Solo artist with supporting live band?

[FRUGiHOYi]

I am a "solo artist" right now but I want to put together a band so I can play shows and stuff. In this band, I want to do guitars and vocals (I will need a second guitar player and I don't mind sharing lead vocals or maybe even only doing backup vocals). The thing is I'm very particular in what I like and don't like, so I want to keep writing all the music. Of course, if I form a band, I don't mind hearing what the other guys have to say; maybe they will have good ideas, but I want the final decision to be mine.

Do you think I should actually form a band, or just keep writing music all by myself, then get a group of guys to learn it so we can play live shows? These guys wouldn't really be part of the band, they would just be there to play shows (of course, I would split the money we make from gigs with them)? I can't think of many artists like this right now... I can only think of Chance (who no one has probably heard of) and maybe Soulfly? Not sure about that one.

What are the pros and cons of doing it this way? Do you think it will be easier or harder to find good musicians that just want to play the music I write live, but not really be part of the "band"?

[EinzingerIsGod]

As long as you're up front with them in the beginning and explain to them that this is your deal and that you want full control of the music, but you will split the money with them, I don't see it being a problem. Anyone who accepts the job knowing what they're getting into can't complain.

[Moseph]

As long as you're up front with them in the beginning and explain to them that this is your deal and that you want full control of the music, but you will split the money with them, I don't see it being a problem. Anyone who accepts the job knowing what they're getting into can't complain.

No, this is a good way to breed contempt.

A better solution is to hire musicians for gigs: live or recording sessions. Pay them an agreed upon sum for each date. Do not expect them to be extremely loyal. If you really prefer them backing you up, let them know, and maybe give them a bonus/raise every once in awhile to keep them coming back.

So long as it's incredibly obvious that they are hired, and not giving creative input, you can avoid most problems. Be warned that this will probably mean that you will lose money for awhile while you're starting out.

[kidthatplaysguitar91]

Yeah just have a live band type thing. You would obviously get more money considering your writing the music, and then everyone knows your name instead of saying a band name.
Also you have 100 percent control over the music.

BUT

Your the only one writing, If you had a band they would be writing, thus having more songs and possibly making better ones.

I'd go with the live band thing.

[FRUGiHOYi]

Be warned that this will probably mean that you will lose money for awhile while you're starting out.
Why do you think I will lose money?

Yeah just have a live band type thing. You would obviously get more money considering your writing the musicAnd then you say that I'll get MORE money.

So which one is it, and why? It seems to me like it would be pretty much the same as being in an actual band in the beginning. I will split the money made from shows evenly as if we were a band. When I do start selling CDs, I keep all the money, so I will actually make more money than if I had a band. As far as recording, I don't have to spend any money because I do it all at home.

and then everyone knows your name instead of saying a band name.Well actually I'm not using my name; the project is called Shagohod, which just sounds like a band anyway.

[Aus_rock_god]

I'd hire session musicians if I was you dude. They may be expencive at times, but they won't complain about creative control and so on and so forth. Five For Fighting do this, as does Ben Folds and everyone else who writes their material by themselves.

Just make sure you know how to write sheet music.

[Merkaba]

Why do you think I will lose money?

And then you say that I'll get MORE money.

So which one is it, and why? It seems to me like it would be pretty much the same as being in an actual band in the beginning. I will split the money made from shows evenly as if we were a band. When I do start selling CDs, I keep all the money, so I will actually make more money than if I had a band. As far as recording, I don't have to spend any money because I do it all at home.

Well actually I'm not using my name; the project is called Shagohod, which just sounds like a band anyway.
If youre planning on selling cds of the session players music be sure that they know this as well. They have the right to royalties.

Plus what if youre not as great as you think you are and others have ideas that could make you twice as good? I've thought about this question myself since I can't find a band in my genre of interest. Basically I want to mix like soundgarden, circa survive, apc, and jeff buckley among others all in one sound....I have minimal guitar skills but I come up with wonderful stuff in my head. Right now I'm almost wanting to just join about any band just to get the release of being on stage.

[Jon]

One of my bands is that sort of scenario, I guess I'm just the hired gun lead guitarist, I do my licks and solos and generally don't worry about anything apart from the 8 bars a song or whatever that I need to concentrate more than just playing the chords and whatever supporting fills I feel like adding.

Which is ****ing great, I have enough trouble writing for one band, I'm just in the first band so I can play guitar :)

[FRUGiHOYi]

If youre planning on selling cds of the session players music be sure that they know this as well. They have the right to royalties.

Plus what if youre not as great as you think you are and others have ideas that could make you twice as good? I've thought about this question myself since I can't find a band in my genre of interest. Basically I want to mix like soundgarden, circa survive, apc, and jeff buckley among others all in one sound....I have minimal guitar skills but I come up with wonderful stuff in my head. Right now I'm almost wanting to just join about any band just to get the release of being on stage.
I record everything myself; the other guys would be just for playing live. But now that I think about it, I am pretty good with those Fruityloops drums, but if I actually want to sell a CD, it's probably better to have someone play real drums on it. And I can't fingerpick bass or do any really crazy slap bass or anything. So maybe I should get these people to play on the CD. Also, I think I will be able to write music a lot faster with a real drummer instead of programming everything, which takes forever! Maybe forming an actual band would be better, as long as they know that I'm the main composer.

[EinzingerIsGod]

No, this is a good way to breed contempt.

Not if you are absolutely clear what they are there for. Hiring people for various gigs seems to hectic to me to be worth it. Besides, down the line they might be able to give input to songs and strengthen the overall quality of the music.