Should I put out a full length record or just an EP???

[ryst]

I have a solo experimental rock project. Solo meaning I do everything myself and then get musicians to play live as a "band". I stopped playing live about 2 years ago to work on a full length record. I have 12-15 songs written. I am in the process of finishing all the drum tracks and next to recording guitars.

I will be getting a live band together again so I can play out and get my music out there. But as of right now, I don't really have any "fans". I did when i was playing out previously but since I went on hiadous, I don't think I have much of a following at the moment.

I was thinking that if I put out an EP I would basically give it away. I don't care about making money off the cd as much as I do getting my music out and building a following. I can sell other merch to make something back. And I was also thinking about putting out a new 6 song EP every 6-8 months or so to keep people wanting more and keep their interest (assuming they like my music).

I can't honestly think of any situations that would benefit me putting out a full length instead of an EP now and another one down the line. But that's why I am asking. Is their anything I am missing here? What do you guys think? Put out a full length record or put out an EP? What would you do in my situation?

[soundrick]

Full length or EP is not going to matter once you put it up on iTunes, or Amazon where people can download only 1 song if they choose.

I think for my next effort I'm going to make a full length album as one long MP3. That way people are forced to download the whole thing. Sure, somebody is going to chop it up and trash most of it, but at least they had to listen through the whole thing to figure out which tunes they like.

[Rednose]

Do you have your own studio?
If you do, record a full length, why not???
If you don't, I could see saving money and going for an EP.

[AllAboutTone]

When I get ready to put out a CD, it can be 3 to 20 songs. Most important in which one i do is i make sure they are all good songs and not just album fillers. I have did EP and full length and yes i record all mine free, if its a so so song it goes to the trash as far as the studio, i might use it live.

[Jules]

Its very possible to put the completion of a full length album before yourself - as a huge mountain to climb.

If that mountain is so big it it can be used as a easy excuse not to proceed with your career or project on other levels.. Then pick a smaller mountain to climb and keep your career / project moving forward! thumbsupthumbsupthumbsup

Think about it... ..If you spend 2 years on "forever tweaking" your album it might be VERY OUT OF DATE by the time you have finished it!

This especially applies to 'hipster', fast moving music trends. So if you are in a band that always has the latest hairstyle and fashions, spending forever on your album is suicide as by the time you are done the trend the music is part of will be 'yesterdays' music.

Whats more exciting for a fanbase, a series of EP's and singles or waiting 2 years for 'the album"?

As for record deals, hipster bands often find that a little indie label can get the record out quickly while the scene is hot and that signing to a major means that their album comes out 2 years later and "misses the bus". (but newbie band managers with $ signs in their eyes can often miss that important point..)

Live concert agents often need a whole album, to base a tour around that is one exception...

[Colorblind]

Originally Posted by Jules

Its very possible to put the completion of a full length album before yourself - as a huge mountain to climb.

If that mountain is so big it: Prevents you from touring (because you "need the whole album") or somehow can be used as a easy excuse not to proceed with your career or project on other levels.. Then pick a smaller mountain to climb! thumbsupthumbsupthumbsup

Think about it... ..If you spend 2 years on "forever tweaking" your album it might be VERY OUT OF DATE by the time you have finished it!

This especially applies to 'hipster', fast moving music trends. So if you are in a band that always has the latest hairstyle and fashions, spending forever on your album is suicide as by the time you are done the trend the music is part of will be 'yesterdays' music.

Watch out that your goals don't end up holding you back or become an excuse, preventing you from progressing..

I think anyone that has a full length album on their to do list needs to think carefully about this. Are you using it as an excuse to not do other things?

As for record deals, hipster bands often find that a little indie label can get the record out while the scene is hot and that signing to a major means that their album comes out 2 years later and "misses the bus".

great post

[ryst]

Originally Posted by Jules

Its very possible to put the completion of a full length album before yourself - as a huge mountain to climb.

If that mountain is so big it it can be used as a easy excuse not to proceed with your career or project on other levels.. Then pick a smaller mountain to climb and keep your career / project moving forward! thumbsupthumbsupthumbsup

Thanks Jules. i am slowly learning this. And you just made it a hell of a lot clearer. Awesome.

[Jules]

As a Rolling Stones fan I have gradually gotten over the shock that some of their best albums have tracks on them recorded a year apart from the others and are often stitched together from many different sessions, include 'left overs' from previous albums and are very often not all from ONE 'lets go for the whole album' session. (I only discovered this by reading nerdy 'Stones fan' books about the band..)

So you can always piece an album together from the best tracks done over a long period - the public usually has no idea of whats goes on behind the scenes. And this happens all the time..So don't sweat it

[Schmacko]

I think ryst has raised a very interesting and relevant question. My personal opinion on this subject is to maintain a relationship between conceptualization and artistry. In other words, keep the works in the same stylistic and idiological vein together as a whole, whether EP or full-length. Afterall, I think the best records tell a story, like books - the complete meaning of one song will only be accurately defined when referenced to it's accompanying works (that, is also if you ignore the "death of the author" theory).

[Rednose]

Originally Posted by Jules

As a Rolling Stones fan I have gradually gotten over the shock that some of their best albums have tracks on them recorded a year apart from the others and are often stitched together from many different sessions, include 'left overs' from previous albums and are very often not all from ONE 'lets go for the whole album' session. (I only discovered this by reading nerdy 'Stones fan' books about the band..)

So you can always piece an album together from the best tracks done over a long period - the public usually has no idea of whats goes on behind the scenes. And this happens all the time..So don't sweat it

I agree with the fact the public wont know if you put it together over the years.
I still yearn the for the "Lets go to the studio and make and album" senerio!

[MichaelT]

Originally Posted by Schmacko

I think ryst has raised a very interesting and relevant question. My personal opinion on this subject is to maintain a relationship between conceptualization and artistry. In other words, keep the works in the same stylistic and idiological vein together as a whole, whether EP or full-length. Afterall, I think the best records tell a story, like books - the complete meaning of one song will only be accurately defined when referenced to it's accompanying works (that, is also if you ignore the "death of the author" theory).

I think this is awesome advice. Do your best to make great songs that also flow together. Turn an album or an EP into a story. Get creative outside of what each individual song will say. Personally, I find this much more gratifying than trying to decide how to best throw a bunch of random tunes on the same disc and call it a day.

[indravayu]

I am in nearly the exact same situation - and decided to go with the EP route. Going to put out five songs first (posting one per week on my website as "singles"), then (if I get my s**t together), release another batch of tunes later this year.

I am also not doing a physical CD this time around - rarely do my fans (what few there are, hah!) buy them these days - most of my album sales are digital.

- Chris

[ryst]

Originally Posted by MichaelT

I think this is awesome advice. Do your best to make great songs that also flow together. Turn an album or an EP into a story. Get creative outside of what each individual song will say. Personally, I find this much more gratifying than trying to decide how to best throw a bunch of random tunes on the same disc and call it a day.

Great perspective. Thanks

[n8tron]

I was in your position and put out an EP for a few reasons. It was a freshman effort of solo material, and also I didn't have enough "cohesive album" material to flesh out a full length. With an EP you can stray a bit more and it doesn't really upset any sort of flow you'd have to deal with of a full length.

On the other hand. I get the impression that people don't take EPs seriously, but they do give them more of a listening chance... does that make sense? So if your giving them away free, go EP, if you want to continue this project and spend some time with it, go full length.

[JP11]

Originally Posted by Jules

Think about it... ..If you spend 2 years on "forever tweaking" your album it might be VERY OUT OF DATE by the time you have finished it!

This especially applies to 'hipster', fast moving music trends. So if you are in a band that always has the latest hairstyle and fashions, spending forever on your album is suicide as by the time you are done the trend the music is part of will be 'yesterdays' music.

.

Side question...but these days there doesn't seem to be too many overwhelming trends, musically or even hairstyles and fashion. Seems anyone could do almost anything, unless you are shooting for the strict R&B hit list.

But maybe I'm way off base and out of it...what are the trends? What were people doing a year ago that would be suicide now?

[cortisol]

ryst - I think you should look at what it means to release an E.P or full length in the market for your country, city, town etc.

If it is the norm to create media coverage from E.P , single or full length release parties and on top of that thinking about what you can tour behind.

If I were you I would try to find out if the people who reacted well to your music before are still able to be drawn to you. Same with media attention and contacts.

Maybe this time round try to maintain a database of fans and contacts.

See what local name acts are doing.

Peace,
cortisol