Music is Madness (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Music is Madness

4:33pm Friday 29th May 2009

• Print
• Email
• Comments(1)

I'm a local drummer myself, in a band, with some aspiration. Yet what I find most difficult is finding committed support in the local community. Sure enough after local shows I've had people come up to me and compliment my personal ability or the joint performance of the band. However, when it comes to reeling in the crowds on a consistent basis this proves near impossible.

Perhaps this is due to young bands in St Albans mostly sounding like the successful 'Enter Shikari' or 'Gallows' (from Watford). Hence, our band being technically 'indie', the task if raising the word in our community has been something of an uphill struggle. This got me thinking; you can be as good a musician as possible (as I've seen by experienced local musicians who tour the local pubs and clubs) making a living out of something you love comes down to more than mere musical talent. Indeed, it is the foundation, but what seems obvious is the need for links within the industry to raise the profile.

Take for example one hit wonder "Sandi Thom", she was a wave of musicians who 'got famous over Myspace', yet her seemingly authentic home video was actually being promoted by a team of people within the industry. Lily Allen being another example, having her father as a link to fame. It makes me wonder, how on earth do you go about promoting yourself when you don't have any direct connection into the business? Must new musicians always go online on websites such as Myspace in a desperate attempt to attract new fans? Incidentally, why don't you check out my band's music (www.jenium.co.uk)...