Today’s post offers a few suggestions for the aspiring lyricist who wants to make the best use out of social networking sites like myspace, facebook and especially reverbnation. These sites make it fairly easy for the wordsmith to find songwriters to collaborate with.
Yesterday, I was contacted via my reverbnation page by a young up and coming lyricist who sought to offer her work in a collaborative endeavor. She said that all she wanted was credit for her contribution and to be able to use the song(s) to build her resume. This kind of direct contact is a good move for those just starting out and I commend her for it. However, when I looked at her page all I found was examples of previous collaborations in the form of songs on her player. What I did not find was written examples of her work. As a songwriter, I am not so interested in completed songs, but am more interested in seeing the “raw data” as it were. I want to be able to read the words and fit them into my own melodic stream without it being influenced by what others have done. I want to see if they inspire me. Ideally, one should have both types of examples, but if you’re a lyricist make sure to post written examples of your work. For the lyricist this is of utmost importance. Also, the lyricist should include a few of things that influence him or her: favorite writers, favorite bands or performers, genres of music, anything that will give the potential collaborator some idea of where the lyricist wants the music to go. For example, if I listen to mostly progressive rock such as early YES or KING CRIMSON, and my lyrics have more the poetic qualities of a Peter Sinfield or Michael Moorcock, then I might not want my lyrics set to a corporate country setting. Conversely, if I am inspired by a band like Southern Culture on the Skids, Lynyrd Skynyrd or Drive by Truckers, I may not want my lyrics turned into a rock opera …but then again, I just might. The potential collaborator needs to know these kind of things; so make sure to be as complete as possible in describing your influences and aspirations in the profile section of your page.
Many of these sites have a built in blog feature where a lyricist can put several examples of his or her work. Make good use of it. On the front page make sure to let everyone know that they kind find examples of work in the blog section.
ReverbNation offers the best platform that I have ever seen for the promotion of independent music. Many of its services and benefits are free and the pay services they offer are actually WORTH paying for. It is an ideal place for song collaborators to meet and come together and work. Check it out and let them know that Alamantra sent you.
Bliss.
Alamantra
Alamantra's Muse 