Backstage With the Band

[roamingbard13]

The band I play with has come a long way in the 2 years since we started. We were all rookies, and in the last 12 months have played in 7 new venues and have been offered rebooks in all of them.

I think we are at a turning point -- from a music and crowd standpoint, we think we are ready to increase our asking rate. However, I feel like we also probably need to invest in our band set-up at this point.

What are the most "value-added" things we can do? Adding subs? Lights? A banner? OR -- do we raise our asking price and hire out sound and lights?

Say we had $1000 start with -- what should we do first? (I know it's chicken feed for most of y'all, but I work two other jobs and my wife is in grad school, our lead singer is a student, our drummer is a parent of 2...you get the picture). We'll likely be able to add this kind of money every 6 months or so.

[jw10]

Subs are a must IMO. Lights are also a good idea

[jw10]

Subs are a must IMO. Lights are also a good idea

[tlbonehead]

Originally Posted by jw10

Subs are a must IMO. Lights are also a good idea

depends on what they play.

[tlbonehead]

Originally Posted by jw10

Subs are a must IMO. Lights are also a good idea

depends on what they play.

[roamingbard13]

^ Mostly 90s and 00s Rock with some modern pop covers. Subs are probably definitely needed...is it okay to start with 1?

[roamingbard13]

^ Mostly 90s and 00s Rock with some modern pop covers. Subs are probably definitely needed...is it okay to start with 1?

[tlbonehead]

Originally Posted by roamingbard13

The band I play with has come a long way in the 2 years since we started. We were all rookies, and in the last 12 months have played in 7 new venues and have been offered rebooks in all of them.

I think we are at a turning point -- from a music and crowd standpoint, we think we are ready to increase our asking rate. However, I feel like we also probably need to invest in our band set-up at this point.

What are the most "value-added" things we can do? Adding subs? Lights? A banner? OR -- do we raise our asking price and hire out sound and lights?

Say we had $1000 start with -- what should we do first? (I know it's chicken feed for most of y'all, but I work two other jobs and my wife is in grad school, our lead singer is a student, our drummer is a parent of 2...you get the picture). We'll likely be able to add this kind of money every 6 months or so.

What kind of music, what types of events and venues, what do you currently have for equipment, how much do you get for gigs and how much are you hoping to raise it?

[tlbonehead]

Originally Posted by roamingbard13

The band I play with has come a long way in the 2 years since we started. We were all rookies, and in the last 12 months have played in 7 new venues and have been offered rebooks in all of them.

I think we are at a turning point -- from a music and crowd standpoint, we think we are ready to increase our asking rate. However, I feel like we also probably need to invest in our band set-up at this point.

What are the most "value-added" things we can do? Adding subs? Lights? A banner? OR -- do we raise our asking price and hire out sound and lights?

Say we had $1000 start with -- what should we do first? (I know it's chicken feed for most of y'all, but I work two other jobs and my wife is in grad school, our lead singer is a student, our drummer is a parent of 2...you get the picture). We'll likely be able to add this kind of money every 6 months or so.

What kind of music, what types of events and venues, what do you currently have for equipment, how much do you get for gigs and how much are you hoping to raise it?

[TIMKEYS]

the best way to increase the value of a band is by really working on multiple part harmony vocals. It will do more for the bottom line than any gear purchase.

[TIMKEYS]

the best way to increase the value of a band is by really working on multiple part harmony vocals. It will do more for the bottom line than any gear purchase.

[GtrGeorge!]

I would go slowly with gear...its more to move,buy,repair,store replace etc same goes for lights.
first work on the things that matter more..and have fewer costs involved Learn those requests, get that mailing list going, get a banner, but pay no more than 200 for it, get biz cards, be nice to the people
sounds like you are already doing just fine.
GtrGeorge video of my band at reverbernation.com/HolidayRoad

[GtrGeorge!]

I would go slowly with gear...its more to move,buy,repair,store replace etc same goes for lights.
first work on the things that matter more..and have fewer costs involved Learn those requests, get that mailing list going, get a banner, but pay no more than 200 for it, get biz cards, be nice to the people
sounds like you are already doing just fine.
GtrGeorge video of my band at reverbernation.com/HolidayRoad

[tlbonehead]

Originally Posted by roamingbard13

^ Mostly 90s and 00s Rock with some modern pop covers. Subs are probably definitely needed...is it okay to start with 1?

yes, definitely subs. And don't cheap out on the kick mic.

[tlbonehead]

Originally Posted by roamingbard13

^ Mostly 90s and 00s Rock with some modern pop covers. Subs are probably definitely needed...is it okay to start with 1?

yes, definitely subs. And don't cheap out on the kick mic.

[tlbonehead]

Originally Posted by TIMKEYS

the best way to increase the value of a band is by really working on multiple part harmony vocals. It will do more for the bottom line than any gear purchase.

true in many cases, but much of the listed genre had little for extravagant harmonies. But proper singing for the genre is definitely up there.

[tlbonehead]

Originally Posted by TIMKEYS

the best way to increase the value of a band is by really working on multiple part harmony vocals. It will do more for the bottom line than any gear purchase.

true in many cases, but much of the listed genre had little for extravagant harmonies. But proper singing for the genre is definitely up there.

[tim_7string]

Originally Posted by roamingbard13

^ Mostly 90s and 00s Rock with some modern pop covers. Subs are probably definitely needed...is it okay to start with 1?

Absolutely. When I started my own band again in 2009, I just had a powered mixer and a couple of tops. I rented monitors. No subs. In 2010, I started a different band and the bass player had the equipment, so we just used his stuff. No subs there either, just huge 3-way speakers.

I finally bought my own floor monitors, some LED lights and upgraded to one sub and a power amp in 2011. Made a HUGE difference. More hotties dancing and our sound was much better. I still only have one sub, but I will occasionally rent another one for larger places as well as another set of LED lights. I plan on buying both items in the near future (after NYE). At this point, we're just doubling what we have when we need it.

[tim_7string]

Originally Posted by roamingbard13

^ Mostly 90s and 00s Rock with some modern pop covers. Subs are probably definitely needed...is it okay to start with 1?

Absolutely. When I started my own band again in 2009, I just had a powered mixer and a couple of tops. I rented monitors. No subs. In 2010, I started a different band and the bass player had the equipment, so we just used his stuff. No subs there either, just huge 3-way speakers.

I finally bought my own floor monitors, some LED lights and upgraded to one sub and a power amp in 2011. Made a HUGE difference. More hotties dancing and our sound was much better. I still only have one sub, but I will occasionally rent another one for larger places as well as another set of LED lights. I plan on buying both items in the near future (after NYE). At this point, we're just doubling what we have when we need it.

[jimiv]

I would go with the subs first. Ditto on the vocals. Yes you can start with one, the get the other. Don't go cheapo on the subs though. Lighting is also a must, but I would go with the subs first.