Organizing A Band

Organic Balance - From my experience I have found that band formation and sustainability thrives primarily on its organic process of natural friendship bonds between its members. This could be long or short time friends or just a few musicians that happen to meet and really synchronize and groove well with one another's musical expression. 

Structure - Structure and schedule is a key component for organizing a group of musicians into a functional sonic unit. There must be at least one member of the band that is calling the crew to together at a set time to practice, rehearse, jam, and or collectively write new material. Of course this will unfold within its own organic process as well based upon each individual and their needs. This dynamic will also fluctuate based upon the living situation of the band members. There can be a challenge when the whole band lives together (as in our case) because the boundary blurs between personal space, relaxation, and work/practice. Another challenging factor is when a key member isn't available (ie our drummer Kevin lives in Boulder). This causes for extra organized action in order to see that either we structure a show, rehearsal, or recording around when that member can be there or reformulate the arrangement of members and sounds to where the integrity of the music and performance is intact and well represented. In our case the lack of drums/drummer dynamic has been a theme since the beginning of this project. We have rearranged our whole band set up because of it, making it a challenge as well as a blessing.

Relationship - The band is an entity of its own in which we collectively share an intimate bond through its sound and expression, while there is also each individual's relationship to their place within the group and to the group itself. Like any relationship, this one must be nourished properly in order to be whole and perform its function and service with integrity and balance in the world. The dynamics of relationship within and to a band are as complex and beautiful as any and there are multiple ways that it manifests. I will speak from the perspective of a band leader as this has been my primary relationship and role within the band.

Band Leadership - From my personal experience, leading a band with integrity requires patience, organization, an attitude of positivity & encouragement, determination, compassion, honesty, and clarity of purpose and direction. These are all qualities of being a healthy and effective leader in any instance but apply to a band (especially a band with vision) for these reasons.

- Patience is required for many reasons but mostly so that everyone feels comfortable and relaxed within their role in the band. If everyone is avoids messing up their part in fear of ridicule or rejection, the music will carry an air of stress and anxiety, which doesn't provide space for positive uplifting vibrations to emit from the musicians and their instruments.

- Well maintained organization is a key element for a band to function properly. If there is a centralized band leader, than the majority of the band's healthy and organized functioning will depend upon that leaders' ability to be organized, communicate clearly, and provide the rest of the members with a clear design for what to anticipate and what to bring to the table in their performance and function within the group. This design can be as simple as 'have fun, learn your part, and play from the heart'. These needs will fluctuate based upon how the band functions as a whole because the band could also be completely improvisational, in which the formation of 'song parts' simply create themselves merely by the coherence of the group energy. 

- An essential part of organization within a band dynamic is determination because if you are not totally determined towards your goal, how can you organize, implement, and communicate the design of that goal to the collective effectively? It helps to sit down either by yourself or with members of the group to write out and clearly state your goals both individually and collectively so that everyone is held responsible for their own alignment and personal needs within the group.

- An attitude of positivity and encouragement helps the band to feel like a healthy and loving family where everyone is honored and encouraged to bring forth their own unique gift to the collective. Cultivating compassion and understanding when challenges arise will help to bring relaxation and harmony to what could become a discordant display of emotions when projections and reactive tendencies come to the surface. Musical creation is an intimate and emotional experience for most if not all musicians on the planet, therefore making it a delicate process when providing constructive feedback on their expression. In my younger years as a band leader, when I was less emotionally mature, confused as to my personal relationship to power and authority, and wanting to be in the spotlight, I acted as a sort of tyrant, projecting my own insecurities onto other members' creations, only adding to the un-delt-with shame and repressed emotions I harbored within. Over time I have learned to become flexible and humble myself, seeing that all parts and persons are equally valuable to the process and learning experience of musical co-creation. If something is triggering me, it is an opportunity to reflect deeply into the mirror that is being presented before me and seek to find resolution within before attempting to manipulate the situation from without. Again, clear communication is key when expressing your needs within a group.

- In my case with Ecstatic Union, the clarity of purpose and direction of the band is  absolutely essential. I have chosen to devote myself to making music that positively uplifts, inspires, and enlivens the planet through joy, empowerment,  love, and heart-centered soul sounds. Therefore attracting members whom share a similar vision with their music has been an incredible blessing for which I am eternally grateful. If conflicting agendas were to take place and override the clear vision of the group, the integrity of the group and its members would need to be brought into check, reflecting upon the essence of our direction and service to the world. Simplicity and humility are keys here, as when we untie ourselves with clarity, harmonized intention, and prayer to embody our true essence, than the music carries forth these emanations into the world with our smiles, joyous soul-songs, and heart-waves of sonic love.