We will be recording our next demo soon. Please keep checking back to sample it for free. We will also be including a fan exclusive so be sure to sign up for our mailing list. Full length songs will be available in our store as well.
Reply
Some say that getting gigs for your band is easy. Others will tell you the opposite. I guess it all depends on the type of venue you are targeting and what you are willing to accept. If you are trying to fill your schedule with private parties and corporate events, (the ideal job for local bands), I think you will find that it takes a foot in the door to start getting referrals. It will just start to snowball after that providing you did a good job. However, if you are trying to get into the bar and club circuit you are going to find that the event managers really only have one question; "How many people can you get to come?".
This particular question more often that not is simply a ruse to get your band for free. They ask you to set a cover and than take the first X amount of people, leaving you with nothing. If you think about it, the bar will always have a maximum capacity. Let's take a local dive bar as an example. They usually have a capacity of around 75. On a Friday or Saturday night the will almost always be close to capacity. Why then, do they expect you to bring a minimum of 25 and then take the first 10 off the top? Even if you could get the same fans to come to every performance, you would only end up being paid for 15 tickets. If you are charging $6 at the door your band will gross a total of $90.00. Split four ways = $22.50 ea. Most bars want a four hour commitment. That is in reality a five or more hour project including set up, sound check and break down. That breaks down to $4.50 an hour. Doesn't seem fair does it?
I learned quickly to turn down those opportunities unless it is a well known venue and will not only offer some great exposure but, will look good on our gig list. And even then, only once.I much prefer to just do a single set showcase for free.
So, at this point in our bands career it seems much more feasible to either try to book the private and corporate events or those venues that will just pay us a flat rate up front. My question to all of you professional musicians that are reading this blog is how do you find those particular bars?
Please leave your tips and advice in our comments section.
Reply
We will be rehearsing tonight at The Sound Matrix in Fountain Valley, CA. One of the best facilities for musicians in Orange county. I have talked with many musicians on the circuit and they all know of or have used this studio. Never a complaint. Anyone else know of another rehearsal studio in the O.C.? We have also used The Wall of Sound in Anaheim and I personally recommend it. Great customer service. On the other hand, Griffdog Studios is the dirtiest, sleaziest and least reliable company out there and I personally boycott them.
Reply
We played at a local venue here in Santa Ana tonight. A place that is familiar with local bands know as Malone's. The sound guy was great. We had a lot of support from our ground floor fans as well. Thanks to all our fans that came out and listened.
Reply
Martzician Productions / Blog
New Demo Release Soon!
We will be recording our next demo soon. Please keep checking back to sample it for free. We will also be including a fan exclusive so be sure to sign up for our mailing list. Full length songs will be available in our store as well.
Reply
Booking Your Band
Some say that getting gigs for your band is easy. Others will tell you the opposite. I guess it all depends on the type of venue you are targeting and what you are willing to accept. If you are trying to fill your schedule with private parties and corporate events, (the ideal job for local bands), I think you will find that it takes a foot in the door to start getting referrals. It will just start to snowball after that providing you did a good job. However, if you are trying to get into the bar and club circuit you are going to find that the event managers really only have one question; "How many people can you get to come?".
This particular question more often that not is simply a ruse to get your band for free. They ask you to set a cover and than take the first X amount of people, leaving you with nothing. If you think about it, the bar will always have a maximum capacity. Let's take a local dive bar as an example. They usually have a capacity of around 75. On a Friday or Saturday night the will almost always be close to capacity. Why then, do they expect you to bring a minimum of 25 and then take the first 10 off the top? Even if you could get the same fans to come to every performance, you would only end up being paid for 15 tickets. If you are charging $6 at the door your band will gross a total of $90.00. Split four ways = $22.50 ea. Most bars want a four hour commitment. That is in reality a five or more hour project including set up, sound check and break down. That breaks down to $4.50 an hour. Doesn't seem fair does it?
I learned quickly to turn down those opportunities unless it is a well known venue and will not only offer some great exposure but, will look good on our gig list. And even then, only once.I much prefer to just do a single set showcase for free.
So, at this point in our bands career it seems much more feasible to either try to book the private and corporate events or those venues that will just pay us a flat rate up front. My question to all of you professional musicians that are reading this blog is how do you find those particular bars?
Please leave your tips and advice in our comments section.
Reply
The Sound Matrix
We will be rehearsing tonight at The Sound Matrix in Fountain Valley, CA. One of the best facilities for musicians in Orange county. I have talked with many musicians on the circuit and they all know of or have used this studio. Never a complaint. Anyone else know of another rehearsal studio in the O.C.? We have also used The Wall of Sound in Anaheim and I personally recommend it. Great customer service. On the other hand, Griffdog Studios is the dirtiest, sleaziest and least reliable company out there and I personally boycott them.
Reply
Last night's gig
We played at a local venue here in Santa Ana tonight. A place that is familiar with local bands know as Malone's. The sound guy was great. We had a lot of support from our ground floor fans as well. Thanks to all our fans that came out and listened.
Reply