I know a lot of you guys do a decent amount of playing around outside of your home cities. Do you have any advice when contacting new venues out of town? I feel like what I'm saying just quite isn't up to par or sounds amateurish. Any input you have would be valuable. T
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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Musician »
Booking gigs out of town
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Joined: Jan 14, 2013 Posts: 137 Indianapolis, IN 
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Posted on Apr 22 2014 09:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 17, 2012 Posts: 94 Eugene, Oregon
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Posted on Apr 22 2014 09:33 PM
We http://www.menfromsurf.com/ do gig out of town. I've negotiated many of the deals and I really can't say that I've used any tactics or language other than "We're a Surf and Hot Rod music band that provides family entertainment". If it's a private party I always visit the site prior to signing a contract just to make sure we're dealing with responsible people. Beyond that, if I talk to a potential customer I just tell them what we do, how we do it, what we expect in return. They buy or they don't. We always use a contract with a deposit or get cash up front. If they balk at that requirement we pass on the gig. We also have a real website, not just a face book or reverb nation page. FWIW, Surf is a hard sell. Older people get it, younger people see us as their grandparents playing old music. We do Surf because we like it, not because there's money in it. FWIW Nokie Edwards lived nearby for quite a while. He worked a lot but he wasn't getting rich. He's a hellava' nice guy too! —Rock |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle 
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Posted on Apr 22 2014 09:45 PM
jdmcduders wrote:
What are you saying? And I'm presuming you are playing gigs at clubs/bars/at night, not day time events where you are background noise. We normally hooked up with a local band and then sold a show to a venue. So, bypassing the venue and going straight to a local band we liked was our route. For when we didn't have that opportunity, we contacted venues saying what our draw was like, what to expect from one of our sets, and why we'd be a good fit for their venue. Also, pictures and audio are key to getting a gig like this. No contracts, don't do it with the expectation of making money. Show up, get your face known, play well, you'll get asked back. When you get asked back, you'll get paid more and you'll get better billing. Booking agents don't like band websites. They want a simple page with photos/video/music. They want to know your draw, BE HONEST, and why you would be a good fit for their venue. This means you should research the venue quickly. |
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Joined: Jan 14, 2013 Posts: 137 Indianapolis, IN
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Posted on Apr 22 2014 10:04 PM
What do you say when it's your first venture into the city abd you don't know what your draw would be (if anything) |
Joined: Nov 03, 2011 Posts: 660 |
Posted on Apr 22 2014 10:50 PM
jdmcduders wrote:
Ask if there are opening gig opportunities if you don't know your draw in another city. You'll most likey not get you own night if you can't anticipate your draw, if you don't have radio promotion (eg radio promotion tour for a release), etc. Now there are cases where you'll get an off night (Sunday-Tuesday) for no money if it's a notable club where you feel your music fits or where you can build a fan base you may get a shot/take a chance. It's pretty difficult these days, even well known independent band struggle in certain places. Last edited: Apr 22, 2014 22:54:23 |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Apr 22 2014 10:53 PM
jdmcduders wrote:
Let them know what type of crowd you draw! And research some ways to advertise the gig to that crowd. |
Joined: Apr 03, 2010 Posts: 3201 Jacksonville, AL
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Posted on Apr 23 2014 10:09 AM
The best advice is to NEVER contact venues out of town when you have not developed any kind of a crowd there. Contact other bands and book through them. Trade shows. This is the best way to get your foot in the door at venues and to have a built in audience when traveling to a new town. —THE KBK ... This is the last known signal. We offer Sanctuary. www.thekbk.com |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3806 North Atlantic 
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Posted on Apr 23 2014 11:51 AM
I agree with KBK. Work with other bands in the places you are wanting to hit, and create a recripical relationship with them (SG 101 bands are a great start). It's all about networking with those who can help you out, and with those you can help out. Rev —Canadian Surf |
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