Springfield’s Blue False Indigo recently celebrated their second anniversary as a touring band with a house show for friends.

The band has come a long way from its modest beginnings. The Scoop got the chance to sit down with lead singer Makayla Scott and ask her about the steps people should take to create their own bands.

Step 1: Find band members

When Blue False Indigo was formed, they technically weren’t even a band yet.

“There was this Halloween cover show that one of the local promoters in town was putting on, so I messaged him on Facebook and said, ‘Hey, I have a band,’ — I didn’t — ‘and we want to play this show. Can we?’ ” Scott recalls. “Then I was, like, OK, gotta find a band.”

The first step is finding the right members to play with.

“(There are) probably people that you are friends with already, or at least have a couple of comrades in there, and then you can like pick up stragglers that you need to fill positions along the way. And they obviously become your family.”

Step 2: Pick a name

Band names are a tricky thing. Some groups love their band names, and think long and hard about what to call themselves. Others, such as Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, hate their names.

It’s not entirely known which group Scott falls into, but she offers this advice about picking a name: “There’s like indie band name generators on Google.”

Step 3: Figure out what music you want to make

Many well-developed bands struggle with defining their sound. But some bands have found a way to create something that is distinctively theirs. Take Linkin Park, which has albums that are hard rock, electronic, or remix-oriented. All of these genres stand on their own, but Linkin Park has defined a specific sound that blends those genres.

How do you find your own sound?

Says Scott: “We actually started by playing covers. … We picked music that we liked, that we were interested in, and those are the songs that we chose to cover. Then, we kind of stylized them, and that’s how we figured out kind of what our sound was.”

Also, understand that sometimes finding your sound can be difficult. “I mean, we are still figuring it out, but at least get an idea,” she says.

Step 4: Write songs

After you have become comfortable with a sound for your band, it’s time to get original.

There are many approaches to songwriting and composition, but for Scott, it boils down to inspiration.

“Writing songs for me is pretty difficult,” she confesses. “I literally can only write songs when I have this feeling like I could write a song right now. I immediately have to stop what I’m doing and write.”

Keep your mind open, and be ready. Inspiration can strike anywhere, anytime.

Step 5: Connect with other local artists

In a town such as Springfield, it’s crucial to network with other artists to learn the ins and outs of the local scene, Scott says. Working with other acts can open doors to different shows, audiences, venues, and talent bookers.

“Make connections with other local artists because that is how you are going to start playing shows,” Scott recommends. “It’s because other people will want you to open for their shows.”

Step 6: Practice — a lot

There’s a reason every coach and teacher emphasize practice. When the quality of your sound relies almost entirely on how well you and your bandmates play together, rehearsing is critical.

“Especially when you are first getting started, you want to practice a lot because you’ve gotta develop a sound,” Scott says.

Step 7: Play that first show

You have some friends, a sound, and connections.  Now, it is time to put your work to the test.

“Book the show, play the show, stumble through the show — because chances are it’s going to be rough,” Scott says. “All of your shows might be rough for a while.” Invite friends and family, get a good set list, and most of all, have fun.

“One day, if it’s meant to be, it will click, and everything will feel so much better, and you will feel completely comfortable with who you are, and you’ll be able to work well with each person, and it’s a dream,” Scott says. “That’s what happened to us, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

Step 8: Spread the word

Once you are comfortable with playing for total strangers, do some mass marketing.

It’s not enough to just have social-media accounts, either, Scott says.

“Get people to follow you, and update it regularly, like even if it’s just funny things,” she says. “Keep people posted on when your shows are. … Chances are — especially if you are going to school somewhere — people are going to be like, ‘let me know when your next show is,’ and all you have to say is ‘follow us on Twitter and you’ll always know.’”

Step 9: Love it

Scott’s last bit of advice: “You’ve got to love it. You’ve got to love it, and you’ve got to have fun because what’s the point of doing something if you aren’t having fun doing it, you know? Especially in music. Compromise, and be willing to be flexible, and be willing to keep an open mind and be passionate about it. “