John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A Question from Chris in Chicago

Mr. Doe,

My bandmates and I are struggling to decide if we should replace our bass player and would like to get your opinion on our situation. I was recently approached by a well known and very talented bass player in our area who expressed interest in playing with us "if we ever had an opening". Our existing bass player is a capable player and good guy but clearly doesn't have the chops, experience or contacts of the other interested player.

It seems like it would be a good business move to bring the more experienced player in but it seems pretty cold hearted to throw the existing guy out. So...what's your take on improving the band's overall chances of quitting our day jobs vs. destroying a personal relationship with an existing band member and friend? This is tough. We would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks,
Chris

What Would John Doe Do?

Hey Chris,
  Yr right, this is the toughest of decisions but it doesn't have to be "cold-hearted".  First you must be as sure as possible that yr current bass player, even though he's not the greatest player, isn't key to yr sound.  The most common mistake producers make is to replace the drummer during recording.  Then they wonder why the "spark" or uniqueness  has gone out of the band's sound.  Next, be sure that you like to hang w/ yr perspective replacement, since "hangability" is probably much more important than contacts (likely won't mean very much) & "chops".  Then, ask yrself how enthusiastic are either of the bassists?  Especially in the beginning, drive & a positive outlook can make a huge difference in the life or soul of a band. Finally, if you do decide to replace the old w/ the new, do it in a kind, diplomatic way. no reason to be a jerk & create hard feelings.
hope this helps & as always, thanks for writing.
yrs,
JD

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com.

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A Question from Lauren

John,
I have a question. One time I read that Lennon and McCartney really fought on who should sing McCartney's "Helter Skelter". Lennon thought he would sound better singing the song (I agree totally), but because it was McCartney's song he won the battle and sang the song.

Hearing this story made me think of you guys. I always wondered how Exene and you shared the singing duties. When you both wrote a song did you ever argue about who should sing it? Did you ever sing her songs? Did she ever sing your songs? What about deciding on harmonies, it seems like such a delicate decision, but you guys nail it.

Anyways, I would appreciate the inside info.
Lauren Melton.

What Would John Doe Do?

Lauren,
  Good story about Helter Skelter.  There was never any disagreement btwn Exene & I.  I wrote "Come Back To Me" for her & she wrote "The Have Nots" for me.  We have so much respect for each other & our unique talents, it's usually obvious who will sing what.  Most of the time whoever wrote the lyrics, will be closer to the feelings & ideas expressed & will deliver it best.  Also we always apply harmonies in unconventional ways that still serve the song.
hope that helps
and as always thanks for writing,
JD

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com.

A Question from Bill in South Carolina

Howdy John,

I'm an independent roots/Americana artist and writer based in the Carolinas.

I've been involved in promotion and marketing efforts for a number of recording projects over the years, and am currently releasing and promoting a new solo record.

I am familiar with the role that performance rights organizations play in tracking, collecting, and paying for "usage" of music in radio and broadcast media, but could you comment on the role that a performance rights organization might play in an artist's overall career development, or in supporting the artist's efforts when releasing a new recording or batch of material?

What does that relationship look like, and what kinds of things can the artist do to establish that relationship, engage with the PRO, and take advantage of potential services or assistance the PRO might provide?

Thanks and Best Regards,

Bill Noonan

http://billnoonanband.com

http://myspace.com/billnoonanband

What Would John Doe Do?

Hey Bill,
  As you may well know there's a million + ways to market & promote a record. But let's leave those other 999,999 ways alone for now & get to yr question. The PRO's that you ask about are the complete opposite of record companies. Because their non-profit status, they are required to respond to your questions. 
  I spoke to a friend who was a VP at ASCAP & here's the low down.  You can call or e-mail either organization, BMI or ASCAP, and ask who handles or specializes in whatever style of music that you write. You can also check their websites & see who their representatives are and who they work w/. If you call they should give you a name of a rep particularly favorable to yr style.
   At this point, if you are an affiliate, you can send them yr music & hope that it resonates w/ them. They sponsor various events that showcase writers and if all goes well, you could be included in those events. As in all business relationships, it requires attention, compatible personalities and a bit of luck.
hope this helps and as always thanks for writing.
yrs,
Jd

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A question from Nick in the UK

Hey John,

I was thinking about how people measure success in music today - it used to be simply sales, but I'm curious what the other metrics might be that a band/artist can use to demonstrate an improvement in performance from album to album.  Is it email subs?  Myspace Friends?  Venue size?

It would be great to get your perspective.

Cheers,

Nick Fitzsimmons

www.pennydistribution.com

What Would John Doe Do?

Hey Nick,
  Not to sound too Zen but; How do you measure success?  If X would've measured it by sales, we would've given up after the third record. No one has to tell you that the music biz is a cruel master at best. You have to measure success on yr own terms. When I finally understood that making a record (writing & recording) was the greatest reward I would ever receive from the whole process; the eventual outcome (sales & reviews) took it's proper place. And I learned to enjoy it ten times more. I believe they call it "being in the moment".
   I would say that now-a-days the same holds true. As long as yr audience is maintaining or growing, @ either live shows or on the web, and you still love playing & singing, then you are succeeding. If your goal is to make a lot of money or wield power & you're not doing that, choose a different line of work. If your gift is to create or perform & the music biz gives you that opportunity, then you are succeeding. Many people in music have more than one job & that allows them to be as artistic as hell when they write & play. GREAT REASON FOR BOTH ! !  don't forget most poets in the 19th & 20th centuries had "day jobs". You, as the artist or label rep, will know when you are successful or not because we are all making this shit up as we go.
I hope this is helpful and as always,
thanks for writing,
Jd

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A Question from Donna in Princeton, NJ

Hi John, 

I love your blog. I'm a writer and this morning I was thinking about how I strive to reach this ideal with my words...this fantasy vision inside my head...I'm wondering if that's what you have inside your head when you write a song and which of your songs come closest to that vision? I'm also wondering, what do musicians talk about when they get together? Different venues? Life on the road? Management? I've found that writers talk more about business than art, but maybe that is different with the people you know? 

Thanks for your time, 

Donna

WWJDD?

Hey Donna,
  To answer "what do musicians talk about" totally depends on what genre yr referring to.  From my experience it usually revolves around other tours, preposterous situations, war stories, diva demands, amazing venues, bragging about how many states-countries-gigs completed in the shortest number of days, etc. Only musicians who know each other well will ask advice on business matters but that does happen. There also is a fair amount of exchange regarding other bands, records or performances so that people are informed or turned on to something worthwhile; new or old.  Then I suppose there are others who just talk about drugs, food & sexual conquests or how much they spent on "bling".
  I've found that attempting to realize a "vision" is usually disappointing.  I tend to begin w/ a moment or thought & let it become what it's going to become as it takes shape & hopefully is complete. Here it's best to know when something is "done" & when it needs more attention to be the best song it can.  I'll take a certain piece of writing & elaborate on that or some music that has stayed w/ me for a while & complete that. That's specific to writing a song or piece of music.  Then there is a whole other layer of creative process that happens during recording. This involves the beauty or trials of working w/ other players, singers, engineers, producers & finally mixing; etc.  This is where the "vision" thing can get particularly contentious.  It seems more rewarding to allow room for the unexpected to make the piece better than what you might've envisioned.  Expectations are most often impossible to realize.
  I hope this helps.
and as always, thanks for writing,
yrs, JD

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde. Click here to check out John Doe's new release with The Sadies, Country Club.

A Question from Michael in Brooklyn:

Mr. Doe,

I stopped in to ask a familiar question. I was in a contract agreement with a manager and he said he didn’t want to be my manager because we had an argument over him canceling a show because he didn’t trust the producer’s ear (mixing). The manager didn’t come to the studio for a month and didn’t hear the music we recorded. See the manager did hear the music before he cancelled the show. But now he’s not my manager and all the music I recorded is on his computer.  The producer made the majority of the beats, does he only get the producers fee of 2%? He didn’t write but one verse on one song. Does he get publishing or writer’s rights besides that one song?

Peace,

Michael

What Would John Doe Do?

Hey Michael,

Give all the songs new titles & re-record them w/ someone that you trust (maybe leave out the one w/ the verse written by the "producer").  Never sign manager agreements before you actually have something to manage.  Those "managers" are just trying to take advantage of you & yr art.  In this ridiculously litigious society people need to keep their music on their own hard drives, a very sad but true situation.
onwards & upwards
 thanks for writing,
Jd  

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A Question from Misty the Manager

Dear John Doe,
I manage the band Western Civ who are in the process of releasing their new album, "Shower The People You Love With Gold" which was produced and engineered by Mitch Easter who has worked with REM, Pavement and Dinosaur Jr. to name a few. We are really excited about sharing this album and are set to release on March 17th. This is
the largest release I have ever run personally, so my question to you is this:

What should our top priorities be in releasing this album and getting it heard? We've gotten a lot of advice like: constantly tour, hire a publicist, hire a radio promoter, set up an advertising campaign, use social media marketing, be on internet radio, pitch music bloggers, release the record on bit torrent etc. The list goes on and on. We are releasing this record on our own so we have the resources to do "everything". Where should we focus our efforts?

I've gotten a lot of varying input thus far and would love to hear your advice!

Many Thanks in Advance!

Misty Dawn
Manager, Western Civ
www.westerncivrock.com
www.twitter.com/westernciv    ***come follow us here!***
www.myspace.com/westernciv

WWJDD?

Hey Misty,
  From what I hear & what I've seen now-a-days, you certainly should concentrate on getting directly to the people. This means plenty of touring. It's the cheapest form of promotion & gets to the heart of the music. Yes! pitch music bloggers, do everything you can on the social/community networks & market through them. This sort of takes the place of an advertising campaign which can be fuckin' expensive. Having said that, a well connected publicist who loves & champions yr record, cannot be undervalued.  They have relationships w/ writers that can get good placement/attention.  One can argue that music mags are on the way out but I still believe they have great power & validate the word of mouth.  Personally I haven't met or seen the result of a radio programmer that's worth pushing them out of the way of a careening 5 ton truck, why bother? You definitely need a marketing plan, no matter how modest.  If yr the record company, just ask yrself how much does it cost & what can I get back from the effort.  Obviously what doesn't cost much more than time invested is yr best bet.  Especially if the reward will be long range.
Hope this helps and as always, thanks for writing.

yrs,
Jd

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A Question from BB in Winston Salem

Hi John,

I'm in a band as the lead singer and principle song writer. I've been told and I do agree that I write really good, catchy songs. I do love being part of a band but I've often thought of possibly writing songs for other people to record so at least I could make some money doing one of the things I love. What would be the best way to go about getting demos out to the right people so they would listen and possibly like and record these songs? I write a lot of Americana songs and straight up rock and roll tunes also. I know that one of the deals would be making sure I get what I deserve for the songs as far as money and retaining the rights to the songs for future use. Is there any advice you could give me pertaining to becoming a professional song writer?

Thanks,

BB Russell

www.myspace.com/theminimalsideeffects

WWJDD?

Hey BB,

It's my opinion that if you write great songs, truly great songs, you will be recognized. Yes there are overlooked greats who surface post-mortem but not so much anymore. The reason that most Americana, rock et al outfits write their own material is because it's not that difficult. If you distinguish yourself by writing & recording truly great, original songs (this is the really tricky part. . . the writing) people will want to cover them, you'll be rich & famous & can tell all yr friends what genius you are. end of story.
hope this helps & thanks for writing.

Jd

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .

John Doe is the founder of the seminal Los Angeles punk group X, a solo artist and actor. John answers questions from our community members in the WWJDD? blog. Photo by Autumn de Wilde.

A question from Carol the bar owner:

Hello John,

I was wondering if you could answer some questions for me.

Our bar booked a show with a band by verbal agreement for two weekends in a row. The first weekend they were there they were incredibly rude, and were even overheard in the bathroom telling people to not come to this show because they don't like our bar. While onstage they called us by the name of a different bar, and when corrected, they lead singer said loudly in to the microphone "I don't f-ing care"!!

The manager took him aside during the next break and asked him to correct himself in the next set and he spent the rest of the night sarcastically stating that he was at "The correct name of our bar" and he was "Sooooo happy" to be there.

At the end of the night the manager told him not to bother coming back next weekend, that we would find a band that wanted to be there.

Long story short, they are taking us to small claims court for breaking a verbal agreement.

We're wondering if they even have a case? Does this type of thing happen often?

Thank you for your time.

Carol

WWJDD?

SUCH DRAMA ! ! No, I don't think that they have a case.  How much money was guaranteed? $100? or was it just a door deal?  This band really should get a life & spend a little more time making music rather than bitching & moaning & working on their rockstar attitude. You ought to have one of the burly bouncers find the band & threaten the shit out of them (most likely they'd fold like an oatmeal outhouse) . . . KIDDING ! ! I don't think this happens very often 'cause people usually have better things to do.  Maybe show in court, roll yr eyes at the judge & say, "Really? Are you kidding me? you're going to all this trouble for some crappy bar gig?" (Of course that's not to say yr bar is by any means crappy). Have they actually filed the small claims suit? I doubt that they will actually get around to that. Musicians are really wired that way.
 Don't forget; wear a tie in court, have fun & thanks for writing,
Jd

If you have questions for John Doe about music, the music business or life feel free to email them to wwjdd@knowthemusicbiz.com.

For more information on John Doe check out theejohndoe.com or YepRoc.com .