Starting a musical career always raises many questions about artistic identity, and for some of us, this process could be a little confusing, especially if we want to do everything by ourselves. For example, do you think you could establish a band with only one member? Let’s try to answer this.
A band can be made out of only one person because a band is an imaginative idea or entity created by artists and not just a synonym to the word pack. You may not realize, but behind many familiar bands hides a single musician. For example, Tame Impala, LCD Soundsystem, and Bon Iver are all made out of one person.
This article will break down the concept of a one-person band both conceptually and practically, explore what it takes to be a solo artist, and compare it to the opposing options. We will also talk about the pros and cons of both paths and help you decide which is the right one for you.
What is a band? Is it about the idea or the people?
To understand whether a band can consist of only one person, we need to define what a band is. The definition section on Wikipedia determines that a band is “a small musical ensemble that performs rock music, pop music, or a related genre. A four-piece band is the most common configuration…”
I can agree with that definition to some extent. It was probably the most logical way to define a band in the ’60s, ‘70s, and even during the ’90s and early 2000s, but alongside technological advancements and the creation of more and more home studios, I feel that we can stretch this term even further. Today, musicians can easily record themselves alone at home while playing multiple instruments in one song.
Personally, I believe that a band is more of an idea or an imaginative entity rather than a direct definition of the number of musicians in the group. What truly matters is the persona that we as listeners envision while listening to a certain artist because that imagined character becomes a genuine part of the art itself.
You may not realize this but many rock and pop legends have produced entire albums without the help of any outside musician. Paul McCartney has played, wrote, and arranged every instrument in his first solo album “McCartney”, Tod Rundgren did the same on his 3rd album, and Prince on his debut album “For You”.
Live performances as a one-person band
If you want to perform live on stage as a one-person band, you can do it by reaching out to other musicians and renting their services. When you rent someone’s musical service, you can shape the music exactly how you want it to be without having too many opinions clashing throughout the process. But even though rehearsing could get quite pricy, it might be worth it if you hire the right people.
If you don’t have this kind of budget, or you just don’t want to incorporate more people in the process of going live, you can adapt the looper format that is becoming more and more popular. This format is a little different and will require musical adjustment as you can record only one track at a time.
I find this format very interesting because it is much less demanding than a regular show. In this type of show, the energy builds up slower, and songs tend to be longer than in a typical band’s performance. The lone musician needs to jump from one instrument to another, adding more and more layers, while the loop runs in the background.
One of my favorite artists that performs this way is FKJ:
The struggle of being a multi-instrumentalist
Some musicians who know how to play many different instruments may struggle to team up with other musicians, especially if they have a particular vision of how things should sound. Therefore, they will choose to do things independently, especially with today’s abundance of MIDI plugins (which can mimic every instrument), making this type of workflow much easier to manage.
Learning to play more than one instrument can do wonders to a musician’s development, and piano lessons are mandatory in many music schools around the world, no matter what is your primary instrument. Getting familiar with the piano keyboard, even just theoretically, will help you understand musical arrangements better and write MIDI tracks. It is an essential skill for every musician who wishes to form a one-person show and a highly recommended skill for every musician in general.
The classic one-man-band
The classic version of one-person bands has a long lineage tracing back to the 13th century. It started with simple combinations of only two instruments like flute and snare drum and progressed, gradually adding more and more instruments to the mix.
Nowadays, we encounter street artists that can play four or even five instruments simultaneously while carrying even more instruments on them. They combine analog with electronic, percussive with musical components, playing with four limbs and their mouth altogether!
This crazy circus-type skill is genuinely admirable and always fun to watch, so make sure to give something back whenever you pass by one of these hardworking musicians.
A Band or a Solo Artists?
Being a solo artist or a one-person band (which is the same thing, besides how you present yourself) has its upsides and downsides. On the one hand, it could be artistically easier to be the sole creator and not have to deal with other opinions pushing and pulling towards opposing musical directions. You won’t have to share the spotlight and get all the fame and money (if there is any) to yourself. It is also much cheaper to rehearse since you don’t need a rehearsal room and much easier to set because you don’t have to consider a few schedules from a few different people.
On the other hand, working alone can be sometimes depressing, especially if you struggle to find inspiration. When you are a part of a group, you have someone that has your back which can be very uplifting, especially in times of struggle. Moreover, it can do wonders for the creative process. For example, many bands (like Nirvana, Oasis, and Coldplay) have a primary songwriter, but the compositions were built through playing, and each band member had a chance to contribute his share.
A documentary crew followed Metallica for the better part of 2001-2003, a time of tension and release for the rock band, as they recorded their album St. Anger, fought bitterly, and sought the counsel of their on-call shrink.
Final thoughts
It eventually boils down to what type of person you are. Are you a loner or the band type of person? Can you share the journey and the music you write with someone else and still be happy about it? I hope this article helped you decide. Only you have the answers. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Good luck!
