The first year is the most difficult…
My first year as a public school teacher was the most difficult; but it didn’t feel the most difficult.
The first year is a challenge because you lack experience, you lack lesson plans, you lack confidence. You’re going by your gut, your training, and your mentors’ advice.
Looking back on it, it didn’t feel like the most difficult because every day was an adrenaline rush, new, and full of that first year inspiration!
The first year as a professional artist is the same way. It’s the most difficult, but it won’t feel that way.
The first year, one might not know enough songs to get through a three-hour bar gig or have enough strong original material to play a full 45 minutes set. But you are riding the wave of excitement!
So year five, year ten, year 15, year 20–all these have their own set of challenges. We miss riding the wave of our youth, but we forget that we are armed with experience.
If you are year [1 + x], stay on the field and use your experience to keep making art; if you are feeling uninspired, recapturing a tiny bit of that initial inspiration you had, by reflecting on the first year.
If you are in your first year, ride the wave.
Considering the history, a quote from Jana Holland
Folk Alliance is almost here, and I’m excited to make my first trip to the February international conference.
This month, I’ve been writing blogs about how to stand out, how to approach radio DJs, how to network. Today, I’ve been thinking about all of the hard work that goes into putting an event of this size, and also the history of Folk Alliance organization, how all of us have a story about how we found out about the conference.
I found out about FAI from a house concert host in 2009, Craig Carrick.
“Have you heard about Folk Alliance? I bet you’d love it,” Craig said. Folk what? “It’s cool. Hotel rooms become showcase and jam rooms. It’s a music conference, but not what you think…”
I didn’t attend a regional conference until 2013, and I really enjoyed the experience at SERFA. I wish I had considered Jana Holland’s (from the Hollands!) thoughts on being a first-timer:
First, it’s important to understand FA has a long history and there are kinfolk who have been faithfully going to these events for years and years. Each regional conference has its cultural norms and own long-timers, so, if you go to a conference we’d suggest a posture of humility and respect. – Jana Holland
Once we step into the Westin in Kansas City, we must remember we are being stewards of musical traditions. We should “go ready to listen, encourage and share our gifts freely without expectation,” Jana emphasizes.
An interview with B. Ryan B. (FAI Tips 7)
At FARMette conference last year, I met B. Ryan B., a multi-instrumentalist from Cleveland; “B” was a great emcee at the conference. His positive attitude was contagious!
B has been a volunteer for Folk Alliance Regional Midwest for a while, and he offered some unique points about being prepared for song circles, the benefits of volunteering, and standing out:
MV: Hi B. Ryan B. How’s winter going in Cleveland? Hopefully it’s like this in a few weeks for the FAI commute. Any tips on how to approach Folk Alliance for the first time?
B: The snow’s newsworthy over here, though mostly just because we had mild weather so long.
So…tips? Know your goals going in: pickin’ and grinnin’, or honing certain skills, or networking, or getting exposure. So much awesomeness is going on, don’t expect to do it all the first year.
MV: I’ve learned that the hard way even with the regional conferences. Have any tips on how to keep calm and costs affordable?
B: Here’s a big one for me: get there a little early, just to get oriented with the venue and neighborhood, so you’re not spending conference time getting un-lost. Buddy up! Sharing the drive and lodging saves money. Sharing the drive is safer and makes the miles go faster. You can also then “tag-team” the concurrent workshops/seminars, and exchange notes later.
MV: That’s smart. Music conference can feel overwhelming.
B: Another biggie: retreat at least once a day to decompress, and take notes.
MV: Any tips on standing out?
B: Bring your niche instruments. They add color to the song circles. Biggest tip by far: volunteer. If you’re looking for networking opportunities, there’s no better way to get in the public eye.
MV: [chuckling] That’s relieving to hear! That’s my hope with volunteering. Plus, I’m trying to keep costs down.
B: We’re all poor. There are deals to be had. Register early. Look a block or two away from the venue for cheaper restaurants and lodging. Bring food from home like granola, apples, bagels, and other stuff.
MV: Just like touring! Sounds like doing the research can go far. Any tips that get overlooked?
B: If you come to the song circles, and you should, have a couple songs ready that are either well known (“trads”) or at least easy to pick up.
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B. Ryan B. just posted a new song video, “Cleveland Is Your Land”: ClevelandIsYourLand.com.
- Give your art a snack, an example from Lyal Strickland – read here
- Take the NERFA first timer pledge: I am not here to book gigs. read here
(Quotes by Brad Cole, Josh Rose, The Young Novelists, Andrew McKnight, Camela Widad, and Al Kniola) - It’s not the gatekeepers, but those at the gate – read here
- Overcoming burnout, with a quote from Josh Harty- read here
- An interview with Al Kniola from WVPE 88.1 FM – read here
- An interview with music manager Ralph Jaccodine – read here
- An interview with multi-instrumentalist, B. Ryan B – read here
- Considering the history, a quote from Jana Holland – read here
An interview with Al Kniola from WVPE (FAI Tip #6)
I’ve been playing in South Bend regularly over the last year, and one of my favorite moments during my commute is crossing into Michiana, getting to WVPE’s broadcast radius.
WVPE is one of those NPR stations that we shouldn’t take for granted, with unique programing between the nationally syndicated favorite NPR shows.
Al Kniola has been hosting one of those unique programs since 1995, the Back Porch. This month, I interviewed him, seeking tips for songwriters attending Folk Alliance.
MV: Al’s what’s the most important event at FAI songwriters should attend other than their showcases?
AK: For Folk Alliance, the number one priority for artists is to attend the Folk-DJ Reception, usually on Thursday, the first full day of the conference. Have bunches of your CD(s) on hand and don’t be shy about approaching every single DJ in attendance, introduce yourself and give them an airplay copy.
MV: What if you don’t have professional CDs replicated for a new record yet?
AK: If you don’t have any CDs to distribute, make an EP on a CD-R and bring a bunch of them. Don’t forget a business card or one-sheet, especially if you don’t have good liner notes in your CDs.
MV: What about digital releases?
AK: Don’t count on passing out download cards; few DJs will bother with them.
MV: Gotcha. It sounds like the Folk DJ reception is essential.
AK: If you don’t do anything else at the conference, don’t miss this event. It is tailor-made to get your music into the hands of the people who can play it on the air or Internet. At last check, there are 48 media people registered for this year’s conference. Meet every one of them. A handful of showcases to a handful of people does not come anywhere close to the opportunity you have at this reception. Did I say “don’t be shy”? ;!)
MV:Thanks for that nudge to be friendly! As an artist, I need to remember it’s OK to be direct–just not pushy–to remember that we are here to build some relationships. What else should we be doing?
AK: Otherwise, find every opportunity to showcase, including hallways, elevator lobbies, wherever. The object is to be seen and heard as much as possible. Don’t waste your time and money going just to hang out with your pals. Work at it!
MV: I’ve already emphasized this in other blogs, but I’ve found the networking opportunities with other like-minded artists was an initial reason to attend.
AK: Networking with your fellow artists is invaluable. And a lot of venue people attend the conferences, too. They’re looking for new people to book. Meet as many as you can and give them a CD, too.
MV: Do you think DJs will ever switch to a digital system, with streaming and digital singles becoming more popular in the country, pop, and hip-hop markets?
AK Part-time DJS (that’s all of them), unpaid (that’s most of them – not me, however) don’t have the personal time and money to download everything that comes out. And no one has staff to do it for them.
MV: Gotcha. My friend Anthony Spak–actually a former student from my teaching days–is now the music director of Oakland University’s radio station, and he told me the same thing. He showed me the music library at WXOU. I can see why that album format is still embedded in this process.
AK: We tell artists and labels that, if they want airplay, we need hard copies, or we just don’t play those people. Their choice.
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Read Al Kniola’s bio here, and listen to the Back Porch online at WVPE or your radio dial on Sundays from 7-11 PM!
