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Post by jimdurty on Apr 5, 2006 15:35:21 GMT -5
Does anyone have any advice for getting to the next step? Our next step is getting a bigger following and getting into some of the more popular venues in the area. We seem to be caught in this "you need a bigger following" - "the places we're playing don't have much of a crowd" vortex. We've tried adding more popular music to our setlists, among other things, but we still seem to be having a tough time figuring this thing out. We get great feedback almost everywhere we go, but that isn't cutting it.
Right now if asked I'd commit to being able to bring 20-30 people with us, if it's in the right area of course. Agents don't seem interested until they hear 50. ughhh.
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Post by Johnny 5 on Apr 5, 2006 18:25:02 GMT -5
Man, have I been there before! I bet a bunch of people here have a ton of experience in this matter, but I'll start it off. First off, 20-30 people is nothing to sneeze at. Sounds like you guys are off to a good start.
The biggest thing you need to focus on is PROMOTING. This is second only to practicing. No band can promote too much. You guys are up by UCONN, no? Try promoting yourselves to the college crowd as much as possible. Other ways are on the web, posters in the venues you're playing, merchandise, *HERE*, hehe. But most of all, word of mouth is the best way to get people to a show. Some of the most successful bands I know were mainly successful because they were able to drag their friends to almost every show. If you have a good number of drinking buddies then you have a good start. Try to get them to bring their friends, and tell them to tell their friends the same.
Other than promoting, it's best to put on a great "show" along with your music. Try to be interactive, lay off the long breaks between songs, know when your crowd wants to dance and when they want to rock! People will remember you if they have a good time at your show.
Like I said, I'm sure others will give you more great advice as well.
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Mike
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Post by Mike on Apr 6, 2006 9:38:49 GMT -5
Man is this a common issue.
I can remember the days when bars actually had built in crowds and people actually would go out to see whatever band was playing at their favorite bar / club. Now you as a band need to bring people. This really sucks for the musician but there are still a few clubs out there that have somewhat of a crowd based on their location.
I'd say that I agree 100% with what John is saying.
I'd say that the biggest thing is promotion and word of mouth. The biggest problem is that it takes a while sometimes for this to pick up steam and you need to be a bit patient with it while at the same time being agressive with the promotion. I can think of a few really good bands that have been around the block and still have a problem with a following.
It might take a couple of years sometimes to pick up a really solid following depending on where you are playing.
The web is a great tool, use it as much as possible. Have people get on an e-mail list at shows. Use the calander here. Myspace, gigwizard, other message boards like this one are great for getting the word out.
Another thing is just have fun at shows. Even if there are 5 people in the room, play it like it's packed. I know it's really hard to get your head in the game but you want a good, fun, interactive show regardless.
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Mike
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Post by Mike on Apr 6, 2006 12:36:25 GMT -5
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Post by Johnny 5 on Apr 6, 2006 13:27:27 GMT -5
Thanks Mike, yeah, that article came out of a bad experience I had recently.
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Mike
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Post by Mike on Apr 6, 2006 13:40:48 GMT -5
Yeah, I had a bad experience myself. Again, this is a very common subject of debate.
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Post by Johnny 5 on May 1, 2006 12:47:43 GMT -5
Yeah, Federal Bison is a good band, we played one of the Brickyard Block Parties with them.
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Post by lowestfrequency on Jul 31, 2006 3:35:20 GMT -5
My band, Branded Soul, is at this stage right now and it sucks. We are good enough to play some of the better rooms - which would get us in front of more potential fans - but since we don't already draw 50+ every time out we've gotten the cold shoulder.
No matter how many times I tell myself, "It's cool. This is a hobby and not something I'm relying on to pay the rent." I still get frustrated with the scene.
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Post by Johnny 5 on Jul 31, 2006 9:50:53 GMT -5
Yeah, that's one issue in CT mostly. Bars are so concerned that they might get a band in that doesn't draw. That's not the function of a band. See my article on this. There are so many bands that are awesome, but don't have the following yet. But if they played a room like Thirsty Turtle in Stamford, that has a built in crowd, they'd do awesome. I'd like to see more bar owners taking a chance on music. Sure you'll have a bad night here and there, but you'd also build a reputation as a cool bar with good music, rather than a bar that has the same bands all the time. In the long run, I'd think you'd make a whole lot more money. |
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Post by Johnny 5 on Jul 31, 2006 10:21:56 GMT -5
That arguement goes both ways.. One key to it.. Is don't play 2 shows a week.Unless they are out of state or far apart. Only play one so you don't split your fan base. Try to stick to venues that are known or are small (eaiser to fill) Don't expect to go into Boston or NY unless you can draw 30+ or you network with another well known band. CT and Western MA are cover bars. That is why they count on a bands draw. There are so many choice's for people to go to they may count on your draw alot. That is the nature of the music business in CT... A couple things to remember.. Don't make a promise you can't keep. All the owners talk. If you say you can bring 20 people.. Bring 20 people. Don't burn any bridges. Even if you bring in a good crowd.. Remain humble. If the owner gives you any crap.. Good points, and you're right, it does go both ways. I mention that in my article too. A lot of bars have been burned by bands because they had alot of hype and not much else. But I think unless you're taking a risk now and then, you're bar/club can become stale. |
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Post by lowestfrequency on Jul 31, 2006 16:20:41 GMT -5
I definitely agree that you need to spread yourself out to avoid over-saturating any one market. We just booked two shows at Otter's in Torrington five weeks apart and I'm nervous about that second show. I would've liked it to have been seven or eight weeks after the first *but* we like the room and think we still have a chance to draw well.
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Mike
Scenester
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Post by Mike on Jul 31, 2006 16:25:27 GMT -5
I agree. I think oversaturation is a bad thing and have seen it happen. Sometimes you just have to be selective on your gigs.
Otters usually has people there and is a great place to play so you'll probably be fine with five weeks separation.
Love the Cliff Burton quote.
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Post by Johnny 5 on Jul 31, 2006 16:29:01 GMT -5
Yup, look at my band's schedule. We play one show a month if that. So far it's working. We get all the people who were going to go out that month at one show.
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Post by lowestfrequency on Jul 31, 2006 18:48:39 GMT -5
Love the Cliff Burton quote. Thanks. Cliff was the reason I started playing bass a few years ago. I don't have the time and talent to even begin to approach his playing but I try to give it up as hard as he did on stage. |
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Post by Johnny 5 on Jul 31, 2006 19:09:22 GMT -5
Cliff was amazing. I still have my VHS copy of Cliff 'Em All!
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