your country and rock?

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BrettB

BrettB

Well-known member
hi all,

My band has finished 7 songs, we just gotta record are single in february and we're done: our first EP!! We even made our own label to release it. For the first time in my life I have the feeling I'm in a band that has all the elements: 'charismatic frontman, creativity, good sound, good songs'.

So what's the problem you ask:)

Well, Belgium is small, and regarding the country is divided into two different language areas (and it's an impossible dream to have good succes in both, believe me:)), so the population is only 5 million.

There are lots of bands for such a small population over here, so the result is that is is very hard to get some attention over here, and even when you got some media attention it is very hard to get some good sales. Result of that is that labels aren't keen to invest in Belgian bands.


So I'm thinking: why not go for a month to another country and do a lot of gigs their? Maybe some interest elsewhere?


What I am interested in: which countries/regions/states are intersting to go to as a rockband? Germany, US (where?), France, UK?? which country is open for bands from elsewhere?

I am very intersted in the rock club culture in onther countries, so who knows, maybe our band can make a little tour somewheren,


greetz

Brett
 
NewYork or LA will just swallow you up with all the other bands.

Seattle is old news.

SanFrancisco is gay.

My advise is just just get a map and start tossing darts. Go to the capital of that state and give it a go.
 
You could easily set up a US tour. You would however need a van to haul everything... and you would only make money off cds you sold at your shows, and maybe some donations from appreciative guests. Some places might pay you for your services but its all dependant on how much of a crowd shows up.

A good way to do it would be to get with another band on a tour that has a good regional or national following. This is probably not the easiest thing to do because their record label would be the ones putting them out on tour. If you talked to the label and maybe could arrange a payback percentage of your cd sales or something to make it worthwhile for them they might put you on the bill. I would though, in every city you visit go to the local alternative radio station and try to get an interview to promote your music. Most cool, independant public radio stations will do this. It's not even a bad idea to schedule a tour where these radiostations are and where you can set up an interview. The radio exposure will get you people at your shows and create a buzz about your music. Then when you're back across the pond and feel like coming back again, go to the same towns that gave a good turnout and add a few more... chances are because of your previous exposure you'll get a fair turnout.

Also, try and find clubs that pack people in no matter who the band is.. They're out there, usually with a cheap cover charge too so lots of people will come just because its live music, cheap beer, and a cheap cover. Just don't forget, in US you'll have to have something big to haul your stuff and band over long distances.

Best of luck to ya..
 
The idea of finding another band to tou along is not that bad.

The only problem is shipment of material. A singel journey for us to the US will cost us heaps, suppose we have to take material :eek:
 
Outlaws said:
Go to the capital of that state and give it a go.
Click to expand...

The capital is not always the best choice as they were mostly selected as geographic centers, not cultural or population leaders.

my state especially. (Illinois)

If you're going to investigate a US tour, I would contact some booking management in the states. Let someone else plan the tour for you but you have to expect to put up numbers.
 
huh?

Outlaws said:
NewYork or LA will just swallow you up with all the other bands.

Seattle is old news.

SanFrancisco is gay.

My advise is just just get a map and start tossing darts. Go to the capital of that state and give it a go.
Click to expand...

... i disagree. i think a well planned tour could actually work out well for ya. you might be able to rent gear, or get lucky and be able to use the backline of the band you are touring with.
what kind of music do you play? if you could give me a little more info, i might be able to steer you in the direction of some help. in the meantime, get your music out there so it can get heard (online reviews and distro). the sooner you take steps to develop an audience outside your home, the better.
peace - jv
 
If you want to "make it" in the US, I suggest getting label interest before you do all this travelling. You could play 60 dates and be virtually unnoticed by anyone a week after it's over.

Canada on the other hand really has nothing to offer a professional career in music. You could play every city and do really well in every one and still not be making any money. It's a huge country and really difficult to figure out.

No matter what you do, you should probably do it twice. Travel, get contacts, wait 6 months and do it again. That always has more effect.
 
Brett

The London original music scene is is big, lively, but oversupplied with bands. We are beginning to regularly play well known "mid size" indie venues here - we get these by selling hard to promoters and building relatonships with them. It's hard work but you can do it - we have just been told that the Cavern in Liverpool (famous for the Beatles and still a hot venue) are gonna give us a Saturday night in March.

Anyway, our singer likes mayonnaise with her chips, so how about a reciprocal arrangement - we help you in London and you get us something in Belgium? Would be fun if nothing else:)
 
Garry Sharp said:
Brett
Anyway, our singer likes mayonnaise with her chips, so how about a reciprocal arrangement - we help you in London and you get us something in Belgium? Would be fun if nothing else:)
Click to expand...

... very cool, that's what it's all about ladies and gentlemen. this is the best tool indie artists have, along with persistent, hard work.
peace
 
j-ev - Yeah, I'm keen on the idea of working with other bands, and particularly to address the stranglehold the promoters have on the best venues. They take most of the gate but expect you to provide the audience. Difficult though because most muso's don't get the "business" part of the music biz.

Having said that our one and only self promoted gig was not a success, but we learnt a lot from our mistakes. :rolleyes:
 
Garry Sharp said:


Anyway, our singer likes mayonnaise with her chips, so how about a reciprocal arrangement - we help you in London and you get us something in Belgium? Would be fun if nothing else:)
Click to expand...

hey Garry, that sounds like a great idea:D

Seriously, we'll keep in touch.
 
hey brett,

... what's the solo artist scene like there in belgium. i'm planning a european tour this year (i've finally sold enough records over there to possibly warrant the trip). i know you probably run in a different circle (hard rock) than the singer songwriter scene, but just curious as to what's happening in your neck of the woods.
peace - jv
 
BrettB - yes, PM me or whatever.

johne-v - are you playing London? We'll come and say hello.

Garry
 
Re: hey brett,

johneeeveee said:
... what's the solo artist scene like there in belgium. i'm planning a european tour this year (i've finally sold enough records over there to possibly warrant the trip). i know you probably run in a different circle (hard rock) than the singer songwriter scene, but just curious as to what's happening in your neck of the woods.
peace - jv
Click to expand...

Yo John,

We got a great concert circuit, lots of theaters and singer songwriter is pretty popular over here. But off course having good places to play is one, being able to play is another thing.

If you have a very good booking agent and you are a bit known, you should be able to get some good shows in local theaters. Don't expect hughe crowds though, but the audience in Belgium is mostly interested and polite.

The best concert club/all in Belgium, besides the really big halls like Forest of Flanders Expo where the great world acts come too, is The AB (Ancienne Belgique). Check http://www.abconcerts.be/
It is cosy, but has room for lot of ppl, and it has a studio that records your live shows. If you can get a show over there you get much publicity and recognition in the 'indie/alternative' category.

but it ain't gonna be easy to get booked there. Also check www.clubcircuit.be Several clubs united and co-operate. They do a lot of rock, but also singer songwriter can go there.

There are also lots of youth clubs, and interesting music cafés, but naming them all is too much work.

Remember Belgium is divided in two : Flanders(the northern part, where they speak Dutch) and Wallonia (southern, where they speak French). I'm from flanders, so I'm afraid I can't help you much with gigs in the southern part.

But I'm always willing to help to get you a gig over here. Do you have a website of something like that?
 
you guys rock...

brett,
thanks so much for the info. i will take your leads and do some research with some of the bookers i work with. i'll let you know what i come up with. i do a lot of touring with bigger name acts than myself, so i might be able to come over there on the heels of someone more "known". i will pm you a link to song clips and reviews, as per your request, so you can check it out. thanks again for trying to help out, and let me know your progress on getting over here.

gary,
yes, london and the uk should be a big part of my reason for going. i've toured the states with a few uk acts, and run in a circle of artists that have been over there a bunch. i've gotten a little press and airplay in the uk, and i'm excited to play for my little following there. i'll keep you posted, thanks.

shakuan,
funny you should mention canada. i've somehow sold a bunch of stuff to canada, mostly alberta. i would love to plan a tour that would take me through montreal. if you have any ideas for me, i'm all ears. thanks very much.

... if i can help anyone out with ideas for circuits in the US, please feel free to ask. this kind of networking is the best tool that indie artists have, and i'll always do my part to try and keep the ball rolling.
peace - jv
 
International Promotion

John,

Just out of curiosity, how did you go about promoting yourself/making your stuff available overseas and in Canada?

I noticed from your site, that you sell your CD on CDBaby, which I would assume is at least how you distribute it but what about promotion?

I also finally am in a musical situation that I am really proud of and think has potential, and will soon be looking to market our music once we get our album done (whenever the hell that is... $$$$$!!!!!). I am definately interested in your comments on the subject.

Perhaps we should start a new thread, I dunno, but hey....

Thanks!

-Chris
 
Re: International Promotion

AudioBond said:
John,

Just out of curiosity, how did you go about promoting yourself/making your stuff available overseas and in Canada?

I noticed from your site, that you sell your CD on CDBaby, which I would assume is at least how you distribute it but what about promotion?

I also finally am in a musical situation that I am really proud of and think has potential, and will soon be looking to market our music once we get our album done (whenever the hell that is... $$$$$!!!!!). I am definately interested in your comments on the subject.

Perhaps we should start a new thread, I dunno, but hey....

Thanks!

-Chris
Click to expand...

hey chris,
yeah, cd baby has been instrumental in getting my stuff out there. i'm sure some of the random hits to that site have helped me out, but constant touring and networking have been the tools that i swear by. i also got some interest from my songs on garageband.com, a pretty cool site that might be worth checking out. the internet reaches far and wide, and word of mouth both online and in person seems to be a big help.
this is a pretty big subject i would love to discuss at length, but i think maybe we should start a new thread so we can get some others to jump in on their ideas. i will try to do so tommorow (or feel free to get one started yourself), and i look forward to knocking thoughts around with you.
peace - jv
 
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