Do you dream about audiences going wild for you, dishing out autog
raphs and having hordes of fans? It doesn’t have to stop at dreaming! We asked some of the hottest names in the music industry for advice on starting a band.GET YOUR TOOLS
Taxi Violence lead singer George van der Spuy says, “You don’t need the most expensive instrument when you start out. Buy something less expensive and save for something better once you get the hang of it.”
CHOOSING BAND MEMBERS 101
Dirty Skirts lead singer Jeremy de Tolly says, “One of the things I enjoy most about being in a band is spending time with the (Dirty Skirts) guys.”
PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE
Lead singer of Van Coke Kartel and Fokofpolisiekar Francois van Coke says, “When you start out you need to practise every single day.”
WRITE YOUR OWN MUSIC
George says, “The creative process of writing a song and seeing people respond to your song are among the things I enjoy most about being in a band.”
DON’T GIVE UP
Idols host Liezel van der Westhuizen says, “Don’t be discouraged if you’re not successful at first.”
Stealing Love Jones lead singer Esjay Jones says, “You’re going to have many people saying you aren’t good enough and if you can look at yourself objectively and say you have the “it” factor to go far then stand your ground.”
MISTAKES ARE PART OF THE DEAL
Jeremy says, “We’ve made a lot of mistakes (writing and recording bad songs and playing bad gigs) but that’s one of the main reasons we’re successful today. It’s better to try your best and make mistakes than not try. As long as you make it work.”
BE PASSIONATE
Esjay says, “Passion will set you apart from the others. Don’t take no for an answer; if I had, there would be no Stealing Love Jones!
GET THE SHOW ON THE ROAD
Jeremy says, “Make it happen! Don’t sit around and make excuses about why you are not doing gigs.”
Francois adds, “Make contact with a more established band and nag them to let your band play with them.”
