Why Your Story Is So Important

FasyLive in Bandos

Photo Credit: nattu

Ask any music writer if they will write about you or another band they have never heard of, and they will inevitably ask “So what’s your story?” Or “Do you have a Bio?”

You need to remember there are thousands of bands vying for our (fans) attention right now. Traditionally with print media, you could not embed a music player to show what a band sounded like. You had to put everything in words. From what the band sounds like, to who they are. Soon enough they also had to find ways of distinguishing bands from one another.

This is where the ‘story’ of the band became so important. The story, your story, is the main way you will make your band unique. It’s often one of the reasons someone would seek you out and listen to you. There are more of course, like recommendations and previous listens, but more on that in another post.

All interviewers need something to talk about. Your story is often the first place they will look for juicy, interesting, weird and crazy stuff. They want to find out what it is that makes your band unique.

Online it became easier to quickly embed a few songs from the band you were talking about. However the story of the band never lost its importance. You see, online whilst it’s became easier to describe a band and show what they sounded like, it’s increasingly harder to distinguish bands.

So you story brings you from a group of mates jamming in your garage, to a unique garage band. It gives meaning to your bands name.

What’s your story?

Your story can be whatever you want it to be. It should be true. But often there’s a degree on embellishment that happens. Personally I would avoid to much bullshitting, as you will eventually get caught out.

Your story is often the first place they will look for juicy, interesting, weird and crazy stuff

I suggest sitting down with everyone in your band, or if you’re a solo act a friend who knows you well. Write down your story. Edit it to a point that you would be happy to send it in a press kit. Then get all your friends and family to have a read. The less they know of your band the better.

You want them to have the same reaction, that you want the person on the receiving end of the press kit to have. So, if you want them to be crazed or shocked by your heavy rock band, you see if they actually are.

But conversely, if thats not what you’re going for, and they have that reaction. Then you may want to go back and edit it.

Your story needs to have an impact on the reader, which is almost always a journalist of some sort. Because of this, it’s often a good idea to get someone, be it a friend or a paid copywriter, to go over and edit your story. So that, you are saying, what you want to say.

What should be in your story?

You should have plenty of real information about your band. Try answering these questions to start yourself off.

How did you form?
Why did you start?
How did you meet?
Did anything interesting happen to cause you to begin playing?
Who are your influences, and most importantly why?

What makes you unique?

What is your music about?
What drives you to keep playing?

How long should it be?

There’s not set rule on this, at least not one I’ve ever encountered.  You want to give enough information for people to be able to write about you, but not so much that it becomes a waste of time to find that information.

Also make a shorter abridged version summing up the key things about your band. These can be very valuable if someone just needs a few things to write about your band to finish an article.

Have a think about what your story or bio is. When you get a chance write it out, make it as good as it can be. Fill it with interesting and useful information about your band.

If you like post the abridged version in the comments for us to read.