Changing the Music Biz
Here's What Bookers, Promoters & Clubs Have To Say:
Kyle Brendle
Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
*In 2009 will you be booking (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME amount of Touring acts as 2008? Please explain:
C, the same; it is easy to book great bands and quality shows.
It's another thing to get attendance. We will be shying away from weekday shows
this winter 'til the general weekday attendance picks up.
*Will you be presenting (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME amount of original indie bands? Please explain:
C, the same; we're always looking to present bands that people want to see.
Indie bands or other, in general we are not looking for any type of bands, but are open
to all genres.
*What changes should artists & their label/manager consider for 2009?
They should make sure they have promotions for each market, especially venue
websites and MySpace.
*What is the ideal ticket price?
$10 to $15.
*How will you attract more audiences?
The Stone Pony is looking to offer more amenities in-house, and more
fan-based perks that are publicized.
*Do you expect to earn (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
B, fewer, until the economy changes...Even when you have a full house
they spend less at this time.
*Which music venues do the best job supporting original music:
O'Tooles, Brickwall Tavern, The Saint.
*Which Radio stations best support your music?
G Rock, WRAT, The Hawk, WBJB.
*What other outlets best support indie music?
Internet, print.
*What music biz tool/innovation helps you most? Why?
Having a top webmaster, who is internet savy and can keep up with the youth;
our marketing surveys keep showing 80% of our paid attendance
heard about the show from internet sources.
*Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009? Why?
Thrive..... instinct transcends knowledge; they will always
want to rock !!!
*What will help indie artists the most?
Persistance, and some of the things that would help any bands:
get a good foothold in your hometown market,
align with bands in other markets to network yourself,
have a good product and have your basic band promo together.
*What is your definition of success?
My definiton for a band would be, that they are able to work "their music"
full time (past the day jobs), and the music is getting some attention.
That is the first level, of many. For me it would be putting a band in the positon of reaching
higher levels.
*Name your 5 fave records of 2008 – tell us why you love them.
Nicole Atkins - Neptune City: because there is nothing like a throwback diva
who rocks, instead of postures!!
Last Perfect Thing - Last Perfect EP 2008;
Status Green - Greatest Hits Vol. 1;
Parlor Mob - And You Were A Crow;
The Bouncing Souls - The Gold Record.
John Jeter
The Handlebar, Greenville, SC
*In 2009 will you be booking (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME amount of Touring acts as 2008? Please explain:
Same – maybe even more. In this economy, agents who’ve been controlling the world for the last decade (or more) will start to "Get It" and leave behind the idea that their artists are worth more than what this New Market will bear.
*Will you be presenting (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME amount of original indie bands? Please explain:
Fewer – Nobody knows what “indie” means, nobody knows how to develop/promote indie bands, and the only ones who do play major markets. We’re not in a major market.
*What changes should artists & their label/manager consider for 2009?
All Internet, all the time. Play strictly for door deals – at least at the club level, you’ll make much more money that way, create more, better and stronger long-term relationship, build your careers faster and, again in the long run, make more money.
*What is the ideal ticket price?
$12-$15. Check U.S. Census Bureau figures and BE SENSITIVE to ticket prices in each and every market you play. We’re all different.
*How will you attract more audiences?
More Internet. More Facebook. More e-networking.
*Do you expect to earn (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
We hope (not expect) to earn more because 1) it’s been shown that the music industry does better under Democratic administrations and 2) music venues get “another look” from non-music fans who are seeking alternative entertainment options during a capital-R Recession and 3) assuming credit, etc., unfreezes and the media quit pounding the economic doom-and-gloom story, people should begin to “feel” better – all of those things will conspire to invigorate the industry.
*Which music pubs do the best job supporting original music:
Have to give that one some thought, especially now that Rolling Stone isn’t the go-to be-all-end-all it used to be. Online pubs are doing good, better and best.
*Which Radio stations best support your music?
Commercial radio hasn’t figured out how to engage itself with fans and the “new” live-music paradigm yet, and it’s dying because of that.
*What other outlets best support indie music?
Major-market independently owned and operated promoters and record stores (if there are actually any of those left!?).
*What music biz tool/innovation helps you most? Why?
Celebrity Access. Their database is huge, deep, wide, user-friendly, easily accessible and constantly being worked on.
*Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009? Why?
Has music among human beings thrived since cavemen started beating on drums to tell of the hunt?
*How should the music industry change?
Agents need to focus more on fans, less on commissions and their own infrastructures, and work more toward trust-building relationships that build bridges between promoters and artists – and get out of the way. Fans come first.
*What will help your career most?
Losing agents. Getting promoters and the artists closer to fans will help a lot.
*What will help indie artists the most?
Figure out a good business plan (the music business is 90% business and 10% music) and figure out how to package and sell with precision, hard work and a huge street team your particular product that will make promoters a lot of money and want you back. Take much more control of your career, your itinerary and your destiny (control of your music, where and when you want to play – that is, everything that might involve everything about your fans) and you have a shot at it.
*What is your definition of success?
Fans are the definition of success. Fans who want to spend all their money at your venue and with all your bands – because when you hire a band that you know can put butts in seats 1) you know the band is good; 2) you know the band will deliver butts AND talent; 3) everyone makes money and 4) all the fans are happy. The music business is all about fans. Without ‘em, there’s no business.
*Name your 5 fave records of 2008 – tell us why you love them.
Shinedown’s Sound of Madness, because it’s melodic, real and filled with talent. Corey Smith’s Live EP, because he tells the truth and rocks a crowd – even with stripped-down acoustics. The everybodyfields because it’s all over the map, stylistically and evocatively. Ingrid Michaelson’s Be OK, because she’s hot and everything she does is genuine. And James McMurtry’s Just Us Kids because he’s literate, literary, politically charged, rocks like William Faulkner cranked into AC/DC – and writes songs like they are little music videos.
*Where’s the best music scenes? Why?
Austin and Asheville, because fans care less about who’s playing than THAT someone somewhere is playing, and they’ll pay good money to go see Whoever It Is Wherever It Is – Just Because. THAT’s some good fans.
Todd Adams
Newby's, Memphis, TN
*In 2009 will you be booking (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME amount of Touring acts as 2008? Please explain:
The same amount, which is less than years previous...
*Will you be presenting (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME amount of original indie bands? Please explain:
The same...
*What changes should artists & their label/manager consider for 2009?
They should tell BMI to get the small club circuit a break!
*What is the ideal ticket price?
Less than more! The entertainment dollar is shrinking!!!
*How will you attract more audiences?
More emails, texting, Facebook, MySpace, flyers - guerilla roots marketing!
*Do you expect to earn (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
LESS! Because everyone wants a piece of the pie, and the pie only has so many slices!
*Which music pubs do the best job supporting original music:
Hmmm, Newbys... We do the best we can with what we have to offer! Memphis is a great spot for routing but it's entertainment dollars are few and far between!
*Which Radio stations best support your music?
Tim Jones Program Director @ Kix 106; they recently started an Alternative Country show on Saturday Nights "Front Porch"... we recently did some sold out shows with up and coming artists: Justin Moore, Whitney Duncan, Jonathan Singleton, One Flew South, Adam Gregory, Zach Brown... and we have up and coming artists Cross Canadian Ragweed and more for 2009!
*What other outlets best support indie music?
Fans!
*What music biz tool/innovation helps you most? Why?
The Internet... The fans don't lie! They spread the word faster and stronger than any tool out there! The artists just need to remember who made them all Rockstars: The Fans!!!
*Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009? Why?
Thrive! They say that in recessions, people have time on their hands and need uplifting!!! Any thing is better than listening, watching, reading the daily news!!! Depressing!!! We need the magic that music provides us! The uplifting spirit, the hope, the dream, the release that we all need!!! That's what music does for us all!
*How should the music industry change?
It should lighten up!!!
*What will help your career most?
B-12 to keep me hanging on. More true music fans!
*What will help indie artists the most?
Get on the road, earn your fame and fortune! Everyone loves you in your home town... see if you really are that good!!! The road will teach you more than you ever read in a book!
*What is your definition of success?
Going to bed without worry!
*Where's the best music scenes? Why?
Wherever the people are listening...
Rob Jackson
RipStar, San Francisco, CA
*In 2009 will you be booking (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME amount of
Touring acts as 2008? Please explain:
Less. The economy is slumping bad.
*Will you be presenting (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME amount of original
indie bands? Please explain:
Less. They are not drawing people out.
*What changes should artists & their label/manager consider for 2009?
Focus more on Radio and building acts up before releasing; partner
with well established acts.
*What is the ideal ticket price?
$5-20
*How will you attract more audiences?
Larger events & better known acts.
*Do you expect to earn (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
More,
releasing more music.
*Which music venues do the best job supporting original music:
Irelands
32, The Partisan, El Rincon.
*Which Radio stations best support your music?
Live 105 (KITS), college
and commercial stations nationwide.
*What other outlets best support indie music?
Cable access, zines.
*What music biz tool/innovation helps you most? Why?
Sony Soundforge, online resources - for newtworking & marketing - all
sorts of sites: MySpace, LinkedIn, Reverbnation.
*Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009? Why?
It will
survive...because people always turn to music, but I think dance
music is coming back.
*How should the music industry change?
More free shows, more all-ages
shows, less fees, make money from product sales, pay artists like in
CUBA and give percentages to state and percentages to comapny
facilitating artist success, pay artists and give them homes & health
benefits.
*What will help your career most?
Capital.
*What will help indie artists the most?
Good song writing and fans.
*What is your definition of success?
Enjoying what you do and being able to do that.
*Name your 5 fave records of 2008 – tell us why you love them.
Coldplay, The Killers, Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
*Where's the best music scenes?
Austin, Texas, Philly, NY, SF, LA;
Europe - Germany, France, Asia, Japan. Why? Kids are into it live
there...
Pete Knapp
Atlanta Brewing Company, Atlanta, GA
*In 2009 will you be booking (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME amount of Touring acts as 2008? Please explain:
I book the Atlanta Brewing Company. We only have Fridays available for live shows, the same as last year.
*Will you be presenting (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME amount of original indie bands? Please explain:
Same. They are the only artists we can afford.
*What changes should artists & their label/manager consider for 2009?
They should depend on ticket/live show sales instead of depending on selling physical CDs.
*What is the ideal ticket price?
Depends on the venue and artist.
*How will you attract more audiences?
We are planning a significant marketing push in 2009. We expect to attract more audiences.
*Do you expect to earn (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
I am also an Americana radio promoter. I expect to earn the same dollar amount per client per campaign, but I expect to book more radio campaigns. As a result, I expect to earn more: http://www.peteknapp.com
*Which Radio stations best support your music?
WGCS, KSIL, KFAN, WRFG, WRAS, KAXE, KAOS, KDHX, KDNK, KFJC, KHYI, KOPN, KRCB, KRFC, KRSH, KSUT, KSYM, KUSH, KZSU, WTEB, XM/Sirius Satellite, WCBE, WDVX, WERU, WETS, WFDU, WFHB, WFPK, WGWG, WHAY, WIKX, WMKY, WNCW, WOUB, WTCR, WUMB, WWUH, WRRW.
Ian Bruce
432miles, Lehigh Valley, PA
*In 2009 will you be booking (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME amount of
Touring acts as 2008? Please explain:
We will be booking more, but no youring acts unless we get a great opportunity.
*Will you be presenting (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME amount of
original indie bands? Please explain:
We support Local/Regional music and we are working on a summer
series of shows at Merchants Square Concert Hall in Allentown, PA.
*What changes should artists & their label/manager consider for 2009?
Make music that people will respond to, dance to & get excited by.
*What is the ideal ticket price?
$10
*How will you attract more audiences?
A reputation for producing entertaining shows.
*Do you expect to earn (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
We expect to earn more because we're promoting more shows.
*Which music venues do the best job supporting original music:
Grumpy's in Allentown, PA; The Funhouse in Bethlehem, PA; Magnolia's in Orefield, PA.
*Which Radio stations best support your music?
WDIY 88.1 FM; WZZO 95.1 FM; WLVR 91.3 FM, Lehigh University; WMUH 91.7 FM, Muhlenberg College.
*What other outlets best support indie music?
Women in Art in PA, Lehigh Valley Music Awards.
*What music biz tool/innovation helps you most? Why?
The Internet, mailing lists and all that they can do to get music heard.
*Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009? Why?
I don't know. Perhaps it wil thrive, because music creates community. It feels good.
*How should the music industry change?
I don't like the words "music industry." Music, great music, makes its own destiny.
*What will help your career most?
Being alive. And friends.
*What will help indie artists the most?
Putting out great music & great shows.
*What is your definition of success?
Being healthy in all
ways possible.
*Name your 5 fave records of 2008 – tell us why you love them.
I have at least five hundred songs that I enjoy, from Rock to Gospel
to Broadway.
*Where’s the best music scenes? Why?
The Lehigh Valley, because we have mucho talent & support, and one of the
best places to have a home base.
Jeff Boudreau
Notlob House Concerts, Bolton, MA
*In 2009 will you be booking (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME amount of Touring acts as 2008? Please explain:
I will be booking fewer, only because I was very ambitious and had lots of free time last year, for no other reason.
*Will you be presenting (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME amount of original indie bands? Please explain:
N/A, I present solo folk musicians.
*What changes should artists & their label/manager consider for 2009?
Be themselves. Do not try to emulate the top pop stars. Find your own talent and develop it. The world needs fewer Justin Timberlakes and Madonnas.
*What is the ideal ticket price?
That's a ridiculous question. That depends on the artist and the venue. I'd not pay $125-150 to see Levon Helm in a theatre, but would do so to see him at his Midnight Ramble in Woodstock.
*How will you attract more audiences?
Word of mouth and street team.
*Do you expect to earn (A) MORE (B) FEWER (C) SAME as 2008? Why?
I hope to lose less.
*Which music pubs do the best job supporting original music:
Not going to say because they do a pretty good job of finding new / unique artists now.
*Which Radio stations best support your music?
WGBH in Boston and WMBR in Cambridge.
*What other outlets best support indie music?
WERS, Emerson College.
*What music biz tool/innovation helps you most? Why?
ReverbNation. Best thing since sliced bread. 1) It's free. 2) Great email system. 3) Great metrics. 4) Great home page. 5) Great widgets.
*Will live music thrive or just survive in 2009? Why?
I think it will hold on/slightly decline. Many clubs and coffeehouses and listening rooms are closing, but their patrons will go to the others.
*How should the music industry change?
Producers should let artists be themselves. Don't over-produce, keep it simple. Do not try to emulate the top pop stars. Find your own talent and develop it. The world needs fewer Justin Timberlakes and Madonnas.
*What will help your career most?
N/A. I do this as a hobby.
*What will help indie artists the most?
Be themselves. Do not try to emulate the top pop stars. Find your own talent and develop it. The world needs fewer Justin Timberlakes and Madonnas.
*Name your 5 fave records of 2008 - tell us why you love them.
Geoff Bartley's Blackbirds in the Pie; The Folk Brothers' Partners in Crime. Both are a mix of traditional covers, contemporary covers and original music by some of the finest living songwriters and musicians.
*Where's the best music scenes? Why?
How the hell do I know, I'm not omnipresent. I live near Cambridge, so I'd say Cambridge/Somerville. Why? Because the music is real and not pretentious.
