The Rise of Bedroom Musicians

Welcome to a world where your bedroom isn't just for sleeping anymore – it's the birthplace of the next chart-topper! I write it a bit comically, but it's not wrong. Besides the rise of musicians solely working from their bedroom, there have been a few chart-topping albums mostly created outside a recording booth.

Let's see how they did it, and how, just maybe, you can be the next viral bedroom artist.

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Albums Created Created in the Bedroom

In the world of music, there's a growing trend that's breaking the mold: artists creating stunning albums outside the traditional recording booth. This section delves into the incredible works of artists like Billie Eilish and Bring Me The Horizon, who have embraced unconventional spaces like their bedrooms to produce music that's not just good – it's Grammy-worthy.

Billie Eilish: turning your house into a studio

‍Billie Eilish, alongside her brother Finneas, turned her bedroom into a hit factory. Their album "When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?" is a testament to this new era of music production. It’s a showcase of how intimacy, comfort, and the familiar surroundings of one's room can foster an environment ripe for creative genius.

They have talked openly about just sitting in their bedroom and jamming out on stuff, with the recording button firmly pressed. I am reminded of this video of almost 5 years ago where a company called AWAL did a short feature on their bedroom studio.

In the video, Finneas talks about them standing in their bedroom striking matches. The reverb of the space provided some extra sound effect that added to the vibe they wanted to capture. That just goes to show how simple yet creative you can get with this.

On the more technical front, he also talks about using a bunch of 'great plugins' digitally to create sounds he didn't have the hardware for. The rise of these plugins have been astronomical. And with it, prices are coming down. It's a real switch in the industry.

Oh, and this album won Grammy's btw.

Bring Me The Horizon: writing on the road

Bring Me The Horizon exemplifies musical innovation in their music but also in there especially evident in their adaptation to changing environments for music creation. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the band faced the challenge of being physically apart, which led them to explore new ways of writing and producing music.

The BMTH members found themselves in different locations, necessitating a shift in their creative process. The band took to video calls and remote collaboration, a stark contrast to their usual in-person sessions. This period of isolation led to a deeper introspection and a raw, more aggressive tone in their music, reflecting the band's collective emotions and reactions to the global situation.

I mean, they wrote a song called "Parasite Eve" for god sake!
Although they actually wrote the bulk of it prior to Covid.

They have a whole documented youtube series on creating their latest album. Their youtube channel is a treasure trove for any aspiring rock artist. A real look into the modern rockstar lifestyle (mostly gym, eating healthy and playing insane shows).

They've now spoken openly about writing most of their stuff on the road. They've ditched the recording studios for the most part, and found this new way of working to actually inspire them. And their latest stuff has been killer so it clearly works!

Here's a video of them writing a recent single sTraNgeRs in a hotel room:

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The One Man Band

Enter BOI WHAT, the fresh face of bedroom music with an AI twist! This new artist is mixing beats with bytes, showing us that technology is the new bandmate for modern musicians. It's an exciting glimpse into the future of music-making. Personally I'm a big fan though many are critical of using AI to create music. In my opinion it's just another tool to add to your arsenal.

The creator behind BOI WHAT ('mathue') has a great TikTok page to look through with a bunch of producing insights.

Especially this one spoke to me. Also shows that he actually knows how to sing and play. AI is, like I said, just another tool for him:

This brings us to ...

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Virality online

Social media platforms have become such a launchpad for bedroom musicians. The GaryVee phrase "Document, don't create" rings true here. Just look at the TikTok above. He's just had an idea, recorded it and 1.6M views later it was a meaningful cog in launching his career. To this day content creators 'reacting' to his songs are what really drives listens on streaming platforms. Throw in a fun twist (like BOI WHAT now does with an AI Spongebob and Plankton voice) and you've got a potentially viral thing.

These platforms are here to stay too. They've really democratised a lot of industries, music being one of them.

The rise of internet-based collaboration tools has also revolutionised how musicians create and produce music. Platforms like Soundtrap, BandLab, and Splice have made it possible for artists from different corners of the world to collaborate seamlessly. Or like BMTH did with just some facetime calls.

Big musicians having fun with features, or collaborating with content creators to get some extra eyeballs. Especially in the rock/metal scene it just feels like a lot of fun.

And that fun shines through in the music. That can only be a good thing.

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It's About Embracing Challenges

Every bedroom musician faces their set of challenges, from acoustics to space limitations. But guess what? These aren't setbacks; they're opportunities to innovate, as I've just demonstrated with the examples above. Maybe you'll discover a unique sound because of how your guitar echoes off your walls, or perhaps your limited space will lead you to minimalist, impactful compositions. Embrace these challenges as part of your unique musical journey.

Besides, the rise of bedroom musicians is more than just a trend; it's a revolution in the music industry. Record labels and producers are now looking towards these intimate creative hubs for fresh talent. The traditional barriers are crumbling, paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse musical landscape. In this new world, your bedroom is your stage, and the audience is global.

The bedroom is now the stage.

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How Will This Evolve?

As we look towards the future of 'bedroom music production', emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality are set to play pivotal roles. Well, it's already doing so.

In my opinion, the distinction between amateur bedroom musicians and professional studio artists is likely to become increasingly blurred. High-quality production tools becoming more affordable and accessible will enable more bedroom artists to produce professional-grade music.

The future will be even more dynamic and inclusive, breaking down barriers and opening up new creative possibilities. New genre's, leaving genre's completely behind, ... It's an exciting time for artists and listeners alike, as we stand on the brink of a new era in music.

Execution will soon be the only barrier. That's in your hands.

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Ending

As we close this exploration of bedroom musicians, remember that your house is more than just a personal space – it's a world of possibilities. Whether you're recording your first track or experimenting with new sounds, your bedroom, bathroom, hallway, attic, ... are all places where your musical dreams can take flight.

So go ahead, be bold, be creative, and most importantly, have fun. The next big hit might just be a heartbeat away, waiting to be discovered in your very own room.

Embrace the limitations and let them set you free!