On Doing an Album
I’ve spent the majority of this year focusing on making my first solo album. If it sounds weird that I say “solo,” that’s because it is kinda weird. I am on 2 other albums where I am one of four dudes known as the Beards of Comedy… it was a really fun tour my friends and I did for 5 years. Anyway, I was on a mission to record an album that I could be proud of before the end of the year. I recorded that album last month, and it is in the process of being mixed. I put a lot of effort into it, and was very happy with the recording (it is called “Me The Whole Time” and will be released on New Wave Dynamics). Luckily, because I had done ¼th of an album twice, I had learned a few things which saved me from fucking it up. Mostly I learned what NOT to do (again), and am blogging it here in hopes that maybe someone else will benefit.
1.) Don’t do an album too early. When I recorded our first Beards album, I knew that I had enough material that was strong enough to get consistent laughs throughout. I was not mature enough yet to know that getting laughs is the base requirement. I had not found my pacing or rhythm yet, and I had little concern for actually saying something. I did the jokes that worked well, and talked about yogurt that makes you shit instead of stuff I really cared about. I don’t hate it entirely, but it is embarrassing to hear because I was only concerned with having enough laughs per minute.
I see comedians self-releasing albums as soon as they find 45 minutes of stuff to talk about, and I want them to know that they’ll hate it. If you put yourself out there as soon as you start getting decent, there’s no way for people to know that you will get way better than that. You are likely holding onto the first round of jokes that do well with audiences and thinking that you’ve figured it all out…Well, you’re wrong. You will hate this material. It isn’t a waste to retire these jokes without recording them. They were necessary to your development, but you’ll write plenty more.
2.) If no one is asking you to record an album, don’t. I think that technology has ruined some comedians. You *can* record and edit a very high quality album, and you can release it yourself on itunes. Assuming this is an album you are proud of, you should be trying to get as much out of it as you possibly can. I believe that it is only worth releasing your album through a label…and specifically: a label that has approached you, or at least shows commitment and an invested interest. Self-releasing an album is devaluing your own hard work. It is one thing to make your own cd to sell after shows, but putting your album online by yourself is a waste of time (with exception to already well-established comics with a dedicated following, of course).
For one thing, you do not have the legitimacy attached to a label signing off on your stuff. Only you are saying it is good. More importantly, a reputable label will get your tracks played on XM/Sirius and Pandora. I can tell you that the residuals from XM etc. pay out way more than any itunes sales you’ll ever see. Also, labels have an advertising budget, and will make sure to get your album reviewed. Not to mention, they will cover the costs of having your set professionally recorded and mixed/edited. Sometimes comics point out that Louis CK produced and released his own special as if that means the industry is not needed…Just because the internet gives millions of people access to your album does not mean anyone will buy it. In CK’s case, he has transcended the need for the industry, while most comics are self-releasing because no one else will. Let a label worry about business shit so you can focus on making a great album.
3.) Set the highest standard possible. By putting out an album, you are comparing yourself with every other comedian with an album. You aren’t judged on a sliding scale. You aren’t shooting for “acceptable.” You should be trying to blow people’s minds. Put thought into everything. There should be a reason for every single thing on there, Prepare as if this is the last set of your life. I know that sounds intense, but I can say from experience that it really sucks to realize ya don’t love everything on there. Think of your album as a cohesive set, not just a bunch of jokes. The more effort you put into it, the more people will appreciate it.
