No One Cares: Cut The Extraneous Influences In Band Bios

No One Cares is a new feature where we try and get you focused on what your audience really wants versus what you are telling them. People look out for their own interests and have their own perspective coming into any situation. Your job is to find something they care about and that will appeal to them, not the other way around.

Another great panel we attended at the Tour:Smart Plus Weekend last week as the one on writing bios. One of the key mistakes Jesse and I have always seen is people who LOVE to flaunt their influences (ex: you play in a metal band but you love Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue). Drum rolling please…. NO ONE CARES. Unless people can hear your influences very clearlyit’s not going to matter and will only serve to confuse, frustrate and probably alienate your listeners. People are not going to be impressed because you know who the band Orange Juice was (that is, unless you sound them). Remember, this is not a time to show off your record collection or encyclopedia of music knowledge – save that kind of Tiger Beat Info for your fanclub or hidden somewhere deep on your website. Sometimes asking an impartial third party is the best thing you can do to get an idea of who you really have been influenced by (as opposed to who you think has influenced you or whose music you would like to sound like).

(Tip from Joanna Quarngnali-Linsley – check out her Twitter page).

S

I’ll have to disagree with this. It’s interesting to learn about the things that influence an artist’s songs and ideas. To use the example stated in this post – the metal band and Miles Davis – just because their songs would not be instrumentally similar to Miles Davis songs, doesn’t mean they can’t be influenced by his structures or melodic choices or just his way of playing with maximum control without compromising on feeling and mood… all of these can be lessons you take away from artists that are outside of your genre.
The most important thing in an artist bio is honesty – let it read like a story of your musical journey, not a generic press release that tells us how you were singing before you were talking and how you want to change the world with your music and you don’t care about fame and money.
Todd Thomas

I see your point, but I think that’s more of a fan’s perspective. I worked in music journalism for years. I can assure you people have no time to care about what influences you musically unless it’s directly applicable.
There is a time and place (like an interview) for more in-depth info but press releases and bios are for quick introductions to a band and are read by a totally different audience.
Kjle

I don’t care about your musical journey. I care about me. Tell me what I want to hear. If you say Miles Davis is an influence, you better sound like Miles Davis only better or I’m going home.
Unless, of course, your influ-bio lists someone I don’t like. Then I’ll know you suck and were just being precious with your Miles Davis.