Ready To Gig. What Steps Do We Follow Now?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Robertt8
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Robertt8

Robertt8

Well-known member
sorry if this topic has been done before, but I couldn't find anything that REALLY answered my question...

We're a band of 4 guys that have finally got our stuff together to start playing local gigs here in San Francisco. I hear that we need a CD which isn't really a problem, cuz I've got 8 tunes or so that I can slap on it. Speaking of which, how many tunes should be on this CD? Does it matter? I guess I'll also need a CD cover and CD art as well. Then we've got some digital pictures of playing live at a open mic recently. Include those? I guess a bio sheet on the band right? what kind of stuff goes on that? Short and concise I'm guessing? Also, where do we tell them that we've only got about 1 hour worth of stuff, so we'll be looking for an "opening band" slot? Is that about it?

So then what? head out to some of the bars/ live venue places and hand this stuff out? Who do you give it to? The bartender? How does that work?

Anyway, and advice would be great. Thanks!
Tait
 
I guess I would suggest that you probably only need 3 songs on a demo CD for getting shows booked (and of course a little bio and a good photo, etc). But rather than driving around handing stuff out, figure out what venues are likely to book your style of music - a lot of places that seem like cool bars for a show are only interested in cover bands, or blues or something specific. No sense wasting time and resources on them.

Then, call the likely places, and ASK THEM what they require and what their booking process is. Some places don't want anything, other than a guarantee that you'll bring in 50 or 100 people or whatever. And be prepared to call each place like 5 times, to get to talk to the right person at the right time. You kinda need to be a pest sometimes. But at some places that will get you on the shitlist. So basically each place is different. Thats all from a somewhat limited detroit perspective, but I suspect its similar elsewhere.
 
Here are a link that might help


press kit- http://www.getsigned.com/repo27.html

If you want to open for a band you shlould get to know a few other bands locally. Find other bands that would compliment your style and get to know them. Ask them if you could open up for them sometime. Having friends in other bands helps a lot. Find out how they do it. Yeah, press kits and demos are a must, but I find the most help you can get is by shaking a few hands.
 
here's a piece I wrote on writing bios --
http://www.alandmoore.com/ramblings/WriteABio.htm

And I agree, about 3 or 4 songs for a demo. I'd suggest: 1. song with your strongest hook 2. uptempo rocker 3. Ballad 4. Second best hook. But whatever.

After that, hit the phones. You would not believe the amount of calls it takes to finally land one gig. Keep at it. And make sure you keep slamming away at the practices in the mean time.
 
hey cool. thanks guys!

we do have a simple website as well...don't know if that'll help anywhere with looking for gigs.
 
Get out into the clubs and hang where other bands are playing. Print a cool business card with your bandname, website, etc. Network, network, network! Try to get any opening slot you can on someone elses bill.
 
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