United States

No it's not because you're a girl, in fact guys have it tougher. It's difficult to pursue original music, since the majority of "musicians" are jerks who think they should be paid to move their amp. Remember original bands are more like a group of friends, while cover bands are groups of people whose primary reason for existence is to make some side cash. You're 21 now, so go hang out where original bands play and meet everyone you can. Be driven yet patient, and never settle or give up!

That sucks. $5000 on recording and still no luck. I happened to get lucky. Our guitarist found out I played and asked me to join. I'd do what Jimmy said, go hang out at some venues and talk to people. There always seems to be somebody wanting to start up a band. I've even seen somebody get up on stage with a guitar and play in hopes of finding a band to join. Like Jimmy said, you're probably not having trouble because you're a girl. In my opinion, if a girl can play, she is so much more attractive than a girl who can't, even if they look exactly alike.

I've been trying to put a band together for over a year now. To absolutely no luck. I've tried craigs list, other sites, posting fliers, asking friend, etc to absolutely no avail. I spent $5000 on recording 3 songs, earlier this year, figuring that when I had recorded music it would be easier to find people. No such luck. I'm starting to feel like it's because I'm a girl...

Samantha,

I totally can relate to your dilemma, heaving been there myself... (I'm Still there LOL!) Jimmy is absolutely correct about the Guy vs Girl thing... In show-Biz, The girl has the T & A to go along with the real talent... So, they tend to invoke more opportunities than most guys..

In your situation, I would recommend that perhaps you should continue on your recording project. Post that to the Online services and acquire as many taps on your link as possible (and try to get paid by the fee per song thing)

Another thing Jimmy mentioned is that there are lots of musicians who are basically self-absorbed and aint exactly the VIP of artists...

So here's the new preist-hood in music.... Get your CD out there, show the world you got the chops,,, and before you know it, band mates will be knocking on your door. (But you gotta really be good musician / Artist to pull that off) If your serious...it will happen...For now, patience.

I listened to your songs and watched your cool video. I think you are off to a good start at 21. Your songwriting will improve, voice and style. You have a solid foundation and will get better. Thats important.
My only advise is this, once you have a really well rounded package, ie photos, video, more songs, bio etc and a bit of money saved...relocate to somewhere there is a lot of your kind of music scene, and get into that food chain.
You have the music down, its all about business model now. You need to make a series of smart business moves. Carrier moves.
I'm in the same boat you are in so to speak. Spending money and time to get a great product, but the area i live is not know for the sound i'm pushing, so there are less players, less places to play, less fans.
I will look at relocating for the winter and see how that goes.
Wish you sang "new country" You could be a star in a cowboy hat!
Very Best
5Star
http://www.reverbnation.com/robertcarney

Hit me up at 623 237 2600 or email me at brandon.bumford@yahoo.com. We are looking for a talented singer, and you very well may fit the bill. We have a page here on Bandmix (deadlettersphx). We are also on Facebook, myspace, and reverbnation. Give us a listen and see if your interested. Look forward to hearing from you!

5 K for three songs ??

Forgive my french but me thinks you've been screwed.

Sans

I went with a friend to be his 'expert' when he bought a guitar from a record producer who does mostly soul and hip hop. I asked him what it would likely cost me to get a professional level recording done and he told me 6k.

Whew...

Talbot

Find someone who layers using the industry standard and cut the studio out of the loop.

Maybe, I say maybe, you won't get the same level of recording but I sincerely doubt it.

I don't honestly think that a studio can contend with a skilled tech who uses whatever program to record your songs.

The studio will just claim they do a better job unless it's a really a specialized setup and most of us will never see that level of studio.

(and if you do, it had better be free or you will be paying for it for a long time to come)

What do you mean by layers Mr. Scott?
Seriously I'm technically challenged,
and looking to buy some type of recording device,
besides my Sony HandiCam, and then how to
blend (is that the right word) the audio with the
video, it seems like a video world out there today.
Not even sure if I'm asking the right question?

I listened to this young ladies songs a while back and i remember them being pretty well recorded.
When i record in Nashville it costs me 1000$ per hour for the players, producer and studio time. I cut my vocals in my home studio and mix. It takes time, you need to have a good idea what you are doing and very good gear...5000$ for 3 songs is not out of line. Thats on the cheap actually. The real question is always the same, are the songs compelling and does the singer deliver? Otherwise its all pretty much academic right

What do you mean by layers Mr. Scott?
Seriously I'm technically challenged,
and looking to buy some type of recording device,
besides my Sony HandiCam, and then how to
blend (is that the right word) the audio with the
video, it seems like a video world out there today.
Not even sure if I'm asking the right question?

Lynard,

When I write music, I don't use a full setup of musicians.
I use a layering program like Sonar Cakewalk/Pro Tools/audacity/garage band/cubase. It's all the same stuff utilized to make YOUR music.

It's all based on LAYERING. You do 1 layer of a tune at a time and add layers until you have the whole tune.

I usually write a guitar part 1st. That's my skeleton.

I am lucky because my cohort is a really interesting keys player, so he usually takes a little while while he creates a keys part. That would be my 2nd layer.

Then he sticks the percussion in, that's the 3rd layer.

I then want a main vocal track, that'd be my 4th layer.
Bass is a 5th layer, backing vocals is a 6th layer, etc.
You do them one at a time.

When you get all of it in, you use the mastering filters to bring up in volume whatever it is that you want louder and conversely you lower whatever is too loud.

If I glossed over anything you would like me to clear up, I'll try my best but the mechanics of it is not my forte'. I just try to write the music.

The real magic is done by whomever is at the helm, manipulating the layering software.

Thanks Mr. Scott.

I've always played in groups, and never in a studio,
I'm looking to buy some recording device that will
allow me to "layer" and also record a full group.
I've heard people say you lose the group sound
when you record in layers, but I have no experience
in this procedure. I've just started rehearsing bands
in my new room, and need to get something to
record them with. I'm leery about buying any thing
until I have more knowledge. You see I put the old band back
toghether about 3 yrs ago, after a 20 year hiatus, we had no
equipment, and I had more money then brains, and bought a lot of
stuff, and found out later it really wasn't what we needed,
(but something Musician's Friend sold me) but still not sure
what we do need. I'm fixing to buy another guitar and amp,
and then after Xmas buy a recording device, just don't want
to buy 2 or 3 recording devices like I did pa systems(I think
I understand 4 ohm and 8 ohm now).

Thanks Mr. Scott.

I've always played in groups, and never in a studio,
I'm looking to buy some recording device that will
allow me to "layer" and also record a full group.
I've heard people say you lose the group sound
when you record in layers, but I have no experience
in this procedure. I've just started rehearsing bands
in my new room, and need to get something to
record them with. I'm leery about buying any thing
until I have more knowledge. You see I put the old band back
toghether about 3 yrs ago, after a 20 year hiatus, we had no
equipment, and I had more money then brains, and bought a lot of
stuff, and found out later it really wasn't what we needed,
(but something Musician's Friend sold me) but still not sure
what we do need. I'm fixing to buy another guitar and amp,
and then after Xmas buy a recording device, just don't want
to buy 2 or 3 recording devices like I did pa systems(I think
I understand 4 ohm and 8 ohm now).

It's all good.

I like to write like this because too many cooks spoil the soup.

Thus you remove all the other cooks and after, you spoon feed the rest until they know the music or at least that was the idea.

No ... not me ... never ... hell I'd soon buy my own equipment than pay some guy a grand a freakin hour.

That is just ridiculous.