Writing a Bio?

[kidlogic]

Ive had to write a few before, and was just recently asked to write a new one for a blog and it got me thinking...

Whats in a good bio?

Should a bio sent to labels differ from one sent to blogs? Promoters?

Should it be funny? Super detailed? Short and sweet?



Share your tips, expectations, stories, examples...

[gnome]

The best I read are ones written by other people about an artist

[tripaddict]

The best I read are ones written by other people about an artist

i hate that i think its about a cheesy as u can get ...

kinda ses im sooo big for my boots i cant be arsed to write my own

or

just sad that some one has written one in that perspective about themselves

[jsills]

slugabeds bio on planet mu might be the best ive ever seen.....

Description
Slugabed is Gregory Feldwick, originally from Bath:

i am 20 years old, nearly 21.
i like synths and compression. also a fan of kicks and snares. hats are good too.
i make music in the mornings.
i kaboom shows in the evenings.
i like food and eat a lot but am still long and tall and thin.
i live in brighton right down near the sea.
i make music on fruityloops 4 as i have done since i was 14 or so. only im better at it these days.
still not quite got it.
i like portamento and arpeggio
my music has been described as "good" by some people.
it sounds like lazer battles in the future but everyone says something like that.
get a quote off starkey or jamie or someone everyone likes and tell them to say its good.
hope that helps
cheers

[FSTZ]

the best bio's I have read are straight to the point, informative and show that the subject is human.

I do prefer bio's that are written 3rd person (even if written by the artist themself)

and the "bio" in the above post is terrible IMHO

[tripwire22]

that bio was perfect to me lol

[deadly_habit]

ugh yea i need one written too, i just hate bigging myself up so its a bitch. currently i just use movie synopsises and switch out title and char names as jokes

[legend4ry]

Just state facts, the whole idea of a bio is to make yourself as interesting as possible - so if you feel like something is worth bragging about put it down, just don't make yourself sound like a pretenious prat.

Bio check list.

Age/Sex/Location []
Genre []
Releases []
Production Achievements []
Djing Achievements []
How you feel about your music (even if written in third person) []
Ambitions as an Artist []

[FSTZ]

^^^ bingo

[legend4ry]

and obviously kiddles, you'll edit/write a bio specially for labels - you want somethign a lot more clean cut and precious, you want to basically say to them "if you don't sign me now, you're stupid" without it sounding rude and obnoxious, you gotta seem like you're valueable to their business - but as a general bio, that little guide I posted above was what I got sent by the MPG(music producers guild) so I guess its pretty damn correct.

[jsills]

and the "bio" in the above post is terrible IMHO

dude...its absolutely terrible. slugabed is pretty funny tho. it does give a great insight into his personality which is just as important as a laundry list of releases, djs who play your shit and names youve opened for.

[FSTZ]

I know man, his music is great and he was already signed to Mu before he wrote that...

just sayin' if someone reads this thread and sees that, they might actually think that is how it's done

don't underestimate the powers of the dumbside

[gnome]

just sad that some one has written one in that perspective about themselves

Haha I think that about some artists who don't use a source...

[Sharmaji]

Slugabed's is entertaining and works in certain contexts.

There's a few good guidelines on the web, will write em in a bit

[jsills]

I know man, his music is great and he was already signed to Mu before he wrote that...

just sayin' if someone reads this thread and sees that, they might actually think that is how it's done

don't underestimate the powers of the dumbside

we cant coddle the dummys, survival of the fittest

[DZA]

I got asked the same thing
Hate writing about myself so didnt do it

[step correct]

on the flip sometimes people go a bit overboard when they write them about themselves ..
I've read some that make some pretty heavy claims on some.

[green plan]

Yeah have read a few of people whom I semi-know, written in third person saying how they are the next big thing in about five scenes so watch out...doesn't exactly endear them to you. But that said if you've got something to brag about might as well put it down.

[kidlogic]

Just state facts, the whole idea of a bio is to make yourself as interesting as possible - so if you feel like something is worth bragging about put it down, just don't make yourself sound like a pretenious prat.

Bio check list.

Age/Sex/Location []
Genre []
Releases []
Production Achievements []
Djing Achievements []
How you feel about your music (even if written in third person) []
Ambitions as an Artist []

Yeah, this is pretty much my format, although I didnt think to put thoughts about my music or ambitions cause most of the ones Ive previously written have been for me as a DJ as opposed to a producer.

I was thinking that with all the talk about looking for labels it'd be a useful discussion. Always good to see what the majority thinks is important and get some opinions. Been good so far for sure...

[jaydot]

My soundcloud bio makes me look like a noob. Which I am, but that's besides the point, I don't need to reiterate the fact.

3rd person bios I'm not a fan of.