Less is More Perhaps
More releases or fewer... I can never decide. Certainly keep them coming, but how often? This is a thinking-aloud piece if you haven't figured that out. Some people are constantly creating (I being one of them) and enjoy doing quick improvisations or creating on the fly. However, not every piece I create gets posted or published or monetized. Then there are other artists I know that release something every time I turn around. Some of them release amazing things routinely, but with others I do hear a lack of quality. I’m certainly not arguing that one way is right or wrong. Frequent releases work well for some genres and very talented improvisational players. For others it may not be the best method. I'm going to hit the pros and cons of releasing multiple works and I heartily encourage comments and discussion.
Pro: Publishing pieces as you make them keeps the world abreast of your latest endeavors. Your fans hear what was just in your head. This makes for an intimate sharing of ideas.
Con: Some songs take time to ferment. Rework or remixing may be needed. Instrumentation may not be working. Lyrics may be confused or too predictable. Melodies may need revision. A publish-it-now mentality can lead to regrets as less-than-polished-works make it to your iTunes or Bandcamp pages. One well-crafted album will say more about your dedication than six crappy ones.
Pro: Multiple releases means more opportunity for income (if it's monetized). If you release on Spotify or other streaming sites, this increases even more than if it's just a Bandcamp release.
Con: Many people don't have the pocket change to constantly spend on any given artist's work. If they are like me, they will buy an album or EP with you at most once a year, maybe once every two years, if they are active fans.
Pro: It's really difficult for your fans to forget you if they receive a "just released" notice from Bandcamp or your newsletter every month or more. And even if they don't buy every new single, EP, or LP, they are at least given the chance to listen or interact. This relationship is incredibly important to maintain.
Con: This can lead to fatigue for your fans as they try to keep up with all of your latest pieces. They may unsubscribe or still only buy one album a year because they are trying to listen to their other favorite artists as well. Remember that your fans get countless new songs, new albums, and new artist thrown into their listening arena on a weekly or even daily basis.
Pro: You can build your portfolio quickly. Your Bandcamp site shows quite the collection, lending an air of credibility. You have a lot to market or discuss in the way of recent works.
Con: Unless you are independently wealthy or have some other type of backing, you will not be able to put the time, money, and energy into effectively releasing and marketing multiple albums in a short timeframe. Consider one body of work to describe and provide to potential reviewers. One round of well-thought out artwork. One album to go to distribution (if you release beyond SC and BC). One theme to help direct artwork for your webpage and social media. One body of work to talk up on that podcast, interview, etc.
My advice would be to find ways to stay visible with your fans, whether it's posting an improvisation on SC or a new video, post pictures or live demos, get out and gig, share info about your gear and your process, invite a remix of your music, remix a friend’s piece, or join a special project. Staying relevant doesn’t have to mean releasing multiple albums a year. I enjoy releasing a mix of LPs, EPs, and singles but I’m trying to space them out more. I also continually drop songs here and there on SC for a limited time to keep people interested as well as promote, promote, promote my main releases. I don't think I personally would put out quality EPs every month that I would be proud of, but if you are doing well with posting a new EP every 2 to 4 weeks (and hopefully you are seeing income from it), I wouldn’t say to stop. But if you are finding that this is not increasing your revenues or your fan interactions any more than if you'd chosen the best of those releases and done one LP that year, perhaps you should rethink your strategy.
Pro: Publishing pieces as you make them keeps the world abreast of your latest endeavors. Your fans hear what was just in your head. This makes for an intimate sharing of ideas.
Con: Some songs take time to ferment. Rework or remixing may be needed. Instrumentation may not be working. Lyrics may be confused or too predictable. Melodies may need revision. A publish-it-now mentality can lead to regrets as less-than-polished-works make it to your iTunes or Bandcamp pages. One well-crafted album will say more about your dedication than six crappy ones.
Pro: Multiple releases means more opportunity for income (if it's monetized). If you release on Spotify or other streaming sites, this increases even more than if it's just a Bandcamp release.
Con: Many people don't have the pocket change to constantly spend on any given artist's work. If they are like me, they will buy an album or EP with you at most once a year, maybe once every two years, if they are active fans.
Pro: It's really difficult for your fans to forget you if they receive a "just released" notice from Bandcamp or your newsletter every month or more. And even if they don't buy every new single, EP, or LP, they are at least given the chance to listen or interact. This relationship is incredibly important to maintain.
Con: This can lead to fatigue for your fans as they try to keep up with all of your latest pieces. They may unsubscribe or still only buy one album a year because they are trying to listen to their other favorite artists as well. Remember that your fans get countless new songs, new albums, and new artist thrown into their listening arena on a weekly or even daily basis.
Pro: You can build your portfolio quickly. Your Bandcamp site shows quite the collection, lending an air of credibility. You have a lot to market or discuss in the way of recent works.
Con: Unless you are independently wealthy or have some other type of backing, you will not be able to put the time, money, and energy into effectively releasing and marketing multiple albums in a short timeframe. Consider one body of work to describe and provide to potential reviewers. One round of well-thought out artwork. One album to go to distribution (if you release beyond SC and BC). One theme to help direct artwork for your webpage and social media. One body of work to talk up on that podcast, interview, etc.
My advice would be to find ways to stay visible with your fans, whether it's posting an improvisation on SC or a new video, post pictures or live demos, get out and gig, share info about your gear and your process, invite a remix of your music, remix a friend’s piece, or join a special project. Staying relevant doesn’t have to mean releasing multiple albums a year. I enjoy releasing a mix of LPs, EPs, and singles but I’m trying to space them out more. I also continually drop songs here and there on SC for a limited time to keep people interested as well as promote, promote, promote my main releases. I don't think I personally would put out quality EPs every month that I would be proud of, but if you are doing well with posting a new EP every 2 to 4 weeks (and hopefully you are seeing income from it), I wouldn’t say to stop. But if you are finding that this is not increasing your revenues or your fan interactions any more than if you'd chosen the best of those releases and done one LP that year, perhaps you should rethink your strategy.
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