General Music Chat

Oh yeah, what important necessities should you bring on the road i.e. First Aid, Aspirin, disposable toothbrushes, throwaway clothes, your sanity...etc

One thing I've read has me thinking: Shouldn't you get an accountant to send your money to rather than your manager? That's what I read about touring musicians anyway. I know most people can't afford it(me included). Also, aren't you better off with getting a booking agent before you hire anyone else?

Not unless you are a big leaguer ... you're the account. Get paid cash and depoist at a AMT. ... you have a manager???? well knock 10 to 15% off you gross for the gig.

Oh yeah, what important necessities should you bring on the road i.e. First Aid, Aspirin, disposable toothbrushes, throwaway clothes, your sanity...etc

First Aid kit is good ... but a tool kit for vehicle repair is essential. Ya ... aspirin, zantax and toothbrush are all good and bring at least 3 sets of stage clothes. Make sure you equipment is in good order and pack some spare tubes & strings if you play guitar. ... oh and lots of money ....

And as far as a booking agent .... well good luck on that if you are a nobody ... if you get one knock another 10 to 15 % off your gross

Well how do you go about getting booked so that you are able to go state by state without having to wait four months to get a spot on a bill?

Thanks for the input!

Hey, did you know that Kyle Gass is from walnut creek?
Find the Pick of Destiny.

Form your schedule around what you can land and commit to.
Might have to play some more divey clubs to have it like you want it.

Call the clubs that you wanna play at and ask them if you can send a promo kit, and if they might currently have some nights to fill.

Hmmm, I wonder how long it would take to get a two week tour confirmed. Any rough estimates?

As for press kits, it's cool that some of these places prefer electronic press kits now. That could save some time.

Kyle Glass is from WC? I would like to meet more musicians from this town. The ones I knew moved away, mostly So Cal.

I don't know.
I reckon at least a month to get enough dates confirmed and all your ducks in a row.

If you take off see if you can swing over to Nevada and get into Dr. Feelgoods in Vegas. Probably not, but I'd try it.
Shredd says it's the bomb.

Prevost has the most touring experience here. (That I know of)

Wikipedia says Kyle Gass is from there. looks like other 'notables' are sports people.

Kruliosis .... These questions ... I can't answer ...

The tour is already booked when I get hired. I usually responsible for putting together a smokin band for the artist, make sure that they are ready, know the material and are set for reheasals when the artist arrives. I usually am the as MD for the tour. These are also national artists so they have a fan base across the continent so getting booked into A circuit venues and summer festivals is no hard.

So ... what it takes to book a tour for a unknown artist I have no idea. Maybe touch base with Paul (neanderpaul on this forum) he put together a 2 wk tour a couple of years ago (I think) and he would be the guy to quizz as far as what venues you can get booked into and how much money you can expect to make or not make. He did a solo act, if I remember right.

I was offered a long term Artist contract last night
by an Independant Label here in VA.

Until you have a band that dominates your local scene and has a well-produced CD to promote a tour is a waste of time and will most likely cause the band to implode. Learn to walk before you run.

Until you have a band that dominates your local scene and has a well-produced CD to promote a tour is a waste of time and will most likely cause the band to implode. Learn to walk before you run.

So holds true for most all life endeavors Jimmy.

If the contingency logistics are left to chance ... chances are you will fail.

Until you have a band that dominates your local scene and has a well-produced CD to promote a tour is a waste of time and will most likely cause the band to implode. Learn to walk before you run.

Thanks for confirmation. I was pretty sure that if you're band didn't have itself established then it would be suicide trying to get treated like a professional in any way. I'm thinking it could take a while to get a fanbase going. Not putting a time limit on things, but I'm sure no less than six months to get recognized with hard networking at least.

Prevost, Zip, thanks for your input.

Klugmo, tell me more about that offer!

Sans, Rock on!

kru. I cant give you any details yet because we are meeting SAT. to
read it over and discuss. It will be a good deal. The business plan involves
sharing the profits with the talent on top of generous compensation.
Paid to rehears Paid to record, Guaranteed minimum money at all gigs.
Recoupables are what I'm interested in and a few other things.

Until you have a band that dominates your local scene and has a well-produced CD to promote a tour is a waste of time and will most likely cause the band to implode. Learn to walk before you run.

Totaly agree Jimmy

Local (your town and towns around you) .... Regional (your State) .... Muilt-Regional (many States) ... National.

it's about building a strong fan base ....

kru. I cant give you any details yet because we are meeting SAT. to
read it over and discuss. It will be a good deal. The business plan involves
sharing the profits with the talent on top of generous compensation.
Paid to rehears Paid to record, Guaranteed minimum money at all gigs.
Recoupables are what I'm interested in and a few other things.

Make sure that they (label) have the finacial backing to make and keep all these promises ... there are a lot of labels out there that blow smoke up your ass in the beginning and steal the profits in the end ... just saying ... make sure everthing IS as presented. Get a entertainment lawyer to look at it before you sign it .... money well spent

Best of Luck with the meet

kru. I cant give you any details yet because we are meeting SAT. to
read it over and discuss. It will be a good deal. The business plan involves
sharing the profits with the talent on top of generous compensation.
Paid to rehears Paid to record, Guaranteed minimum money at all gigs.
Recoupables are what I'm interested in and a few other things.

Take me with you!