Re: Getting Gigs

[Douglas Baldwin <coyotelk@optonline.net>]

Travis-
    An excellent description of the gig-booking process. I'm copying it and
passing it along to some of my students (but only with your blessings!) . I
would add that it helps to actually visit the places you intend to play
whenever possible and meet with the owners/managers/steady help. Find out
what they want and what they're looking for, and be flexible in your
approach until/unless your vision commands significant crowds of moneyed
listeners regardless of venue. BTW, a good friend booked a "Borders tour" 
in
the metro NY area by simply hooking up with one, then calling the others,
using the first as a reference. Somewhat disappointing is that the dollar
figures are probably not much different than I would have encountered 
twenty
years ago.
dB

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Travis Hartnett" <tiktok@sprintmail.com>
To: <Loopers-Delight@loopers-delight.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2004 7:54 PM
Subject: Getting Gigs


> >travis.....would be so kind as to give us some pointers as to how we
could go about getting some "gigs".....there >are several "starbucks" here
in town and a good number of other "coffee house/gallery" venues.....what 
do
you >think is the best approach?
>
> First, you've got to make sure that you'd be a good match for the venue 
>in
question.  Starbucks/Tully's are pretty middle-of-the-road in their taste.
Currently I'm concentrating on solo acoustic guitar instrumentals, which is
right up their alley.  Most of their branches don't have music, but the 
ones
that do (tend to be the larger ones) are usually looking for no more than a
trio, acoustic based type material.  Singer-songwriters tend to prevail, 
but
you get the occaisional pianist or classical guitarist.
>
> If you're doing something more on the edge, the corporate chains probably
aren't going to be interested.  I'd look for the more alternative,
independent coffee places in that case.  Bear in mind that there are two
sorts of places that have live music: those that have a customer base and
want to improve the atmosphere of the place, and those that are looking to
musicians to bring in customers and added revenue.  I tend to avoid the
latter, since I don't have an audience that follows me from place to place,
and I don't enjoy playing somewhere where the guy behind the register is
scowling at the register tape all night.
>
> >How do you approach the venues?
>
> I just give them a call, and ask who does the live music booking and how
to get in touch with them.  Usually I talk to that person on the phone
before hand, describe what I do.  It helps to be able to describe "what you
do" in one sentence, such as "Acoustic guitar instrumentals".  Pretty much
everyone understands that, whereas "illbient glitchcore live looping"
doesn't usually go down quite so smooth.  It also helps if you can quickly
rattle off two or three artists who are similiar to what you're doing.  Or,
at least in the ballpark.  Since I can say that I play coffeehouses,
Starbucks, etc. regularly, about half the time they don't ask for a CD.  If
they do, I send  them one.
>
> The best thing that's happened in the last few years is every musician
getting a website.  If you're looking for places to play, find someone in
the area who's in a similiar bag to you, check their website and hit up all
the places listed on their gig calendar.  There's no point reinventing the
wheel, and I believe it all turns into synergy over time.
>
>
> >What is the pay (if any)? Or do you rely on CD sales to make it worth
your while?
>
> The pay varies.  On the low end, we've got free drinks/food and tips.  If
there's any sort of audience, that usually translates to $15-$50.  I put a
pile of six-track CD-R's next to my tip jar (always bring your own tip jar,
and label it "Tips For The Musician" and don't put it anywhere near the
barista tip jar) along with a stack of FAQ type postcards I made that give 
a
brief explanation of who I am, how I'm doing this, my website, how to get 
in
touch with me, etc.  And a sign that says "CD's Free With Donation".
>
> The better places give a guarantee, between $50 and $100, plus the tips
and goodies.  Since I'm solo and most of my gigs are within a fifteen 
minute
drive of my house, this makes it worthwhile.  I've got a handful of
out-of-town (30-90 miles) gigs coming up later this month, so we'll see.
Out-of-town gigs are an investment for the medium term usually--the first
few times may not pay off financially, you've got to keep going back.  
These
gigs always have a guarantee.
>
> One note: I've never discussed the looping aspect of what I do with any 
>of
these places beforehand.  I just tell them I'm an acoustic guitar
instrumentalist and I want a gig.  It never comes up at the show, although
later I found out that one guy who booked me just assumed I was doing
two-handed tapping or something, since there was already a bassist playing
there who did that sort of thing.  Audience members sometimes ask, but the
people working at the venue never do so.  They're busy pulling drinks and
whatnot.
>
> TravisH
>