In case you haven’t heard, Fueled By Ramen Records is the label behind the success of Fall Out Boy, Paramore, Panic at the Disco, and Gym Class Heroes.
As per many indie labels, they built their success working as a collective. As one band started to break, they would take another band from the label on tour. One band would help break another and so on.
I came across a pretty interesting NY Times article on the label, where they talk about the importance of consistent blogging, touring hard, and doing things on the cheap. The label has a deal with Atlantic which helps them really promote acts who are showing signs of popularity. It’s important to note they created success before any major label involvement.
A quote from the article proved insightful for any band striving to build an audience:
“If I liked a band, I always wanted to know everything about where it came from…We want kids to get to know you as a band, so post blogs and studio updates.” -John Janick, President, Fueled By Ramen
Getting to know the people behind the music has always been an interest for true fans. It helps build a strong bond between fan and artist.
So keep your blog constantly updated, put up new music regularly, post video content regularly, and connect with people.
[youtube=http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=YHVVipNp8HI]Take Control of Your Music,
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Another thing I have noticed about FBR is that they are always looking to bolster their brands via cross promotion. Whenever you hear that an FBR band is touring, you can be sure that one of their recent signing will be opening on that tour.
Also, whenever you see concert photos, promotional shots, or interviews there is a good chance that one of the subjects will always be wearing either a tshirt of an FBR band, or a shirt of a band that they are friends with.
Finally, while it is not exactly cross promotion, any sort of publicity an FBR band gets (be it good OR bad) will always tie in another rostered band. Look no further then Pete Wentz’s embarrassing little nudity incident to see this in..uhhh..action?