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Post by casoec2 on Jan 14, 2009 0:04:16 GMT -6
I wasn't entirely sure where to put this. But im working on forming a band, most spots filled just waiting on a couple of for sure's. I just wanted to know what all hoops i would have to jump through to actually get a show..We will some of our own material as well as some basic covers. Just curious Thanks in advance.
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Post by Rusty on Jan 14, 2009 0:19:29 GMT -6
That's a good question,I know we used to have a promo pack with a demo and a band photo,and then drop it off with a club owner. A lot of word of mouth and building a fan base was the best thing,but with the internet I sure there are other possibilities now as well. I know Teleslinger will have a few ideas for ya. I'm gonna keep watch on this one too.
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Post by casoec2 on Jan 17, 2009 3:16:08 GMT -6
Thanks man. we are working on getting some things straightened out as far as our own tunes goes, would hate to go in and just be a cover band. We probably wont really be show ready for a while, but i was really curious so i would know what to expect.
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Post by junkman306 on Jan 17, 2009 8:52:04 GMT -6
I know that the last couple of places that Ron, the guy I play drums for, has inquired about, all wanted a demo cd of his music and a picture of him/band. Even with his reputation, people are asking.
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Post by midnightwinestrat on Jan 17, 2009 11:38:18 GMT -6
Yeah almost everyone wants a CD at least, anymore..Seems a bit silly for the hick bars around here...but anyway...
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larryd
Roadie
[Mo0:2]
Posts: 56
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Post by larryd on Jan 29, 2009 10:25:59 GMT -6
Well... thing is. You can make a cd through your computer from something as simple as a vhs tape/audio out. At the very least they get an idea of what you sound like. Pics are really appreciated by clubs, especially stage pics, if only to see that you don't have horns growing out of your hats. LOL!
Now, there's a lot of bad that can be "fixed" with a computer so the pics and bios in a promo pack is really important. Don't b.s. a club owner. If you've worked somewhere, get references. If you HAVEN'T, to say you have because they're checking more than ever!
If a member of your band has worked with someone of note, be able to back it up. Again, pics are important.
Mostly, be yourselves. Again, don't B.S. You might get booked once, but if it's a train wreck, you might be able to blow off bad sound but you can't blow off bad music or playing. There are a LOT of BAD vids on Youtube that bands can't take off because someone in the audience posted them.
I've always said, 4 average guys can make an awesome band but 4 incredible talents can make for a lot of musical collisions.
Here endeth my tirade. LOL!
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Post by vanman on Jan 29, 2009 11:00:48 GMT -6
4 average guys can make an awesome band but 4 incredible talents can make for a lot of musical collisions. Here endeth my tirade. LOL! I believe that was the EXACT thinking of the coach for the hockey team USA when they beat the Russians back in '82 Winter olympics. Best to have a team that works well, together and off of one another than a bunch of incrediable talents fighting for the spot light all the time
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Post by robotiko180 on Jan 30, 2009 1:12:46 GMT -6
Yes...This is a word of mouth business. Don't B.S. the club owners most of them know one another but words travel fast sometimes. Also, When you get in a place and play there often, you will get to know the people and it's best to try and stay out of the B.S. in the crowd. Dress neat and keep a professional attitude. A Myspace page is really nice to have your pictures,music and videos on also (I think, anyways). We just got a Demo done and it has gotten in a few places but I think drummerbabe has the right idea on getting gigs...if you want to play KC and St. Louis or maybe the Casinos. Here in Springfield it is tough to get in to some clubs...with or without Demo's. You should be polished before ever thinking about getting a agent...if the clubs don't care for you, he will drop you like a hot potato. Some clubs wont even mess with you unless you have an agent (Mostly in Bigger City's). I might add also if you can put together some kind of Bio of the band along with pictures of the members in the band. I like to read the bio's of bands, How they got started,Who they have played with and so on. I feel like a band is selling themselves to the owners for a chance to entertain their customers and make them dance,drink and stay until the last call. If you play originals and have 5 or 6 down you could play like the Outland and a number of other places in Springfield and Joplin. Open for other bands...there are a few promoters in town that will book you if they like you. This is were your myspace comes in handy. They see you and hear and start adding you to shows. You wont get paid much for it. The last gig I played a venue like that the band got 50.00. Because you play for the door money plus you will have from three to four bands to split the money with and so on. Well, thats my take on it!
Samuel
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Post by mapexrick on Apr 2, 2009 19:49:43 GMT -6
I handle the booking and promotion of our band. I joined the band two years ago and (OK, here comes the bragging) and when I joined them, they were a rudderless ship. They were doing nothing to promote and playing nothing gigs for little $$. Thru a little effort on my part, we arenow playing as often as we want, playing the top venues, getting 2X $$ what they were getting beforeand have become one of the most popular cover bands in the area. What did I do? Here are a few simple things you can do to separate you from the rest. Here are the ingredeints for the reciepe;
1.) During one of our gigs, I had a competent freind bring his DVD camcorder and record the entire night. Be sure you look good, but not over the top. (This was the hardest part) I spent about a week with a cheap video editing program that was free on my laptop. I editied out a ton of the BS between songs, added titles at the beginning of each song, fade in/out between songs, and then picked out about five of the best songs from the night. I dumped the five songs into a file and dump onto a DVD when we need it. 2.) Using PowerPoint, I created a five or six page presentation giving a quick outline of the band, one page on the overview of the band and why we like to play. Next page is a sample list of our song list. Next page is a short bio of each member with a picture of each member. Next page is a list of some f the venues we play, next page is contact info if you want to book the band, last page is filled with pictures from our live shows That is it. 3.) Using a microsoft word program, I created a trifold flyer, which is a condensed version of the powerpoint. These trifold are also placed on tables wherever we play to promote the band. 4.) A sample promo poster that the club or venue would use to pomote your event date.
Take all these ingredients and place into a brightly colored pocket folder. Using a 3"x2" label maker, print your band logo off and stick it to the front of the pocket folder.
Now, when you visit a prospective gig, you can leave them a promo pack that they can not just har the band, but see the band as well. This will seperate you from all the other bands looking for a gig.
Be persistant. If the club owner says he will get back with you ask them if and when you can follow up with them.....then follow up. One other thing,whch really requires much more than this one sentence.....be sure to ask if you need to bring sound system, lights, etc. BEFORE you quote a price. Our band has two differnet prices based on the need for our sound system / technician. Have fun!
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Post by Rusty on Apr 2, 2009 20:14:19 GMT -6
Wow good write up rick,some good info for sure.Back in the day we had to fight for a one night guarantee and hope we had what it took to come back on Sat. I'm glad things have changed....
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Post by mapexrick on Apr 3, 2009 19:04:28 GMT -6
Thx Rusty. With the economy, the touring acts are booking many of the local gigs. I undersand where they are coming from. I just do this for fun and really do not ned the $$. They do this for a living. So it is getting more challenging to book bands. You have to seperate yourself from the rest.
I have tp share a quick story that happened last Saturday night. We are in our last 20 minutes of our last set, really clicking and packing the dance floor. We complete the set, owner comes up and asks us to play and additonal 30 minutes. Here s the catch....she says "there is a band here that wants a booking. Can they get up on stage and audition?" Inside I am saying, "WTF!" On the outside I say politely, "Sorry, we do not let anyone play our equipment, too much invested". We finished the set, did two encores and wrapped it up. The nerve of a band to come in and try to take over the last set. Very insulting. I spoke with the hijackers and explained our position. They said they understood, but were very smug about it. Club owner was a little clueless. Moral of the story...respect the band on stage, it is their gig.
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Post by Rusty on Apr 4, 2009 18:42:08 GMT -6
Yeah that's just not cool at all. Club owners just don't know the musicians code I guess. The last set is the showcase of the night,or was for us. I never really like people sitting in unrehearsed either,but I guess I was the only one that felt that way,but it makes the whole band look bad IMO.
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Post by sanchofirestorm on Apr 4, 2009 19:52:29 GMT -6
it's a mix of who you know, persistence, and luck.
recordings of you all playing helps. they don't even have to be professional demo's or what have you. we have just a handfull of scratch tracks and that does fine for right now.
then it's off to craigslist and myspace. look for local bands and then look at the shows they have lined up and contact the venue. then go to craigslist music and events/talent boards. I usually search both missouri and arkansas (our band is Branson based, which is basicly in both states).
about half of the venues you contact will accept you I've found. I have not contacted any big places yet, because we don't have a demo and we don't have a press pack(yet).
the way we see it is we are building an audience right now, people that have heard of us. then when we play shows all over the place we will build up a reputation, then , proably early next year, we can contact some of these bigger places and reference them with smaller venues that we have played.
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