For Folk Musicians
Find out everything you need to know about getting started, or taking that next step in your career
How Can I Get This Song Out of My Head?
It happens to the best of us. We're just going about our business, doing our jobs, or taking care of the kids or the pets, when all of a sudden we hear Janis Joplin in the back of our head singing, "Take another little piece of my heart, now darlin'."
It happens to the best of us. We're just going about our business, doing our jobs, or taking care of the kids or the pets, when all of a sudden we hear Janis Joplin in the back of our head singing, "Take another little piece of my heart, now darlin'."
How To Write a Folk Song
I think everyone should try their hand at songwriting now and then. It's an entertaining thing to do on a boring, rainy day; and besides, you never know – you could be the next Bob Dylan or Joni Mitchell, and you just don't know it yet.
I think everyone should try their hand at songwriting now and then. It's an entertaining thing to do on a boring, rainy day; and besides, you never know – you could be the next Bob Dylan or Joni Mitchell, and you just don't know it yet.
Best Folk Clubs & Venues
There are a lot of things that separate great folk venues from dive rock bars that allow folk musicians on the bill. These venues fill all those qualifications, and many of them go even further to make sure your playing and listening experience is top-notch.
There are a lot of things that separate great folk venues from dive rock bars that allow folk musicians on the bill. These venues fill all those qualifications, and many of them go even further to make sure your playing and listening experience is top-notch.
Open Mic Nights in New York City
When I lived in New York, I found open mic nights to be an essential part of getting acquainted with the scene and learning how to get booked around town. There are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of clubs all over New York, but this list will keep you busy at least six days a week.
When I lived in New York, I found open mic nights to be an essential part of getting acquainted with the scene and learning how to get booked around town. There are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of clubs all over New York, but this list will keep you busy at least six days a week.
Apply to Play at Festivals
Folk festivals, food festivals, spring and summer fairs - all are great places to get your songs heard, and they're not as hard to get into as you may think.
Folk festivals, food festivals, spring and summer fairs - all are great places to get your songs heard, and they're not as hard to get into as you may think.
Try Alternate Tunings
Alternate tunings are a surefire way to pop your strumming hand out of a creative slump.
Alternate tunings are a surefire way to pop your strumming hand out of a creative slump.
How To Book a Tour
Sure, you could hire someone else to do it for you, but let's face it - at some point we all decide to book our own tour. Here are some helpful hints that can get you out the door.
Sure, you could hire someone else to do it for you, but let's face it - at some point we all decide to book our own tour. Here are some helpful hints that can get you out the door.
Folk Alliances
State folk alliances are a great way to begin networking with Folk enthusiasts in your area. They offer support and encouragement to artists; and they throw showcases and networking events (not to mention festivals) that are a great opportunity to gain exposure.
State folk alliances are a great way to begin networking with Folk enthusiasts in your area. They offer support and encouragement to artists; and they throw showcases and networking events (not to mention festivals) that are a great opportunity to gain exposure.
Open Mic Nights
Open mic nights are swarming with people who just love making music. And lets face it, those are the people you want to know as you try to forge your career in the cutthroat music industry.
Open mic nights are swarming with people who just love making music. And lets face it, those are the people you want to know as you try to forge your career in the cutthroat music industry.
Start a Mailing List
A mailing list is one of the most surefire ways to get people to come to your shows.
A mailing list is one of the most surefire ways to get people to come to your shows.
Christine Lavin's Tips
Christine Lavin is a great Singer/Songwriter who happens to have a wonderful list of tips for performers on her website.
Christine Lavin is a great Singer/Songwriter who happens to have a wonderful list of tips for performers on her website.
Songwriter 101
A great online resource for singer/songwriters, with articles and advice about everything from copyright to getting heard. Maintained in part by Performing Songwriter Magazine.
A great online resource for singer/songwriters, with articles and advice about everything from copyright to getting heard. Maintained in part by Performing Songwriter Magazine.