Making it on the DIY Music Scene
Article published: Saturday, March 13th 2010
Rachael Neiman is currently studying for a PhD in English and American Studies at Manchester University, on the topic of DIY music. She also runs a small record label, hosts a monthly radio show on internet station Dandelion Radio and puts on the occasional gig. Here she tells MULE about her own DIY experiences.
We fans of ‘alternative’ music, no matter how passionate, are often guilty of limiting our involvement in the scene to supporting and consuming the output of our favourite bands. If you can’t sing, play an instrument or have enough confidence to write for fanzines, you don’t imagine that you could have a role in the music industry. That’s how I felt, until I discovered that DIY is the lifeblood of the music scene.
A DIY approach can offer a huge amount to bands with a range of ambitions for their music and at different stages in their career. It helps them operate outside of the mainstream and, consequently, the commercial music press and radio. It creates opportunities for fans to run labels, write zines, make radio shows and organise gigs and festivals; to develop a range of skills and make new friends. The DIY scene breaks down barriers between artists and fans because many fans, writers and promoters are in bands themselves.
I have always been a fan. When I started presenting a show on Lancaster University student radio station Bailrigg FM, I was amazed at the quality of the promo CDs I received and I discovered great, new and unfathomably unsigned bands. Soon after I met a group of brilliant individuals who ran tiny independent record labels on tiny budgets, with no prior expertise. It occurred to me that I could start up a label too – to release even a few of the wonderful records I’d been sent. My partner and I launched our record company, ‘Cherryade’, in the summer of 2005. ‘Steveless’, a Bristol band, wanted us to release their first album and, although we weren’t completely prepared for it, we went ahead and did it.
We learnt something new about promotion and distribution with every release. Our first one was far from perfect: we hadn’t figured out how to get it into shops and didn’t have a clue about appropriate promotion. Despite this, we got tracks played on Radio 1, appeared in the ‘Festive Fifty’ and even managed to sell a few copies. We now have 30 releases under our belts and have no plans to slow down.
We’re happy to admit that at first we were unsure where to begin and that we’re still learning and improving all the time. The advice of other DIY label-managers and bands has been invaluable as they’ve been through it all already. They also know the DIY scene can’t survive without co-operation. Very limited resources mean sharing information is absolutely vital. Cherryade would not exist and still be going strong after four years, but for the help and support we’ve received. Bands had to be willing to trust us with releasing their music. Supportive networks are central to promoting events. Without this spirit a DIY approach to the making, promoting and distributing of music wouldn’t be possible. The Manchester scene certainly would not be anywhere near as interesting as it is.
Rachael’s Tips for DIY Music:
1. Use the internet to meet like-minded performers and music fans, especially if you live in an area without much of a scene or you are nervous. Networking is vital. Ask for advice and you’ll find most people are happy to share.
2. Don’t let a lack of experience stop you but be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them.
3. Be ambitious, but realistic. Working on a shoestring budget or only playing/writing/releasing records that reach a small audience is a success – as long you are happy with it. Also consider how much time you can devote to your band/zine/label. Most likely it’s a hobby and will have to fit around work.
4. Enjoy yourself. If not then you need to think about why you’re doing it. At times you’ll feel frustrated or annoyed but it’s only worth it if you’re also getting something out of it!
5. Finally, get out there! Great club nights and gig nights to look out for at the moment are Under Achievers Please Try Harder, Asparagus Next Left, Pull Yourself Together, Kissing Just For Practise, Shake It Shake it, Pussywhipped… and many more!
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