So you’ve got the songs, the fire, the drive… but there’s one big decision left:
Do you fly solo, or build a band?
This choice shapes everything, from how you create, to how you tour, to how many group chats you’ll suffer through.
There’s no one right answer, but there are pros and cons. Let’s break it down.
Going Solo: The One-Person Show
Pros
:
- Total creative control – Every chord, lyric, and haircut is yours to own.
- No compromises – You don’t have to fight over setlists or snare tones.
- Fewer moving parts – Easier to book, tour, rehearse, and make decisions.
- Brand clarity – You are the brand, and you can build it your way.
Cons
:
- It’s all on you – The music, the bookings, the stress, the awkward banter.
- Can get lonely – Especially on tour or when things get hard.
- More expensive – No one to split costs with. Or blame for bad decisions.
Best for
: Artists with a strong solo voice, a clear vision, and the stamina to handle the business side (or willing to learn fast).
Being in a Band: The Shared Glory (and Occasional Group Therapy)
Pros
:
- Collaborative creativity – New ideas, richer arrangements, and different perspectives.
- Shared workload – Split the logistics, costs, and caffeine runs.
- Bigger sound – And sometimes a bigger stage presence.
- Built-in camaraderie – The right bandmates become a second family.
Cons
:
- Creative compromises – Not every idea will survive the vote.
- Scheduling nightmares – Herding musicians is harder than herding cats.
- Personality clashes – One bad vibe can tank the whole thing.
- Breakups hurt – And they’re more common than you think.
Best for: Musicians who thrive in collaboration, can handle group dynamics, and want to share the journey.
Choosing the Right Bandmates (and Dodging the Toxic Ones)
If you do go the band route, remember this golden rule:
Choose people, not just players.
Here’s what to look for:
- Reliable humans – Talent is great, but showing up on time is better.
- Good communicators – Avoid passive-aggressive types and ghosters.
- Similar goals – Are you all aiming for open mics or world tours?
- Mutual respect – No egos, no freeloaders, no one treating it like a hobby if you’re treating it like a career.
- Vibe match – You’re going to be in vans, venues, and shared Airbnbs. Don’t ignore red flags.
And what to avoid:
- The flake – Always late, never ready.
- The ego – Needs to be the centre of everything, even if they didn’t write it.
- The pessimist – “That’ll never work” energy is contagious.
- The no-shower – Trust us.
Final Thoughts: There’s No Wrong Choice, Unless You Ignore Who You Are
Solo or band, what matters most is choosing the path that fits your personality, goals, and lifestyle.
You can even start one way and switch later. Hell, some of the best solo artists came from band breakups (and vice versa).
So take your time. Be honest with yourself. And remember:
It’s better to build slow with the right people than crash fast with the wrong ones.
Still figuring it out? At The Lung Machine, we work with both solo artists and bands, as long as they’re serious about the music and real about the work.
Want to chat it through? You know where to find us..