It's not easy making it as a folk musician. That's why I spend a lot of time thinking about how to succeed in the music biz. I do it for me, but also for other musicians that I help out through my free music marketing ezine. Nearly every day, I learn something new.
There are many roads to take in the biz. There is no right answer. Some musicians spend no time communicating with fans. Others answer every email. Some gig constantly. Enya almost never gigs at all.
However, there is one characteristic I've seen that seems to be essential for long-term success in music–record something original.
A disgruntled music vendor once said to me that what she hated most about Celtic music was the lack of new music. Every band recycles the same 10-20 songs. The songs only vary depending on the band's area of expertise in Celtic music.
In the Irish drinking songs genre, it's “Wild Rover“. It's a great song, but bands have played it to death. That's why the Bedlam Bards recorded Bill Palmer's version of “The Wild Rover” in protest of playing the same song over and over and over again.
I love the song “Bedlam Boys“. However, I am sick to death of hearing every new contemporary Celtic band cover it. In fact, I just listened to a new CD for the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Guess was on it. Yup. It was the same re-hashed version I've heard by a dozen other Celtic singers.
Cover songs are effective. I understand their power. In fact, a large part of my marketing strategy involves recording traditional Celtic songs. I do it for two reasons:
- I love Celtic songs. One of my life goals is to bring traditional songs alive online.
- I also know that if you enjoy my cover, then it might turn you into a new fan.
People constantly search for new versions of those same re-hashed songs. That's one of the reason that my most-popular song on iTunes is “Wild Mountain Thyme” (another over-played song). People love that song. I love to play it.
It's a simple fact. I will release more albums with cover songs. There's no denying it. Scottish Songs of Drinking and Rebellion will be packed with traditional Scottish cover songs.
However, if you want to stand out from the crowds, you can't settle for those same songs. Niche marketing states that you have to do something original or unique.
The Renaissance festival bands that stand out the most to me are the ones who are recording a lot of original material. The Dregs are a great example of that.
Who hasn't enjoyed The Merry Wives of Windsor‘s recording of the woman's perspective of “Whiskey in the Jar“? It's one of the hits of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast.
Ceann‘s album Almost Irish is one of my favorites. It is all original Celtic music. I love their music. Yet, when I say that I don't mean their traditional songs. Those are by far my least favorite. Their final album–Last Ones Standing–was fantastic. It was mostly original with a few good, solid covers.
I believe there are two types of recordings that folk musicians do. The first is the album of cover songs. Every new band does it, especially on the Celtic or Renaissance festival circuits. You record this album because your first fans love those cover songs. Covers are a great way to find your style while capitalizing on niche marketing to build a fan base.
The second type of album is the one is for the media and established fans. It features mostly original music with occasional cover songs that are remarkable. That's right. It can't be anything. It has to be remarkable… or at least unique.
I started scouring some of the old Folkways recordings to find my cover songs. That's where I found “Maid Went to the Mill” from Kilted For Her Pleasure. Is it remarkable? I think so. It's unique at the very least. I made one of the few recordings available of the song. Very few people have covered it. I love the bouncy nature of my recording. It's catchy and fun.
“The Mower” is another great folk song. I heard it in a folk club in Islington, U.K.. Then I spiced it up quite a bit. I'm not sure the recording came off as remarkable, but again, it is unique. (And it makes me snicker;)
I feel my biggest success has come with the release of my latest two CDs: Firefly Drinking Songs and Don't Go Drinking With Hobbits. Both of those albums are filled with original music. The songs are unique. Every time I perform those songs, I earn new fans. There are some great songs too, songs people want to talk about.
That's what it's really all about as a folk musician–word-of-mouth. You don't have the power of mass media to promote you. People need something exciting to talk about. If you're just playing the same traditional Celtic songs the same way everyone else does them, you'll never be heard. You have to inspire people to rave about you.
When I first started playing with the Brobdingnagian Bards, I started listening to Irish singers non-stop. I chose songs that I thought I could do better. Many of those arrangements became our most-popular songs. They were either original or totally unique: “Do Virgins Taste Better“, “Jedi Drinking Song“, “If I Had a Million Ducats“, and “The Unicorn Song” (with a new ending).
Oh! There is another way to find a unique cover song. Pick something outside your genre. I'm constantly surprised by how many Celtic music fans who love to hear me play “King of the Road” by Roger Miller.
So if you're just getting started in the music biz, I strongly urge you to cover songs. Have fun with it. Find your sound. Once you find it, start writing… or seek out songs you can mold into something unique and exceptional.
Don't stop recording covers if you love to do them. Even the Beatles recorded cover songs. But make the song your own. That will be your biggest step to standing out with both your fans and the media. You will be on your way to success as a folk musician.
Marc Gunn is an acoustic Celtic folk musician, called “The Celtfather” for his steadfast support of indie Celtic music and his award-winning Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. He has helped 1000s of musicians save and make money with their musical groups through The Bards Crier Music Marketing Ezine. Now you can get FREE “how-to” music marketing and promotion advice, plus tips on how to sell more CDs when you subscribe today. Subscribe at www.bardscrier.com!
