Make sure you have three bios: a long one, a short one (1 or 2 paragraphs, definitely under 500 words) and an elevator pitch. Make sure every bio includes pronunciation of the name. Your bio should be written in the third person.
Your long and short bios can be on your website. The elevator pitch is not mean to be written anywhere, but just for you to think about.
Your long bio can be structured like this:
Quote
Start the bio off with a quote from a band member or press outlet or a lyric from one of your songs. Something that sets the tone and is indicative of what your project is about.
Hook
The hook is your story. Open with this. It doesn't need to be more than one or two paragraphs. Make sure it's in line with the vibe and energy of you, the artist. The hook is the first thing everyone shares with friends when introducing them to your music. This is your artist-story. What is the biggest thing that stands out about you (right now)? What do you want people to know about you the artist (not the person, necessarily). Why is your project special?
Whatever your artist-story is, it should feel like your music and feel like the energy of your show, photos, socials, videos, everything. Have you overcome personal obstacles (that directly led to you becoming a musician)? Are you an arena football player? Are you an avid reader of fantasy novels (and now you write fan fiction songs)? Is your great-uncle John Coltrane?
It's the "he was discovered while busking on the streets of L.A. and now has chart-topping radio hits." The "she was the #1 musician on YouTube, but then a major label took it all away, and now she's getting it all back." Bon Iver's northern-woods-of-Wisconsin-cabin-in-the-winter recording. Marshmello's secret identity. Your story will of course evolve as you evolve and your career grows. But, right now, come up with something that sets you a part from everyone else, but most importantly, is in line with your artist ethos and sound.
I swear to Moses if you start your band bio off with "Johnny Smith picked up the guitar at a young age and met Tammy Johnson in high school who picked up the bass at a young age and they formed a band to take over the world" I'm going to drive to your place, knock on your door and politely ask to vomit in your sink. These kinds of bios are so bland they're nauseating. You, as people, have a million different stories. But what is the ONE story about your project that you want everyone to talk about (at least for now) that is interesting? That's your hook. Use it in your press release and everywhere else.
Accolades
Once your hook intrigues your readers, your accolades showcase that you are an artist on the rise, worth paying attention to.
Newest Project
This is where you talk about your latest project. Most of the time it's the newest album. But you can also discuss music videos, tours or anything else that you're currently working on.
The Boring Stuff: Backstory, Influences, Song Meanings
This section is primarily for your die-hard fans and for journalists doing their research. You don't need every band members' birthplace, but include interesting, pertinent information about how members met, how the band was formed and career highlights. You can also include some of your influences and back stories on songs.
Short bio:
Just your hook, accolades and newest project. This doesn't need any of the backstory.
The Elevator Pitch:
Your elevator pitch doesn't need to be posted anywhere or sent out. It's just for you to verbally describe your band quickly and easily when people ask. You'd be surprised how many musicians find it difficult talking about their own music. Pick two or three artists which people say you sound like and use that.
"David Bowie meets Bob Dylan." "If Janis Joplin got into a bar fight with Sly and the Family Stone." "If Bill Withers married Katy Perry." "It's Taylor Swift for grown-ups." "Marvin Gaye meets Paul Simon in New Orleans." "Imagine Dragons flew into The 1975 while riding Train." We'll stop there. Reference well-known artists. It's no use comparing yourself to an artist no one has heard of. Doing this gives a frame of reference. You may think your sound is unlike any which came before and that you shouldn't be pigeonholed by referencing one or two artists or genres, but believe me, you will drastically help your (potential) audience and bookings by giving them a frame of reference.
Article By: https://aristake.com/
Image By: https://unsplash.com/@tikkho
