Six Steps To Starting A Band
Modern Electric co-founder Garrett Komyati tells us why it's never been easier to start your own super group.
1. Find Your Mates
Komyati and group co-founder Matthew Childers met at Washington Elementary School in Eastlake and formed what he calls “an unbreakable musical bond.” They first saw future bandmates Holden Laurence and Michael O’Brien performing for a church group. “We kind of poached them,” says Komyati. “The best places to meet people are school bands, church groups and talent shows. Look for talent but confidence on stage as well.”
2. Practice, Practice, Practice
In its early stages of development, the band would practice whenever all of the members had some free time. “For the new album, we just started doing weekly practices, and it’s really made a difference,” says Komyati. “I write song skeletons and the other guys flesh out their parts. We all want to serve the song — shared confidence in the song transcends all disagreements.”
Pro Tip: Look for practice spaces that fit your schedule, such as Ohio City’s Rock & Roll City Studios, a 24/7 rehearsal studio with 97 rooms that host more than 100 bands each month. “The quality of a band is determined by the quality of rehearsals,” says owner Mark Soberay. “I feel the most important link in the music chain is rehearsals.”
3. Play Your Hearts Out
Every band has to start somewhere. The Black Keys’ first show came before a crowd of about a dozen people at the Beachland Ballroom. Booking an opening gig at a small club can pay benefits down the road. “It really counts at the beginning to get friends, family and co-workers to come out and support you,” says Komyati. “Little by little, your fan base grows and you can use that as currency to contact other venues.”
4. Refine Your Sound
All bands have influences and the Modern Electric is no exception, drawing inspiration from both 1970s music and classic films. Developing a distinctive sound is the hallmark of all successful bands. “You don’t want to follow trending sounds or you’ll be in someone else’s shadow,” says Komyati. “It’s important that you experience the world differently than anyone else. It’s your job to permanently solidify that into a recording.”
5. Record Your Music
Thanks to readily available digital technology, the Modern Electric was able to build its own small home studio. “We learned how to mix things and what mics to use,” says Komyati, “but it was expensive.” Fortunately for local bands, Northeast Ohio has become a hotbed of highly regarded recording studios. “We’re lucky around here,” adds Komyati. “There are a lot of new studios at different price ranges.”
Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to turn to a professional to help make your record. “A lot of guys are worried about both the technological aspect and the performance aspect, and that can be tough to get around,” says Jim Stewart of Jim Stewart Recording. “I can get the sounds they want while they concentrate on just playing.”
6. Get Noticed
The Modern Electric has been using social media since the band formed nearly 10 years ago but that landscape is changing. Facebook, for example, now only shows organic posts to a fraction of your fans. That’s why Komyati suggests collecting email addresses at shows. “Getting press might seem like a mountain to climb at first,” he says. “But once you have a growing fan base, blogs will want to cover you.”
Pro Tip: As a member of four bands, Brent Kirby knows how important name recognition can be. Kirby’s weekly 10x3 Songwriter Showcase is in its seventh year at Brothers Lounge. “You got to get out and play and get out and see other people play,” says Kirby. “Every performance is an opportunity to work on your craft.”
