How do I get my band known?

[needadvice]

I would like to get my band well know so we can do it for a living but am unsure how to get our cd's out there. Any ideas on the best way to get noticed?

[mosesg]

Sandi Thom used the Internet to do live concerts and look whre she is now, when her CD was launched she went straight in at No 1

[alvin100]

you could always win the X-factor!!!!

[joko]

try myspace. get a music account

the sandi thom thing appears to be a publicity stunt, so i wouldn't bother trying it

[Greedyfly]

If you go onto the HMV website they have teamed up with a record company and there is a competition - you send them your demo and if you get through and win you win a contract. HMV have teamed up with a few companies over the years doing similar things - you never know!

[Greedyfly]

Sandi Thom although boring and not the most original way to promote music has and is doing quite well, sales are steady and shes still in the top 20 - which isn't bad for todays music and the genre of the cd. Her method got her what she wanted, a record contract and publicity.

[joko]

greedyfly - it was a publicity stunt cooked up by them - it didn't happen in the way the public have been lead to believe - she already had the backing of a very famous company
I say good luck to her and i am very happy for her but
that is why i wouldn't advise trying it.

also there will be a million people trying it now anyway

[Kate77]

Internet - sort yourself out a website or a myspace account to start with. you can post your flyers on there and just befriend people who may a)go to your gig and b) spread the word.

Gigging in the right places
Brilliant Marketing

Get yourself noticed locally - which may mean you might have to play for free say at a school charity event or something, make sure you get in the paper because:

"Labels can pick up bands that have already built strong plots at press and specialist radio. Why would they sign a band that is completely cold and start from scratch? "
James Roberts, Music Week magazine

What is the name of your band? And where are you based?

[mosesg]

You could also try to get your local radio to play your CD