Guinevere – HuffPost 1.23.12

Mike Ragogna: Do you have any advice that you’d like to share with new artists?

Guinevere: Learn to knit and how to speak Nadsat. Seriously, I would advise to write from the heart. I know that sounds really cheesy, but that’s how fans connect. If there’s truth behind the songs you record, fans connect to that. Also, it’s very important to surround yourself with people you can trust.

MR: And that is exactly what you’ve done, right? You take a DIY approach to your own promotion, don’t you?

G: Yes, I do. I don’t mind asking my amazing fans to help where they can. For example, I always ask my fans if they like my single, PLEASE request it repeatedly on every pop station in their town or city. How else will those stations know if their listeners like my single? It really means a lot to me.

MR: What do you feel are the best benefits using a DIY approach?

G: Complete creative control, for one. We get to release any single that we want, we get complete control over the videos we shoot, the producers we work with, the photographers we use etc. I think it’s a risky thing to do, but at the same time having the power and freedom to express yourself is the best part of this. I really enjoy that.

MR: How do artists these days fund themselves without a record label?

G: It’s different for everyone and it is tricky getting quality work for little money. But Canada has certain grants that the artists and bands can apply for to help fund a record, touring, websites, publicity etc. That’s a leg up that Canadians have over people from the US. Also, sometimes, you can get people to do good work for less. Don’t be afraid to ask. Try not to screw the starving musicians in your band, but if you can get a deal on unused studio space or a producer to work on spec, do it. A pleading look and a “pretty please?” helps. “Eyelash batting” is good to get musical funding or to simply get someone to buy you a beer. (laughs)