7 posts tagged “gigs”
When unsigned, every gig you do should serve a purpose.
Now initially that may sound stupidly obvious. However, if it is why as a band would you aimless play toilet venues in London to f**k all people for no money and at a cost to yourself? Plus it looks terrible.
This is what thousands of bands do every week. I've spoken to lotsa A&R types, both at Sony BMG and further affield and it's a very rare occasion that an act just happens to be discovered because an A&R guy happens to be at a venue. The whole Frankie Sharp scenario doesn't happen very much. I rarely see an act I haven't planned to see, I don't have much time usually. :-(
Also, gigging a lot in London and not increasing a buzz around you is actually detrimental to your career. As an act can get stale, or seen as old news if on the radar of the various labels too soon. I'm guilty of it myself, with the hundreds of acts I come accross if I hear something that's ok, then see them still gigging the same circuit 6 months later with no increase in profile I'm less likely to see them again. Simply because I'm trying to find what's breaking. That is unfair to a degree as said band could have come along leaps and bounds since the first time. Though if they're amazing then they should create a buzz anyway.
So, why gig in London? Showcases are the first obvious reason. If a label, publisher, PR co. etc etc want to see you, then doing a gig near their office is a wise move. Stick to smaller venues off the beaten track, somewhere with a decent PA (it's amazing how many people don't think about that). If they're really eager only play your hometown with loads of support. (People singing along always impresses me)
Building a following? In London? You must be kidding. It's possible, but gig-to-%-fanbase ratio is pathetic when compared to playing other parts of the country. Simply because there is so much music, and other things to do in London there is no novelty, little passing trade and promoters are shite when ,well, promoting. To to acheive the Fanbase increase of an 8 date tour around the country at the right venues would probably take 3 or 4 times as many gigs in London to achieve the same effect. Don't get me wrong, the truly exceptional will win people over everywhere but some acts are born great, others achieve greatishness and others have greatishness thrust upon them. Plus any of those of you who've done both know how hard the crowd is in London to get to do anything other than talk over you.
You should only do a flurry of London gigs when you are at the crescendo of a promo campaign, when all your hard work as culminated in a co-ordinated campaign that has achieved some radio play, bits of press and interest here and there. Before I start getting the PM's whinging that that's impossible without loads of cash, record deal, pluggers etc IT'S NOT! Don't be such a whinging have-not and pull your finger out. It just takes a bit of thinking and knowing what bits and pieces to capitalise on as they come your way. When you're not in the sights of any of the labels, you've got breathing space to get everything the way you want it, think about it that way. Rather than feeling under pressure to 'get out there'.
So you've got good activity on your myspace, you've just got into the top 8 friends of some big pages, your name (& blog!! ;-)) appears everywhere in google, then you should start gigging London as you've got about 6 months to make a serious impression that would warrant investment. Of course there are exceptions to the rule as I know a band that was looked at for a year before anything was done.
However, I've seen that the bands that create the most excitement are the acts that seem to come from obscurity to everywhere in a short period of time, this is often luck or good placement. But if you get your house in order, build up a good head of steam as regards your promo material, fan building, online stuff and make sure your 'demo' could be something you'd release yourself you're in good shape to really pop out amongst all the good music being looked at.
Also consider when you're going to shop yourself to radio, the labels and such. For example, during the period of the summer festivals mainstream radio is saturated with all sorts of new things that were planned earlier in the year, a lot of new acts are being broken by the labels and trying to get shelf-space in the minds of those who provide opportunities for new music is really lacking. Plus I'm all over the place trying to keep up with stuff I've picked up earlier in the year. Try and get a feel for a bit of a lul in the sort of stuff your doing and then launch your little PR offensive.
So, if you've simply been rehearsing, gigging, rehearsing, gigging, recording, rinse, repeat... maybe stop and think why you're doing it? Ultimately these are the considerations of a manager (a good one) but if you're without management you should really think about when and how you're going to be perceived.
Anyhow, quick rant. Saw a really good band that had literally no clue, about anything.
Hope all is well co-ordinated with you
Jujitsu was excellent last night. Did more excapes from garotting, though now I have rope burns on my wrist and a couple of scratches on my back. Hmmm. Sounds dodgy but was all in the name of getting my blue belt. Bit battered and stiff today though. Decided to join a gym as I'm eating too many pies.
Although we have sent the message out that we don't accept physical submissions, they keep coming in. I asked the postroom to forward them onto me so I can send them a message getting them on here. However, I've not had time for a couple of weeks and now they've mounted up. I've got loads to get through. It's going to take me ages. I'm going to have to do a pile a day or something as there's too much to sort out.
Ok. The media player, the first and easiest idea to start on. The spec I'm working to so far is:
- Sidebar embeddable
- 30 Track Playlist (20 Playlisted 10 Wildcards - changed weekly - best of get added to playlist)
- Can Be embedded on other sites
- Each track has link to artist's Vox homepage
- Artwork window at top
- Play/Pause/Skip/Random Play Buttons
That's the spec. I'm going to approach our digital creative dept to start work on it unless there's anything screaming out at you that needs adding?
Artist services - Well the gigs thing could work. After all I've already started working on my own thing. So if that works out maybe it could be taken larger scale? We'll have to see how that works. The distribution thing is a whole other matter which will need a lot of talking about.
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Gigs 31/10/2007
Busy one tonight for Hallowe'en, you doing it in fancy dress?
Worldview is doing an acoustic set @ The Purple Turtle (Oxford) from 6pm
Our friend Susie Wilkins is returning to the Troubadour tonight, though the actual stage time has been sketchy. I'd say get there for 7 and you'll be fine.
Angular Electro Pop outfit Molloy are celebrating Hallowe'en at 93 Feet East which should be a good laugh. 8pm. Be sure stop by Beyond Retro. It's one of my favourite bits of London around there.
Right, I'm going for a quick sit in the carpark whilst it's sunny then onto the mountain of demos, emails, letters etc.
Hope all is well with you.
Hello hello,
Got a sore head this morning after my excursion to the Clapham Grand to see Trailer.
After dropping by a friends birthday do in Putney and getting a few wines down me I was able to encourage a mate of mine to guide to the venue as she lives in the area. The last couple of outings I've had in Clapham weren't that great so I wasn't expecting much from the venue. Though I was pleasantly surprised..
It was bigger than I expected, then again it is call the 'Grand' and I doubt you could have a small one of those. Apparently I was on the guestlist as Indieboy +1. On asking the girl on the door replied with "Oh, you're indieboy. I've been told to give you this" and handed me a sealed jiffy bag. The people behind must have been curious. I felt like a spy or something so I just gave a knowing nod and walked off in silence as if I had some dark purpose.
The Trailer gig was good fun. Not too many people there but a tight set nonetheless. I think they were let down a little by the sound as there's so much going on in the mix the only clear sound was the kick and snare. Sometimes the bass came through a bit too. I know some of the songs so was able to get by but probably need to see them again to appriciate.
Trailer would be far more at home playing to a field of ten thousand pilled-up, gurning lunatics with some spectacular visuals in the background. I can't decide whether this band feel their coming from the Kasabian crossover camp, or Orbital/Chemcial Brothers with instruments. I reckon they should take a look at the Infidels as to how they do it live. Could be a good reference. Have a look for Trailer yourself if they're playing near you.
Ok. Calling all bands who like to play in London (who are good). Indieboy Presents is back on track with the first date being Nov 10th in Camden. So, come on and step forward. Send me a message and I'll see what I can sort out. Looking forward to getting this going.
I got interviewed by LastFM last week as part of their nowformaband site. It's a really good site, there's only a few articles so far but they've got great input and links to other sites. I'd really recommend having a look around as I think you will find some useful info in there. There's also my bit where I unsuccessfully try to sound like an expert in A&R.
More input on what you'd like to see from a media player please! Scroll below the pics for tonights gigs!
Hope all is good with you.
IB
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Tonights Gigs - 25/10/2007
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Ashley Hicklin is playing, again. (He must be getting tired by now) and the Adelphi in Leeds. If you missed last night get down to that one as the band look really decent and I'm curious myself as to what they're like live. If you go let me know
- Runner are at Giddy Stratosphere's (?!?) tonight at the Trinity Bar in Harrow. I don't know too much about them but from listening to their stuff I'm thinking they may be a little like the Editors live. But please tell me if I'm wrong as I'm just guessing.
- Claire Toomey's back and playing at the Bedford in Balham tonight for all you female songwriter enthusiasts. Even if you're not that into they music it could be an excuse to go and stare at a girl with a guitar. ;-) She's on from 9pm I believe, got some good songs and I'd recommend a listen.
Looks like there's NOTHING ON tomorrow. I'm sure that's not true! Who's playing tomorrow? Come on, own up!
Hello,
The Calendar has worked really well so far with several artists already contributing their gig details. I will be pushing this later today on the label blogs too. So fill in your details on the Calendar, this could prove useful for people who are wanting a night out too. Put up your night, and a link to your vox/myspace/etc so people can have a listen, and you may get yourself some passing trade. HAVE A LOOK
Ok, it may seem that things may have been a little quiet recently. That's because lots is being planned discussed behind the scenes. I'm still thinking of ways to expand and develop our digital online function. One thing I'm examining is different methods of expanding into the likes of myspace and facebook.
Currently people link to or from other platforms but I'm looking at ways to knit the different pages together using vox and build an artists digital identity. Rather than a bunch of different sites. This will probably be through various methods of linking/cross posting but I will keep you informed.
Also, I've been thinking a lot about the direction this should be taking. Currently, this platform has successfully replaced the method of demo submission. We're getting a steady stream of online submissions which are being listened to. The best of which are presented to the label A&R teams. However, I think there is possibly potential for greater interaction/functionalilty. What form this takes is pretty much up to the people who use it and what they want to see. So I thought about putting up some kind of poll like the below. Like everything else I do, these ideas are off the top of my head but doing something like this I hope will open up some discussion as to what artists may want from a platform such as this. Plus not all of the options may be totally feasable, but they're only worth investigation if people are interested. So what do you think?
1. Artist Service Model
This would be based around providing you with a series of tools and services to aid you in establishing/developing yourself as an artist. As a major label we have access to a number of cost effective resources including methods of distribution, manufacture, software/online development etc. These could be opened up further for the acts within the community and enable to you distribute and earn from your own blogs.
2. Independent Label Model
Essentially a seperate new label, working with Sony BMG and specialising in smaller deals/singles with the aim of distributing and developing the best of the new talent within the community. Potentially these would be short-term, simple '360' deals, working closely with the artist on both physical and digital products. These artist could either grow within the label, or 'upstream' to a major.
3. Digital Only Distributor
A more simplified version of model 1 for those not who simply want a quick, easy and inexpensive way of digitally distributing via online retailers. Connecting directly to their blog.
4. Maintain Current Focus
Keep this completely A&R-centric with no emphasis on artist development. Instead focusing on the development of A&R tools for artists/staff to effectively spot the new talent within the communty and communicate with them better.
5. Promotion Platform Model
Developing this to make it more effective as a promotional tool for your music in a similar method to myspace. This would include tools developed to cross link from other social platforms including myspace, Facebook etc. Develop viral media players which are easily syndicatable through other formats.
6. Artist Development Focus
To work in conjunction with a 3rd party company who specialises in the development of grass-roots talent with the aim of helping them become a more desirable investment for major labels. This would include distribution and advice.
Not as bad, but still pretty grotty. Still waiting for this Indian summer the paper mentioned.
In a sickeningly smug mood, well I was last night as I actually kept to my healthy routine. Walked to Hammersmith, got home, ran to the shops, bought healthy stuff, did more exercise and Yoga once I got in AND did my homework. So, ooooh, get me. I remembered to change my shopping habits too.
Rather than shopping like I'm a mother of four, getting loads of stuff which takes ages to prepare but is quite wonderful. I shopped like a 20 something singleton who rarely gets home in time to cook. So it was all cold meats, salad, scotch egg(?!?!) n stuff. So I might cut down on the takeaways now. :-)
I was looking through my diary and noticed that I'm experiencing a drought of gigs this week, probably a good thing as I'm running short on cash but if you're playing this week let me know and I'll try to make it down. I fancy a good night out and decent music.
Nearly finish 'The Alchemist', someone has recommended the 'Celestine Prophecies' to me, anyone read that? I always appriciate a review.
I can't stop listening to Ben Kweller at the moment. 'On My Way' is great, not the usual sort of thing I listen to but I saw him play at Dingwalls a while back and it was great. Have a listen if you get chance. I'm back onto Fionn Regan after a break and Audioslave too, the first album. Didn't really like the second.
Anyhoo, I'm waffling now. Jujitsu night tonight so I need to get my stuff ready, another new student tonight.
Hope all is well out there.
What happened? I feel woozy.
Is there some kind of black hole between Putney Bridge and Camden which causes the loss of about half an hour? I was running slightly (about 10 mins which is good for me) late. So I thought it was a good idea to get a cab. Rather than opting for the trusty Hackney Carriage or my usual private hire. I spotted a taxi office, got my quote and was asked to pay in advance. I wasn't travelling to Newcastle, just accross London. Maybe they didn't like the look of me which is why I had to pay in advance.
So after parting with my cash I sat on a wall for ages looking through the door at my prospective driver drinking tea trying very hard not to make eye contact. On finishing his tea (and I think a game of sudoku) he gingerly made his way out of the tea stained comfy chair and led me to the taxi. It took ages, I swear we went via Brighton. :-/
I got dropped off roughly near the venue so legged it and got stopped twice by Camden loonies. Normally they pass me by but one even grabbed at my camera bag, I thought he wanted to nick it but it turned out he wanted to dispense sage-like advice whilst I was filming my journey down Camden High Street. I'll see if I can get the audio of that as I was filming.
On getting to Tommy's there were a few people there and it was quite obvious that I had missed the first band The Juice. Which is a shame as I wanted to see them at the Buffalo Bar the other week and missed them then too. Luckliy they're playing the Hope and Anchor next week. Will hopefully get some good footage then. So I took a seat with Jay had a quick chat and then the Melancholics started.
A fun group with catchy tunes, not entirely my sort of thing but I couldn't say they were bad, because they weren't. Maybe I was still in a mood because of my travel misery. I did chuck my toys out the pram en route to the venue when I recognised we were closer to Arnos Grove than Camden.
I also said hi to Uxia from Piper Saint who happens to work accross the road. It's her birthday soon and what better way to celebrate than a gig. I'm heading to that one and it sounds like it will be good. Be sure to have a listen to their stuff too if you haven't before.
I had a chat with Chalky last night about this and that, but the conversation kept coming back to running a night together. It's something I'm really starting to like the idea of.
It will probably be ages before I get anything going but I'll let you know as stuff happens. Hope all is good with you.
I want a gig calander for the next month. Leave comments on this blog of:
Date - Venue - Time - Location
(Of your gigs)
Do it, do it now.
That is all.
