Booking Gigs And
Building A Community
Musician, booker & founder of The Little Red Hen, a singer/songwriter collective, Jan Bell has a unique perspective on the booking process. In addition to booking herself and artists for her own shows at various NYC venues, Jan formerly booked the uber-hip Brooklyn space,
Union Pool.
Here Jan gives some sound advice and explains how bookers think.
BOOKING THE GIG:
Book at least 2 months in advance.
Most clubs book 3 – 6 months in advance. Go and look at their calendars to help discern how far in advance they are already booked. Worthwhile house concerts book a year out, and festivals at least 6 months.
Put your Band name and day and date and time of show in the header/subject line every time.
Initial inquiry - offer two or three dates you are available - in order of preference.
Many clubs have regular events - find out more - and don't ask for a booking on those nights, e.g. open mic/karaoke/quiz night. You can, however, see if they have a local 'residency' artist who may be a suitable act for you to open for. Artists with a steady weekly/monthly gig are often open to this since they also are interested in attracting new audience members.
Follow up: Wait at least 2 weeks after initial inquiry.
Even after follow up it may take 4 - 6 weeks to secure a date.
Do not over book yourself.
Book shows that appeal to a variety of audiences - bookstore/cafe - daytime show, or an all ages show alongside a bar gig - rather than two bar gigs.
If booking two bar gigs, choose different neighborhoods.
Don’t be afraid to ask about this with your primary venue booker. Often, a more prestigious/larger venue will be less flexible about you playing a second gig in the same town the same week.
Better to ask early on than annoy them later. They are sincerely trying to ensure they book decent acts that can also bring a crowd.
PUT YOURSELF IN THEIR SHOES.
I know a booker who receives 300 emails a day, and one part time booking job simply doesn’t allow enough time to answer every single inquiry.
Don't assume people accept booking submissions via myspace.
I prefer a regular email address where it's easier to access our email history /previous bookings, etc. MySpace can be helpful for important clues about a band - but not a one stop shopping destination for bookers.
Some places still prefer an actual CD in the mail. Some prefer an EPK. Some bookers find flash pages annoying.
Keep emails concise.
Find a balance between informative and friendly but not too casual. Have some interesting recent news that makes the booker want to follow the link to your website.
A long, rambling bio full of adjectives is far less interesting than a good story that is to the point.
Send it to yourself first to see how it reads – do all the links work?
No one is obliged to listen to your music simply because you have their email address.
Also, listening to your music is not necessarily the first thing I'll do. I'm more likely to look at your current tour schedule for comparative venues; and see who you list as influences.
If you are lucky/savvy enough to reach a booker on the phone, don't push them for a date. It's more important to impress upon them that you can deliver the goods in terms of audience, and are prepared to do your share of the work outside showing up and playing a great set.
NOW THAT YOU’RE BOOKED
Does the band share the workload? Does anyone have helpful skills? Graphic artist/sound engineer? Do you have someone working with you as a manager/promoter/publicist? If you're a solo singer songwriter – do you have folks in town that will help spread the word?
Once you've secured the gig - most venues will be happy to share their valuable press and radio contact info with you. Contact the other bands and co-promote the night. Even if all this means is putting them in your top friends the week prior.
If it is your first time through town- find out about the local open mic. scene. Go early and sign up – it's a fast and easy way to meet new friends/fans and promote your show – can also be helpful for accommodations!
Remember word of mouth is still the most effective way to build an audience. This is true no matter what level you're at.
Are you played on local radio?
There are plenty of local radio stations that will be happy to tell their listeners about your show, and/or play your music. Again, contact them in plenty of time. Don't wait to get a gig before reaching out to them. The actual gig date can be a follow up. DJ's are music lovers – do your homework and see if /when they have live guests. When you call/write mention something that shows you have taken an interest in their show, other than simply trying to get on the air yourself.
Basically the booker is the one who has to answer to the owners if no one showed up for your gig - even more so if you were paid a guarantee. And if he took a chance on you, it will be harder for him to book an unknown band next time round. Do your part.
COMMUNITY, COMMUNITY, COMMUNITY
When did you last make time to listen to music by someone you've never heard of? How much music do you own that you have yet to listen to? How many great bands do you keep meaning to go out and see, but haven't had chance yet? Keep in mind, this is what you are asking of a booker – and they have a life outside of their job.
SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC - go to small venues and spend a few bucks - support local artists and small business. If you live close to a venue, and are hoping to play there - be sure to patronize that venue. Many a time a band has asked for a date when they live nearby, but have not been to see live music at the actual desired venue!!!
If you’re on the road, try and find time to visit the club you would rather play next time through.
My most fun and successful shows I’ve teamed up with similar bands and presented double/triple bills garnering a crossover crowd. I cannot stress enough what a joy it has been to participate in such shows, and feel as if the venue becomes our own realm.
BARTENDERS
Bookers don't necessarily hang out at the clubs they book – and if so, they probably do not want to be hit up for a gig.
However bartenders and other staff often have some influence, and any good booker will respect their input. (Some more than others!) Bartenders are freelance small business owners, too - building a following just like a band does.
As cold as its sounds you are also purveyors of alcohol. The ring in on your night will be noted, as will whether or not ‘your crowd’ was polite, or lousy tippers.
Some more old school places the bartender may not only be the booker, but also the owner/operator. This is true of big city, and small town bars.
Courtesy is always the way to go – and even though you've heard it a thousand times – Remember to tip the bartender!
“WE DIDN’T EVEN GET PAID!”
One time I was passing the hat at a gig, and a customer sneered as she put a dollar in the tip jar saying - "You really should pay the band you know!" It was an alarming realization for me to think folks assumed the venue did not pay the band, just because there was a tip jar. The truth is, most clubs/owners will chip in a fair amount, even if its not a guarantee.
Also, a venue often pays the band in other ways, such as:
-Providing and paying a sound person
-Providing and paying a door person.
-Giving up money making table space for your merch.
-Free drinks – discount/free food - even half price may barely cover the costs - its amazing how hard it is to make a profit from food sales...esp if organic/fresh daily etc.
-Ads in the local paper - ads are a minimum of $100 and someone (often the booker) is responsible for updating the listings every week.
-Sharing valuable press/radio contact info*
-Helping with accommodation.
-Putting your posters up around town, and promoting on venue website.
Mama Says “Play Nice”
If you are the opening band, do NOT go over time.
Acknowledge the band playing before you, and after you. Learn their name, and how to pronounce it.
As you build community in the booking world you’ll hopefully play a vital part in terms of using your common sense and respecting all the other worker bees involved.
And in time you will earn a solid reputation as a musician and as a small touring business that will enable you to book the better venues, on the better nights.
Bookers represent owners who have what it takes to open and operate a live music venue. Its their livelihood – and it’s a risky business. In NYC alone I have seen several much loved small venues shut down in the last year.
Building a relationship with a good booker can be a long lasting and rewarding addition to your life as an individual, and as an artist. As their career develops, they may well take you with them. Be kind to the booker at that little dive 'round the corner......
Jan Bell is a singer songwriter / band leader /booker / presenter and performer based in Brooklyn NY.
"Songs for Love Drunk Sinners" - by Jan Bell and the Cheap Dates, Produced by Samantha Parton of The Be Good Tanyas was named
7th Annual
INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS FINALIST:
Alt.Country Album of the Year AND IMA Vox Populi Winner.
HEAR MORE, LEARN MORE SEE MORE AT: www.janbellmusic.com
Upcoming shows: www.myspace.com/janbell
Sing Out! says "Jan Bell and the Cheap Dates completely won me over!" Pick up a copy of Winter 2008 Issue to see the full rave review!
