Many musicians will choose to make an EP, or an extended play, before they dive into a full album. It is a great way to bring together some of your musical thoughts into one cohesive unit, and it is one of the best ways to introduce your music to the public. Is this the right choice for you as an artist? Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons you might choose to make an EP.
It’s a Longer Project
One of the major reasons why so many artists decide to create an EP is because it is a longer project than just making one single. With a single, you only have one or two pieces of music that you need to focus on. You can spend all your time and energy making sure it is perfect.
An EP is a slightly bigger project. It could take you up to six months to properly pull it together. Since an EP is usually made up of at least three songs, you need to spend time writing and working on each of them to ensure that they are up to scratch. You then need to ensure that they are also cohesive in some way with each other. An EP made consisting of multiple styles or genres is going to sound incredibly amateur and messy. It is going to take more work to prepare, but it also gives you a taste of what it might take to produce a whole album.
Studio Time
Many artists don’t get a lot of time in the studio in their early days. Since it is relatively easy to get a good-quality microphone and recording software, most musicians can start out at home recording their music. If you are choosing to take the next step up in your career, you need to make sure that you are getting that crucial studio time in.
Choosing to work at a recording studio for your EP means that you get that important studio experience. It will also help to refine your existing tracks. Though they might sound fine through your equipment, you can realise how much work they actually need when put through a professional set up. If you take a look at Pirate , which provides accessible recording space across the country, you’ll be able to get a feel for the high-spec equipment that you’ll have access to. Pirate’s studio in Manchester for instance, has studio space for up to 13 different artists with plenty of equipment available to suit your project. For a full list of what’s available, check out their website.
A Presentation of Your Skills
If you want to try to get a contract with a big music producer, you need to make sure that you are able to show them why they should sign you. A couple of singles as an independent artist often aren’t enough – they will show that you have a talent for writing songs, but might not show how versatile you are as a recording artist .
An EP shows a more well-rounded version of you as an artist. It gives record producers a clearer picture of your potential and your skills. It is also a good indication of how successful you are likely to be with the public – if a producer is not interested in listening to multiple songs from your EP, chances are the public won’t be interested too. Working on an EP is a great move to help prepare you for some of the criticism you will face as you begin to gain more attention from the public.
Musical Exploration
If you want to try out some different styles as a musician without committing to a full change in your own preferred genres, making an EP is a fantastic way to do it. So many artists choose to explore other genres at some point in their career. They might want to try out something that they have always admired, or they might just be looking for a new direction with which they can take their own music.
An EP is a short and easy way to facilitate this exploration. If you are a little unsure as to where you want to take your music, sitting down and composing a few songs in this new style could give you the creative freedom you have been searching for.
Start Your EP Today
An EP is a fantastic project for any musician to work on. Take the time to work out what sort of songs you would like to put on your EP, and make sure that there is a story there to help make the pieces feel cohesive. Creating your first EP is an important milestone for any professional musician. Start thinking about the shape you would like yours to take now, and get ready to move towards recording and creating something that you are going to be proud of. Before you know it, you could have a finished EP that perfectly showcases your music style!
