For many bands and artists, the main priority is making music, and that is exactly how it should be. When the time comes to book gigs, apply for festival slots, secure radio play or approach blogs for coverage, you will need the right tools to present yourselves properly. The first of these is your biography. That is why TheNwothm has put together to this handy guide to help you put together a string bio
Why A Music Bio Matters
If you want a journalist or blogger to feature your latest release, they will need clear and current information about who you are. A well written biography gives them the essential background and achievements they can use.
The same applies to other industry contacts such as radio presenters, gig promoters, festival bookers, managers and A&R teams. All of them will want to understand your story, your progress and what makes you worth paying attention to. A good biography brings all of this together in one place.
What a strong music biography should include
A biography is not meant to be a technical explanation of your sound. Its purpose is to introduce you as people, outline your journey and highlight the key moments that define your project. Looking at a few band websites can help you get a sense of the tone and structure.
Include the following:
- Band members and their roles (name followed by roles)
- When you formed or began making music
- Where you are based
- Details of your releases so far, including any independent label involvement
- Influences, kept short and relevant
- Notable achievements such as airplay, press coverage, festival appearances, standout gigs, support slots etc
- Any interesting back story that helps you stand out
- Strong review quotes and links to coverage
- Contact details and links to your website and social platform
Final checklist before publishing:
- Is the information current?
- Is the tone consistent?
- Are the achievements accurate?
- Are the links working?
- Is the biography easy to read?
- Is it free from spelling and grammar errors?
How long should it be
There is no fixed rule, but around 500 words is a sensible aim which is roughly a single side of A4. Keep it focused and avoid overwhelming the reader. If the biography appears on your website, you can break it up with headings, images or review quotes to make it easier to read.
Once you have a draft, ask someone outside the band to read it. A fresh pair of eyes will help you spot unclear phrasing, spelling mistakes or grammatical slips.
If you have a friend who writes well, consider asking them to help shape the biography. A skilled writer can bring clarity and personality to the text.
How To Use Your Bio
Avoid pasting the entire biography directly into emails when contacting promoters, bloggers or radio shows. Attach it as a separate document or link to the version on your website.
Make sure it also appears on your social media profiles where possible. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bandcamp and YouTube are all useful places for people to find it.
You should also include your biography in your EPK. This ensures that anyone viewing your press materials has immediate access to your background, achievements and essential information.
Finally, keep your biography updated. Add new releases, achievements and developments as they happen so that anyone discovering you gets an accurate picture of where you are now.
