Overview
A side project is a secondary undertaking pursued alongside a primary commitment. In music, it typically describes work by one or more musicians who are better known for their roles in another band or ensemble. The term also applies more broadly to artists, writers, designers, engineers and professionals who launch separate endeavors to explore ideas or skills not suited to their main outlet. A side project can be short-lived or evolve into a long-term identity.
Typical characteristics
- Different focus: the material often diverges in style, genre, or tone from the creator's main work.
- Lower commercial pressure: projects may prioritize creativity over mainstream expectations.
- Flexible membership: collaborators may include friends, guest performers, or rotating lineups.
- Variable commitment: activities can range from a single recording or show to a sustained parallel career.
Musicians sometimes describe these efforts using labels such as side band or solo project, and creators in other fields adopt the same model to pursue experiments without altering their principal brand or employer. Fans and critics often treat side projects as windows into an artist's broader interests.
History and development
The practice of launching side projects dates back as long as collaborative art forms have existed. Within popular music, members of established groups have taken on external collaborations, alternate bands, or solo releases to test new sounds or work with different people. Over time, the idea spread into other sectors, such as software development, where hobby apps and prototypes function as side projects for professionals.
Uses and importance
Side projects serve several purposes: they allow creative risk-taking, provide outlets for material that does not fit a main act, foster cross-genre experimentation, and offer collaboration opportunities. They can refresh an artist's main work, create new audiences, or act as a transitional step toward a different career path. For creators outside music, side projects can be learning laboratories or portfolio pieces.
Distinctions and notable facts
- Side project vs. solo career: a side project is often secondary and informal, while a solo career implies a primary, sustained identity.
- Side project vs. supergroup: supergroups bring established names together as a primary act; side projects typically originate from members' existing commitments.
- Impact: some side projects remain niche; others influence mainstream trends or become the artist's main focus.
For further reading, see related resources on bands and collaboration, creative experimentation (creative processes), and examples of cross‑disciplinary projects (case studies).