Getting started

[kurdy]

I know this is rather general, but…

 

How do I get started?

 

To elaborate, I'm a 25 year old aspiring singer/songwriter. I've played out a number of times, though not regularly. My college has a pretty active music scene, and I've performed on campus a few times at their weekly music events, both with and without a band (I wouldn't call it an 'official' band, just a group of us that have performed together a few times). I've done some open-mics at various places, though my experiences with them have been less than stellar. A couple of years ago, I got one of my songs onto a compilation CD of local acts, put together by a fellow student who's active in the scene. Since then, people have kinda identified me with that song, so I kinda have a signature tune, at least at my college.

 

But I'm wondering what I should do now? What's the next step? I've already started a mailing list to inform people of where and when I'll be performing (although the number of people on the list that would actually come to a performance is negligible, if not non-existent). I also have some recordings of my songs that I bring with me to sell (basically just elaborate home demos).

 

Ideally, I'd like to have a decent following, and be able to perform more often, but I'm not entirely sure how to make that happen. If anyone has any advice on basically how to get the ball rolling, it would be appreciated.

[SpiderFingers]

Sounds like your doing ok dude. You're DOING IT. Just keep it up if you can actually get a band going great. KEEP gigging. If not go to the studio & hire some top dogs to do your session work man. Good luck.What kind of material do you do?

[kurdy]

Thanks. In all honesty though, it doesn't really feel like I am getting anywhere at all. Except for the several on-campus "gigs", I've done, I haven't really played out much. I wouldn't even really know where to begin. I'm pretty inexperienced. Having a steady following seems to be eluding me as well. Maybe it'll come once I do enough "gigs"; I really don't know. (I put that word in quotation marks, because I've only done one official one so far where I was paid--although money is not necessarily a top priority at this point). I've been looking on-line to see if there are any opportunities of some sort in my area for singer/songwriters, but I haven't found much of anything yet.

 

The type of music I do is difficult to describe. It's kinda pop/rock, I guess, but piano/keyboard oriented--since that's the instrument I play.

 

Thanks anyway for your reply, though. At least it makes me feel like maybe I'm doing something. Hopefully, you're right.

[HirsuteND]

Well, contacting the venues in which you want to play is a start. Find out when you can play and book shows. They may ask for a demo, which you likely have. Build a rapport with club owners or coffeehouse managers or whomever books talent at where you want to play.

[zookie]

Your local paper may have a weekend guide, a list of places where music is performed.

 

Scroll through the list of bars, restaurants, coffeehouses, etc and look at who is playing where. If some of the acts are in any way similar to what you do, look up the venue.

 

You can either give them a call or stop by to check it out. Ask someone who works there who does the bookings. Ask if there's a good time to call. Call the booking person, introduce yourself, tell them what you do and ask what they would need from you to be considered for a performance.

 

They may ask you about payment. Have a fee in mind. Don't say you don't know. It sounds unprofessional.

 

Rinse and repeat, because not every phone call will get you a gig.

[kurdy]

Thanks. I think I'm going to try that.

 

One question: What is a good amount to request if they ask about fees?

[HirsuteND]

 

Originally posted by kurdy Thanks. I think I'm going to try that. One question: What is a good amount to request if they ask about fees?

 

 

That varies greatly on where you are. If you are in Fargo, ND you can expect peanuts. If you are in NYC, the pay will be more (never played there, don't know for sure). Ask your peers what they get and ask the club for just a tad less.

 

That's my best advice for a newcommer. Onc you make a name and can command a bit more as a new dude, the story changes slightly. Until then, just see what the competition gets and ask for a tad less.

[zookie]

I played folk music in NYC, and you don't get paid a whole lot. In the early 90's I would average well under $100 a gig with multiple sets.

 

The pay depends on the size and type of venue, the location (somewhat), the style of music and probably a bunch of other stuff I'm not aware of.

 

If someone approached me at a gig and said they were starting out and asked me what I earned, I would probably tell them. You may think about hanging out at a couple of venues and talking with the performers.

 

When you call places, they will ask you what you charge. They'll never tell you what they offer. Another approach, if you're feeling cocky, might be to offer something like $100 a set and then negotiate.

[miles to go]

 

Originally posted by kurdy The type of music I do is difficult to describe. It's kinda pop/rock, I guess, but piano/keyboard oriented--since that's the instrument I play.

 

 

Being able to comfortably answer "what kind of music do you play" will be an important part of the equation. It always surprises me how many bands/performers can't do it. Just a thought.

 

-Erik

[kurdy]

If I were to really be honest, piano/keyboard based pop/rock. But I'm trying to move away from the poppier side of things. My style is kind of in transistion, you could say. I'm kinda more interested in leaning more toward the singer/songwriter-y side of the musical spectrum. Plus, I'm not really sure how people would react if I were to say I played 'pop', which has a bit of a different meaning than it used to, and brings to mind a certain type of music I'd rather not be associated with at this point.

 

Let's put it this way--Elton John; Billy Joel are my favorites. But I kinda feel weird about saying that, since I don't want it to seem like I'm trying to copy anybody.

[zookie]

 

Originally posted by kurdy Let's put it this way--Elton John; Billy Joel are my favorites. But I kinda feel weird about saying that, since I don't want it to seem like I'm trying to copy anybody.

 

 

Another poster mentioned being able to describe yourself is important and he's dead on.

 

When you start making those phone calls, you'll connect with someone who is very busy and has handled enough calls over the years to feel he or she can tell a winner from a loser. You will be asked:

 

1. What kind of stuff do you do?

2. When are you available?

3. Do you have your own equipment?

4. How much do you charge?

 

Based on the venue it is perfectly fair to bill yourself as either a singer/songwriter with a Billy Joel influence, or as a cover artist who will play original arrangements of popular artists, such as Billy Joel.

 

People who book acts are looking at the bottom line, not the "artistic merit". If the crowd is over 30 and it's a sedate place, pop covers may be just fine.