Frustration

  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael O'Regan
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Michael O'Regan

Michael O'Regan

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I'm finding it impossible to get gigs because nobody knows who I am and I'm finding it impossible to attract management/promotion because I can't get gigs.
Any ideas?
I've done the folk club thing as floor spots but for a full gig they all say they would need to see "how I handle a crowd" - which is rather amusing as some of these places have had a "crowd" of 10 people!!!
My youtube stuff and songs are popular - they're not mega sellers but they are listened to and commented upon favourably.
It gets a little frustrating when I record a new song, sometimes with a full producer/ studio setup, sometimes at home, put it out on youtube, iTunes, Amazon, etc and have no way of going out to promote it.
Am I missing something? I just feel like I've reached the end of the line with what I can do without some management with connections.
I'd appreciate ANY advice.
 
You ever consider doing a live streamed concert? That way, you can reach the people that are watching your videos around the world. No offense or anything, but folkish type of music doesn't have the biggest following in the world, especially finding places to play and people locally that are willing to come and out see you. In your case I'd think it best to stick in the digital world.

I'm not talking just sticking a camera up in a garage or bedroom either. Rig up a full set, DIY lighting, etc. Make it a full production. Promote it through your youtube page and other online media and offer discounted music downloads for those watching.
 
Hi
Thanks that's an interesting idea. The thing is that my music is not just folk - I probably should have described it as Acoustic rather than folk. The last two records were recorded with a full band. I need to get some gigs as a solo acoustic artist in order to get into the scene at all here in the UK. Otherwise I'm having trouble getting a band together - everyone wants to know what gigs I've got, who are my contacts, how much will they earn, etc.
I'll certainly look into your idea but, as I've said, I feel like I'm at a bit of a standstill.
Mick
 
Only other suggestion would be to get some local artists together and do a local show case of some sort just to get yourself some exposure.
 
Michael O'Regan said:
I'm finding it impossible to get gigs because nobody knows who I am and I'm finding it impossible to attract management/promotion because I can't get gigs.
Any ideas?
.
Click to expand...

Sure. Play better and/or write better songs. Simple.
 
Michael O'Regan said:
I'm finding it impossible to get gigs because nobody knows who I am and I'm finding it impossible to attract management/promotion because I can't get gigs.
Any ideas?
I've done the folk club thing as floor spots but for a full gig they all say they would need to see "how I handle a crowd" - which is rather amusing as some of these places have had a "crowd" of 10 people!!!
My youtube stuff and songs are popular - they're not mega sellers but they are listened to and commented upon favourably.
It gets a little frustrating when I record a new song, sometimes with a full producer/ studio setup, sometimes at home, put it out on youtube, iTunes, Amazon, etc and have no way of going out to promote it.
Am I missing something? I just feel like I've reached the end of the line with what I can do without some management with connections.
I'd appreciate ANY advice.
Click to expand...

My advice is be realistic. Assess what you have to offer and what the market wants and can sustain. People are no longer captive to the live scene - so many competiting distractions so what they do end up paying for has to be good.
Checked out your youtube channel. Mick, you have on average 200 views. That is in yt terms very low. Nothing to measure success on.
 
CFox said:
Checked out your youtube channel. Mick, you have on average 200 views. That is in yt terms very low. Nothing to measure success on.
Click to expand...

I'm well aware of what my yt average represents. I wasn't bragging and I'm not trying to imply any merit or success at all.
I'm just looking for gigs.
Thanks for your comments though.
 
Fans, fans, fans. The more you make yourself known and available the better off you are. ReverbNation.com, SoundCloud.com, Local arts websites, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Club owners are looking to fill a room with your listeners. These days it's hard to find a place to play and become known, you have to create yourself, more or less.

If a club owner listens to your work and then sees 100,000 other people are looking and listening as well that owner / manager will be more likely to ask you to play a set or three.
 
How about those Reverbnation "Promote It" campaigns costing around $50? Are they any good?
 
Michael O'Regan said:
How about those Reverbnation "Promote It" campaigns costing around $50? Are they any good?
Click to expand...

It may get you a few more listens or "fans/likes" but it won't correlate over to getting gigs. That's the golden rule of online promotion: Just because someone likes your page or listens to a song does NOT mean they are fan, especially on the local circuit.
 
Michael O'Regan said:
My youtube stuff and songs are popular - they're not mega sellers but they are listened to and commented upon favourably.
Click to expand...

Then..


Michael O'Regan said:
I'm well aware of what my yt average represents. I wasn't bragging and I'm not trying to imply any merit or success at all.
I'm just looking for gigs.
Thanks for your comments though.
Click to expand...

You ARE trying to suggest a measure of success even if by relative standards - otherwise you wouldnt have mentioned it.

I expect the result of your self evaluation is out of alignment with what the paying public currently want in the areas you canvas.

Otherwise you would have a local buzz.
 
Michael O'Regan said:
I'm just looking for gigs.
Click to expand...
It's just a reflection of the times I'm afraid. There are many distractions and easy movability on the net has now produced a mindset where many people either a] expect/know they can get stuff for free, b]are less interested in live performance, particularly of acts they've not heard of.
You will get suggestions and most of them will be worth considering, but in truth, even if your pages have millions of views, the fact they might be worldwide or even countrywide may work against you because those people could've viewed for a variety of reasons that may not translate to "I am going to make the effort to go out and see this guy and his band in concert".
However, I'm a great believer in stubbornness and perseverence and I wish you well. Acoustic music may not be what "sells" to the download crowd but there are still people that do like it. Keep on trying.
 
grimtraveller said:
It's just a reflection of the times I'm afraid. There are many distractions and easy movability on the net has now produced a mindset where many people either a] expect/know they can get stuff for free, b]are less interested in live performance, particularly of acts they've not heard of.
You will get suggestions and most of them will be worth considering, but in truth, even if your pages have millions of views, the fact they might be worldwide or even countrywide may work against you because those people could've viewed for a variety of reasons that may not translate to "I am going to make the effort to go out and see this guy and his band in concert".
However, I'm a great believer in stubbornness and perseverence and I wish you well. Acoustic music may not be what "sells" to the download crowd but there are still people that do like it. Keep on trying.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'll keep on doing it.
 
As regards the booking agent thing I've found the problem can be they want to know who you are, what your track record is - so it's the same story again; gigs are hard to get without an agent, agent is hard to get without gigs!!!!!!
 
Play open mic gigs whenever you can, keep a 'sign-up sheet' for an emailing list, set up an 'artist' page on FB, everything you can do will help a little, but don't expect a big jump. Find a local radio station that promotes festival-type events and say you'll do an early-day set for free. Self-release a CD and sell them when you play anywhere.
 
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