Ok to cut a long story short, the band Power Quest requires a new guitarist and I have decided to apply for the role and hope to be invited to audition. Now in the application I have to write a biography, but theres one problem, I HAVENT A CLUE ON HOW TO DO ONE. So I have started writing it and have written down pretty much all the ideas and achievements I can think of that will impress and might persuade them to invite me to an audition. The keyboard player, Steve, who is running the auditions already knows who I am because I have gigged with Power Quest before and have talked to them after rehearsals alot as they use the same studio. BUT ANYWAY, I need as much criticism as you guys can give me, I want this bio to be impressive, and the first draft to be fair is a bit crappy, so I will need some help in structuring it and organising it so that it works nicely as a music bio. I want honest opinions guys, if you think its crap, tell me how I can uncrapify it and stuff. Im not sure how to finish it off yet so that still needs to be done, and im not sure if I should dabble to much with the introduction. Its quite an essay, so here goes!:





I started learning guitar at a young age of 12 with the possible idea of performing to a crowd in the future. Inspired by those around me, it didn’t take me long to fall in love with the instrument. Once I acquired a classical guitar tutor, I dedicated a lot of time to my studies on the instrument, constantly developing technique and building a feel for music. As years swiftly move on, I progressed through several music examinations to build confidence and grow stronger as a performer, whilst applying my classical training onto the electric guitar, in order to be able to play some of my favourite metal songs such as those from the bands Rhapsody of Fire, Iron Maiden and Kamelot.

Within the past year, I have achieved several goals and achievements which have provided a thirst for performance. This led me to the decision of choosing music as a potential career option. The main achievement is with my solo project “Demigod”. Within this project, I created a YouTube page originally producing metal arrangements of video game covers. With the huge success of these videos, I continued to put in a lot of time and dedication into recording new tracks to provide entertainment for my gathering fan base. This has grown so much over the years to the point my channel has reached over 2000 subscriptions, and over 340000 video views collectively. This is continuing to grow, with a high demand for new content regularly and has led me to recording my demo for my solo work in a home studio, in which I aim to release to the public shortly. Within my time on YouTube, I was also awarded the winner of the DBZ guitars competition hosted by legendary luthier Dean Zelinsky. As a metal player, I received the opportunity with my band Aeterna to open Power Quest’s first gig with the new line up. A night of such intensity only increased my craving to bring my passion for music from YouTube to the live stage, where I can entertain a large live audience.

As part of a gap year I will be undertaking, I shall be preparing for entry into music colleges such as the Royal Northern College of Music, for training in performance which will enable me the music career I desire. In order to gain enough experience for this, I regularly perform as a solo artist on the classical guitar in concert recitals and for organised events, perform as a session musician for theatre productions and perform as one of Aeterna’s guitarists. As I am now studying for my AVCM diploma for guitar and with the assistance of various awards I have achieved in music such as my grade 8 in guitar, and numourous distinctions in music theory up to grade 5, I feel the result of my conservatoire application will be a positive result.

Cool bio and good luck but one question does come to mind. What does a bio have to do with finding a guitarist? I get what they are trying to do but interviewing someone and jamming with them will do worlds better in my opinion. But good luck

The bio is just so they can get to know who the person is, there will be an audition and interview etc, but they are only auditioning five people (more if really necessary). This application via email first is so they can simmer down people, but I want to be one of those people who gets an audition so I can really show that I want the part :P

Hmm, maybe add a little just on your personality/who you are, I guess they would mainly be after accomplishments but at the same time I reckon they would be wanting a person they can actually chill out with and write new songs so if they know that your pretty relaxed or etc then that might increase your chances as well.

All the best, how is aeterna doing these days btw?

Yeah I did add a little bit, I am a little bit lucky in the sense that I am already good friends with the drummer, and he loves our band and comes and listens in on our practices and stuff, and being as we have gigged with the band before we got to hang out with them and stuff and get to know them so not so much emphasis will be put in the biography but I have definatly mentioned the essentials :) Aeterna is doing great, we just sorted out our drummer issue and got him learning the songs and progress is definatly being made, got a couple of new songs on the way to etc so its all good :)

From reading over what you have written, it seems that you have almost bypassed the need for your "press kit". While it is always good to have a "press kit" (photo, biography and sample music put together in a nice folder) it seems that you have already done the hard part, which is starting a relationship with the people you are trying to impress, sell, convince. I think you are on the right track as far as your bio goes. From my own personel experiance, #'s are always impressive additions to a bio. # of gigs, # of songs you've written, # of years you've been playing, # of people you've played with. Again I must point out you are already on the right track "34,000 views of your videos" (imagine if someone paid 10 cents/view). I always find that getting in front of somebody and doing what you do best is the way to go. You say that you are friendly with the drummer, tell him what this would mean to you. Don't come on to strong or he might think you are a psycho, but the people that usually end up getting what they want are the people who make it happen. I could write the greatest bio ever, but if I couldn't deliver how long would I last? You are an excellent musician. Just stand in front of the rehearsal room with your Line 6......... I mean your Bugera, and blow them away, like you always do. Whats the ETA on your DBZ?

Edit - 340,000 views

I would maybe drop the first paragraph, they are not hiring you for what you did when you were 12. Add some more about your musical influences, different styles you can play and who you are now.
You going to stay with aeterna?

Thanks man, I have done some more tweaking and think its good to go :D and yes I will, those guys are some of my best friends, and to be fair even if I did get offered a place into Power Quest, if things came down to if I had to choose a band, I would honestly go with Aeterna because friends come first.

Thanks alot man, im glad you think so. As far as the DBZ goes, I havent got a clue, if I was offered an audition for Power Quest I would really hope it arrived before the audition because it seems a bit silly if they said "oh wheres the guitar you won?" "Oh er...er....er...I havent got it yet....". Im just going to be patient anyway :) Its not like I dont have a guitar to practice on at the minute :D but I am still hella excited for its arrival!

Sweet, good to hear about the drummer being sorted, was hoping the band wouldnt fold because of it, happens all too often. Best of luck with getting in and yeah agreed with previous comments, if you already know the band and have an existing relationship youll have a big edge over any stranger to the band, even if they were technically a better guitarist. Not to say that you are sloppy

It was nice that we could sort the drummer problem out very quickly, the other guitarist in our band who is doing a music tech course at a recording studio knew a few drummers there who we could ask :) we are going to the same studio next thursday to begin recording the Aeterna demo, so thats two demo's in progress haha. And yeah, the advantage is nice, but one thing Steve (the keyboard player) said is that "its all well and good being technically brilliant, but it doesnt make the band". He also mentioned the tricky thing is finding the balance between playing ability and the ability to get on with others on a personal level, so hopefully I might have some luck in the personal area as im already cool with the existing members.

Yeah man, sounds like your pretty set to be honest.. Just see how it goes and keep us posted, will be interested to see how it turns out. All the best