Things I wish I'd known

If I could climb into a time machine and sit down with my younger self at the very beginning of my first band, I’d have an endless list of advice to share. From the challenges of writing songs and surviving chaotic rehearsals to the overwhelming experience of recording music without losing your creativity, sanity, or sense of self, there are lessons you can only learn through trial and error. This post is a reflection on the tips, tricks, and insights I wish I’d had before ever plugging in, hitting record, and diving headfirst into the world of making music.

50/50 Image and Sound

Being in a band is as much about how you look and perform as it is about how you sound. Like it or not, music is a visual experience. If you watch five bands in one night, chances are you won’t remember individual songs—you’ll remember who owned the stage. Energy, confidence, movement, and connection matter. A tight, convincing performance makes your music stick.

There’s another benefit: when you nail your songs live first, your recordings get better. You understand the dynamics, the pacing, and where the song truly shines. Great records are often born from great performances, not the other way around.

Quality Over Quantity

Three great songs will take you much further than twelve half-baked ones. Early on, it’s tempting to write constantly and release everything, but restraint is a superpower. Focus on craft. Rewrite. Let songs earn their place.

Quantity will come naturally over time as you grow more confident and efficient. Quality is what gets people to listen again, and to care.

Build a Team (Not Just a Band)

Most people think a band stops at vocalist, guitarists, bass, and drums. It doesn’t. Once you start gigging, you’ll quickly realise how much control you don’t have over your sound. You’re often at the mercy of a sound engineer you’ve just met, in a room they may barely know.

Having someone on your team who understands your sound, whether live or in the studio, is invaluable. This could be a dedicated sound engineer or a trusted band member who learns the ropes. Consistency is everything. The better you sound, the better you’re perceived.

Have a PR Brain

This doesn’t mean hiring a publicist straight away. It just means someone needs to think strategically. Whether that’s one band member, all of you together, or an external helper, make sure someone understands how to communicate your band to the outside world.

Be selective with social media. Less really is more. Don’t rush content just because you feel you should. Release things with intent. Build an audience organically by focusing on quality, authenticity, and timing. Hype is easy to create, trust is harder and far more valuable.

Embrace Change (Without Losing Control)

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Hold your core content somewhere you own and control—like Bandcamp, while releasing curated subsets on platforms like Spotify. Think long-term ownership as well as short-term exposure.

And yes, embrace new technology. AI platforms like Suno are controversial, but they also have massive, engaged user bases. Used thoughtfully, releasing a small number of experimental AI-driven tracks can be a way to reach new listeners without diluting your core identity. Adaptation isn’t selling out, it’s survival.

Reality Check

Here’s the truth: most people who consume music don’t think deeply about it. They don’t care who made it or how, it either clicks or it doesn’t. That’s not a bad thing, it’s just reality.

Your job isn’t to please everyone. Find your niche. Do what feels right to you. Make music you believe in and enjoy performing. Then pay attention to what resonates and lean into it. Longevity comes from authenticity, not chasing trends.

Make it for yourselves first. Everything else builds from there.