How long can you be the new thing?
When a band forms there’s a new buzz about it, ‘did you hear this drummer and that singer and that guitar player started a band?’…and that conversation circulates through the friends and acquaintances and even starts looping in some new people.
It’s a good feeling. People are talking about you. Why? It’s not because you’re necessarily good, no one’s heard you yet…they’re talking because you’re new.
And then for a while you still get to be a new band because of all the firsts. Your first shows, first song, first album, first tour, first pub deal, first manager…The main message through all of this is about being a new band. There’s a palpable energy for everyone involved when you get to employ New. It’s thrilling.
But then at some point instead of being new you’re kind of new. Then kind of new slips into they’ve been doing it for a little while. Then they’ve been around for a while.
And once you’ve been around for a while and are still making it happen, one main thing is true…
You must have built something other than Newness to trade on.
It’s easy to garner a little attention or steal the spotlight for a short while in the name of being new. It’s a lot harder (and more fulfilling) to be around for a while.
»» But yes when you have that New buzz, go for it, take full advantage.
