How to be your own manager - DIY Band Edition

If you're just starting out or are gaining a following, what do you do when you don't have a manager yet? 

Trying to make it big as an artist is a rough ride met with a variety of good and bad experiences. It's even harder when you're an indie musician and trying to manage yourself, build your following, write your music and, on top of all of that - book shows. Moreover, if you're not earning money yet, you're probably in school or working a part-time job, so, what do you do when you don't have a manager or friend with enough free time to try and organize your life? Sure, mastering the art of DIY band management can go great, but you probably want to have a manager - so how do you find structure so you can get someone to notice your potential? PledgeMusic did an interview with band manager Gav McCaughey, where he discusses the relationship between a band and their manager. But, maybe before you let someone invest in you, you should take a moment to assess a few things about your career and find structure so you understand how someone could help you:

1. Where are you at? If someone reached out to you today, what would be the first thing you'd want them to help you with? Let's start simple: Do you even have an EPK? Are you trying to build your online presence? Maybe you're looking to build a strong YouTube page and need help figuring out what that is?  Ask yourself these questions and determine which is your starting point. Figure out where you're doing well and where you need some work so you can focus in on where you're at and how to get where you want to be.

Music is power: How non-profits are working with musicians

Various musicians have been teaming up with non-profit organizations in unique, creative ways that both benefit a great cause and introduce how music can be a part of it. Think about it: music is power.

That's a statement most people will agree with, as music has the ability to empower and move people in a very big and inspiring way. Protest songs have long been a part of historical, social movements, but how does that translate to current movements, both big and small?  It's always cool when release likes "Hope For Haiti Now" and "Chimes Of Freedom" bring together celebrity artists for a good cause, but, nowadays some non-profits are starting to team up with more indie musicians on creative, music-related campaigns that raise awareness year-round.  

And it's brilliant.