Spring Break
MySpace and its effect on bands
MySpace creates opportunities and problems for musicians
Sarah Jean Bresnahan/Development Director
Issue date: 9/26/08 Section: The Verge
MySpace is taking over the music world.
For bands not signed to a label, MySpace helps get their music heard and helps them book and promote shows.
Sometimes, however, a MySpace page can act like a double-edged sword.
While bands get their music to the masses, it can become difficult to discern a "real" band from a group of dudes jamming half-heartedly on instruments they just began to play.
Chicago Tribune music critic Greg Kot said that while MySpace has become a "portal for checking out music on the Web," it has created an environment that makes it more difficult to get noticed than before.
"How do you stand out from that?" Kot said.
Kyle Prillaman, drummer for the Champaign-based band, The Signal, said the "MySpace condition" hinders legitimate bands.
"With so much music available at the fingertips of anyone with an Internet connection, computer and speakers, many listeners seem to ignore local music and small time bands," Prillaman said. "(They) write them off as 'just another one of those bands on MySpace.' Unfortunately, the listener is partly true in this assessment."
He said some bands get their music online and then think the money, phone calls and fame will start rolling in.
"(They think that) after writing some halfway decent songs, recording some demos and putting them up on MySpace, all the work is done," Prillaman said. "They think they just have to sit back and wait for the president of Sony Records to stumble upon their MySpace page and offer them a multimillion dollar recording contract."
What bands that have the 'MySpace Condition' don't realize is that although a Web site increases exposure, the band must still work to update it so it stays fresh in people's minds, Prillaman said.
"The big trouble spot is bands thinking that's all they have to do," Kot said.
While Prillaman would rather promote by word-of-mouth, The Signal still uses MySpace to book shows and send out fliers.
For bands not signed to a label, MySpace helps get their music heard and helps them book and promote shows.
Sometimes, however, a MySpace page can act like a double-edged sword.
While bands get their music to the masses, it can become difficult to discern a "real" band from a group of dudes jamming half-heartedly on instruments they just began to play.
Chicago Tribune music critic Greg Kot said that while MySpace has become a "portal for checking out music on the Web," it has created an environment that makes it more difficult to get noticed than before.
"How do you stand out from that?" Kot said.
Kyle Prillaman, drummer for the Champaign-based band, The Signal, said the "MySpace condition" hinders legitimate bands.
"With so much music available at the fingertips of anyone with an Internet connection, computer and speakers, many listeners seem to ignore local music and small time bands," Prillaman said. "(They) write them off as 'just another one of those bands on MySpace.' Unfortunately, the listener is partly true in this assessment."
He said some bands get their music online and then think the money, phone calls and fame will start rolling in.
"(They think that) after writing some halfway decent songs, recording some demos and putting them up on MySpace, all the work is done," Prillaman said. "They think they just have to sit back and wait for the president of Sony Records to stumble upon their MySpace page and offer them a multimillion dollar recording contract."
What bands that have the 'MySpace Condition' don't realize is that although a Web site increases exposure, the band must still work to update it so it stays fresh in people's minds, Prillaman said.
"The big trouble spot is bands thinking that's all they have to do," Kot said.
While Prillaman would rather promote by word-of-mouth, The Signal still uses MySpace to book shows and send out fliers.
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benn leacy
posted 9/26/08 @ 6:31 AM CST
myspace
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