How to be the next Billy Bragg.

Dear AAP =
I burnt out on trying to put bands together. There is just too much dealing with nuts, flakes and idiots and it always feels like I'm the one that ends up being the babysitter for everyone because I'm the only one who wants to get focused on rehearsing or getting together gigs and stuff. So I'm done with all that - for now anyway - but I still want to make my own music. I play guitar, bass and sing and have always been songwriter-y, so I want to put my own stuff out there, but without the hassle of dealing with a band. The problem is, in my city it would be tough to get on the bill at clubs as just a girl and a guitar even if it is still fairly "punk" so what do you suggest? = Rock-a-loner.

Dear RaL :
I'm guessing you're a little bit older (ie: my age) otherwise you would already know that the answer is laying right under your fingers... go digital baby. I'm going to assume that you actually can play fairly well and have a bunch of songs at least written, if not already recorded. I'm also going to assume, since you sent me an email that you have SOME understanding/expertise (even if it is only a little) about how to use the Internet...so what do you do next? Here is what you do:

First of all, start by thinking in two different realms: Online and Real World, then start with the online stuff:

1) Start creating a web presence. This can be as simple as creating your own myspace music page or creating a 'blog'- type of page using any of a number of services such as blogger, wordpress or meebo etc... and if you want a ".com" site instead of having something longer and more cumbersome, you can purchase a domain name (assuming the one you want is available) through those sites for about $15/year. That is plenty cheap, and if you go the myspace or facebook route, it is actually FREE. You'll be using this site as your 'home base,' a place to send people to when they ask what you're about or what your music is like.

2) Start recording some of your songs. You don't have to go into a studio (or into debt) to do this. We're talking punk rock here and we're also talking some simple arrangements - guitar, vocals maybe some rhythm/beats right? You can use your computer as your studio and even that doesn't have to cost you an arm/leg. Macs come with 'GarageBand,' which is surprisingly robust and easy to figure out. There are also plenty of free or (cheap) shareware products available online such as 'Audacity' which is fairly straightforward, well-documented and easy to learn. Take some time to dig into these programs and then record some of your best/favorite songs.

3) Post those songs on your web page, and while you're there, learn about using 'tags' and 'keywords' that will legitimately draw attention and bring eyeballs to your site. Post pictures and blog commentary there... and also (and equally important) look around the web too - Find other musicians/groups who play music you dig and link up with them, form online friendships and become a genuine fan/listener of other peoples' work. This will also serve to open your ears and mind to what else is out there.

This is where it starts. If you don't "exist" online you're putting yourself at a great disadvantage, limiting your potential audience and making things much harder on yourself... of course an online presence isn't everything - As I stated earlier, you also have to move in the real world too.

You're absolutely right about one thing - a 'solo' act is going to have a hard time getting booked into a rock or punk club if you have no track record, no following or no connections (ie: an established band that invites you to open for them,) but if you want to be a real musician, punk or otherwise, you have to "play out" somewhere. You have to put up (or shut-up) in front of a live audience and learn how to do it well, and once again, the Internet is your friend.

Even though I edited the name of it out of your question, I can tell you that your medium-sized city undoubtedly has a strong coffeeshop culture, and coffeeshops mean "open mic" nights and "songwriter" nights and all sorts of opportunities to get up in front of an audience and have your say... so start with google maps and locate every coffeeshop within a comfortable radius. Check out their websites (if they have them) and/or just call them and ask a few questions. Easier still, just go visit and ask who to contact about getting some stage time. Sure, you might get blown off by some people, but others will be happy to tell you what their performance policies are. Spend some time researching this. ATTEND a few such nights at various places just as an audience member (leaving your guitar at home, I mean.) Get the feel/vibe of some of these places, see how the night is 'run' and try to figure out which places might give you a shot. Granted, you can expect to hear a lot of bad folk music etc, and you might find yourself thinking your music wouldn't fit in at these places. You might be right, but why not try to push your own comfort envelope as much as you might want to push theirs? ... In other words: When trying to figure out where you want to play, be a little brave.

When you've finally picked out a few places and made contact with whoever books the nights you'll still have to figure out how to fit into their "world." Keep in mind that all sorts of unwritten rules and obscure etiquettes come into play whenever you walk into some creative/show environment. Just be aware and be yourself. Don't be meek, but don't be a douchebag either. Introduce yourself to the other musicians and exchange information. Sure you're going to run into pecking orders and other people getting preferential treatments at these places, especially if the space is well-known and draws a crowd. Understand that there are always dues to pay and again, stand up for yourself, but avoid being labeled as a D-bag.

Of course you could flip that coin the other way and find an unknown or unpopular little spot that does NOT have an established night of music etc, approach the owner and create your own night. Granted, this will open you up to some of the very hassles you're sick of dealing with, but it also would be a chance for you to really create/dictate the sort of environment you want to play in.

Either way, what I'm saying is, there are places out there that'll let you play. Places that will even allow you to "be bad" and then "get better" as you find your solo voice and figure out both what you want to say and how you want to say it. And when you play out and meet people in the Real World who want to know more about you and your songs you can then send them to your website.

...and finally the loop is complete when you start posting upcoming gigs ON your website. Use one to popularize the other. Tell people on your website about upcoming gigs. Tell people at gigs about the other stuff available on your website. THAT is how you build an audience from scratch and for almost no money.

...and then something amazing might indeed happen...

You might develop an audience of your own who will spread the word of your greatness for you. People might share your web page and songs with their friends (both online and off) and show up to your gigs. If your songs are good and if you become a good front-woman for yourself, you might also start attracting other serious (and thus less-flaky) musicians who might want to form a band or collaborate with you. It isn't going to happen overnight, but if you're a musician, this should be a journey you're willing (and eager) to take.

Getting out in the world, not just to be seen and be heard but to also see & hear things yourself, will put you on an intersecting path with all sorts of presently unknown opportunities.

If this isn't the most basic example of the DIY ethos, then I don't know what is.

Go forth and rock.