Eddie Said:

Doing cover songs, do they hurt or help a rising performing songwriter's musical development/career?

We Answered:

First of all, cover songs are a tribute to other performers that you admire and respect. They let the audience know where your roots are, and allow them to connect to you by association. You have already experienced some of this when you noticed how well the two songs you have already worked into your set list have gone over.

Second of all, just because you are doing a song that somebody else wrote, it doesn't mean that you have to do it exactly like they did. It never hurts to incorporate a little bit of the original arrangement, especially if you don't hear it another way, but it is perfectly acceptable to make the song "your own" by writing a mildly, to remarkably different arrangement! If you listen to Jame's Taylor's version of the Buddy Holly tune "Everyday," it sounds much different than the way the Crickets did it, but he got a hit off of it. When I do "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" by Carol King and Gerry Goffin, I actually perform it in 6/8 time in a minor mode (except for the chorus, I modulate into major during the chorus) and the audience "Knows they should know it!" but doesn't really catch on (except in rare circumstances) until I get to the Chorus. I was amazed at the reaction I got the first time I did it that way, but have since come to realize that by playing the song the way that I "Hear" it, I am doing more than just covering the song. Even Eric Clapton, when he played Layla unplugged, took the song in a completely new direction and got an entirely new audience when he did it.

Bands like Coldplay, The Foo Fighters, and Vertical Horizon all covered tunes by other artists, at least in concert, and many of them know each other's songs. You can also learn things about the group by exploring songs that are outside of your usual style or "sound!" It would be wise to establish some ground rules of course:

1. Everybody has to like the song

2. The song has to mean something to the group

3. It has to be a song that also means something to your audience. (often you will work up an arrangement of a song, only to find out that it gets a lukewarm response. Don't give up on the song - it might be too close to the time that the original was put out and was saturated, or it might go over better in another setting. Don't be married to it either. Do what works!)

4. Somebody has to have a reason for doing it other than the fact that it may get you a gig. You have to be able to stand in front of your audience and say that this song means something to somebody.

Cover songs are also a great way to stretch out your ability to play. I don't know how many times I have been asked to play for an hour to eight hours longer than I was originally booked for. If it wasn't for covers, I would have bored everybody to death, or might have been asked to pack up a lot earlier. It never hurts to get a little more out of a gig than you expected, and it never hurts to be known as somebody who can fill any amount of time. Hope this helps.

Carrie Said:

How do I "down sell" so that I can get into a new career?

We Answered:

Yes, I have done that but for different reasons. I used to be an IT recruiter and lost my job when everything was outsourced overseas. I was faced with applying for jobs that paid 1/3 of what I was making. Here is what I did.

Design your resume around the job you are going after. Delete anything from your current resume that doesn't apply. You still have to keep a consistent time line, but there is no need to elaborate. Don't list salaries.

In your cover letter explain why you want the job and what you will bring to it. Leave salary open.

In the interview answer salary questions saying you are looking for a position based on all the criteria important to you, not just salary. Play up what skills you have that match what the company needs and don't mention what isn't relevant to them. It sounds like you have a good attitude towards learning new things so put the front and center. Attitude will often get you a job over skill. Good luck.

Mario Said:

Doing cover songs, are they harmful or helpful to a rising performing songwriter's musical development/career?

We Answered:

Covers are going to be inevitable. The idea is to make the song recognizable, but give it your own sound. The audience will respond because they know the song; you'll enjoy it more because you aren't just playing the part of a substitute for the original singer.