writting a bio

there has never been a thread about this so here goes...

how would one (me specifically) handle the delicate issue of writting a bio. the band i'm in just got together, we have songs and just finished a demo that we intend to soon send to clubs and such. based on everything i've heard, we intend to just stick in the demo, a bio (about us, the music) and a letter personally personally to whoever we're sending it to.

the problem here is that it is hard to write about yourself or your music without sounding like you're full of yourself. does anyone have any thoughts, help, ideas, maybe even examples? it would appreciated. thanks.

Since you're writing a bio specifically to get club gigs you can have a little more leeway with what you write. You certainly do not want to come across as pompous, you don't want to say stuff like we're the best.

What I've found is helpful is to step back and ask yourself what can I write that would make a person want to go see my band. So that someone else who reads the bio would go WOW, this sounds like a really good band that I'd like to see. There is where you can get a little colorful and brag about the good things that you're band does and can do. Keep it professional sounding though. You do not want to come across as childish.

Next, put in as many things that would make the club owner realize that if he booked the band he would make money. Do not make unsubstantiated claims unless you want to do 1 show and then never play there again. Too many people make absolutely B.S. claims about their bands and it is just no good.

how bout asking some of your friendly HC musicians for an example of theirs.. it's really easy if you have an example in front of you to work with...

I have found a lot of really useful information at this site:

The Orchard

When you go there, click on the Artists Resources link at the top of the page. Under it you will find many excellent tips on promoting yourself to radio stations, retailers, etc. Read all of it.

The point is that there are different types of bios for different types of applications and audiences. You must have a clear idea in mind of what and who you are marketing and to whom.

Learn what a "One Sheet" is. It is explained under the link about "Retail Marketing and Promotion". Make one up for yourself/your band.

In a bio you need to give information about yourself like you would if you were talking to a stranger you had just met about who you are and what you do. Write like you talk. Don't use big words if small ones will get your point across.

Be yourself. If you have a good sense of humor try to convey that. Be generous too. Don't just talk about yourself. Give lots of credit to your sidemen. Most younger musicians don't have a fully actualized idea yet of just who and what they are, of their own identity. They don't think of themselves as individuals but as members of a certain band or culture. That's OK but bands rarely last very long (3-5 years). If you've attached all your identity to your band then when it breaks up who are you?

Think outside of your own narrow views of your own generation. Although it means everything to you right now and you may or may not identify with it strongly, in reality it will become less and less important as you grow older. Think and act as if you were explaining yourself to your own grandmother or someone else you love about what you do. Do it with love, be natural and unselfconcious.

Check out the two pages below for some ideas. They are both different web sites about me but are aimed at two separate audiences.

Aimed at selling CD's

Aimed at getting work for my wedding band

See what I mean?

It's OK to state facts about yourself. That's not bragging. Remember people only know what you tell them. Make sure that what you tell them is something they would probably want to know.

thank you for the help everyone (the link was very helpful nonreglA). the purpose of the bio is for sending to clubs, venues and such. i have heard many conflicting things about what they expect when they get a package from a band and so am unsure about everything. i have written a rough draft, please tell me what you think, if it is appropriate for such a purpose. is it acceptable to simply send a package that contains a demo, the bio and a letter to whoever i am sending the the package (a letter stating that we are seeking a show and such)?

anyway, here is the bio:

pastel is a band from silver spring, maryland. it's composed of palex duncan and anda

wöndu. palex sings, plays piano, synthesizer, & controls effects. anda plays

guitar, bass, synthesizer, piano, & controls effects. anda, who is 19 years old, has

been playing music for 5 years. palex, 17 years old, has been singing for 3 years and

playing piano on and off for 4 years.

pastel got it's start in early 2002 when palex & anda were in an alternative band together

called closure (before which they had also worked together in a previous band called

nervous system, a punk/rock band). after closure had run it's course, palex & anda

decided to continue working together. anda had some songs that he been writing

privately for about a year, songs that didn't fit in the mould of previous bands

he'd been in. palex, additionally, also had lyrics & ideas for a new project that he'd

been formulating for some time. they decided to put their ideas together. palex and

anda worked on these songs for a few months before pastel came to fruition. the

songs, which contained elements of indie rock & pop, electronic music, and

experimental rock would define pastel's sound.

the idea behind pastel's music is to fully and completely represent everything about

themselves & everything that that has driven them to create their music, and to embrace any

elements from any genre that will fulfill that idea... heavy rock guitars, techno

beats, subtle pianos, atmosheric synthesizers or industrial-type drum programming all

find themselves in pastel's music.

pastel's plan is to create truly unique music that showcases their influences, musical abilities

and as well as other abilites; and ultimately, to be satified that they have been able to

create & share the music that defines them, their experiences, emotions, thought and all

else...

I took the liberty of doing some editing. First I corrected all of your spelling, grammar and punctuation errors. You never know if the person reading your bio was an English major in college or not. If they were, not capitalizing proper names will give a bad impression. Always make sure your writing is correct from a technical standpoint.

I also cut out a lot of redundant and unnecessary items. The fact that you are young should not really play into it and could act against you as far as experience, or rather the lack of experience goes. Youth is a great thing, but club owners want to draw people and sell beer, that’s the bottom line. They don’t really care about your philosophy. Maybe when you are a little older and have several successful albums to your credit people will care what you think.

Pastel, from Silver Springs Maryland, is composed of Palex Duncan and Anda Wöndu. Pastel got it's start in early 2002 and contains elements of indie rock & pop, electronic music, and experimental rock.

Pastel's music embraces many elements from many genres... heavy rock guitars, techno beats, subtle pianos, atmospheric synthesizers and industrial-type drum rhythms.

Pastel creates truly unique music that showcases its members influences, musical abilities and ultimately shares the music that defines them, their experiences and emotions.

Nothing beats short and sweet.

Hi There,

That edit is pretty good. Always try to keep things short and simple. I have a couple of suggestions though. 1. compare yourself to a couple of easily recognizable bands. Don't use your obscure references, stick to the majors here "we sound like STP sharing the stage with the Chemical Brothers..." 2. ask your friends to review your CD for you and quote them in your bio. Hopefully you'll know someone who can write something intelligent. I suggest you get a song or two on garageband.com for the same reason.

Good luck. I'd be happy to post some of my band's bio if you'd like to see it.

Be well,

Ken

i hope you don't mind that instead of making a new thread i'm going to ask on this one: how would i go about making a professional bio to send to a record company? A broad question...but surely it has an answer?

Start by trying to think like a record executive yourself. There you are at your desk opening up this package/letter. What is inside? Is there a CD? Or is there just a bio sheet? Was the material solicited? If not, it would never make it to the executive's desk in the first place.

If it was solicited and you have a product as well, include quotes from reviews (reviews are easy to get so if you don't already have any get bust getting some).

Be generous about praise of your sidemen. Did you use anyone who is well known or who has worked with some big names? Say so.

Point out why you are different from all the other flowers in the garden. Why makes you so special?

Why are you sending to a record exec anyway? Do you know for a fact that this company is looking for the kind of stuff you do? Looking for a record deal? If you have not already produced your own CD yourself many industry people won't take you seriously. The thinking is this: If you don't believe in yourself enough to invest in yourself, why should they?

What are you selling? Are you a writer? Do you write really good original songs that can be used in TV/film? Or are you a really good player? You'd have to be pretty good to displace some of the people currently occupying the top positions.

Are you the best player in your town/city? Have you ever been on the road? Have you ever gone up against some of the top players in Nashville? New York? LA? Have you ever done any studio work?

Be careful what you send and who you send it to. Check out an organization called TAXI, they have a web site. They can get your material listened to by top execs in the industry much easier than you can by the shotgun approach.

sample bio

Good luck!

I came across this link about writing bios today. It is really good. Read it:

great info about writing bios