Getting gigs for a new band?

[tweedyjazz]

I'm new to these forums. I've often looked around the tele forum for info on gear and just decided to join. thus far you guys seem great so I hope you can help me out.

I'm the lead singer/guitarist in a 3 piece folk/indie/punk band and we've got a setlist down and are working on recording a high quality demo. Unfortunately we're having trouble getting gigs. All we've got is an open mic gig in the near future.
I've gigged alot as an upright player in jazz circles but I just don't know where to begin with more "rock" gigs.

[plroad21]

is it original music or covers? if it's originals, it's going to be harder to get gigs in general, but finishing the demo is the first step. that should help a lot. nobody really wants to book a band they can't hear.

really though (and i'm still assuming we're talking original music here), the best thing to do is to make friends with some other bands that play similar styles (or at least something close enough) and try to get them to let you open for them. i'm talking local, small-level bands... emailing a bigger act who's coming through town won't get you anywhere unsolicited... and stick to smaller venues. don't try to start too big. slowly but surely you'll start making friends with bands and venues and it will get easier.

[tweedyjazz]

thanks for your reply.
yes, we are playing originals (though our set has 1-2 covers in it).
Our demo's almost done and we're trying to make it sound the best we can because we know it'll be the way that most people (promoters, etc) will see us.

I like your advice that we should interface with other bands and try and open for similar small acts however, there are very few bands in the area much less many with a similar style to us.

It sounds like the best thing to do is just to get out there and make friends!

[plroad21]

Originally Posted by tweedyjazz

thanks for your reply.
yes, we are playing originals (though our set has 1-2 covers in it).
Our demo's almost done and we're trying to make it sound the best we can because we know it'll be the way that most people (promoters, etc) will see us.

I like your advice that we should interface with other bands and try and open for similar small acts however, there are very few bands in the area much less many with a similar style to us.

It sounds like the best thing to do is just to get out there and make friends!

yeah man. make as many friends as you can. even if the other bands aren't the same style, there's still a chance you could interface for some shows. also, you could offer to play at benefits, etc. if you happen to know people putting any on. also, don't expect to make much money playing originals. just play for the opportunity and then you'll be pleasantly surprised if some money comes along.

where are you doing your demo? also, have you set up a Myspace or anything like that? that should help a bit too.

[plroad21]

where is Stockton, by the way?

[tweedyjazz]

It'll definitely be a bit of an uphill battle doing originals. Not expecting to make much money. (If I want to do that I'm in a much better position playing as a for hire jazz bassist) But I'd love to get out there and play.
I'm doing our demo in my home studio but it's pretty decent quality. I run sound sometimes too, so I've got a good mixer, interface, mics.

As far as myspace and stuff goes, I'm figuring I'll set one up as soon as the demo's done. don't see much sense in having a band page without any songs on it.

Stockton is in the central valley of California. it's about an hour south of Sacramento. I actually live in Lodi, though. (of Credence Clearwater fame) I'm using Stockton because it's the closest decent sized city.

[Dave Hopping]

I'd find venues that do not only original music,but music like what your band does.Then spend time as a customer and get acquainted with the acts that appear there.If musicians get to know you as a person,the interest in your music will come along.Don't hand out your demo(makes you look needy),but do carry business cards with your Myspace or website add.They can hear the music there.

[Martin R]

Booking shows sucks. Other bands seldom help directly, they can point you in the right direction, though.

Most of our success comes from finding who actually does the hiring at the club and contacting that person. First with a mailed press kit, then a phone call, then an EPK with a nice note...Then wait a month and do it all again.

Sometimes we'll go to a club to hear a band, then make a point of meeting the booker. Then send the press kit, make the phone call, follow up with an EPK, etc.

Booking shows sucks.

[plroad21]

Originally Posted by tweedyjazz

It'll definitely be a bit of an uphill battle doing originals. Not expecting to make much money. (If I want to do that I'm in a much better position playing as a for hire jazz bassist) But I'd love to get out there and play.
I'm doing our demo in my home studio but it's pretty decent quality. I run sound sometimes too, so I've got a good mixer, interface, mics.

As far as myspace and stuff goes, I'm figuring I'll set one up as soon as the demo's done. don't see much sense in having a band page without any songs on it.

Stockton is in the central valley of California. it's about an hour south of Sacramento. I actually live in Lodi, though. (of Credence Clearwater fame) I'm using Stockton because it's the closest decent sized city.

not that you know me from anybody, but if you'd like a fresh set of ears when you get your tracking done, give me a shout. i'd be glad to take a listen to your demos for you, maybe even take a stab at some mixing and mastering if you'd like. i do my own bands demos and have done some for friends. its sort of a hobby of mine, but a hobby i really care about. just an offer. no pressure...

[TJNY]

Originally Posted by Martin R

Booking shows sucks.

Then wait a month and do it all again.

Booking shows sucks.

No doubt about it! Anyone ever use a booking agent?????

[woodman]

The important thing is to get your band's name out there, however that works in your local situation. All the suggestions here are good ones (making friends in the your target bars, handing out cards, establishing a Web presence, open mike/jam situations, opening for bigger acts). In the meantime, be collecting names/addresses for your band-spam email list, making sure you include club owners and local media contacts. Once you get a gig or two, publicize through emailings, sending material to the local paper (even if you don't have a proper press kit yet, even a flier helps), putting up posters etc. The idea is to make your band name a familiar piece of the music-scene landscape ... then people will say, "Oh yeah, the Purple People Eaters, I've heard of them — maybe I'll catch their show." It's a snowball effect, and every flake you can add increases your momentum and widens your prospects.

[Paul in Colorado]

As a friend of mine says, "Network, network, network."

[Tim Armstrong]

You also have to be creative about it, think out of the box. Talk to coffee shop owners, local parks departments, downtown civic associations, etc. There are often gigs available from those places, and even if they don't pay much (or even anything), they get you noticed.

Good luck!

Tim

[woodman]

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

even if they don't pay much (or even anything), they get you noticed.

Right — don't hesitate to play for peanuts or for free in the early going. Once you get recognition and a following, the money will follow.

[Esquire52]

In the UK youd just pop down the pub and thed give you a few pounds / bucks for your efforts!

[WaylonFan76]

Originally Posted by woodman

Right — don't hesitate to play for peanuts or for free in the early going. Once you get recognition and a following, the money will follow.

True : we played for the drummer's church family day thing the other day. An older lady steps up to me at the end of our gig. After a short conversation, she tells me she works with the "Downtown Live After Five" commitee, they organize a big open air concert once a month in Downtown area and she was really interested in getting us. I gave her my phone #. You never know who might hear you when you're playing fo peanuts.

[WaylonFan76]

Originally Posted by TJNY

No doubt about it! Anyone ever use a booking agent?????

I'm about to go that route. Manager/booking agent. As soon as we get some studio stuff done.

[cntry666]

You have to make face time and get to know people period. I spent 3 months at this bar just drinking until I finally got a gig. I got to know tons of people when I first moved here five years ago. They hooked me up with other people and so on. Sometimes no matter how good you are it's all about who you know. Cover bands are not big here so you have to have great original stuff. All I can say is network. Booking shows is my least favorite part about being in a band.

[WaylonFan76]

Originally Posted by cntry666

. Sometimes no matter how good you are it's all about who you know.

Truer words were never spoken.

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by Martin R

Booking shows sucks.

Most of our success comes from finding who actually does the hiring at the club and contacting that person. First with a mailed press kit, then a phone call, then an EPK with a nice note...Then wait a month and do it all again.

Sometimes we'll go to a club to hear a band, then make a point of meeting the booker. Then send the press kit, make the phone call, follow up with an EPK, etc.

Booking shows sucks.

I do the booking for our band and this about sums it up.

Also, be friendly, firm, professional, prompt and persistent.