Disclaimer
Let me start, right off by saying that I purposely left out the word "successful" from the title of this post. This isn't a guide to turn your band into the next Nirvana or (god forbid) Queensryche*, I don't know how to do that and wouldn't tell you if I could. It's more like a primer or manual of etiquette for upcoming local and transplanted musicians who are so far below the radar they have a mouth full of dirt.

And I'm not saying that I'm always right or I know the only way to do it. This is an account of my own experiences trying to make my mark in a music scene that is saturated with hundreds of doe-eyed, bearded dudes singing folk music.

Make Friends
Before you can play music at a bar or club, you have to guarantee that people can show up. Other than being so famous that people already come out to your shows, the only way to really bring people out to see you is to connect with them personally, and that means making friends with musicians. A lot of people don't realize this, but the most dedicated audience you can get are people who play shows themselves. 

I can't tell you how many shows I've seen where I'm at The Comet Tavern and, say, Jon Weisnewski from Akimbo shows up, or I see Pearl from Champagne Champagne shooting the shit outside the window, or Yos-Wa from Monogamy Party is at the bar ordering whatever the hell he drinks. Probably blood. Not that I know anybody I mentioned personally.

The people who play shows in this city curate and cultivate other bands almost by default. It can seem like everyone is in a huge, imposing clique. Nothing can be further from the truth**. Seattle musicians know that a rising tide lifts all boats, and if you show yourself to be an avid concert-goer and supporter of local music, generally you can count on the support of other bands to show up on your behalf, because they know you'll return the favor. Or at least that's the theory. People are lazy.
 
Don't Be Full of Bullshit
This is the flip side to the first rule. It's important to be friendly, but don't bug people for attention like a needy child***, and don't try and force friendship on everybody. Accept compliments gracefully, don't act like you expect them. Also, be sure to give compliments that are truthful. This is easy when you're playing with someone great, but you will come off as a total asshat if you tell someone shitty they sounded great when it's obvious you left halfway through their set to smoke a cigarette.

However, even the shittiest band you've ever heard has something positive you can say. Some examples to get you started: "Your playing is so childlike and innocent, it's like you've never taken lessons." "I've never seen that many splash cymbals in a single drum kit." "I like your pony-tail."
Here's a personal pet peeve: business cards. Some people might tell you to print a bunch out, but that's pretty much a douche move. You don't need them if you can just Facebook people, or get an email address, or hand out a demo with your info on it. Don't give shit out to people unless they ask for it, it's just going to end up in the garbage.

Another tell-tale sign of a band that's totally bullshit is the no-name group with a "manager." This is for bands who are so full of shit they need an extra person to cover all their bases. It's one thing if your girlfriend is helping you book shows or a buddy is helping you sell merch, but if you have someone who is handing cards out to people and booking you Wednesday night gigs in South Tacoma, you don't have a manager. You have a parasite.

I'm getting perilously close to eight hundred words, and I probably need eight thousand more to truly give this topic justice, hence the need for a series of articles.

For questions, comments or death threats, send an email to staff (at) pugetplaylist (dot) com with "attn: Jon" in the title, or type in the comment box below. If you'd like to bug me in person, I'm playing at the Highline tonight with my band Parts, as well as The Apollos and the Freehands. We all rock.

Coming Up: How to book your first shitty show, how to spot a scam, letter grades for all the venues I've played, and obvious hints for not sounding like shit.

*Queensryche is actually a local band, and were probably the biggest thing to come out of Seattle before Grunge broke. Look it up.
**This sentence is a lie, we all hate you and want you to go back to Denver.
***Unless you are a child, then it's significantly more charming.