicians and bands and are often a crucial part of their careers. The energy and connection created between artists and audiences during a live show is truly special. One of the critical components of a successful live performance is a well-planned setlist. But how…
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Why Many Artists Struggle: The Link Between Sensitivity, Creativity, & Suffering
The connection between creativity, sensitivity, and suffering has long been explored by artists, writers, and musicians. Many creative people are known for their heightened sensitivity, which can lead to great emotional depth and pain. In a recent episode of the Tim Ferriss Show, Dr. Gabor Maté discussed the link between sensitivity, creativity, and suffering. Dr.…
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Preserving Your Hearing As A Musician: Strategies For Long-Term Health
As a musician, your hearing is one of your most valuable assets. Unfortunately, exposure to loud music can put your hearing at risk. In fact, research has shown that musicians are up to four times more likely to develop hearing loss than the general population. However, the good news is that there are steps you…
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Why Artists Release New Music On Fridays: The Benefits Of A Successful Release Schedule
The music industry has a long history of standardizing certain practices to maximize sales and exposure for artists and record labels. One of the most important decisions an artist and their team can make is choosing the right day to release new music. In recent years, the industry has settled on a global standard: new…
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How To Stay Healthy On Tour: A Guide For Musicians
Touring is a crucial aspect of a musician’s career, allowing them to connect with fans, build their brand, and showcase their talent to a wider audience. However, the hectic schedules, long hours, and frequent travel that come with touring can be physically and mentally exhausting, leaving musicians vulnerable to health problems and burnout. Despite these…
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Understanding Why Bands Break Up & How To Prevent It
Being in a band can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can also be fraught with tension and conflict. Despite the best intentions of all involved, many bands eventually break up, leaving fans and band members alike feeling disappointed and disillusioned. So why do bands break up? While some bands have managed to stay…
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Showcasing Your Sound: How To Book Live Shows & Build A Following (6 Steps)
As a musician, booking shows is an essential part of building your career and gaining exposure for your music. Live performances are a powerful way to connect with your audience and build a loyal following, and can even lead to bigger and better opportunities down the line. However, booking shows can be a daunting task,…
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Why Representation Matters: A Look At The Music Industry
The music industry has a big impact on culture and society, so it’s essential to ensure it’s inclusive and representative of all voices. Unfortunately, certain groups have historically dominated the industry, making it less diverse, authentic, visible, innovative, and equitable. This has resulted in underrepresented communities facing systemic barriers to entry, making it difficult for…
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How To Name Your Song: 10 Tips For Creating A Memorable Title (With Examples)
The importance of a song’s title cannot be overstated. A great title can make all the difference in how your listeners receive your music. It can pique their curiosity, set the tone for the rest of the song, and even become a memorable catchphrase that sticks in their minds long after the music has ended.…
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The Importance Of Merchandise: Why Every Band Should Have Their Own Merch Line
For many bands, creating music, playing shows, and gaining fans are the primary goals. However, it’s important not to overlook the value of band merchandise. Merchandise can help to establish a band’s brand and create a sense of community among fans. When fans wear band merchandise, they are essentially promoting the band and helping to…
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The Benefits Of Hiring A Merch Manager For Your Music Career
As a touring band or music artist, selling merchandise can be a significant source of additional revenue and a way to establish and promote your brand. However, managing the logistics of producing, distributing, and selling merchandise on tour can be overwhelming and time-consuming, taking away from the focus on creating and performing music. This is…
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How To Write An Effective Artist Bio For Your Band Or Music Project (With Examples)
Your artist bio can be one of the most important marketing tools for your band or music project. A well-crafted bio can attract new fans, provide context for your music, and even help you land gigs and media coverage. Your bio is essentially your elevator pitch: a concise summary of who you are as an…
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Step-By-Step Guide To Crafting An Effective Music Press Release
A music press release is an important tool for musicians to promote their music and keep their fans, media outlets, and music industry professionals up-to-date with their latest developments. A music press release is a written document that provides information about the musician or band, their upcoming music releases, tour dates, or any other news…
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15 Effective Ways To Support Your Favorite Bands & Musicians
Music has the power to move us, inspire us, and bring us together like nothing else can. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of a particular band or simply someone who loves discovering new music, supporting your favorite musicians is a great way to show your appreciation and help them to continue creating and sharing their…
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10 Tips For Booking A Successful First Tour For Your Band
As a band, going on tour can be an incredibly exciting and rewarding experience. It’s a chance to connect with new audiences, build your fanbase, and gain exposure. However, booking a successful first tour requires a lot of planning, hard work, and dedication. To help you plan and execute a successful tour, we’ve compiled a…
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A Fan’s Guide To Meet & Greets: Tips & Tricks For Making It Memorable
Meet-and-greets are a popular event before or after concerts where fans can meet their favorite artists or bands. These exclusive events require an additional ticket purchase or a VIP package. Meet-and-greets allow fans to connect with their idols in person and create long-lasting memories. This article will discuss the benefits of meet-and-greets and how they…
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10 Things You Didn’t Know Musicians Do After A Concert
If you’ve ever been to a concert, you know how exhilarating it can be. The energy, the music, the crowds – it’s an experience like no other. But have you ever wondered what happens after the show? What do the musicians do once they’ve left the stage? As it turns out, most bands have a…
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Legally Naming Your Band After A Book Or Movie: What You Need To Know
Naming your band after a book or movie can be a great way to showcase your creative side and give your fans an idea of what inspires you. However, before you finalize your band’s name, it’s important to consider the legal implications of using a name that is already associated with a trademarked or copyrighted…
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The Ins & Outs Of Touring In A Van & Making It A Comfortable Experience
Touring in a van is a rite of passage for many bands. It’s a way to get out on the road, play shows, and connect with fans. While it may not be the most glamorous way to travel, it’s a cost-effective and practical option for many bands, especially those just starting out. In this article,…
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10 Tips For Finding The Perfect Musicians For Your Band
As a musician, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is selecting the right bandmates. Finding the right musicians can mean the difference between a successful band and one that struggles to make an impact. Not only do you need to find musicians with the right skills, but you also need to find people…
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Know Before You Go: Understanding Camera Policies at Concerts
Concerts are a great way to experience your favorite music live and in person. With high-energy performances and impressive stage productions, concerts frequently offer an unforgettable experience you’ll remember for years. One of the best ways to capture the memories of a concert is by taking photos or videos with your camera. But are cameras…
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The Role Of Music Blogs In Supporting Independent Artists
Not only can music blogs help your band’s image, it’s essentially free advertising. Sites like Ennui are actively looking for bands to help promote and usually have access to a wide audience of listeners. On an independent level, there’s essentially nothing to lose when a music blog agrees to feature your music on their site.
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The Dos & Don’ts Of Social Media For Bands & Musicians
Social media is essential for bands and musicians in today’s digital age. Social media provides a platform for artists to connect with their fans, promote their music, and build their brand. Through social media, bands and musicians can share their music, promote upcoming shows and tours, and share behind-the-scenes content, providing a glimpse into their…
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Creating A Band Image: How To Develop Your Look & Sound
A unique band image is crucial to a lasting impact in the music industry. Your image sets you apart from other bands and helps you establish your brand. It also helps you connect with your fans, who can easily recognize you and your music. A strong image can also help you stand out in a…
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The Importance Of A Strong Band Name And Logo (With Examples)
A strong band name and logo are crucial elements of your band’s image and help to define your band’s identity and presence in the music industry. A good band name should be memorable, unique, and easy to say, while a strong logo should be well-designed, recognizable, and visually appealing. Putting time and thought into your…
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How To Create A Successful Live Performance Experience (With Examples)
A successful live performance can make or break a musician’s career. A poorly executed performance can turn off potential fans, while an outstanding performance can solidify an artist’s place in the industry and build their fanbase. Successful live shows require careful planning, preparation, and execution—the benefits of getting it right are well worth the effort.…
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Essential Benefits of Collaborating with Other Musicians
Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting-out, working with other musicians can dramatically benefit your music career. But how? And why do artists collaborate with each other? Musicians collaborate for various reasons, including expanding their creative horizons, reaching new audiences, growing their fanbase, developing new skills, and financial benefits. Collaborating with other musicians can…
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Do Bands Actually Need A Bass Player?
Bass is an integral component of music and provides a solid foundation for the rhythm and harmony of a song. It sets the tempo and groove, helps to anchor the rhythm section, and adds a different layer of harmony to the music. However, not all bands require a bass player. The importance of a bass…
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12 Ways Musicians Take Showers On Tour
Unless you’re the Rolling Stones, there are few luxuries when touring with a band. You spend most of your time on the road and at venues. There’s not much space to move around and little privacy. But what about one of the most basic human needs: showering? When it comes down to it, how do…
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Honestly, You Need A Music Manager Right Now
There’s a lot of debate about the importance of a very traditional role in today’s music industry: the manager. As a musician, an important step in taking your music to the next level is deciding if you need a music manager. Hiring a music manager is an essential part of building a successful career in…
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How To Start A Successful Music Career At Any Age
Starting a music career can be thought of as intimidating and confusing at times. Many people have a common belief that it is too late to begin pursuing a career in music after a certain age. I’m here to tell you that no matter your age, there is always room for creativity and growth in…
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Are Physical Albums Still Worth It For Bands?
Written by Bo Brusco. In the age of digital streaming services, many may feel it obsolete to be releasing physical music. Taking the steps to make vinyl records, cassette tapes, or CDs seems foolish when a one-time upload to DistroKid or TuneCore will do the trick. But if you’re asking yourself: Are physical albums still…
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How Do Musicians Create Melodies?
Written by Bo Brusco. A key component to any song is its melody. A musician might have lyrics on paper, a solid idea of the story they want to tell, and the emotions they want to express, but none of that will come to life until they create a melody. Simple enough — but how…
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Why Do Musicians Smash Their Instruments?
Everyone has heard stories of musicians smashing guitars on stage after a performance. Some of us may have even seen it happen. While this is an iconic part of live concerts, it can be quite a wasteful thing to do, especially today. So why do musicians continue to smash their instruments? Musicians smash their instruments…
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The Best Advice From 25 Of The Best Musicians
Sometimes the music industry can be a confusing place. As an artist, it can be easy to get lost, or start to feel insecure about your path. Being able to look to more experienced musicians, who have already been through the same types of challenges, can be a great way to course-correct and get back…
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The Real Reason Why Bands Play Faster Live
Imagine you’re standing in the front row at a concert. You’re there to see your favorite band — it’s loud, people are packed in tight behind you, the musicians you idolize seem like they’re only inches away, and they’re playing your favorite songs of all time. But something sounds very different — the songs you’ve…
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What No One Tells You About Recording Music In Prison
When you’ve heard that your favorite musician has been arrested, it can be easy to think you won’t hear new music from them anytime soon. However, that’s not always the case. One minute you hear your favorite musician is incarcerated and the next minute they drop an album from jail. So, can musicians record songs…
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12 Things Musicians Actually Do Before A Show (With Examples)
Whether you’re in a band or not, it can be easy to wonder what musicians do before a concert. Typically, there are quite a few preparations that musicians will take before getting on stage to perform. What do musicians do before a show? Before a show, musicians travel to the venue, set up their gear, perform…
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10 Practice Spaces For Bands That Have Nowhere To Rehearse
Finding a dependable rehearsal space is one of the first barriers most bands face. With the amount of noise that live musicians create, finding somewhere affordable, effective, and discrete to practice your craft can be difficult. Luckily, if you get creative, the list of potential places where a band can rehearse is quite long—especially if…
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10 Clever Ideas For Naming An Album
Putting the final touches on your album can be a daunting process – especially if one of those final decisions is your album title. How do you capture the overall theme of your album with just one word or phrase? If you’re struggling to name your album, there are a few ideas that might jump-start…
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How Do Bands Travel Overseas: The Ultimate Checklist
Traveling overseas can be a hassle — you have to worry about transportation, communication and organization. Just imagine trying to coordinate several concerts, arrange to ship thousands of dollars in equipment and make money on top of all that. If you’re a band touring overseas you have a lot of work to do before you…
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10 In-Depth Answers To FAQ’s About Soundcheck
Every time I play a show, I always love watching the other bands and artists do their soundcheck. It’s suspenseful hearing the little pre-views of carefully dialed-in bass tones and guitar effects. It’s fascinating and sometimes comical to hear how a vocalist decides to put their own spin on, “Check! One! Two! Czechoslovakia! Check!” No…
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The Truth About Why Bands Still Do Encores
When the crowd dies down after a show’s big finale, the band leaves the stage, but the fans know it’s not time to clear out of the venue yet. The faint cry of an “encore” echoes through the audience and grows louder as other fans join in. Encore! Encore! Encore! And with just a few…
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Why Do Concerts Have Opening Acts?
Usually, when you go to a concert, one or two artists will perform before the main event. Having an opening act, or “opener” is a tradition that touring musicians have followed for decades. But why do concerts have opening acts? Concerts have opening acts because they provide additional entertainment and create opportunities for the headliners,…
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How Long Does It Take To Set Up A Stage For A Concert?
Here’s a fun fact: setting up a concert stage takes a lot of work. Every band and crew knows what it takes to set up their gear, run lights, test sound, and then double-check it all again (just to be safe). But the average person might be surprised to learn how long it takes, from…
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Why Do Musicians Name Their Instruments?
This week I was listening to The Rolling Stones iconic album, Exile on Main Street, in which Keith Richards relied on his Fifties butterscotch Fender Telecaster “Micawber”. Listening to this record I wondered, why is it that musicians name their instruments? Musicians have many methods to create captivating music, and their connection to an instrument…
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11 Legitimate Ways Touring Musicians Do Laundry On The Road
Trying to figure out how you will get some laundry done on tour? We get it — when you’ve been on the road for three weeks, finding a quick and easy place to wash the band’s dirty laundry seems like an emergency. But taking the time to occasionally wash your clothes doesn’t have to be…
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Where Do Musicians Sleep On Tour?
Touring is one of the most glamorized aspects of being a musician. But for many touring acts, especially those just getting started, there can be some unexpected surprises, like where you might have to sleep on your first few tours. Where do musicians sleep on tour? Touring musicians sleep where they can. Depending on a…
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5 Reasons Why Musicians Use Rugs On Stage
At concerts and music festivals around the world, rugs are frequently used by bands and musicians on stage. Beyond the obvious decoration and visual aesthetic purposes, rugs provide important benefits to many performers. But for most people, it isn’t always clear why a band or musician would use rugs on stage. Bands play on rugs…
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What Time Do Concerts Actually Start?
If you’ve never been to a concert before, you should know that the music doesn’t actually start when the doors open. The time between what’s printed on the ticket and when the music typically begins can drastically change from performance to performance. So what time do concerts actually start? Concerts start when the doors open,…
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Why Are Albums Self-Titled?
Have you ever noticed that some album titles are just the band or artist’s name? Self-titled albums are a popular trend in modern music. Whether you like them or not, it’s common to wonder why so many albums are self-titled. Why are albums self-titled? Bands decide to self-title an album because they feel it represents…
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Why Do Bands Change Guitars During Shows?
There are several reasons why a band or guitarist would change guitars during a show. Understanding what motivates different aspects of live music can deeply enrich the experience the next time you see your favorite band. Why do bands change guitars during shows? Bands change guitars to quickly utilize different tunings, variations in tone, and…
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The Real Reason Why Bands Have Two Drummers (With Examples)
Having two drummers in a band can sometimes seem just a bit excessive. Even though it may look strange at first, there’s typically a legitimate reason (or two) behind a band adding a second or even third drummer. Why do bands have two drummers? Bands have two drummers to create a thicker, fuller, or denser…