Audition follow-up rant

[Mr. St. Paul]

I auditioned a couple of weeks ago with a band that does the music of Tom Petty. They put out a listing looking for second guitar (mainly rhythm) and backup vocals. I responded saying I was interested, had a nice, lengthy phone conversation with the bandleader, and set up a date to get together. He sent me a list of 10 Petty songs to have ready and a YouTube link with a collection of videos of the songs they do.

I showed up at their space on the agreed upon time and set up. I acquitted myself well, except for one embarrassing brain fart: I forgot the chorus chords on ‘Running Down a Dream’, a song I’ve played countless times. They didn’t seem fazed by it, and reacted positively to my playing and backup vocals—they don’t have a current member who can do backup vocals. I was also happy because this was the first time I’ve used my Quilter Aviator Cub in a band setting, and it sounded good.

We played for a couple of hours and wrapped up. I was told they had two more auditions scheduled the following weekend, so they wouldn’t make a decision until after that. The leader told me I did a good job and “had as good a chance as anyone”. I thanked him for the opportunity, said I had fun, they sounded good, and I looked forward to hearing from him.

It’s been over a week since those auditions were scheduled, and I’ve heard nothing. I can only assume I’ve been ghosted. This has happened to me before, and I find it to be unprofessional and inconsiderate. I get that it’s uncomfortable for some people to deliver the message that they’re hiring someone other than you, but—you don’t have to do it directly. You can text or e-mail me and move on with your life.

When this happened to me a few years ago, I considered e-mailing the bandleader and telling them pretty much what I wrote in the previous paragraph. But eventually decided not to. I figured if that’s how they conducted business, they wouldn’t see any problem with it, and they’d chalk my reaction up to sour grapes at being passed over. All in all, I concluded it’s best to lose out on a gig and find out how people conduct business right at the start, instead of working with them and finding out further down the road.

Anyone else experience this? What are your thoughts on the matter?

 

[Peegoo]

@Mr. St. Paul

When I've auditioned, I always ask when I can expect a decision from them. If the leader says, "in a week," I reply, "If I don't hear back from you by then, I'll contact you on day eight."

It lets the leader know you're serious, and it shows you can be professional--and you expect the same from them as well.

 

[Novak]

Mr. St. Paul:
There's no accounting for taste (Joe Jackson).

And remember, you're dealing with some of the flakiest people on the planet: Musicians.

Someone in the band might not have liked your "look" (is this a full-on tribute band?) or the guitar you played or your age or the clothes you wore.

Don't spend too much time thinking about it. Per Earl Slick: You need to have a "thick hide" in this business.

 

[brookdalebill]

I’ve auditioned and won, I’ve auditioned and didn’t win.
Sometimes there’s more at play than how well you performed the music.
Your age, appearance, and like-ability come into play, too.
Whenever I audition, I mentally “see the future” to the best of my ability.
I observe the leader, and other players.
I look for how everyone treats each other.
I never “beat myself up” if I don’t get the call.
There’s always the next one.

 

[Telenator]

Happens all the time. Not fun but, that's what happens.

 

[jays0n]

Start your own Tom Petty band, and put up posters all around where that band plays.

“Tom Pretty band for hire! Better than the real thing! We play for half the price of other Tom Petty bands!”

and then post the set list they gave you as an example, and your phone number.

 

[srblue5]

And remember, you're dealing with some of the flakiest people on the planet: Musicians.

Ghosting seems to be an increasingly common occurrence even outside of the music world. It seems to be an increasingly acceptable practice too, such as in the world of interpersonal relationships.

Would be nice if people could just be upfront and tell you the bad news, so that you get some closure, maybe some feedback, and get on with your life. It's not always easy or comfortable to deliver bad news, but it is a nice, professional courtesy. Instead, people these days just expect you to read between the lines and figure it out for yourself. Sad.

 

[Tom Grattan]

You might try a bit more patience but "that's life" if they don't respond. The key is to move on if it happens and be positive.

 

[Lonn]

It’s been over a week since those auditions were scheduled, and I’ve heard nothing. I can only assume I’ve been ghosted.

That's the way of the world these days. I had THREE job interviews in the last few year where I was told I was EXACTLY what they're looking for. That's a quote. Never heard back from any of those jobs.

 

[CV Jee Beez]

trying to get into or be in bands, you gotta kiss a lot of frogs. Rudeness, weirdness, and everything else are to be expected, IMO.

 

[andy__d]

Maybe one of the other auditions had to postpone, or they got some additional responses to the ad that they want to be fair and give a Chance to audition?

 

[schmee]

I auditioned a couple of weeks ago with a band that does the music of Tom Petty. They put out a listing looking for second guitar (mainly rhythm) and backup vocals. I responded saying I was interested, had a nice, lengthy phone conversation with the bandleader, and set up a date to get together. He sent me a list of 10 Petty songs to have ready and a YouTube link with a collection of videos of the songs they do.

I showed up at their space on the agreed upon time and set up. I acquitted myself well, except for one embarrassing brain fart: I forgot the chorus chords on ‘Running Down a Dream’, a song I’ve played countless times. They didn’t seem fazed by it, and reacted positively to my playing and backup vocals—they don’t have a current member who can do backup vocals. I was also happy because this was the first time I’ve used my Quilter Aviator Cub in a band setting, and it sounded good.

We played for a couple of hours and wrapped up. I was told they had two more auditions scheduled the following weekend, so they wouldn’t make a decision until after that. The leader told me I did a good job and “had as good a chance as anyone”. I thanked him for the opportunity, said I had fun, they sounded good, and I looked forward to hearing from him.

It’s been over a week since those auditions were scheduled, and I’ve heard nothing. I can only assume I’ve been ghosted. This has happened to me before, and I find it to be unprofessional and inconsiderate. I get that it’s uncomfortable for some people to deliver the message that they’re hiring someone other than you, but—you don’t have to do it directly. You can text or e-mail me and move on with your life.

When this happened to me a few years ago, I considered e-mailing the bandleader and telling them pretty much what I wrote in the previous paragraph. But eventually decided not to. I figured if that’s how they conducted business, they wouldn’t see any problem with it, and they’d chalk my reaction up to sour grapes at being passed over. All in all, I concluded it’s best to lose out on a gig and find out how people conduct business right at the start, instead of working with them and finding out further down the road.

Anyone else experience this? What are your thoughts on the matter?

Sometimes things move slow trying to get everyone together and doing more auditions etc. Not to mention band members that are on the fence about putting in the effort to start a whole new thing. They can all be enthusiastic about it but when the work starts, or someone's wife starts questioning hubby spending about the time etc etc etc etc.... things change.

Why dont you just nicely give him a call and see what they are thinking at this point? A week or so ain't much time really....

 

[Lowerleftcoast]

Or...

 

[Dan German]

Not calling back, regardless of whether they want you or not, is unprofessional. The best thing to do is not match that. Call them back and ask what’s up. Or don’t. Your choice.

 

[raito]

Imagine being ghosted by an organization you already work for.

 

[goonie]

Don't call us, we'll call you. It's been going on forever; now there's a word for it.

 

[String Tree]

I auditioned a couple of weeks ago with a band that does the music of Tom Petty. They put out a listing looking for second guitar (mainly rhythm) and backup vocals. I responded saying I was interested, had a nice, lengthy phone conversation with the bandleader, and set up a date to get together. He sent me a list of 10 Petty songs to have ready and a YouTube link with a collection of videos of the songs they do.

I showed up at their space on the agreed upon time and set up. I acquitted myself well, except for one embarrassing brain fart: I forgot the chorus chords on ‘Running Down a Dream’, a song I’ve played countless times. They didn’t seem fazed by it, and reacted positively to my playing and backup vocals—they don’t have a current member who can do backup vocals. I was also happy because this was the first time I’ve used my Quilter Aviator Cub in a band setting, and it sounded good.

We played for a couple of hours and wrapped up. I was told they had two more auditions scheduled the following weekend, so they wouldn’t make a decision until after that. The leader told me I did a good job and “had as good a chance as anyone”. I thanked him for the opportunity, said I had fun, they sounded good, and I looked forward to hearing from him.

It’s been over a week since those auditions were scheduled, and I’ve heard nothing. I can only assume I’ve been ghosted. This has happened to me before, and I find it to be unprofessional and inconsiderate. I get that it’s uncomfortable for some people to deliver the message that they’re hiring someone other than you, but—you don’t have to do it directly. You can text or e-mail me and move on with your life.

When this happened to me a few years ago, I considered e-mailing the bandleader and telling them pretty much what I wrote in the previous paragraph. But eventually decided not to. I figured if that’s how they conducted business, they wouldn’t see any problem with it, and they’d chalk my reaction up to sour grapes at being passed over. All in all, I concluded it’s best to lose out on a gig and find out how people conduct business right at the start, instead of working with them and finding out further down the road.

Anyone else experience this? What are your thoughts on the matter?

That's a tough one.
You do your best, only to have it held against you.
Not much you can do about Ghosts.

 

[Nogoodnamesleft]

Unfortunately this seems all too common. But like most ghosting situations in life, the best thing is not to wait around or pass up opportunities that come your way. I know a guy who says the best word in the English language for nearly all aspects of life is ”next”.

 

[Ciro]

Seems to be common courtesy to let you know, especially when they said they would, but courtesy isn't common anymore. I don't know your age or theirs, but I am older and was raised a certain way. Generations since don't have interpersonal relationship skills. The concept that not doing what you say or blowing people off doesn't even occur to them as being unacceptable. Sad.

 

[telemnemonics]

Maybe your Tele fingerboard was too clean?