Oldschoolway- a manager?

[Jouni]

Hiyall!

Yes, Myspace and those are probably great ways to get known. Our band has been thinking about it often, never got there though..

But somehow, it seems we've landed on some sort of a "manager".. A dude that has arranged us a couple of gigs (no money), as he books for a couple of joints. Always full of promises of gigs and tours and happenings with bigger names. All the classic "Damager" stuff.

Knowing this can hurt or help, I'm asking if anyone here has good pointers on this kinda stuff??

"read all the fine print" etc.

 

[mikeh]

It's been years since I was in a band that had a manager - but the things that I found to be fundamental:

1. A manager is only as good as his/her contacts/credibility - someone who has an "in" with one or two clubs (really a booking agent vs. a manager) - can't do you much good outside of that small circle.

2. A good manager - is well worth the 10-20% they normally get - they can get you in contact with record labels, producers, a large amount of local and national clubs, get you on tour as an opening act, etc. etc.

3. A good manager should manage at least one or two other "succesful" bands, ideally in a musical genre that is not significantly different from you - in theory, that is how the manager earned his rep to start with

4. A good manager must have real faith in an artist and should be willing to have some skin in the game - often a manager has to invest time and money into an act before there is any real profit

5. A good manager fills many roles from booker, to baby sitter - a manager who is not willing to fill whatever role is needed (no matter how crappy that role may be) - likely won't be a good manager

6. There are a lot of people who think they can manage a band, and who use that as some ego boost - if a "manager" seems to have more BS than actual substance - well, that's not a good manager

7. Most bands (in particular local club bands) need a booking agent more than a manager - at least until they have enough of a following to possibly interest record labels.

8. If a band continues to grow, sign with a label, have some success selling records, etc. there is a good chance they will outgrow the original manager and will sign with a national/international management company.

9. Never, ever, trust a manager. Read every contract/legal document and ideally have an attorney (an entertainment industry attorney) give you advice. Always check financial information (expenses, receipts, etc) and accept the fact that no one will cover you ass better than you will.

 

[Jouni]

Hmmm yes, I may have used wrongly the term "manager".

The "booking agent" sounds closer here, since no contracts are written about anything.
He has contacts (seemingly) to clubs, studios, dudes doing mixing and lighting stuff etc. He runs an internet-radiostation with videos, that kinda stuff.

What concerns me is, that the word among local bands is; He promises alot, but you'll have to do everything yourself in the end.