WAIT A DAMN MINUTE NOW!: So you want to be a rock star...

Almost every musician has dreams of hitting the "big time" with their art/craft, yet so many have no clue how to accomplish this feat. I find many times, they think they know (they should be protective of their careers), but I liken it to someone who can hardly navigate their Facebook telling an IT person how to fix their computer or a person who can't change a flat tire telling a mechanic how to rebuild an engine.

Recently, I wrote this detailing some of the many common mistakes artists make on their journey down the path of mythical musical riches.

Take a second to refresh yourself with the article.

Are you back yet? Good. Let's get one thing out of the way now.

The years of making millions of dollars in music is virtually unheard of now. Record companies don't throw out as much money as they used to at unproven acts. You won't get rich in this business, but you can make a living if you actually work hard at it.

Here are so easy tips that many bands just seem to miss for one reason or another:

Get an EPK (Electronic Press Kit). It should contain your logo, a song or two, a couple of choice photos, a small biography, contact information, and links to live reviews or press clippings if you have any. No one wants to read your life story except maybe your mother, or see every picture of your band puking drunk. Get used to work with press to promote your band locally and nationally. Also, be mindful that the EPK service you use doesn't bludgeon visitors about getting their app. If you can't draw locally, don't expect to draw nationally. If you don't draw, enjoy your ramen cuisine.
Do original music. Every town has 100 cover bands who can draw, so your cover band is not really all that special. "Write is right". If you don't write, enjoy your ramen cuisine.
Look like a band. Believe it or not, most bands don't make it past the eye test. Your band image actually tells people whether your band looks like they are on the same page or not, or if they aren't worth the time. Also, no matter your image, make sure you don't look like you just got off work from Gamestop. If you don't think image is important, don't work on it and enjoy your ramen cuisine.
Work on your hooks. Just because you have the ability to play music does mean you have talent or can draw. Charisma helps, but your music must have hooks and be catchy within your genre. If you're afraid that may be too cheesy for you, enjoy your ramen cuisine.
Bring your music to the people. NEVER, EVER ask people to search for your stuff when they ask you for links. I can promise you they don't care about your music as much as you do, and will get lost in the shuffle. If a promoter, agent, or club owner asks you for an EPK and a link, and you tell them to "google it", you will be enjoying your ramen cuisine.
Use professional equipment. Many bands are actually very lost on this one. This doesn't just mean Peavey and Crate aren't good enough, but that your Line 6 amp or your drummer's exact replica of Neil Peart's 2112 drum set is too good. There is a standard backline most professional bands use, and your band should too. This not only makes it easy to switch in and out, but will actually help you get opening slots for bigger acts coming through the area without you having to sell tickets, which means greater exposure and networking. Here are some riders to help, but remember the size of the venue you are playing, so two quality Marshall half stacks, and Ampeg bass rig, and I steardy five piece drumset (one rack tom, two floor toms) is very standard. If your band doesn't have good equipment, eat your fine ramen cuisine and save up.
Keep your party in check. If it is your show, you are the master-of-ceremonies, and you need to make sure people are having a good time, but you and your bandmates need to keep your partying in check. This, no matter how you want to look at it, is still a job, albeit not as strict, but every action is monitored by everyone around you and your band. Act like you know what you're doing and keep control, or enjoy eating your ramen cuisine.

There is so much more than these, but these are some of the very basic needs bands seem to overlook. You have to realize you will have to invest in your craft to go beyond the practice room, but I have seen bands waste hundreds and thousands of dollars on inferior results, usually due to poor direction or thinking they actually know what they are doing.

Don't be that waste.

The video below is Billy.

Billy is a profesional musician.

Billy has his shit together.

Billy has toured with several bands.

Billy makes a sustainable living in music.

Don't be a dumbass.

Be like Billy.

Billy