Bandhive

Finding an amazing cover of a song is always a highlight of my day when it happens. Hearing a new, unique twist on a song I already enjoy just carries a special meaning to it somehow. But, even though lots of artists release covers only a small handful of them become successful… It can be really tough because not only do you have to compete with other artists, you have to compete with the original...

If you’re just starting your musical career, it can be overwhelming to get out there. In fact, you’re probably being pulled in a million different directions. “Do I release a song? Play a show? Start a mailing list? Set up a website?” Let us help you make that a bit easier for you: in this episode we’re talking about booking a show as well as red flags to look out for when dealing with venue talen...

Technology is a beautiful thing. It allows us to complete work and communicate from thousands of miles away, as if we are in the same room. Even in the past ten years, technology has come a long way from where it was. Unfortunately, a lot of artists are still doing things the hard way: scheduling social media posts manually, communicating on many different platforms and letting messages slip throu...

Everyone loves life hacks. They’re convenient, MacGyver-like solutions to common problems. The music industry has its own, unique set of life hacks. Anything from increasing comfort and saving money while on tour, to growing your email list or selling more music. The possibilities are practically endless – what will you come up with as the next life hack for artists? What you’ll learn : How creati...

Making your band appealing to a record label in the effort of getting signed isn’t easy. There’s no guarantee that it’ll work, either. The good news is that the same things that make you appealing to a record label will make your band more successful in general . Listen now to learn how you and your band can boost your careers in a few key areas, and become more successful whether you want to get...

Many artists dream of getting signed – then they’ve officially “made it” and have everything they need for a successful career. Other artists don’t want to be signed. It all comes down to weighing the pros and cons of a record deal. But, for those who do want a deal: do you know what to do to get an offer? Here’s a hint: it’s not just playing shows and getting noticed. Unlike in the movies, the la...

Tens of thousands of artists worldwide have started streaming during the global lockdown. Millions of people watched those streams. But they’re getting burned out. They’re burned out by low quality, crappy sounding streams put on by people who don’t know how to set up a camera. They’re burned out by artists who stream every day, with no advanced notice or real purpose for the stream. So what can y...

All too often, artists say their goal is to “be famous” and on the cover of Rolling Stone or another magazine. When really, what the artist wants at heart is to make music for the rest of their life without working a day job that sucks their soul. You don’t need to be famous to meet reasonable goals in music. If you can convince just 1000 fans to pay you $5 a month for your content, you’ll be earn...

It’s easy to become exhausted as an artist. Not only do you have to work on your creative side, you also have to run a business. Splitting your time between what is essentially two different jobs on opposite sides of your brain can be draining. All that really means, though, is that artists need to take time off . There’s no shame in having weekends off (or any two day of your choosing during the...

So you have a great idea… You spend months thinking about how to execute your idea. Maybe even years. But you never actually start working on it . Does that sound like you? Probably, because it’s something that happens to nearly everyone: the Law of Diminishing Intent kicked in. To overcome the law, there are some basic steps that help to keep you on track. Listen now to find out how you can overc...

A few weeks ago, I saw an amazing Facebook post that really struck me. Not because it was funny, or drama-filled, or anything like that. It wasn’t a “normal” Facebook post. It was Brandon Cunningham’s post about being a black man who likes rock music. It made me realize that, as much as systemic racism is an issue, it’s almost ignored in the rock world. Many bands are making statements that they a...

Everyone makes mistakes. It’s part of life, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But, sometimes it’s easier to learn from the mistakes someone else made rather than finding out the hard way on your own. Right? Listen now to find out about nine common mistakes that most bands will make at some point during their career! What you’ll learn : How to avoid 9 major mistakes too many artists make Why you...

In 2020, image is everything. The most famous people in the world are famous because of their Instagram posts and or Tweets that make the stock market go crazy. Through all of this, one thing is consistent: branding. Whether it’s the Instagram model who only posts photos showing off designer clothing, the eccentric billionaire who builds “bullet proof” trucks, or the leader of the free world with...

With more and more artists starting to perform online, competition is fiercer than ever. But there’s a great way to help spread the word about your music that doesn’t involve paying Facebook or Google to run ads. In fact, it’s much more effective than advertising. Not only does it benefit your band, it also benefits your fans. A street team will help you grow your fanbase, while breeding loyalty i...

With face to face communication a thing of the past (at least for now), it may be time to review your band’s communication practices. Whether it’s internal discussions and planning, working with other bands, or with third parties such as promoters, venues, and others in the industry, having solid communication skills is vital to long, lasting relationships. So what can you do to make sure everyone...

If you heard last week’s episode about staying top of mind during the COVID crisis, you’re probably wondering, “but what next?” The good news is that we cover that today. Educating yourself and ensuring that you are 100% to hit the ground running once shows resume will put you miles ahead of other artists who did nothing except watch Netflix these past few months. So, what does that mean for you?...

Coronavirus has affected every single musician across the globe. But, while some musicians are giving up and sticking their head in the sand, others are quickly recognizing the need to stay current and provide value for their fans during these tough times. By adapting to the current situation, those artists are much more likely to succeed and come out of this crisis ready to hit the road. What abo...

Musicians around the globe are itching to get back on the road once it’s safe to do so. The question everyone wants to know is when? Unfortunately, we don’t have the answer – but we do have some advice to help you put together the best tour possible as soon as we can get back on the road. Listen now to find out what you should do to create a killer tour routing and save a ton of money and time for...

While we’re all sacrificing during the current pandemic, touring musicians across the globe will continue to sacrifice once live music picks up again… The sacrifices will be different, but still potentially painful. The touring industry has long been known for the long days, isolation, and all too often, low pay. It’s part of the “dream” artists are sold. In the long run, those sacrifices do pay o...

Right now, we’re all stuck at home (or working in an essential job – stay safe!) No one is playing shows, so what can we do during downtime? Maybe it’s time to review your merch setup and see what you can do to boost your merch sales at shows. Listen now to learn how you can boost your on-site merch sales and improve inventory tracking as well as sales efficiency! Note: this episode was recorded b...

So let’s say you started your own business that lets you work from home. You have a flexible schedule that lets you work on music whenever you want to . Not only that, but you did all of this before the coronavirus pandemic hit the globe. That puts you in a better position than 95% of people in the US. That’s what Josh Nachbar did – and now that the world is grinding to a halt, it’s time for you t...

Releasing an album or EP is one of the biggest moments in a band’s career. Many successful artists release ten to twenty albums over their career, while others release a handful or less. Some bands, like Rammstein, may go over a decade without releasing new music… Yet others seem to release an album practically every year or two. What all established artists have in common, though, is that they ha...

As the music industry continues to shift away from music sales while streaming becomes ever more popular, many have said, “there’s no money in music.” But those people are wrong! By learning how to sell you could make thousands of dollars per day selling your merchandise at music festivals, shows, and online. Listen now to find out how you can start making money with your band’s brand ! What you’l...

It can be uncomfortable or downright anxiety-inducing to get up on stage. Where do you think the term “stage fright” came from? There are many factors that go into good (or bad) stage presence, and no one-size-fits-all solution… But, we can help! Listen now to learn eight tips to begin improving your band’s stage presence . What you’ll learn : Why you should avoid making inside jokes when you’re o...

Recording an album can be an extensive (and expensive) process...  It can also be incredibly stressful, especially when you can’t nail your takes and get frustrated. But there’s a solution: songwriting and pre-production . Artists who have done a great job preparing for the studio can get better results in a day than others could get in a week. Listen now to find out how you could save thousands o...