When I was in 8th grade I started a glam rock band called “Biagio.”
We had a song called “We Are Biagio.” We rhymed “Walls of Jericho” and “Shores of Mexico” with “We are Biagio.” That such poetry never became a hit song has doubtless left a gaping hole in the glam rock landscape.
Now, perhaps you’re wondering what got me reminiscing about a 14 year-old “me” sporting a mullet and a Casio keyboard?
Caught My Ear
Twitter lead me to a young band I really like, Ives the Band. (Caution: link may launch iTunes.)
Coming up as an editor, I know first hand how the right piece of music can take a good scene and turn it into an emotional powerhouse. In listening to their album, I thought, “I want to cut to THAT.”
I reached out to the guys and they were kind enough to invite us to their show last week at the Sunset Strip’s infamous Viper Room.
How Does This Help You?
Let’s face it, there’s a lot of young bands out there who are really, really good. I’m not an expert on what’s fresh, new, and hip in the music world, but I know when something catches my ear, and Ives the Band did.
The reason I wanted to write this post is because these musicians have three ingredients needed for showbiz success–and success in general. Whether you want to be a rock star, a movie director, a reality TV producer, a novelist…these three traits are key.
3 Must-Haves for Showbiz Success
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Talent
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Personality…
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Work Ethic
Clearly, the members of Ives the Band have talent. If you’re reading this blog, you are likely very talented in some respect as well.
Harsh truth: talent is probably the least important piece of the success puzzle.
YES–talent is a must.
Talent’s not your ticket to the big time, just proof you should take your shot at it.
But there are lots of talented people out there. Few translate that talent into success.
Many assume their “talent” entitles them to fame, magazine covers and movie premiers. Talent’s not your ticket to the big time, just proof you should take your shot at it.
Ives the Band is bursting with talent, but they’ve got more going for them than talent alone.
…and by personality, I don’t mean “Rock Star” eccentricity–I mean the members of Ives the Band are nice guys. They’re not afraid to engage in intelligent conversation. They have a good sense of who they are. They don’t reek of that “neediness” rampant in so many seeking showbiz success.
If you come off as rude, annoying, or indifferent in your quest for success, people will either forget you or avoid you.
It’s important to know who you are as person, and be comfortable in your own skin. People want to work with people they like–people they don’t mind spending long hours with. Be that person.
For 45 minutes, at the Viper Room, the guys called “Ives the Band” got to be rock stars.
However, Ives the Band is not yet Coldplay. They don’t have a gaggle of roadies to carry their gear, or a gigantic tour bus to relax in.
So, after they played their hearts out, the curtain closed, and the guys raced the clock to tear down their instruments, pack their gear, and get off the stage. Much like guerrilla filmmaking, putting on (and tearing down) the show was an all-hands-on-deck affair.
I venture to say Ives the Band sweated through many more hours of manual labor that day, not to mention years of hard work, just to enjoy that 45 minutes in the spotlight.
And that’s what living the dream is all about.
Surefire Success?
There’s no such thing. I don’t know if Ives the Band is going to attain super-stardom, though I’m rooting for them. (Decide for yourself…here’s the link to their album The Incredible Story of Mr. Birch.)
I do believe they have the right stuff, though. Take a page from their book. Hone your talent, let your personality shine, and have a fierce work ethic. That gives you the best shot at claiming your time in the spotlight.
Wow, love your blog and this post. It’s simply bubbling with hope and positive vibes! Love that you’ve discovered cool people on Twitter like Ives the Band and King Is A Fink – whom I adore. And so agree with your three traits. Especially about having sense of self. Whether writing a screenplay or novel, I find it’s very handy to know who I am and what I want to say. Oh, and I’d like if I may, to add one more trait – an appreciation of good food and fine wine. Cheers!
How I left out the “good food and good wine” trait is beyond me! Seriously though, thank you for the kind words, and for keeping a really great blog yourself over at Modern Day Storyteller!
I completely agree with you. I would add – Courage and Drive. Courage to keep at it despite all reasons not. And Drive to keep you going when it seems a bit too impossible.
Great advice. Getting “Talent-Personality-Work Ethic” tattooed on our forearms immediamente. (In a big pink heart, of course.)
Another home run of a post – great insight! Now I have to check out the band is well (thanks to you). I guess that could be another factor to success…having good people around you supporting and championing you and/or your work.
Maria:
Excellent points, and always honored to have you stop by! Courage is so important. As someone once said, bravery is not about “not being afraid” but about “feeling the fear and doing it anyway.” We’re usually scared 24 hours a day. And without the drive to keep going, you’ll give up after the 50th “no” (or 100th, or 200th…)
King is a Fink: We have King is a Fink tattooed on our foreheads! Thanks for stopping by.
Gary: Thanks so much. It’s funny, because I feel like these are things we all know on some level, but seeing Ives the Band play the other night reminded me of how important these traits are, and how so many other aspiring talents DO NOT display all three (or even one!) of them. Thanks for stopping by!
Great advice Biagio!
Looks like the secret to anything you do.
Growing up my step dad always told me to do your best at every job. Whether it’s cleaning floors to bagging groceries. When you find that passion in your life you attack it with even more gusto.
Thanks again. Off to check out Ives. =)
Dave
Thanks to @jokeandbiagio for their most encouraging & positive blog about the biz & this – 3 Secrets to Showbiz Success http://bit.ly/6HCrXP
Thanks, Dave! Funny-I cleaned floors and bagged groceries at Rini’s in Parma, Ohio. I think a lot of people that manage to find some sort of success in the industry learned the exact lesson you’re talking about here: take pride in every little detail of your work, no matter the job. Attention to detail is crucial in this business…if you can do it bagging groceries, you can do it making movies or TV shows, too.
Nice post Biagio!
You hit it on the head. These guys are the real deal and truely nice, down to earth guys. They are well grounded in their lives and aren’t “putting all their eggs in one basket”. Although they would love to make a living doing what they love (music), they also realize that music is a long shot and that their lives should consist of more than seeking the applause of strangers. They know that this is a step in their lives, the destination of which is unknown. They are level headed, fun, talented, learned, faithful, and reliable.
I should know. My wife and I raised one of them!
As previously stated …. now off to listen to Ives the Band …. again!