Booking Gigs / Shows

So you want to start playing? You want to build a fan base? You want a few gigs / shows? You want to play live!
Guess what its one of those hard things to do. I should refine that, its the hardest thing to do the first time. Making that cold call to the cool club or pub up the street to see if you can get a gig can be a tough thing for some to do, the first time out.
There are so many bands around that have been at it maybe a bit longer then you or have connections.
So what!
You will to!
But, it takes a little bit of time and research.

Here are the basics you will need to do.

• Research the venue
• Find out band booker and when the best time to get a hold of him is.
• Call him (simple thing to do) and ask a few questions about the place and how to go about setting up to either meet or to play a show.
• Drop off a demo, photo of band and contact information
• Plan how you are going to promote a show
• Promote the show if you have it
• Call back the Booker in about a week on his time
• Go knock them dead with your music!

I know some of these sound easier then you would think and others maybe a bit daunting. Once you start doing this more often you will have a better idea what to ask and how to did up the information you need. Places like google, yelp, reverbnation, myspace, and a whole host of others can help find you phone numbers and some times names for each place.

If you have a web site make sure you give them the information they would need to find it if they ask. Also include this in your Press kit, you know the basic package you probably will need to drop of for the Booker so he knows what you sound and look like. It makes it easier for them to fit you into a spot with like sounding bands on any night at that venue. You don't want to be a country music act opening up for a metal band.

Don't forget to make plans to promote the show to get people in there. The more you can get in the door the more likely the band Booker is to get you back in for a busier night, or in a better slot the next time you call looking for a show. Get out and put your fliers up where ever you can think of. I cover this in a different article in a lot more detail with ideas of where, what kind of poster to make, what tools you will need to do it, and so on.

It also doesn't hurt to make a plan for online promotion. Hit up Facebook and make an event, just don't be a super pest bugging all your friends every day. Once or twice mention it well in advance ... say about 2 to 3 weeks ahead of it then say 2 to 3 days before. Do the same with your twitter, web site, blog, myspace page or where ever you have your band info posted. Most promoters in small clubs don't have a budget to do a lot of promoting. It sucks to think that a place that is in business is to cheep to try and promote themselves to get more people in. The reality is they rely on the bands to push it for them.

Once you have a gig / show lined up the next one will be easier and soon the next one will fall into place. It starts to snow ball a bit. Plus once you have a few shows done you can add that information to your press kit. You know The when and where of the show as well as how many people showed up to see you. These little bits help the Booker see you are starting to build a draw and that it might be a safe bet to line you up for a show. Plus if you can show that you have up coming shows they are more likely to book you as well. It proves to them in a small way that you are trying and serious about being a band.

One last thought on this I have. Ok you are trying for that saturday night but the booker is not too hot on the idea. Find 1 or 2 other bands that you know and try it again as a group. This makes it a lot easier for the booker to go "ok come in and play!". Why? Because the simple fact is you just saved him or her a bunch of time. You can put together a full show with a couple of acts and he just hast to sit back and let that night roll and be ahead of the game for the next weekend.

I took the chance and started making those calls and doing research just recently. It is paying off. I got 2 other bands that I know in on it and we have 2 shows lined up. I have never in my life just gone out and gave it a go as a solo artist. I will see soon how it will turn out and iff I can keep it up.

Don't Give up!
Keep trying!
Try different things!
Smile and say thank-you!
And most of all HAVE FUN!

I'll let you know soon how it works out for me. Plus I'll be back to add some more ideas to this in the near future.
Cheers!

Local Bands

Should Be A Great Time!

Local Bands

Videos - Part 2

I've come back to this idea again with another take or angle on it.
My thought being that lots of people love seeing behind the senses. Why else would they put out takes, bloopers, and gag reels on movie DVDs and an extra? Everyone loves to see what happens when they are making that movie.

So this thought falls into that idea loosely. Why not video record a rehearsal and share some of it? why not share a little of your usual day to day with every fan of yours? Its easy enough to do now a days with all the gadgets and how connected everyone is with the Internet. You can easily set up a computer or a lap top or a digital camera or two for some interesting views. Just get ready in your rehearsal space and hit record.

Once you have a bunch of stuff caught on cam put it together as a few short videos and share. You would be very surprised at how many people will stop and watch. using a couple of cameras you can splice together back and forth to ad some interest as well. If your jam session runs real long your can easily make a few videos out of it.
This is one more way to connect with fans and friends. It give a great behind the sense look at what you do. Often it helps make your fans a little more passionate about your music. It also helps drive them to your live shows, because they have seen you putting in the time and they often can't wait to be standing stage side to see you first hand.

You could even kick this idea up a notch or two. There are many online streaming services now. Set up a time and a date and stream live for an hour or so. You can set it up as a free viewing for your fans. You could also offer the free viewing of a live stream to anyone who joins your mailing list or fan club. Or you could go even deeper into it and set up one of your live shows for streaming so the far away fans can get an idea of your live show as well. it could again be a free thing to your fans, or you could also set it up as a payed streaming event with one of the many web sites that are starting to offer this service.
Yo could end up making a few extra bucks from a live performance.

As far as streaming live, I have yet to try it out. I know there are a bunch of sites offering this now and they should be easy to find. I would look at the different options to find one that is going to work best. As well finding out what you might need to do this and what any costs might be.
I will be looking into this a little deeper to see what is offered on line for this and what costs there might be.
Let me know if you have tried this out. Did it work well? How was your experiance with setting it up? What would you recommend for doing a live stream? Tips and pointers?
Or have you watched your favorite band live on line either putting on a show or in rehearsal?
Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Keep on Rockin'!
Cheers

6 Steps to Songwriting Sucess

6 Steps to Songwriting Success : By Jason Blume

After reading this book I started to think about my songs and my writing in a different way. I found it helped me find my voice and my style a little better. Al thought I am still working on that I have found it easier to get my ideas out and on the go. I hope in the long run it will continue to help me develop and push myself to the next level and then on to the next after that.

The writer, Jason Blume, covers the basics you need to know about song writing. He covers things like song form, point of view, melody, and a whole host of other skills and tools you will need to become a better song writer. He makes the book very easy to read and follow, as well as giving you tips for the things you will need and the things to think about with your writing.

The great thing about this book is it covers not only the songwriting and artistic aspect of things, but also goes into the business side of it as well. He goes over things like pitching your songs for sale, contracts, staff writing jobs, royalties and everything else in between that you should have some idea about.

There is also a fantastic list of resources in the book as well. They cover things like workshops, copy write contacts, writers groups, different organizations they come up along the way, and many many more.

The great thing about this is Jason Blume has many years experience and many song that have done very well over time. He has been a staff writer, an up and comer, and everything in between. He has songs placed and recorded with artists like, Brittany Spears, The Backstreet Boys, The oak Ridge Boys and many many others. The List of his work reads a bit like a who's who in music.

I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who would love to have a hit song on the charts.

Local Bands

The Elzy Lay Band
March 17 2012 (Saturday - St. Paddy's Day)
Live at:

Eddie Shorts Bar And Grill
10713 124 St NW, Edmonton, AB

10:00 pm only $5.00 at the door!

Should be a face melting good time!

House Concerts

So, looking for a quick Show in between Big shows? Why not look into house concerts?

There is a growing community of grass root shows starting to make a comeback. The house concert. These use to be very popular in one point in time and are starting to make a come back. There are a few communities for this around the country now and a little digging could get you a few shows along the way.

What is a house concert?
House concerts are usually a bit smaller and a lot more informal. They take place in someones home or back yard. Some are out on acreages and tend to be a bit of a party.You can see on average about 20 to 30 people at each gathering. Quite often there is a pot luck of snacks, or a meal is put together something like a  BBQ. A few drinks maybe had depending on the host, and the musicians usually play an acoustic set or two for those gathered.

These can be great for filling in an afternoon or an evening and a lot of fun. You get to meet people that are truly interested and enjoy your music and entertainment. You get to pocket a few bucks, and have a great chance of selling a few Cd's and other items like T-shirts or what ever your bring. It's a great way to promote yourself, connect directly with a bunch of fans and pay for the gas to your next show.

Typically it is a simple acoustic show and does not have to be a big production or overly complicated. You, your acoustic guitar, and maybe a few hand instruments like a shakers, a tambourine or what ever you can think of. The hand instruments can be handed out and some of the people there can join in for some fun. Lots of smiles and laughs along the way can happen and makes it enjoyable for all.

You can check out one of the Canadian communities at www.acousticroof.ca where you can find places to play and what is expected for you and from your host at a typical house concert.

This is just one more idea to help a band connect directly with fans and help you grow.
If you have ever played one I would love to hear abut it and share your experiences.

Videos

Ok so, you have your band web site, maybe photos and a professionally done video. What happens when your in between shows and you have some good traffic to your site?

You want people to keep coming back to your site right?
Why not make a few home made acoustic versions of a few of your songs and put them up on your site over a week or two.
Cost? Ok, I know what your thinking that's a lot of money and time. Well it doesn't have to be.
All you really need is a camera on your computer or laptop and an acoustic guitar. Maybe a few other hand instruments if more then one of you are going to be in the quick video.

This is next to free to do. I don't like breaking the bank for simple things that I can share quickly with people. It also give people a bit more on your site to see and keep them on your pages a little bit longer.

He is a sample of a quick one I did at home one evening.

Quick and simple and if the sound is ok and looks ok put it up. It will give your fans a little extra to come back and look forward to when your not out playing live.

This will also help them feel a little more like you are right there playing that song just for them.

This is just one more simple idea and way your friends and fans can keep engaged with you and your music.

Keep on Rockin!

Cheers!

QR Codes

So let's take a few thing to the next level and step it up a bit.

Everyone now a days seems to have a smart phone or an iPhone. The beauty of that is that most of them can read those QR codes (quick read). You know the those bar code like box that sort of looks like static on an old TV. They are starting to pop up every where.

If you go hunting a little bit online you can find a few different places that will give them to you for free. What you can do with them is great. Link one to your web site, a blog page, a blog or what ever you want. Its a great way to get extra people seeing your band page and hearing your music.

Why? Well on all your posters, hand bills, stickers or what ever you want you have an instant link to your music. Think about how much more information someone can get about your band from a show poster.

This one Is the one I am using right now. I went to a free site and linked it to a  bunch of my pages. I'm using www.itsmyurls.com and it helps direct people to my many websites.

I like it because it is set up for Mobile devices and is very quick and simple to set up, plus I can add sites and links at any time I want.

The best places I can think of to start using your QR code to help promote your music are:

• Poster
• Handbills/fliers
• Stickers
• Print ads
• And full size on a T-shirt

It is a free andit helps direct people off line to your on line promotions.

The only question to you is where else and how else could you use one?

Share you ideas and successfull placements on how you are using a QR code to promote your band.

Keep on Rockin!

Cheers!

Live CD's

I had an idea for one way of promoting your music and upcoming shows. It is a bit of out there idea but, I think it is one that might work well.
So you've had the chance to play a bunch of shows and your are starting to build a bit of a bigger draw of people to your shows. You poster, and out fliers and give stickers away like mad. You have been working almost every angle you can think of.

Why not record a few live shows? Get a handful of your best songs live and make an EP. Put 3 or 4 of your songs on to disk and make a stack of them. You don't have to get super fancy with them. Go with a simple one colour print and a paper sleeve. Set a side a bunch of later. Now on the back of the paper sleeve you can add a print out label that you can do from home. Put your band name, web site and upcoming shows on there.

Think of this simple and low cost CD as a business card. You can easily get 50 or 100 printed up for about the same cost as having business cards made. And the beauty of this idea is make a few different ones over time each with different songs on each CD. Sort of like trading cards of bootlegs.

once you have 2 or 3 different live CD's you can put them together as a live pack and sell them at your shows. Put it in with your merch for about $5 or $6, the cost is going to be around a Buck a disk. So if you have say 3 together in a pack and sell for $6 you are doubling your investment and covering your cost on the copies you hand out.

People love getting stuff for free and what a better way to promote your music then a free sampler.

Giggs - Tool Kit For Guitar Players

There is nothing more embarrassing then being half way though a show and something goes wrong. This is one of those things all guitar players go through. A string breaks, an effects petal dies, a bad guitar cord, or a whole host of other things could and can pop up. It what you do next and what you have handy to get through it that counts.
There are a few basic things guitar players that hit the stage should have on hand. It is always a good idea to have a emergency kit with you for every show you play.

Here is a basic rundown of what you should have on hand:

• Extra Strings - 2 to 4 packs
• Guitar picks - you can never have enough
• Tuner
• String winder - for doing a quick change
• Wire cutters - for trimming fresh strings
• Multi head screwdriver
• Allen Key or hex wrench set
• 9 volt batteries - effects petals & tuners (keep 1 or 2 handy)
• Extra guitar cables
• 3 or 4 patch cables (the little ones for between your stomp boxes)
• DuctTape

A emergency kit with this basic stuff loaded up should get anyone through a show.

Other things to think about can be gear towards your amp. If you have an older amp that runs on Tubes you should have a few extras on hand. As well as fuses for new amps. Before you start playing shows you should also know were and how to change these if it happens. This will make things go a lot faster if yo have to do repairs on the fly.

In my tool kit I also carry a few other items with me:

• Contact cleaner - for switches and knobs
• a cleaning kit - polish and a cloth
• Extra guitar strap
• Extra strap locks

These basic items shoudl help cut down on the oops factor that can happen, and probably will happen.
Nothing wipes out momentum of a rocking show like not being able to do a quick fix. Your tool kit will help you get things turned around quickly and keep the show a rolling.

I might have missed a few items here, so If YOU have things you add to your kit let the rest of us know. It would be interesting to see what has saved you from a big blunder during a show.
I hope this gives you something to think about.
Keep on Rockin!
Cheers!

The Indie Band Bible

This next review is of a book I have read though a few time. The Indie Band Bible By Mark Makoway.

This is a great read. Mark Makoway is the lead guitarist for the Canadian band Moist. Though out the book he talks about how they toured from the start of the band to the great success they had. he covers all kinds of topics like playing live, to handing out stickers, making posters, to the troubles one can have in the middle of no place when the van breaks down on tour.

He covers lots of ground all based on personal experiences over the years in a working band. There are tones of helpful insights great little quotes from other artists and very solid ideas to try. Things like posters and postering to contracts with venues all have a real life story to them.

The personal stories of some of the things that didn't work so well for them really helps make the book. The things that happened to them along the way really make you think, and should make you plan and be prepared for anything that could happen.

I think this is just one of those books that not only Cnadaian musicians should have but all artist who want to get out there should read.

Open Mic

So if you are like me and find you have a bit of a gap between gigs why not hit an open mic night at the local pub.
open mic night can be a lot of fun to go to if you head out with the right attitude. Its not a big gig or a paying one, but sometimes it can lead to other things. there is always a lot of different music played at open mic nights and it can be very interesting to see what people respond to. I find its a great way to test drive a new song that I have written or practice a good cover song.
A lot of time you don't see massive crowds at the smaller places where an open mic night is. They usually fall on off nights when the venue is a bit slow. This is fine its a good place to get practice and help you feel a bit more comfortable on stage. you usually meet other musicians and can get some good feedback from them. Often times you can network and find different opportunities like and opening spot for this band or if the venue has an opening spot available. You never know.

When you do go play at an open mic night it helps expose different people to some of your own original material.
A few basic rules usually apply: wait your turn as there maybe other ahead of you. Be courteous to the other musicians. Be positive any way you can, some of the others participating maybe nervous or just starting out like you once did. Don't over stay your turn, there may be many waiting to get up and play there turn. Always thank everyone after you play before you get off stage. Smile and look like your having fun because you will get it back in turn.

I always look at an open mic as a chance to network with other artists, a testing ground for a new song, away to expose possible new fans to your music, and it is always good experience to play live no matter what.

So, take the chance and hit an open mic or two, smile and have fun.

The Complete Singer-Songwriter

My second Book review. This is another good read for anyone starting out in music.  The Complete Singer-Songwriter By Jeffery Pepper Rodgers.

This is a great book for new artists and artists with some miles on them. It is a fairly comprehensive guide that covers a lot of topics. it covers things like getting started, writing, to getting on stage, promoting yourself, what to expect when going into the recording studio. It also has a great list of resources one can tap into through out you life as an artist.

There are also lots of quotes from other artists and singers though out. Tell of there experiences and they give helpful advice. The list of artists that give advice is varied and very impressive, and I found inspiring.

This is one of those books I think every aspiring artist and musician should have on the book shelf. It is a great read and a very good referance as you travel along making music.