Audition follow-ups (obvious, but often forgotten advice).

[invader3k]

Just wanted to share a relatively positive experience I had. I had gotten an e-mail from a local singer/songwriter type who has a band that's trying to get back together after being on a lengthy hiatus. Anyway, they needed a new bass player. I met with the drummer, he gave me a CD, and I came by their place this past Saturday.

I did something yesterday that I always try to do...e-mail someone with a follow up. Pretty basic stuff, "Thanks for letting me play with you guys. I had fun. Let me know if you want to get together again, etc." The drummer e-mailed me early this morning and said "Thanks for coming by, we appreciated it. To be straight, we're going to keep looking for right now. Good luck, etc." I replied and said "No problem, good luck on your search."

Now, while slightly disappointed (though somewhat relieved, as I did have some issues with them...like the singer being over half an hour late), at least I now know where they stand, and don't have to bother waiting to get anything else scheduled, as I have two other projects I'm currently working with.

Just goes to show what a little basic "business courtesy" can accomplish. Of course, some people are too dense to ever return the courtesy, but then you at least know how things would work out, generally.

[cymbop]

Had a similar experience auditioning with a singer-songwriter guy. I thought it went pretty well, but the guy said he wanted to take the time to hear a few more bass players. Two weeks went by, during which I got to audition for what was to me a pie-in-the-sky gig. Well, I got into that band, and it was with some satisfaction that I was able to politely wish the singer-songwriter "best of luck" when he called back later say he wanted me!

But your point is follow-up. It's simple courtesy, which can be in short supply these days. But everybody wins when you stay in-touch and up-front.

[invader3k]

Yeah...also, my point is, that you never know what exactly people are looking for in band members. I had another audition about a year ago with a somewhat well known cover band in the area. Audition seemed to go well, I followed up, and then later they e-mailed me and said they went with the other guy who auditioned due to "concerns about availability." OK, fine...months later, the singer (who was the biggest reason I was interested in playing with them, and left the band shortly after I auditioned), e-mailed me and said I was actually the better bass player, but the drummer (who pretty much ran the band) wanted the other guy because, "He knows some hot chicks, or some crap like that."

So, you never know, either way.

[guy n. cognito]

We my current band was auditioning for a new female singer, I always followed up with them to let them know where they stood. And I was honest with them. Some appreciated it, some didn't.

One girl that auditioned was almost violent when I turned her down. While she was super hot and scantly clad, she was incapable of haromizing and her vocal range was too low for our needs. When I called, I initally told her, in somewhat generic terms, that she wasn't what we were looking for. When she asked for specifics, I told her. There was a long silence, and then the crazy starts:

"Am I too ugly?"
"Did you see how I was dressed? I always dress like that!"
"I can bring in 100 men a night just with my looks! You don't need to worry about my voice."
"I can't believe you're turning me down...you guys sucked!"
"My husband is seriously pissed. You're a dead man. You'd better reconsider before he finds out where you live. Nobody turns me down."

At that point I just laughed and hung up. She sent a few more insane emails, but I never heard from her again and her husband apparently never found out where I lived.

[guy n. cognito]

I have, however auditioned for bands that never called me back. One band even neglected to show up at their rehersal space for my audition, leaving me waiting outside for 20 minutes until I left. They did call me the next day, only to tell me that their lateness was a "test" and I wasn't in the running anymore because I didn't stick around and wait for them.

[winstonthecat]

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

We my current band was auditioning for a new female singer, I always followed up with them to let them know where they stood. And I was honest with them. Some appreciated it, some didn't.

One girl that auditioned was almost violent when I turned her down. While she was super hot and scantly clad, she was incapable of haromizing and her vocal range was too low for our needs. When I called, I initally told her, in somewhat generic terms, that she wasn't what we were looking for. When she asked for specifics, I told her. There was a long silence, and then the crazy starts:

"Am I too ugly?"
"Did you see how I was dressed? I always dress like that!"
"I can bring in 100 men a night just with my looks! You don't need to worry about my voice."
"I can't believe you're turning me down...you guys sucked!"
"My husband is seriously pissed. You're a dead man. You'd better reconsider before he finds out where you live. Nobody turns me down."

At that point I just laughed and hung up. She sent a few more insane emails, but I never heard from her again and her husband apparently never found out where I lived.

WOW Great story...there are some seriously disturbed people out there.

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by winstonthecat

WOW Great story...there are some seriously disturbed people out there.

Welcome to Nashville. We have this type of drama everytime we replace our female singer. ALL of them think they are the next Carrie Underwear and ALL of them are psycho.

[Deluge Of Sound]

Are all of them hot? I need some incentive to travel.

[whitedk57]

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

They did call me the next day, only to tell me that their lateness was a "test" and I wasn't in the running anymore because I didn't stick around and wait for them.

That's insane!

[newfuture]

Was looking for a singer to flesh out an instrumental band I used to be in ~ 10 years ago...we interviewed 180 people and had about 80 come down over the course of a year or so. (we got a percussionist instead ).
I got good at being professional and letting people know we weren't interested, if that was the case. Absolutely the only way to go. Agree 100%

Now for the Tale of Crazy (tm):
Most folks were cool with the appraisal and appreciated the honesty; we only had one run in with an absolute psycho. Crazy on the phone, I was caught off guard enough I set up an audition with her. I came to my senses in advance of the audition date, and called her to cancel. She freaked a little on the phone but just a few minutes' worth.

Fast forward a few weeks, after practice, the band is leaving, and we notice an envelope on the windshield of a broken-down car in the parking lot addressed to my first name. It's weathered, definitely been there a while. It was a 3 page, typed, missive about how we were making the biggest mistake of our career by not auditioning her. She likened herself to the mother lode vein of silver that begat the Hearst family fortune, and that if we only dug another THREE INCHES (her caps, not mine), we'd be rich and famous forever. To deliver this, she drive about 40 miles round-trip, crossed two bridges, and ventured into a really unsavory neighborhood. Somehow, this was to tell us she was a well-adjusted professional?

Yikes.

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

Are all of them hot? I need some incentive to travel.

Most of them aren't nearly as hot as they think they are. The above-referenced girl was VERY hot, however, and dressed the part.

[Juniorkimbrough]

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

I have, however auditioned for bands that never called me back. One band even neglected to show up at their rehersal space for my audition, leaving me waiting outside for 20 minutes until I left. They did call me the next day, only to tell me that their lateness was a "test" and I wasn't in the running anymore because I didn't stick around and wait for them.

Seriously!?!?

I would have laughed in their face and hung up on them.

[invader3k]

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

I have, however auditioned for bands that never called me back. One band even neglected to show up at their rehersal space for my audition, leaving me waiting outside for 20 minutes until I left. They did call me the next day, only to tell me that their lateness was a "test" and I wasn't in the running anymore because I didn't stick around and wait for them.

I would have said something like "Oh, that's OK...you failed my test by being late anyway."

[guy n. cognito]

Originally Posted by Juniorkimbrough

Seriously!?!?

I would have laughed in their face and hung up on them.

I would have, but they missed me and left me a message. I thought about calling them back but didn't bother. 6 months later they were still looking for a bassist on craigslist. Each ad they posted got more and more bitter.

[ksandvik]

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

I have, however auditioned for bands that never called me back. One band even neglected to show up at their rehersal space for my audition, leaving me waiting outside for 20 minutes until I left. They did call me the next day, only to tell me that their lateness was a "test" and I wasn't in the running anymore because I didn't stick around and wait for them.

It was good you found out about this, too, not worth playing in a band that can't show up on time. I have a hard time figuring anyone who could pass their test. --Kent