What Emerging Bands Can Learn from Small Businesses: Adding a New Member to Your Group
Bands are like small businesses in many ways, one of which being you have to have the right people if you want to be successful.
Four tips emerging bands can steal from small companies when evaluating a new band member (adapted from 4 Tips on Hiring New Team Members on ReadWriteStart.com, a professional resource for start-up companies):
"Ask questions that matter." Ask the potential new band member what value they can bring and what plans they have for the spot they’re hoping to fill. Are they energetic, but still realistic? You need someone who can not only come up with a plan, but execute. Even if it’s a casual interview, find a way to ask circumstantial questions and see how they’d react to various scenarios. Get a sense of how their mind works so you can see if it’s a good fit.
"Let them work remotely." Thanks to new technology (like Skype) you don’t have to limit your candidate pool by geography. Working remotely with an exceptional musician is much better than working in the same room with a mediocre one.
Band chemistry is key to creating great content - the chemistry between our recent Featured Artist, MTHDS, is evident in their music and videos
"Put them to the test." If you’re willing to take a chance, let them play a show with you. At least invite them for several jam sessions over a period of time. You could even do test runs with multiple candidates at the same time – one can play with you on Tues/Thurs, another Mon/Wed. Find out who can walk the walk. Some people can make a good first impression but can’t hack it once they’re on the spot.
"Never hire out of desperation." It’s tempting to quickly accept a new member when you’re desperate and don't feel like searching anymore, but never make big promises early on. You could end up with a temporary fix, but all the time and investment you spend developing the relationships will have been wasted when they don’t work out. (And kicking someone out of the band can be painfully awkward.)
The author ends with “Find the exceptional candidate that can get the job done and are able to scale with you.” Find a bandmate who is not only the best musical fit, but an individual that will continue to grow and adapt with the band and be a lasting and genuine member.
On the flip side, are you a band member wanting to get out of a band? Learn how to get kicked out.
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