Category: Misc.

How to Start a Successful Rock Band in Arizona

By michaelgavin
updated 5 months ago

The music scene in Arizona can be fun and trying at times, especially for those who are looking to put together a new band. I have been in five bands in Arizona and am deeply involved in the process of putting together my sixth band. This guide will show you how to do it step-by-step. I also have included several other guides as well as anything that you could ever need to know to be a successful band in the Desert State.

Step One: Decide on what band that you want to start

This step is crucial in starting a band. You have to know what genres that your music falls into and what you want to do with a band. Do you want a five piece band or a four piece? What instruments do you play and what members will you need? You need to figure this all out before you can start a band.

Once you do you will need to decide on an age range for acceptable members. Where you want to rehearse—what part of town you live in? And you will also want to decide on what type of music you will be playing and what you envision getting out of a band and where you see it going. Once you have made up your mind on all of these issues then you can move on to the step two.

Step Two: Post online ads locally to attract new members

There are several ways that you can attract members to your band. For those who play guitar and sing you have the easiest route. All you have to do is get some songs together and perform them at local open mic shows. Let the crowd know that you are looking for musicians to form a new band with. This way they will hear what you sound like and see what you look like; you might be surprised at how many people approach you following your performance.

For a list of open mic nights in Arizona see my rock “Other Guides to Help you Along the Way” below. Finally, you can post free ads on several free websites that have local listings. See the “Rocking Links” below for all of the resources and hot details.

Step Three: Find a place to rehearse and audition members

Once you have managed to find a few members, at home rehearsals will only cut it for so long. No worries, I have already delved into this subject in great detail in another guide I wrote.

What you want is a fully equipped rehearsal studio that has affordable monthly rates. This way you can split the monthly cost with all members and it becomes easily affordable. See my “Where to Rehearse in Arizona” link under my “Other Guides to Help you Along the Way” for all the rocking details.

Step Four: Get that new band together

Once you have completed all of the steps above you can get that band together. You will need to come up with a band name and register it. See “Rocking Links” below to know where to register that band name. Make sure to take a look at all of my other helpful guides on this subject in the next section to easily get things cooking for your new band.

Once you have three or more members you can rent a rehearsal studio. Get some songs together and audition other members. In no time at all you will be playing out and building a fan base.

Xtreme Bean Coffee CO

1707 E Southern Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85282

A huge coffeehouse that features an open mic every week and generally there is a large, college-aged crowd in here.

Famous Sams

720 West Ray Road, Gilbert, AZ 85233

This is a chain of bars around the state that feature both live music and open mic nights—check the one in your area for details.

How to Book AZ shows Guide

Once you finally manage to get a band together you are presented with many other obstacles. The main obstacle is how to book shows in and around the valley so that you can have a place to get better at playing out live and so you can ultimately share you music that you worked so hard to create. This guide will show you everything that you ever needed to know about booking shows in Arizona. How to do it, where to go, who to call and so on—don’t learn the hard way, use this guide and have a full show schedule.

Guide on where to Rehearse in Arizona:

So you have finally managed to get that band together but now you are presented with another problem—where do you rehears without getting the cops called on you every time? No problem. I have written a very detailed guide that shows you where all of the best and most affordable rehearsal studios are in the valley. Most come with all of the needed gear and many of them are air conditioned. Don’t get noise violation tickets—rent a rehearsal studio instead!

How to Create the Perfect Press-kit Guide

Too many musicians fail to realize how to create that perfect press-kit to attract clubs and record labels to their group. This guide will show you step-by-step how to create the perfect press-kit. It will also show you how to get it in the hands of the people who make things happen. Don’t go another day without a press-kit for your band. Your image is everything, and you need to share that with the industry if you intend on making it.