General Music Chat

Hey everyone,
I'm doing a "feeler" if anyone knows some reputable booking agents or agencies that operate in the northeast- NYC, Philly, Atl. City, DC, etc..

Our project is really taking off and it's at the point where we simply need help negotiating larger venues, and the few agents and agencies we've talked to so far have been really sleazy, or draw red flags (no references, bands listed, or nobody bands with no gigs lined up..)

We're not looking for a manager or general agent- just bookings. If anyone could point us in the right direction, or recommend someone, please let me know. Thanks!

hey Kramer, are you in the union? If so, they might be able to help....

Not yet, I guess I never got around to it lol. Good point, thanks!

(edit)
Does anyone have a recommendation between AFM and MU?

Hell no... I'm not paying any middle man... I remember all the booking agents taking a 15% cut when I realized all I needed to do was just go down to the clubs myself and schmooze with the owners... play a few showcase gigs... build up a name and a following and you'll start getting offers all over the place.... weed out the bad places ( like the place I played the other nite) and advertise the crap out of each and every gig.. A booking agent ain't taking you on without a healthy following... at least they wouldn't with us when we started out a year ago... now we freakin' don't need them!

Hell no... I'm not paying any middle man... I remember all the booking agents taking a 15% cut when I realized all I needed to do was just go down to the clubs myself and schmooze with the owners... play a few showcase gigs... build up a name and a following and you'll start getting offers all over the place.... weed out the bad places ( like the place I played the other nite) and advertise the crap out of each and every gig.. A booking agent ain't taking you on without a healthy following... at least they wouldn't with us when we started out a year ago... now we freakin' don't need them!

Yeah Crip, but we're going into uncharted territory (big cities), and not only aren't familiar with the good/bad venues, but I've been told many of the larger venues won't book without agency representation. This is kind of an odd scenario, because it's also not ROCK, it's more pop, folksy stuff.

Also, I've been told by a few people that the extra $$ the bookers (the good ones anyways) can get you more than pays for their cut. May be heresay, but I don't know a whole lot about any of it.

"Find someone who's where you want to be, and go ask them how they got there"

Yes you need a booking agent, and that's the advise I'd give you to find a good one, or anything else your after! Go see a similar band to yours at a venue like your wanting to book, and ask the guys. They'll help you out; if the first guy in the band is an ass, or evasive, go the the next guy.
Or you can muddle through the adds and do a lot of background checking.

I'm glad you landed an apparently serious and dedicated group with high aspirations Kramer...
good luck!!!



www.myspace.com/blunderingeye
http://ezfolk.com/audio/bands/6039/
http://bandmix.com/hayden-king/
"Jamm Pudding" on yahoo messenger (wed's 8-10 pm E.S.T.)

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"Find someone who's where you want to be, and go ask them how they got there"

Yes you need a booking agent, and that's the advise I'd give you to find a good one, or anything else your after! Go see a similar band to yours at a venue like your wanting to book, and ask the guys. They'll help you out; if the first guy in the band is an ass, or evasive, go the the next guy.
Or you can muddle through the adds and do a lot of background checking.

I'm glad you landed an apparently serious and dedicated group with high aspirations Kramer...
good luck!!!

Thanks Hayden- That's a really good idea. I got a recommendation from one musician on an agency in NYC that I'm checking out, but I definitely wanted more options to weigh and choose from.

Wait. Isn't your singer signed to a label? (If not, disregard the whole thing). The label should be able to hook you up with agents and start filling your calendar... I may be wrong, but that's what I heard. I've never been signed myself lol

Wait. Isn't your singer signed to a label? (If not, disregard the whole thing). The label should be able to hook you up with agents and start filling your calendar... I may be wrong, but that's what I heard. I've never been signed myself lol

She established her own publishing and media company, basically her own label, DIY setup from the ground up.

Oh. Hmm.. good on her. Best of luck. I know nothing bout Pennsylvania

A union won't do anything for you there are a waste of money. I been in the union back in the 60's & 70's when clubs were unionized and you had to be a carded member to work the gig. But they never did anything for me other than that.

If you are looking to set up short or long tours, or get higher paid gigs, a good agent will make you money, many of the A & B circuit club only book through agents. You have to find an agent that has a small roster with no big names. That way they will put alot of effort into getting you good well paid gigs and set up your tour so you are going short distances between venues instead of running around the country, helter skelter, burning up fuel.

Ron

..helter skelter..

I'm comin down fast; I'm miles above you!
Yea. Nevermind.

If you are looking to set up short or long tours, or get higher paid gigs, a good agent will make you money, many of the A & B circuit club only book through agents.

That was my understanding of the situation, now it's just weeding through all of the internet 'wannabe' agents (and there are TONS of them) and finding one who can actually deliver the services, which is why I'm asking

I got hooked up with one so far that's legit, been asking around trying to find a couple or few more just to add to the list of options. I hate only having ONE option.

I've heard the union does nothing also, but I'm compelled to join ASCAP, just to keep it legit. I'm pretty sure any agent worth their weight will probably insist on that anyways (or BMI).

There are places where they're pretty much locked in with agencies & reps. Frederick, MD, is one of these. I tried for years to break into that town, but without representation, they won't even talk to you.

Good luck Kammerguy ....

Try to find an agent with a smaller roster too ... they put more time into your band. Also some agents specialize in cover bands and some original and some do both ... so ask.