How to write a killer musician bio (with examples)
By Matt Mateus
Posted in Guides
Your bio is one of the first things people see—whether it’s a new fan looking to learn more about you, a promoter considering giving you a show, or a playlist curator deciding whether to feature one of your tracks. But most musician bios miss the mark. They’re too vague, too long, or just don’t get to the core of who you are as an artist.
The good news? Writing a great bio doesn’t have to be hard. Most follow a simple formula—and when you get it right, it’s way more likely to be read, remembered, and actually used.
Here’s how to write a killer bio for your music that people will actually read.
Why your bio matters
A good bio saves time and opens doors. Like I mentioned in this post about getting press, music industry folks—like bookers, writers, managers, and curators—are busy. They’re usually looking for a reason not to cover you.
If your bio is vague, generic, or hard to follow, they’ll move on. But if it’s clear, interesting, and easy to read, you’ve got a much better shot at getting a reply, some coverage, or whatever opportunity you’re looking for.
So what makes a good bio? It starts with your story.
Step 1 – Identify your story
Every good bio starts with a sense of where you came from. It doesn’t need to be dramatic—but it should feel personal. A single detail, turning point, or moment of clarity can give people a reason to connect with you.
How did you start making music? What drives you? Was there a moment that shaped your sound or direction? You don’t need your life story—just something real and memorable.
Note: The examples below (and throughout this post) were written for illustration purposes. They’re based on real artists, but not taken from their official bios.
A child music prodigy in Reykjavík, Björk released her first album at 11 and later broke away from punk and jazz bands to carve out her own surreal, genre-defying solo path.
Formed by music-obsessed record store clerks in Hoboken, Yo La Tengo grew from lo-fi beginnings into one of indie rock’s most quietly enduring bands.
Started as a solo recording experiment in a university stairwell, Cigarettes After Sex slowly evolved into a full band known for their hazy, slow-motion sound and late-night atmosphere.
Not everyone is a child prodigy—and that’s not the point. Maybe it started in your bedroom, a friend’s garage, or while messing around on a laptop after class. That’s still a story.
It doesn’t need to sound impressive. It just needs to be honest. Focus on a moment, a spark, or a shift that helps people understand where your music comes from—and why it matters to you.
Prompts to help you find your story:
Was there a moment you decided to start taking music seriously?
What pushed you to write your first song or release something?
Did your sound change after something personal, like a move or a breakup?
Did something shift in your writing or sound that helped you find your voice?
What’s something about your musical path that most people wouldn’t expect?
Step 2 – Describe your sound
This is where most bios fall apart. “Genre-defying,” “eclectic,” and “emotional” don’t tell us much. Be specific. Give people reference points—or describe how it feels to hear your music.
This doesn’t really tell us anything:
“Our sound is hard to describe—it’s a mix of all genres, full of raw emotion and unique vibes.”
Instead, try something like:
Frank Ocean blends ambient R&B, warped soul, and stream-of-consciousness lyrics into emotionally rich songs that feel like voice memos from another world.
A glossy mix of synth-pop and laid-back French disco—Phoenix makes music that feels like summer in slow motion, equal parts cool and catchy.
Like Elliott Smith whispering through a haunted dreamscape—Phoebe Bridgers writes slow-burning songs that mix hushed folk with ghostly reverb and sharp lyrical edges.
You don’t need to name-drop five bands or over-explain it. Just give people a mental image or a feeling they can latch onto.
Prompts to help you describe your sound:
What artists or genres have shaped your sound the most?
What’s the mood or vibe your music creates?
What instruments or sounds do people notice first?
If your music played in a movie scene, what kind of scene would it be?
What have people compared your sound to—and did it feel accurate?
How does your music feel live vs. recorded?
Step 3 – Explain what sets you apart
This is your opportunity to explain why someone should care about your work. What unique qualities do you bring to your music? Consider things like your creative process, distinctive style, artistic philosophy, or stage presence—whatever sets you apart from other artists in your space.
It doesn’t need to be flashy. Maybe it’s the flow of your live sets, the textures you build in your recordings, the visual choices behind your artwork, or the recurring themes that tie your songs together.
Highlighting what makes your artistry unique—whether it’s your method, your perspective, or your performance style—can help people connect with you and understand what you’re all about.
My Bloody Valentine built their legacy on bending the rules of guitar music—layering massive walls of sound, alternate tunings, and pitch-shifted textures to create something closer to hallucination than rock.
William Basinski transforms decay into beauty, using looping tape machines and deteriorating archival material to explore memory, loss, and the passing of time in slow, haunting detail.
Yussef Dayes fuses jazz drumming with broken beat, psych, hip-hop, and spiritual music—turning every live set into a high-speed meditation that refuses to stay in one genre or groove.
Prompts to help you find what sets you apart:
What do people always say after they see you live?
What part of your process is unusual or unexpected?
Is there a concept, cause, or philosophy that guides your work?
Do you present your music in a visually distinct way?
Have you done something DIY or unconventional that most people wouldn’t?
Step 4 – Add a few real highlights
This is where you can mention press coverage, notable shows, playlist placements, radio play—anything that signals momentum or credibility. Keep it short. One or two meaningful mentions go further than a long list of minor ones.
Laraaji became a cult figure after being discovered by Brian Eno in the ’80s, but his story also includes decades of NYC street performances, DIY cassette releases, and a slow-building global following.
Gracie Abrams started sharing bedroom demos on social media before being picked up by major press outlets like Rolling Stone and landing tour support slots for Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift.
Tame Impala began as a one-person home recording project that gained traction through Triple J radio play and indie blog buzz—before Kevin Parker’s psych-pop vision became a global festival staple.
You don’t need to force it or exaggerate. Mention something real: a local write-up, a tour you booked yourself, a playlist add, or something DIY you’re proud of.
Prompts to help identify good highlights:
Have you opened for a well-known artist or played a respected venue?
Has a playlist, blog, or DJ given you a boost?
Have you self-released something that gained unexpected traction?
Has your music been used in film, TV, a short, or an art installation?
Did you crowdfund a release, tour, or video and hit your goal?
Step 5 – Share what’s happening now
This is your closing moment.
After telling your story, describing your sound, and sharing a few highlights, end with where things are headed. Mention what you’re working on—an upcoming release, tour, collaboration, visual project, or even just writing and recording.
IDLES have been touring relentlessly behind their fifth album TANGK, expanding their sound while continuing to turn every live show into a cathartic, punk-adjacent explosion.
Japanese Breakfast is balancing studio time with film scoring projects, while touring behind the Grammy-nominated Jubilee and releasing a memoir.
The Cure, over four decades in, are back with a massive global tour and a long-anticipated new album, proving their ability to sell out arenas while still evolving their sound.
Even if you’re in a quiet phase, say something. You don’t have to fake momentum—just be honest.
Prompts to help you close strong:
Are you releasing music soon—or just dropped something worth hearing?
Are you heading out on tour, or playing a local release show?
Are you working on a new project, even if it’s still early?
Are you collaborating with someone or shifting direction creatively?
Is there a story behind your next release that helps people connect with it?
How to put it all together
Once you’ve worked through your story, your sound, what sets you apart, your highlights, and what’s happening now—you’re ready to shape it into something usable.
Different platforms call for different lengths, so having 2–3 versions of your bio ready can save you a ton of time. You don’t need to write them all from scratch—start with your long version, then trim it down.
Short bio (1–2 sentences)
Best for: Social bios, smart link pages, music platforms with limited space
Quickly say who you are and what you sound like. This version should be direct, memorable, and easy to copy.
Tycho blends ambient electronics, organic instrumentation, and visual design into expansive, instrumental soundscapes that feel both nostalgic and cinematic.
Medium bio (1 paragraph)
Best for: Music platforms, artist websites, curator submissions
Gives a quick overview of your sound, a bit of background, and what you’re doing now.
Fred again.. blends intimate voice notes, field recordings, and euphoric dance production into emotional electronic music that feels both deeply personal and built for the dancefloor. After years working behind the scenes as a producer for artists like Ed Sheeran and Stormzy, he launched his solo project during lockdown, building momentum through his Actual Life series and improvised live sets that feel like shared emotional release.
Long bio (3–4 paragraphs)
Best for: Press releases, media kits, label outreach, and anywhere a full artist story is needed
This version gives the full story—how you got here, what your music sounds like, what drives your work, a few key highlights, and what you’re working on now. The example below follows the same five-part structure covered earlier.
Step 1
Brian Eno is a British musician, composer, producer, and visual artist known for pioneering ambient music and reshaping the sound of pop, rock, and electronic music over the past five decades. Originally emerging as the synth-wielding, glam-drenched outsider in Roxy Music, Eno quickly stepped away from the spotlight to pursue solo work that blurred the line between composition and experimentation.
Step 2
His early solo records like Here Come the Warm Jets and Another Green World mixed art-pop with tape loops, chance operations, and sonic collage, laying the groundwork for what would later become known as ambient music. Albums like Discreet Music and Music for Airports offered a radical rethinking of what music could be—not just entertainment, but atmosphere, space, and mood.
Step 3 & 4
Outside of his own work, Eno became one of the most quietly influential producers in modern music. He helped shape the sound of Talking Heads, U2, David Bowie, and Coldplay—always pushing artists toward the unexpected, the generative, and the unfinished. His collaborations with David Byrne, Jon Hassell, and Harold Budd expanded the language of electronic and world music without ever settling into a single genre.
Step 5
Now in his seventies, Eno continues to release solo projects, compose for installations, and speak about the intersections of creativity, technology, and climate change. Whether composing generative scores or hosting conversations about the future of art, his work remains rooted in curiosity, process, and playful subversion.
Things to keep in mind
Be specific. “We live and breathe music” doesn’t tell anyone anything. Give real details.
Keep it readable. If it feels like a wall of text, people won’t finish it.
Match your tone. Your bio should sound like your music—whether that’s playful, moody, raw, dreamy, or minimal.
Use third person. Especially for press or promo purposes, third person makes it easier to quote, copy, or repurpose.
Final thoughts
If you want to write a musician bio that people actually read, keep it simple, specific, and true to you.
Tell a short version of how you got here. Describe how your music feels, not just what genre it is. Share something that sets you apart—and say what’s happening now, even if it’s still unfolding.
And once it’s written, make it easy to use. Keep your bio updated, clean, and easy to find. Add it to your website, your press kit, your artist profiles—anywhere someone might go looking. The simpler it is to copy and paste, the more likely it is to get shared.
You don’t need to impress everyone. You just need to be real, and make it easy for people to understand what you do—and why it matters.
