Audition follow-up rant

[Dirtsquirrel]

It may well be the case that you’re not the first choice for the gig. It’s OK to contact and graciously thank them for the opportunity to audition. Don’t burn any bridges, let them know you would still be interested if something comes up in the future.

 

[blowtorch]

THX1123 said:
"It's not cool to leave you free falling. The waiting is the hardest part. You might be thinking "I need to know!" Or maybe even "don't do me like that."

They could at least tell you to don't come around here no more. But hey, even the losers get lucky some time!"

also- the talk on the street is you might go solo

 

[jays0n]

I've started up more than one band on my own because I didn't get the gig..."I'll show them...I'll do my own version of their idea, and I'll do it better!"
Spite is a great motivator!


but yeah. ghosting is the way, these days. In all kinds of contexts
and it's very unfortunate

Ya know, if I heard that a band was created out of spite, due to ghosting, I would want to go see it more. We might need to put that on the gig posters

 

[blowtorch]

due to ghosting

I wrote a song about that stupid trend, this is a very rough demo version of that

 

[jays0n]

I wrote a song about that stupid trend, this is a very rough demo version of that

I like it!!

 

[OlRedNeckHippy]

I have never been the one auditioning for a position, but I have auditioned many players over the years for a position in our band, cause players, they come and they go.
I'd have to say I have never left someone hanging like that. A lot of audition-ees were just "not our guy", and in the follow up phone call, that's exactly what I've told them.
"You're a good player, but you're just not the right player for this band."
It's a tough phone call to make. Gotta muster all your courage, and tact, and always, I mean always, just tell the truth. I tell them up front, "there's X amount of people auditioning for this part" then later I can say "there's another guy that's a better fit".
It ain't easy, but it's a band leader's responsibility, and burden, to make that call and tell the truth.

 

[Alex_C]

I've started up more than one band on my own because I didn't get the gig..."I'll show them...I'll do my own version of their idea, and I'll do it better!"
Spite is a great motivator!


but yeah. ghosting is the way, these days. In all kinds of contexts
and it's very unfortunate

That is the attitude that created Megadeth!

 

[Fiesta Red]

As @Dan German said above, you might reach out to them. If they’re on the fence between you and another player, your initiative might tip the scales in your favor.

However:
I have a hard time dealing with people who can’t act professionally. They told you a week, they should at least text or call you, “Sorry I haven’t given you a final answer—one of the guys in the band had an emergency and we haven’t gotten together…” (or whatever the reason is).

Another thing to consider if they actually did ghost you:
You dodged a bullet—you now know these guys are unprofessional and/or rude, and that may be an indication of other problems…”Aw man, I know I was supposed to pay you for the last gig—but I’ll get back with you later!”

 

[Doctorx33]

In the corporate world, the only guy that’s gets a call when the interviews are over is the one who gets the job.

In the musical world, it’s not show friends, it’s show business.

Also, if they don’t call, that means they don’t want you. Why would you want to be in a band that doesn’t want you?

 

[Strat Jacket]

There could be several legitimate reasons they have not gotten back with you. Don't assume.
I would call or text the band leader and let him know you are considering other offers...but have not accepted them yet as you are waiting on an answer from him. No reply?...you have your answer. Go find those "other offers".
Don't be the guy waiting for them to call you. It's just a band, not a career. You deserve more respect than a ghosting. That's just lazy and very unprofessional.

 

[teletail]

In the corporate world, the only guy that’s gets a call when the interviews are over is the one who gets the job.

In the musical world, it’s not show friends, it’s show business.

Also, if they don’t call, that means they don’t want you. Why would you want to be in a band that doesn’t want you?

Exactly. I think people are reading way too much into this and getting way too upset. YES, they should call you, email you, text you to let you know you didn't get the position, but they didn't. It doesn't make them evil, conniving, Machiavellian people, it makes them imperfect people. This may be the only band you auditioned for, but you don't know how many people they auditioned.

If I don't get a call back, and I'm interested, I shoot them an email, "Just checking in to see if you've made a decision." I always thank them for the opportunity, you never know what may come up in the future. To completely write a band off just because you didn't get a response from your audition is really silly.

One time the band I auditioned for had sent an email asking me to come back for a second audition to the wrong email address. Imagine if I had sat there stewing and complaining about it instead of just sending them an email back. I take my music very seriously, the whole band thing, maybe a little less so.

 

[Happy Enchilada]

OP: If this is how they do follow-up, perhaps you are better off elsewhere.
I built a one-man, virtual freelance business which I've been running 25 years now.
One of the things this has taught me is the importance of follow-up.
It goes beyond "professionalism" to basic common courtesy.
Which I hear is falling out of fashion.
Still, you're probably better off not trying to teach a card trick to dogs ...

 

[telequacktastic]

I can relate very much with the sentiment of wanting to know if the hard work in the woodshed has paid off. I've been on both sides of the audition process and I'm not a fan of it and think it's antiquated. I know it's hard to see the forest for the trees but let's consider our enemy so to speak...


Maybe they already have a lead guitarist and they just want a backup or haven't decided who yet and don't want to pull the trigger so quick.

Maybe there's no actual booked dates yet to be discussed so time is not of the essence.

Maybe they're breaking up/members are working independently from this unit anyways.

Maybe they don't want to tell you because they want your position to be considered contract labor.



You know I'm just like you, ie a lead guitarist and harmony vocalist so I know it's kind of annoying to spin your tires working on perfecting a set list to just have no final result disclosure on anything. I hope you got the gig but if not, at least you can walk away knowing you gave it a fair shot.


If this were me I'd discontinue worrying about those guys and what they're doing and continue down your own path. Practicing/tone chasing/or what ever it is you like doing.

Either way I hope they contact you here in a couple days. Sounds like a cool band to play in

 

[telel6s]

Yes, the band should have gotten in touch with you by now whether it be "thanks but no thanks" or "hey, the decision is taking us longer than we expected".

But, and I don't want to sound too critical, why didn't you shoot them an email/text in the next one or two days after the audition? That part should be no different than after interviewing for any job from janitor to rhythm guitarist all the way down to lawyer. If you wanted to play with them, I would have had you send a message that you enjoyed jamming with them, looking forward to hearing back, and that you practiced "Running Down a Dream" so as not to make that hiccup again in the future. And if you didn't want to play with them, tell 'em you appreciated the opportunity and had a fun afternoon of music but that you're looking for something else at the moment.

So it's kind of a two way street. You're expecting to hear back from them and they should honor that. But for all you know one of the other folks who auditioned did the follow-up which tilted the scales in their favor.

Just my two cents.

 

[Tone Quest]

Unfortunately your experience is very common. Whether it's a band audition, job application etc. Today's attitude.

 

[Timbresmith1]

Just move on. Keep moving on. If they call, they call. Some people are just “Nice” and can’t abide any possible conflict involving honesty.

 

[T Prior]

Its called band stuff. Give it a few more days then call, "just checking in to see if you've come to a selection". make no assumptions, keep it friendly.

Even if you get pissed off in the conversation , stay calm, keep it positive. Even if you have no intention of ever playing with this band , keep the door open because you never know . You may very well interact with other members of this band down the road.

My experience says unless they wanted YOU there would not be a follow up phone call. Also remember, auditions are TWO WAY streets. Probably something THEY overlooked. Many players do overlook this.

Puzzling though- If they were looking for a 2nd guitar and a harmony singer, and that's what you gave them, I'm confused at what they would be looking for following that . To me they found it and let it walk out the door !

Such is band life , even after playing in the same band with the same people for years, the drama never ends.

Give them a call in a few days, keep it positive

PS - Runnin Down a Dream is a GREAT song, we play it every gig !

 

[teletail]

Yes, the band should have gotten in touch with you by now whether it be "thanks but no thanks" or "hey, the decision is taking us longer than we expected".

But, and I don't want to sound too critical, why didn't you shoot them an email/text in the next one or two days after the audition? That part should be no different than after interviewing for any job from janitor to rhythm guitarist all the way down to lawyer. If you wanted to play with them, I would have had you send a message that you enjoyed jamming with them, looking forward to hearing back, and that you practiced "Running Down a Dream" so as not to make that hiccup again in the future. And if you didn't want to play with them, tell 'em you appreciated the opportunity and had a fun afternoon of music but that you're looking for something else at the moment.

So it's kind of a two way street. You're expecting to hear back from them and they should honor that. But for all you know one of the other folks who auditioned did the follow-up which tilted the scales in their favor.

Just my two cents.

You bring up a really good point. Why is everyone beating up the band for not getting back to the OP, but not the OP for failing to follow up with the band?

I wouldn’t beat up either. But seems both sides are equally at fault here.

 

[sax4blues]

May be a nuance but in OP I didn't read any commitment of band to call audition players back. For me I would be assuming I didn't get the gig, that happens. Unless you're in the middle of a work/life decision based on joining this band I would just move on. No harm no foul.

 

[Mr. St. Paul]

I've seen several responses saying I should follow up with the band. Honestly, I've never done that before, and I'm too set in my ways to do it now.

To make it clear, I'm not butthurt about not being asked to join the band. I just find the lack of follow-up irritating.

Like I said in my original post, I'll take this as a sign of how they conduct business and move on.

Thanks to everyone for your posts.