Austin

SY37 · #1 08-31-2009, 03:17 PM

So my band just got back from a 6 week tour and now we moved to Austin.

Anybody live around here? Could you reccomend some good places to play and contacts?

Thanks!

RTL · #2 08-31-2009, 03:42 PM

I really don't want to sound bitter or anything, but I sure hope you have a good lump of cash saved up, and don't plan on playing music for a living in this town...

Austin is a "quantity over quality" town when it comes to the music scene. Don't bother with 6th street, because that area is home of the revolving door audience. Most places downtown are "No Cover", now this encourages people to come in, but they might do that just to stop and listen to the band. Now that's great and everything, but it often means that they likely won't actually be drinking, so the band doesn't make squat (10% of the bar is average). Expecting to get paid a decent flat rate for a night? Don't - if you hassle them at the end of the set/night about only making $20 to split amongst the band, they won't care. There are 100 other bands emailing them every day who would be delighted to play there for free.

I could go on forever about the general music scene out here, but that's what you'll run into if you're a band who is new to the area without label support or a decent booking agent.

Here's one point of advice.. Get friendly with David Cotton, and you might get some gigs that pay half decent.

need4mospd · #3 08-31-2009, 05:06 PM

I've only played Austin a few times as a fill-in, but I've played downtown and got paid **** every time and I've played on Lake Travis and brought home $200 after gas money from Houston. The last band I filled-in with moved to Houston because they couldn't find any paying gigs in Austin. And Houston's music scene isn't that great....

Johnny V · #4 09-01-2009, 12:22 PM

Definitely depends what kind of music you are playing. If you're into the indie rock/punk/hardcore scene, check out Red River and 7th street, cover bands and mediocre pop and blues bands play on 6th st, though Momo's, Antone's and the Parish are really cool venues on 6th. The Parish is really tough to get into unless you're an "it" band. Definitely check out the Mohawk, in my opinion, that's where you'll find the best music in this town.

Moe Monsarrat · #5 09-01-2009, 01:03 PM

My girlfriend owns a club on 6th(The Flamingo Cantina). We cater to a reggae, latin, ska & alt rock fan base. We also have jazz shows sometimes. We had B X III w/ Stu Hamm, Sheehan & Berlin. What kind of stuff does your band play? We're always looking for new bands who can draw a crowd. I play there a lot myself (like tonight w/Lee "Scratch" Perry) but I also play in a C &W band that plays a lot around town in different venues. I'll help if I can. There's a million bands here, but there ain't a million GOOD ones. Good Luck.

SY37 · #6 09-02-2009, 12:21 AM

So... Just to make one thing clear...

I'm NOT in this for the money. I moved down to Austin knowing that my band is a needle in a stack on needles. I'm not in this to get payed. I'm in this to play to people and express myself. If something happens through that and my band is noticed, that's awesome. If not, and I'm stuck living in austin with a job, that's awesome too. We heard Austin has an awesome music scene with people who actually go out to listen to music, so that's why we moved.

6th street is a joke. I haven't really heard anything that catches my ears there quit yet. I'm just looking for any recommendations!

Thanks!

Johnny V · #7 09-02-2009, 08:46 AM

What kind of stuff do ya'll play, and are you looking for another band? If you play Indie Rock kind of stuff, I could probably get you a show at the Beauty Bar. If you are looking to play with another group, my band is looking for a bass player too.

Kenny Allyn · #8 09-02-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SY37

So... Just to make one thing clear...

I'm NOT in this for the money. I moved down to Austin knowing that my band is a needle in a stack on needles. I'm not in this to get payed. I'm in this to play to people and express myself. If something happens through that and my band is noticed, that's awesome. If not, and I'm stuck living in austin with a job, that's awesome too. We heard Austin has an awesome music scene with people who actually go out to listen to music, so that's why we moved.

Not being harsh, more of a reality check, but I hear this all of the time right here in Memphis and it's the same in Nashville, New Orleans, NYC, and LA, actually any music-town you care to name. The venue owners DON'T pay (or pay well) because there are sooo many that are willing to do it for free.

RTL talked about this in his post and it's true here too, just makes it tougher on the pro for pay artist, but that's the music biz for ya.

... Sam Spade: from the movie the Maltese Falcon : "The, uh, stuff that dreams are made of."

bassbully · #9 09-02-2009, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kenny Allyn

Not being harsh, more of a reality check, but I hear this all of the time right here in Memphis and it's the same in Nashville, New Orleans, NYC, and LA, actually any music-town you care to name. The venue owners DON'T pay (or pay well) because there are sooo many that are willing to do it for free.

RTL talked about this in his post and it's true here too, just makes it tougher on the pro for pay artist, but that's the music biz for ya.

... Sam Spade: from the movie the Maltese Falcon : "The, uh, stuff that dreams are made of."

All the reason more Not to make music a full time job

I cant think of a more risky move but to try to "make it" Playing music full time for a living these days. The club level as you pointed out is a joke full of owners who dont want to pay and bands giving away themselves just to be heard.

The weekend warrior route works for me or at least a part time job is needed for most to at least eat. But the music biz is full of dreamers living in basements or crashing on couches ..chasing the dream.

Moe Monsarrat · #10 09-02-2009, 10:20 AM

While it's true that there are always bands willing to play for free. You usually get what you pay for. At our club we pay the band the door minus the sound tech's fee. However many people they can bring in determines whether they come back or not. We advertise & expect the band to advertise as well in whatever manner they choose. Some bands have huge internet followings even if they aren't well known by the press. Those bands make good money & others who open for them get a chance at acquiring their own following. Don't expect club owners to "give" you money here to play. There's too much competition for unknowns to expect that. However, if you can draw a crowd, the money is there. I've been making a living playing here for 30+years. The last two nights at the club(Monday & Tuesday, no less) were flat sold out. At $20 a head both those shows cleaned up & everybody got PAID. I ain't talkin' sammiches either.

SLIV · #11 09-02-2009, 12:13 PM

I lived in Austin in the mid 90's (went to UT), played in a bunch of bands, practiced four, five times a week-- the whole deal. Its hard work out there. Something much bigger than you is happening all the time. I go back and visit friends and am amazed how fast things have changed.

Personally, I think it is easier to come from a smaller, less hip town and tour than it is to live and play in a city like Austin.

As others posted, your strategy for getting shows really depends a great deal what kind of music you play.

TrevorOfDoom · #12 09-02-2009, 12:19 PM

Johnny V, i'll take you up on your offer for your band. what's the situation?

Mo, glad to hear Flamingo is doing well. i've been in about 12 bands (figuratively) that've played there and none did that well. always wondered and hoped it was just us. (well, kinda...)

and to SY37, try Beerland or the Mohawk. maybe even Red Eyed Fly. all Red River, all decent clubs. but the scene is tough to crack. good luck, and i hope to see you on the streets!

Moe Monsarrat · #13 09-02-2009, 12:38 PM

Trevor, thanks for the props. When your new thing is happening, try us again. Like I said we're a fairly eclectic place that offers all different kinds of music. If you can bring a crowd, you're in....period. We have a great sound system & it's a good opportunity for video shoots as well. Last night some guys from Hollywood came in & filmed the whole evening for a "reality" show about (of all things) how the club is run. They filmed my band's show & Lee Scratch Perry's too. Maybe we'll see it on the tube.....

Moe Monsarrat · #14 09-02-2009, 12:46 PM

One thing I meant to say was that when we tour in other countries,especially in Europe, being from Austin,and Texas in general, is a huge advantage. Sometimes that's more important to advertise than the band's name. Be sure & put the shape of Texas on all merch. Not just the name, the shape of the state. For some reason Euros crave that beyond all reason. In short, if you tour elsewhere you'll find that being DIRECT FROM AUSTIN, TEXAS is better than being IN Austin, Tx.

RTL · #15 09-02-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moe Monsarrat

One thing I meant to say was that when we tour in other countries,especially in Europe, being from Austin,and Texas in general, is a huge advantage. Sometimes that's more important to advertise than the band's name. Be sure & put the shape of Texas on all merch. Not just the name, the shape of the state. For some reason Euros crave that beyond all reason. In short, if you tour elsewhere you'll find that being DIRECT FROM AUSTIN, TEXAS is better than being IN Austin, Tx.

That is absolute truth.

David Holt and Lance Keltner are prime examples of this.

Moe Monsarrat · #16 09-02-2009, 02:54 PM

One more thing for you new guys in town. And this is very important. If you are a career musician living & performing in Austin & you don't have medical insurance coverage, you can sign up with HAAM (Health Alliance For Austin Musicians). They will provide basic health & dental care for you. All you do is call or go online & get an appointment & sign up. It took me no longer than 15 minutes to sign up & they just paid for major operations on me & my drummer within the last year. They literally saved our lives. Stuff like HAAM is what makes Austin different than other towns.....they actually care about us.

Kenny Allyn · #17 09-02-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moe Monsarrat

One thing I meant to say was that when we tour in other countries,especially in Europe, being from Austin,and Texas in general, is a huge advantage. Sometimes that's more important to advertise than the band's name. Be sure & put the shape of Texas on all merch. Not just the name, the shape of the state. For some reason Euros crave that beyond all reason. In short, if you tour elsewhere you'll find that being DIRECT FROM AUSTIN, TEXAS is better than being IN Austin, Tx.

Exactly the same thing in Memphis ... you work Beale to get the rep and resume to book elsewhere.

... For more money!

Jim Campbell · #18 09-02-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moe Monsarrat

One thing I meant to say was that when we tour in other countries,especially in Europe, being from Austin,and Texas in general, is a huge advantage. Sometimes that's more important to advertise than the band's name. Be sure & put the shape of Texas on all merch. Not just the name, the shape of the state. For some reason Euros crave that beyond all reason. In short, if you tour elsewhere you'll find that being DIRECT FROM AUSTIN, TEXAS is better than being IN Austin, Tx.

same here,at least some venues.....i'm not sure that texas based bands would make any money touring up here,but i think that for bands that are not restricted geographically it might be worth some research

i see a lot of frustrated guys here and i wonder if the way bands market themselves is in need of improvement......an outside the box way of thinking so to speak......or is the current state of affairs where only national touring acts in big venues the only option....

Moe Monsarrat · #19 09-02-2009, 05:52 PM

Hey Kenny, I was the lead singer for The Lotions. We used to come to Memphis all the time & played at Soloman Alfred's, Trader Dicks & even the Orpheum with the Pointer Sisters. I always had way too much fun there. The Memphis Horns would sit in with us & somewhere I have a board tape of that. Getting back to the thread, I see a lot of old school guys trying to make a living but not using the new technology to help themselves. Being involved with a club, I see the impact the internet has on numbers at the door. Bands that have no radio play & no press can pack the joint because of their online presence. We all gotta get with it or suffer.

Kenny Allyn · #20 09-02-2009, 06:06 PM

You played some cool places ...

We are VERY aggressive in the outreach factor

Two websites one I had, one Darren has

Two Myspace (same as above)

Two Facebooks

Downloadable PDF press kit

... You gotta work every angle!