4 posts tagged “london”
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
Hello,
I wasn't exposed to any boobage today. I was almost disappointed, but not quite.
Reading Jack Kerouac "On The Road" at the moment. Fantastic book, though I do want to quit my job and hitchhike accross the US. I recommend you have a read.
Anyhow, I went to see the Lost Levels last night at 93 Feet East. As mentioned before, I really like these chaps and their set was really good. The sound was amazing too which is sometimes a bit hit and miss at 93FE. They threw a new song in there called Five which I really liked. Not that they were bad when they played my night but they really seemed to up their game for last night's gig. You could see them enjoying performing songs like the Early Sheets (one of my favourites). Plus their overall look on stage was really good. They certainly benefit from a larger stage. For some reason I was reminded of early Super Furries in places, I could imagine them playing
Ugh, I've got so much to do and so little motivation to do it. It's not the fun stuff like writing this, listening to new stuff etc. It's mostly mess cleaning, meetings, organising etc etc. Cannot be arsed to say the least. :-)
Howdy,
I nearly always have something to whinge about. Living in London it's very easy to find something inconvenient or otherwise annoying. However today I'm in a sickenly good mood. I'm probably irritating the tits off my colleagues with my relentless chirpyness and overall ready-brek-glow. I think it's the weather and the fact that I've got loads going on with some great acts coming up.
Not sure what's brought this on but I'm going to go with it I think. I went to see The Electric City play at 93 Feet East last night. I went after JJ class so I was really late and only got one song. Damn. It was a bloody good track though, 'Sleeping With the Enemy'. So to make it worthwhile I had a couple of pints with the manager, a lovely curry on Brick Lane then headed back to the opposite side of London for a reasonably early night (by my standards anyway)
Someone has recommended I go see the Xcerts tonight. I don't know if they've got a Vox page but if they're any good I'll make sure they do. :-) I'll be taking along a couple of scouts for company and their opinion as it's always good to have a second pair of ears involved.
I got a punchbag delivered yesterday. Oh my god it's brilliant. You can't imagine how much fun and de-stressing the experience is of beating the crap out of it is. I'm getting my kettlebells today aswell. But I'll shut up about that sort of thing. I'll be going on about Whey again any minute (nerd).
I'm still doing these showcases twice a month, so no sooner is one over and I have to start booking the next one. So I'll open the lines now for anyone wanting to play. :-) Of course there are a few who I want to see so the night's already filling up quite quickly. Just PM me, but make it quick as hopefully I'll get a few.
Got another songwriter coming in today. Can't say who as it isn't one of mine really and it's early days yet. Looking foward to it as I really enjoy the experience of meeting the artists. It's wierd, from the artists' point of view they're coming into an office environment to play to some 'industry executives' in their office with lots of gold discs and awards about the place. Must be quite intimidating for them. For me I see the whole experience quite differently and enjoy it like a mini gig. If I ever run a label I will have a venue attached I think. It still feels strange for me to be thought of as the industry guy after so many years of being percieved as a band member.
Whoops, long post. By-product of being a fast typist with ADD I think. So what's happening out there? I really want to know and comments have been thin on the ground as late.
Hope all is well with you.
I'm in a lot of pain today. Everytime I bend my right arm it feels like someone sticks a screwdriver in it. Rubbish.
I went to the Graice Barra Jiu-Jutsu Academy last night. It's run by Roger Gracie, 3 time world heavyweight ADCC (amongst others) champion and he beat Ron Waterman in MMA who was about twice his build. Really good demostration of technique over a massively powerful wrestler who never lost to a submission hold before or since.
It was a great place, really amazing. The students are of a really high calibre. Some of which had moved from other parts of Europe just to train there. Meeting Roger was quite impressive too. He's HUGE, I felt like some kind of midget stood near him.
It was wierd trying to find the place because after a while I recognised exactly where I was. The academy is next to Eastcote studios where my old band recorded it's first music video. Wierd. Even stranger, on leaving the academy and ran into an ex from 3 years ago who I met in High Wycome. Bizarre coincidence as her yoga class was next door. I dunno, what are the odds?
Anyway, the columbiademos debate is well underway. I asked a couple of people I know through here to have a look and comment as their input has been really good and their background invaluable. You can't guess or research people's feelings, you have to ask them. As a result more attention is being drawn to the ideas being generated. Big thanks to those who've contributed so far!!
It's Friday!! I just realised, fantastic. An excuse for a pub lunch. Today is going to be a long one. As is this evening as I think I've agreed to go to about three things, but it was weeks ago when I was asked, so I never remember. Must use that diary of mine.
Oh yes, I have to say, the hug a sound engineer idea was a complete flop. You're rubbish, officially. The CD's that I've had have just gone over to Blue Peter so there. However, if I get some interesting picture that I can publish I'm sure I can get something together to send out. I'll give you a couple of weeks. ;-) It'll be a bunch of albums and a massive poster or something.
I'm off to get some algepan for my arm-barred elbow and prepare for the pub. Then it's just an afternoon of sat in my sunny office listening to new submissions and working on the new A&R list for the labels. Today is a good day.
Hope all is well with you.
