Music Industry Discussion

Don't incorporate unless you are making a lot of money or get a record deal. We incorporated in the old band I was in and it was a big headache. Paperwork, taxes, dissolution when the band broke up. Not worth it until you are big time.

Getting on festivals takes publicity. The more popular you are the more likely you will get those gigs. Do benefit shows where all your money will go to a victim or a charity and conctact your local TV and news papers.

I'm gonna go with: get a real job?

As a solo act, I've often used the Chamber of Commerec for lots of new towns that I wanted to try to get work in. The numbers are always easy to find, & they are always very helpful. They have lists of bars & other venues to play in, & names of large companies in thier area that have summer picnics & Xmas parties & such. It got me a lot of work back in the '90's, when I kept my pro packet up to date.

You do occasionally get into a situation that just feels uncomfortable, doing this, when you stumble into a place you're unsuited for, but overall it was what kept me going musically for a few years.

If I had a band, that's definitely one option I would look into for places to play.

I,ve got a real job. It sucks! If I could find some one to pay me $100.000/yr to hunt and fish. And play music on the side That be cool too.
Or play music and hunt and fish on the side. Heck I'm not picky.

I,ve got a real job. It sucks! If I could find some one to pay me $100.000/yr to hunt and fish. And play music on the side That be cool too.
Or play music and hunt and fish on the side. Heck I'm not picky.

I'm surprised more ppul didn't get pissed about that comment... it's mostly a joke... but there is some truth there.

I think most of these guys have been around long enough to know being a musician is hard work that gets damn little respect from people on the "outside". Its like: Why would I pay some guy real money just to play the (insert any instrument here)? Never mind the fact he has practiced hours daily for 20 years. Has got hundreds if not thousands of dollars invested in his equipment. Kind of like watching a dude on a tightrop. Hell he,s just walking, big deal! As if 10% of the population could walk the lingth of a 12 ft 2x4 sitting on the ground without busting their ass.

that reminds me... some of my fav tom waitts lyrics...

"I wanna do what I want and I wanna get paid,
do what I want and I wanna get paid,
I know karate, voodoo too,
I won't make myself available to you..."

I think it's cuz it's called "playing" & not "working" music.

Well, that & the fact that there are so many "losers & users" that ruin our rep in general.

I respect you opinion Irminsul as you are apparently a true "musician".

How does one go about getting "hooked up" with various festivals. Every time I hear of one going on locally Its already set in stone.

Keep an eye out. Most festivals deadlines are between the months of march and may. Also, let people know that you are interested in playing at a festival so that they can keep you informed.

Promote,promote, promote, persistence, persistence, persistence and last but not least network. Some people always have merch on them or in their car just in case there is a chance someone would like to purchase something. But, that is not the only way you could make a living. Ever think of doing music for independent film or arts? I compose score and make a pretty decent living off of it. I do all of my own promoting right now and recording also. Which saves a lot of money. The main thing that helped me with my career was having multiple connections in the entertainment biz. You can't count on just one.

I find it is easiest to have a pro design your band a Logo, an image that is easily and quickly recognized. that way you don't market a band name and struggle with people remembering that, instead they recognized the image and know who you are. it is great for fliers and newspaper ads/write ups. then trademark your logo so no one can steal it.

the cheapest route i have found is:
logo -

www.myspace.com/madgrafix

Texas' own located in houston. I have used them as well as many bands in and around Houston. Top notch, affordable and really nice.

Legal Needs -

www.LegalZoom.com

can't beat the prices..

An Alternative Business POV: Affiliate Marketing for Independent Musicians. Boomer Austin Productions,
I'm on the internet at www.boomeraustin.com. My plan is to take my music mp3 files, in all their "glory", and use the keyword FREE music... to entice viewers to my Internet Affiliate Marketing website.
I tried selling my original material online. Not much there! Too many other world renown artists competition for the 0.99 cent download.
Change Plan of Action: Advertising and Marketing
Join Commission Junction (www.cj.com) or Linkshare, get sponsors for your website, myspace, or blog.
I now have ads from iTunes, Gordon's Jewelers, USA Today, that I got from joining a these 2 Affiliate programs.
You can EARN money from clicks in your personal internet "mini MALL". www.boomeraustin.com is my personal music, movies, fine jewelry store, etc.
I have plenty of music and stories of the road content to upload and support multiple webpages! Anything else, for example, the conversation in this room, can be used as a topic.
I can administer email accounts where friends can add their comments and produce more content for more webpages.
For more ads, more sponsors. And so on. I can upload videos, create a blog, place ads in them too.
Visit www.boomeraustin.com for more information about Internet Affiliate Marketing for Musicians.

You're already in business. Learn how to do more!
Record your rehearsals, use Garageband, or Cakewalk cheaply to upload simple mp3 files of a work in progress.
Include rehearsal videos and document the process of getting ready for the next gig.
Sell T-Shirts and CD on your own biz site. Want to know more?
Email: TheBoss@boomeraustin.com

Sell drugs ? Get a hot merch girl who you can pimp out when she's drunk? I gots tons of alternatives to just trying to get paid for your gig

People, you've got to get off the internet and stop just talking about it.

The promoters hire the people they know who are good enough to play for them.
If you've never met the promoters - then they've never met you, either.
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Whose fault is it, theirs or yours?
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Get OUT there, play in public - and meet people. Get yourselves heard, and talk to people, face to face.
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. . . there comes a time to stop dreaming, and start doing. If you want to play in public - then play in public. It's easy.
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It's so easy - just do it.
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If you are not shelling out money to pay for gas to go to places to play, you'll be stuck home just dreaming about it.

Or, when next year comes around, you'll again hear of yet another concert that is already a 'done deal,' and you'll wonder why you weren't invited to play.
Well, these deals are being done while you're sitting home.
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Don't wait for your ship to come in. Hell, the dock area is too shallow for a big ship.
Get in a damned rowboat - and put in some effort towards rowing out to the big ship, man . . .
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Remember:
Face - to - face.

This is exactly why I have not been around here much. You gotta get out into the streets. Go to the drawing board and put together your tunes. Check out the music departments at nearby colleges...they have mucho info on what's out there. Put your logo on your van and park it. Go to the mall and ask thier promoters about performing.