They have the look. They have the talent.What they do not have is a recording contract. They are called The Good Luck Joes, an unsigned band from Grand Rapids, Mich. After spending some time with the band, seeing them play live and record in the studio, it is evident how tough the music business is these days, especially for unsigned bands.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for good bands to form, get signed and make it in the music business. Record labels don't want to take a chance on bands that may not generate much revenue. This creates a problem because many talented and dedicated bands like The Good Luck Joes fail to get the recognition they deserve. The Good Luck Joes formed in high school and, like many bands, face the difficult decision of leaving college to pursue a career with the band or graduating and putting a potentially successful career in music on hold.
One of the first things people notice when they are introduced to a new band takes place even before listening to its music. Bands that have \the look"" already have a head start. Seeing The Good Luck Joes live, they definitely dress the part, evoking an image that complements their music. Their look works to their favor, adding spice and variety. Guys who can pull off wearing pink shirts while playing on stage illustrate how comfortable they are playing live, emphasizing their personalities and great stage presence.
More importantly, The Good Luck Joes' self-titled debut album and their second album coming out in winter demonstrate their musical talent and insightful songwriting skills. I was able to see them record in Milwaukee at The Exchange studio-owned by Joe Puerta, former member of Ambrosia and Bruce Hornsby and the Range. It quickly became clear that because they are unsigned, they enjoy the perk of having total creative control over every aspect of the recording process. This control over their music allows them to establish their own unique sound, independent of any corporate influence. The Good Luck Joes create music by their own standards, producing a quality sound. If unsigned bands have this control and are later signed, they will be able to keep a command over their music.
Not only did the rigorous recording process highlight their dedication to lay down the perfect track, but it also highlighted the wonderful dynamic of the band. All five members were present during the process, and they all helped each other along the way. The band's unity will reflect positively in their music by allowing them to build their sound together, creating a quality album. The standard recording process requires only one member to record at a time, breaking down the relationship of a group, like Guns 'N' Roses recording Use Your Illusion II practically over the phone.
Additionally, The Good Luck Joes have grown from their last album-especially with the songs ""48 Hours"" and ""Letting Go/Hanging On,"" which have incredible hooks and are on the right path to becoming hits. The Good Luck Joes are coming into their own with their second release and face the challenge of pursuing a career in music as an unsigned band. What they need now is airtime and exposure in order for people to embrace their music.
With Clear Channel owning over 1200 radio stations, it is hard for unsigned bands to be heard even if they are truly talented. Without being under a record label, or even with a small independent one, music distribution is extremely difficult and airplay is hard to get. The politics of the music industry can be gruesome, and big labels neglect many talented bands trying to make it because it could be a gamble that will fail to pay off. This leaves the music market unoriginal and homogenous.
For unsigned and independent bands, the college circuit seems to be the best way to gain exposure. More public radio stations are needed to play unconventional and unsigned bands or, at least, the music that people don't hear on every other station.
Small venues and local record stores also need to tap into the local talent. Madison has a plethora of great bands and a talented arts scene. Thankfully, many are heard due to the smaller venues and the Student Unions.
Word of mouth is also another way people find out about bands. The Internet is a great place to stay in touch with new bands, although with the decline of music downloading the process has become harder once again. The Web site www.purevolume.com contains a huge library of unsigned bands where you can listen to unsigned bands' music for free. This is a great resource to hear bands you never heard of and is another way for bands to gain exposure.
The Good Luck Joes is one of the many talented unsigned bands deserving exposure, but with the music scene the way it is, being unsigned makes exposure hard to come by. Listen to them and check out their Web site, www.goodluck
joes.com. Support unsigned bands, and you may find amazing unheard talent and help vary the homogeneous music scene. So good luck, Joes, and all other talented unsigned bands.
