London’s Bally Studios’ owner, Jimmy Mulvihill, walks us through the do's and don'ts when auditioning that all-important addition to your band.
Over a thousand bands have used our studios since opening in 2005. About 40-50 of these have held auditions for new band members. It is impossible to see so many and to not learn something, especially when band members have sought our opinion of their potential new band mate: “What do you think, mate, how do you think they fit in with us?” Here’s some things to keep in mind to improving band auditions.
1) Selecting the right person
The most fundamental factor in a band's success is the people in it. If you don’t get that right then no matter how much you rehearse, how much money you invest or how many connections you have, if the band does not have the right members then it has little chance of working. Every aspect of the band can be compromised, songs cannot be re-recorded and you may not be able to return to a venue.
You cannot have a band member that does not fit and hope it will somehow improve. The decision needs to be correct from the start. If they are not the right band member now, they are not going to be next year. You cannot incrementally improve your decision on how suitable a person is for your band.
On the other hand, there are times when you just know the person who walked into your space is right. It just feels natural. It is hard to explain why, it just does. In that scenario choosing the right band mate is the easiest and most natural decision to make.
2) Nerves
If you are nervous about auditioning, remember in most cases the band members are nervous too. They could be about to meet the person with whom they will make music, work and socialise with for years to come. They would not have planned the audition if they did not think it had potential, so it is perfectly natural for the band members to also feel nervous. Any lack of nerves could be viewed as a sign of apathetic ambivalence, whereas showing nerves reveals the auditionee cares. The presence of nerves is healthy and a natural part of the process in focussing the mind.
If band members seem relaxed upon arrival they are doing a great job in hiding their nerves. This does not mean it is the end of the world if those auditioning cannot do the same. The contrived process of the audition creates nerves amongst all those involved.
Even simple things can throw someone who is about to audition. Having never visited the rehearsal space can ignite nerves, whereas the band may have rehearsed there for years. Not knowing the equipment may also unsettle the auditionee. None of this should phase those auditioning.
Case Study 1
The musician auditioning should already know the band's music. If they turn down the chance to join, it will likely be due to the personalities in the band rather than musical style. Whereas if the band members felt the auditionee's personality was not a fit they have the diplomatic get-out-of-jail-free card: “You’re a great musician, but the musical vibe just didn't click…..” The auditionee should think carefully if they like the band's musical style.
3) You may be one of several people auditioning
Case Study 2
I have had occasions where two guitarists are auditioning for a band within the same session. I’ve shown the second guitarist into the studio, just as the first guitarist is finishing their audition. Both let out a surprised, “ohh……..” upon hearing of the existence of the other.
This is a common mistake. Musicians do not realise they are one of many auditioning that day. Perhaps band members have not made it clear this is the case. Absolutely nothing wrong with auditioning multiple musicians in a session. It can actually allow band members to make a direct comparison between the different applicants. At the same time, however, the band should let auditionees know this is the case.
Joining a band means committing a lot of time, money and emotional energy to your new bandmates, so finding out at your audition they are keeping their options open is going to hurt. If you are a member of a band auditioning a new member try to leave at least a 15 minute gap between different candidates. If you are auditioning to join the band then it should be taken for granted other musicians will be attending that day. It doesn’t reflect badly on you the band is keeping their options open, especially if they have never met you before.
4) Should the first meeting take place in a rehearsal space?
The musical ability of a band mate is often just one of many factors to matter. Consider for example Meg White in The White Stripes, Bez in The Happy Mondays or Sid Vicious in the Sex Pistols.
Sometimes a band member will bring more to a band than can be measured by the notes they play. The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Guns ‘n’ Roses lost important band members and had their pick of the finest musicians in the world to replace them. In both cases they were able to pick amazing guitarists to fill the void left by John Frusciante and Slash.
Yet it was still impossible to replicate the magic of the band member they had lost. Part of the magic came from the connection between the band members.
Band members do not necessarily need to rehearse with a potential new recruit to find out if they have common interests. Chatting to a potential band mate(s) for an hour down the pub or a cafe may be a better way to decide whether they are a good fit. If a potential band member is an incredible musician, but doesn't click musically with the rest of the band, then it is just not going to work. Even if they do click musically, but their personalities clash, then sooner or later it will become an issue. This could put at risk the progress the band has made up until that point.
Case Study 3
We had a band that played very angular 2-minute songs with staccato riffs and lyrics about politics and poets from the 1960s. Its members wore white shirts and short black ties with immaculate hair. They were in their early 20s and took their band very seriously. They were auditioning for a new band-mate, adding a second guitarist to the band. Against my advice, they decided not to include a list of their musical influences in the advert. Instead leaving notes about wanting someone “who could immerse themselves in the music, and who sees being in a band as part of their identity, and is able to connect with people on an intense level.” They were rehearsing in our studio 1, the furthest from the office. When the guitarist auditioning for the band arrived, I instantly knew this was going to be one of the most ‘interesting’ auditions we ever had.
The guitarist was in his mid 40s, had bleached blonde peroxide hair falling past his shoulders, played a purple and yellow Jackson 7 string guitar with Floyd Rose bridge, wore a West Ham shirt and sunglasses, and brought with him a six-pack of Stella Artois. As I led him from the office into the studio he confirmed he was auditioning for this band. Upon entering the practice room the four existing band members, who were stood in a circle drinking Roibos tea, all turned to look at their new potential band member. They looked him up and down, and it was clear both the band and their potential new band-mate knew this was not going to work. Within 30 seconds I could see their personalities clashed.
Whilst the band was to be commended for thinking outside the box to broaden their sound, the audition was going to be a write off. The musician auditioning for the band seemed like a lovely fella and a skilled guitarist, but 45 minutes later he was on his way home. Soon after, one of the members of the band came to the office to make another round of herbal tea. He put his hands on the back of his neck, and let out a long sigh: “Ooooooohhhhh God, that was paaaaaaaaiiiinnnful!”
5) Ensure your ambitions are in line with other band members
Practical factors to be considered when auditioning include the logistics involved in attending band practices. Despite finding the right musician, family and work commitments may mean a new band member may not be able to attend regular rehearsals. Also bear in mind how long a potential band member can commit to the band. No-one wants to carry out a second lot of auditions because the initial replacement forgot to mention they had a commitment in six months time.
Being a member of a band can be a reward in itself, whereas to other members it can mean something else altogether. Band members may have differing levels of commitment, expecting to achieve separate goals from the band. Dissimilar aims can be obstacles impossible to overcome that could have been anticipated. It is a good idea to discuss what all members want from being in the band. Ensure there are no factors to cause problems further on down the line, or at least if there are, then all the band members know they need to be addressed at some point.
Case Study 4
I have seen a trio whose members worked in jobs they disliked. They viewed their band as a means of survival until their musical career took off. Their attitude was they were willing to do anything to make the band a success so they could leave the jobs they hated. By contrast, their last band member owned a building firm that paid him a good income. He saw his membership of the band as a means to let his hair down in his free time.
When the band was offered an opportunity to play 20 gigs in one month supporting an established band, 3 quarters of the band were salivating at the thought, whereas the builder uttered the words: I’m not doing that, I’m scheduled to be doing a double story extension in Muswell Hill that month”. It was clear he had differing levels of commitment and expectations. It was an obstacle impossible to overcome and should have been anticipated.
6) Learn to play the band's songs
This may be obvious, but it is often overlooked. Ask for the chords prior to the audition to relieve any nerves and to impress the band. Auditionees ought to listen to all the band's music and be able to practice it before the audition.
7) Tread a carefully
If auditioning to join a band that writes and plays its own music, play in a way that is sympathetic to its musical style. It needs to add to the band's style, not detract from it. If the band members intend to keep the songs written prior to the audition, it clearly sees the new band member as a continuation of its style. Those songs are the band's identity, without which the band is nothing, so respect should be shown to the music.
For the audition to be successful there needs to be agreement how a new member should complement the band's sound. Is the new member auditioning to move the band in to new musical pastures or maintain the same style? That could be discussed in advance.
Case Study 5
A vivid memory is a band recruiting a new bassist. The band had a stripped down approach, one guitarist doing simple bar chords, a drummer just playing hi hats and a single crash ride, no rack toms, just sticking to the beat with no frills. The auditioning bassist got his 6-string bass out, plugged in to a plethora of pedals, and started to warm up with an exercise playing 8 notes a second, running up and down the fretboard with all four fingers and on his other hand smacking the strings in turn. The bassist had said he loved the band's songs wanting to “bring an extra dimension to them”. In doing that he would be changing the minimalist style of the band. There was no way he could bring his new style to the band without disregarding what had gone before.
8) Pay attention
Whilst effort needs to be put in by both parties, if you have to fight hard to be taken seriously, then it is probably not meant to be.
Upon arrival the auditionee should act as if they had already been accepted into the band. The auditionee can ask the band members for help in making them feel comfortable. The balance of power where the band gets to decide whether to accept a new member into their fold can be intimidating. There is little point in joining a band where its members are not willing to help the new band member perform at their best. This should never be taken for granted. Anyone auditioning to join a band should respect the dynamic of that band, but its members should also respect the feelings of the auditionee.
The auditionee is unlikely to know the subtle personal and musical dynamics in play in a band, either in advance of, or, at the audition. The successful auditionee should begin to note how the musicians relate to each other, make decisions, their behaviours and reactions to situations.
An auditionee should be made to feel comfortable in asking the band members the circumstances of how the position has become available.
If a previous band member was kicked out due to a “lack of commitment to the band” ask them what level of commitment is expected to ensure you do not fall into the same trap. Band members should be careful to not push any emotions left from a previous incumbent on to the new person. It is not the fault of the new person joining the band a previous member left for whatever reason so they should be treated fairly. Both the band members and new member should be aware such emotions may exist and to face them immediately.
Case Study 6
I remember one particularly unsavoury situation where a four-piece band rehearsing at the studios with a classic singer/ guitarist/ bassist/ drummer line up added a second guitarist to make them a five-piece. From the outside it looked like they wanted a new band member because they had hit a brick wall in terms of personal dynamics. They reasoned introducing a new member was the easiest way to inject new energy into the band. They had an established line up for half a decade and as a result felt territorial when anyone joined the band. As the new band member was “only playing bar chords”, any mistakes he made were unforgivable.
Over the next six months the band went through five rhythm guitarists. Its members reasoned the songs were already written so there was no need for any creative input. They felt this gave them license to churn through guitarists, pushing each to their limit. They knew if the rhythm guitarist left the band there would soon be a replacement. It became clear the four members were so tight, both musically and as friends, they were using the revolving door of the fifth band member as a metaphorical punchbag. They should have vented their frustrations at each other, rather than viewing a succession of rhythm guitarists as disposable. I also suspected the band did not want a fuller guitar sound, but wanted a new member to mix-up the band dynamics.
9) Be punctual and know the location
It is rare a band will ask the person auditioning to arrive at the practice room at the start time of the booked session. The band will usually plan to arrive at least half an hour beforehand to set up their equipment, chat with their band mates and go through a few songs. The rehearsal space staff may be in the room setting up the PA system.
A boring one, but nothing makes a worse impression than turning up half an hour late, hot and flustered from trying to find the rehearsal space. Perhaps worse, the auditionee now only has 30 minutes to impress the band instead of the allocated 60 minutes. Using the excuse of not being able to find the music space may not create a good first impression. There is nothing worse than an unreliable band member. The auditionee should try to arrive at the rehearsal space early, not least to give time to chat to staff there, to tune your guitar, select the amp to use, and prepare to rehearse.
10) Enjoy it and keep things in perspective
Life is hard enough without taking the joy out of playing music you love, with the people you love and in front of people who love it. If it works, having someone pay you for it is even better. Never lose sight of how amazing that is. When things do not go to plan, do not take it to heart. Consider the potential payoff of being in a successful band. Accept there are going to be times when musicians are not right for each other. There is little point in being in a band you are not right for. If the band members feel the audtionee is not right for them then they are directing them towards another band that is a better fit. If it is meant to be, it is meant to be.
Abridged from an article first published on the Bally Studio's website - https://www.ballystudios.co.uk/single-post/9-ways-to-make-band-auditions-better).