Making Fans Part of the Band

My friends in figured out an alternative way to meld the band with its fans and get people pumped about their upcoming album.

On Wednesday, March 30, myself and about 25 others went to the Cockeysville studio where the band is recording its reggae interpretation of The Beatles’ Abbey Road. The goal: to sing “Boy, you’re gonna carry that weight, carry that weight a long time,” for the song “Carry That Weight.”

It was the second time the band had assembled a “Dub Choir,” and the night served as more a hangout than a formal recording session. Everyone left feeling like they had become part of the music.

While I went to simply have a good time and support my friends, I left thinking that there isn’t really isn’t a better way to build buzz about your album and interact with fans than inviting them to the studio.

Getting a first-hand look at the recording process is fascinating to any music fan, especially musicians, and there were many on hand at the session. As we sang, we got to hear the music the band recorded that will back our singing, somewhat of a sneak peek of the album.

The producer, Kenny Liner of Baltimore’s The Bridge, arranged us in the studio so the vocal ranges were spread out in the room and we were at a good distance from the microphones. Kenny kept the mood light as he had the choir do multiple takes of the line. 

After we recorded the two vocal lines (the sing along appears twice in the song), everyone wrote their name down on a piece of paper to be credited on the album, and Yellow Dubarmine’s bassist and vocalist Aaron Glaser passed out chocolates and free stickers. He also had flyers on hand for an upcoming festival the band is playing – smart marketing on his part. In the next room, there were two pies someone had brought.

This gave me some great ideas for when my band goes into the studio. When a band gives me the opportunity to take part in the recording process, and I leave the session knowing my name is going to be on the album, with a free sticker and belly full of chocolate and pie, they can sign me up to the fan club.