Photo by Caitlyn McGonigal
Ascribe’s Abacus is a collection of guest blogs by your favorite artists. From tips for the music industry to notes from the road, and from studio diaries to anecdotes about their careers, this journal of entries is an exclusive way for fans to learn more, directly from the artist.
This time around, we’re met by Patrick Gilchrist, frontman for Not My Weekend (and TikTok star!). Check out his guest blog below to read all about his tips for musicians.
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HEY ABACUS! Thanks for asking me to contribute to your content. I love the idea of a space where musicians feel like they can speak freely. Really, any space that encourages open and honest conversation with kind people are my favorite corners of the internet, which are few and far between.
Danielle (Ascribe contributor) asked me to write about basically whatever I want which is high pressure. I also don’t fancy myself a writer of anything but songs, so please forgive any grammar mistakes or typos!
I think I’ll do a numbered list to make this easier on myself! Kind of in the same vein as my “So You Wanna Make An EP?” video which you can find on Not My Weekend’s YouTube channel (self-plug).
ANYWAY! Here is…
Patrick Gilchrist’s Top 10 Tips For Being In A Band But Also You Don’t Have To Listen To Me Because I’m Not That Successful But I Am Pretty Happy Which Is More Important:
1) Write GREAT songs! Or a meme song…
I know I know, much easier said than done, but its first on my list for a reason! Every tip following this one doesn’t work if the songs aren’t great. It doesn’t matter that you’ve gotten someone’s attention if they don’t fall in love with the tunes.
There is no right way to make a great song and who knows what will work. Don’t get discouraged! Sometimes you’ll write what you think is the best song in the world and the next day think it sucks. Sometimes (often for me personally) you’ll write something you think is terrible and no one should ever hear, but it’s actually some of your best work. Likely because you weren’t trying so hard.
DON’T TRY SO HARD! Write a mega silly song or a song not in “your” genre. Or a song as a joke. Get weird, have fun music is fun. When in doubt here’s what you do:
-Take the chords from “Don’t Stop Believing” (Axis Of Awesome)
-Find a key that you like
-Write new lyrics with a really good and catchy vocal melody (low-key hardest part)
-Make sure you have at least two verses and a chorus and add pre choruses and bridges as you write good ones but don’t be afraid to not include them.
AGAIN there are no rules. I’m just hoping all that might help get someone started!
2) SOCIAL MEDIAAAAAAAAHHHH (duh)
Lots and lots of social media interaction. Again with this one there’s no real right way to do it but you gotta do it. Try not to forget that its SOCIAL media. Be friendly, follow people, talk to them openly about their interests as well as promoting your band, try not to look like a bot, make peace with the fact that sometimes you’re totally gonna look like a bot.
Lots of Instagram posts, more tweets, cool YouTube videos in-between music videos, Facebook (I guess but it is basically dead), TIKTOK!!! …sorry I love TikTok.
Look, if your song pops off on TikTok it pops off HARD. It’s where kids find music, interact with it in real time, and go on to stream it. Ask Lizzo, Ashnikko, and Waterparks. The three biggest contributions to Not My Weekend’s streaming numbers rising has been touring, playlists, and TikTok.
3) Take Good Photos
When posting on social media you’ll need cool photos. I see so many bands with over saturated photos that look like they were taken on a Motorola Razor. Pay a good photographer a couple hundred bucks for great photos and dress nice. It’s worth it and presents your band as caring about what you do!
AND TAG YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER IN YOUR POSTS. They deserve respect and rights. Honestly more than most bands lol.
4) Make A Music Video
Make at least one music video surrounding the release of an EP or LP. Recently someone significantly bigger than I advised me that it doesn’t have to be “good” just interesting! Don’t try and make a huge budget music video with tons of FX and locations when you simply don’t have the means to achieve something like that.
Watch Never Shout Never’s “CheaterCheater” video or Waterparks recent video for “High Definition”! Both of those videos are super cool and achievable for small bands.
Once again ask for help and if you can, pay a videographer to shoot and cut something together for you! (I’m great at editing videos hire me I’m mad cheap!)
5) SEND EMAILS!
Wow, this is a big one.
When you’ve got a batch of tunes you like and a music video and good photos, start showing people! Before our first EP came out two years ago I had sent 4,000+ emails asking people for advice and it has helped wonders.
Go to every band and label’s facebook and just find as many emails as you can and send like crazy. Keep them super short! Always ask if you can do something for them and never ask to “sign us.” Just something to the effect of… “Here’s our project, this is the song, I would really appreciate if you took the time to listen and would even more so if you had any advice for us? Thanks!” That’s it!
6) Play shows!
Okay I know bands know they should be playing shows, but don’t get discouraged when you play really bad shows where you suck and no one shows up. It is going to happen more than a few times and you’re going to learn and grow from it.
We’re not all Billie Eilish. Start touring when you feel ready and when you’ve got a handful of local shows under your belt. Booking will SUCK and shows will fall through, but it can be done.
Try to book tours at LEAST three months in advance, but really five. When you get a booking agent, work with them and keep an open dialogue.
Oh! When you tour bring wet wipes – they’re a life saver.
7) Practice!
Practice on your own every day and practice as a band as often as you possibly can. Especially leading up to a show or tour. Whether it be your instrument, your song writing, or just memorizing your lyrics practice every day.
Also make sure your drummer is playing to a click. Trust me the whole band is going to sound better. Not My Weekend uses tracks as well, which I love a whole lot. It adds a lot to the live sound. Do it!
8) Be nice!
I mean this is just a great rule for life. The rock star is dead; there is no room in the scene for assholes.
Be nice to your promoters or they won’t book you again. Be nice to your sound guys or you’ll sound bad. Be nice to your producer or your mixes will suck. Be nice to your bandmates or they’ll quit. And most importantly, be nice to the people listening and supporting your band!
Just be nice, because it feels good and brings positive energy into your life and those around you.
Yeah, be nice.
9) Practice Other Things Besides Music
Do other stuff besides music.
There was a time when the band was all I thought about all day long, and I burnt myself out and got really anxious about basically nothing. Take a deep breath, exorcise, read comic books, or whatever you’re interested in!
Just practice recognizing when it’s time to take a break.
10) Be The Last Band At The Party
This one isn’t mine, a new friend said this to us recently!
One of the biggest differences between Not My Weekend and lots of other bands I’ve seen start and have grown up with is we just haven’t quit. Be patient, and enjoy being a band.
Remember that the reward is just getting to play songs and have new experiences! If you really love it, each day will be worth it.
You can follow Not My Weekend on the socials listed below.
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube
You can stream some of Not My Weekend’s tracks here:
