Just got a song placed on a TV show... should we make a press release or not?

[ishouldbeking]

Hola boys and gals. The title of this thread pretty much sums it up... I play in an indie-pop band, and we've been busting our butts to do everything right. We've self released an EP, become an active part of our local music scene, worked with a promotion company to get the word out and generate some blog/magazine reviews, recently got featured in two print magazines, and also shopped around to ultimately sign with a very good licensing/placement company.

Well that last one just paid off... found out about a week ago that one of our tracks will be used on a very popular network TV show next week. This means some much needed revenue for us (now we can actually AFFORD to record our full-length!), but obviously it's the exposure that's a big deal.

So here's where I'm torn... when we released our EP, we issued a press release to blogs/magazines/radio stations etc and we actually were able to drum up some good attention for ourselves. One of our members thinks we should do the same thing now. I'm not so sure. In my mind, calling attention to the monetary success can have the downside of "cheapening our artistic appeal". Obviously it's all BS anyway... every band needs to eat, but it seems counterproductive to brag about the awesome deal we just landed when we want to be taken seriously on the merits of our music, not how much money we make. I can see the point of using this to land a booking agent, label, or endorsement deal... but it doesn't seem like the kind of thing blogs/magazines/radio stations should even be told about. I mean, it's no secret, but that doesn't mean we need to toot our own horn, right? Or should we capitalize on this as much as possible?

I'm really curious to see what other people think. Thanks!

[Tenma4]

I say get the word out! Be humble personally. Work hard to sell the band as a product. If you simply get the word out about your music and others like it then you will have the opportunity to fulfill what the Bible's Proverbs 27:2 says without tooting your own horn.

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.

[Quap]

What show?

[jgroh]

Promote promote promote. Absolutely get the word out any way you can to whoever you can. Its the name of the game really.

[MatticusMania]

Well if youre just making people aware that your song can be heard on the next episode of so and so, youre not necessarily saying anything about you making money. Just that fans of your music will have another chance to listen on so and so date, on so and so channel. Dont think of it as capitalizing on anything, just making your fans aware of your progress.

[crijan]

You definitely should release a press release any time you have any noteworthy news. You definitely should not mention if or how much you were paid for such a placement.

The press release should basically say,

X song by Y band is featured on Z tv show on 1/2/03 date. The song will play during this part of the show. Quote from the show producer on why they chose the song, if available.

Next paragraph or two will be a minor history of your band and maybe a promo for your next show/tour or any other definte, solid info on the future of the band.

[Lefty Geek]

You don't have to mention how much money you made.

[ishouldbeking]

Originally Posted by Quap

What show?

Ha, man... see i'm already getting tight-lipped because i guess i'm self-conscious about the monetary side of the music biz, which I'm still really new to. Oh well, just gotta shrug it off and keep going I guess. The show is Grey's Anatomy.

I'm actually really glad to hear all the responses from you guys... I come from a punk-rock / indie-rock background where this vague and seemingly imagined concept of 'selling out' has always kept me on my toes. I really would like to make a career out of music, i just get nervous that we'll turn people off if we start talking about our successes. But I think you guys helped me come to a realization that we really ought to take advantage of a fantastic opportunity when it presents itself to us. And obviously there will be no mention of the financial end of this, but I suppose i can ease up and let my bandmate do the press release.

[MatticusMania]

Hey man, if youre doing it for the good of your band, and making a career out of your music is what you want to do, then to hell with anyone who says youre selling out. Until you change who you are and your music JUST to make money, you arent selling out.

[midnightsin]

By all means let the masses know about the goings-on of your band. Who said that you had to let people know how much money you are making from a certain deal? If people ask about it tell them it's a nunya situation. When they look at you funny tell them it's nunya-bidness.

So yes, do the press release and let your adoring public know what is happening with your band. They won't get turned off if you keep them up-to-date with what's happening. It's better to have to repeat things than to have something slip through that needed to be said.

[Stumbo]

"but most frequently, "career" in the 20th century referenced the series of jobs or positions by which one earned one's money. " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Career

To have a "career" you have to make money. Take it from there.

[bnutz]

You should definitely use the show as a promotional opportunity. It doesn't cheapen anything- all it means is that someone likes your music enough to pay for it (which by extension means that other people should, too.) I think, generally, that the public needs to be told a little bit what's cool, and according to a major broadcasting company, you're cool.
Good on ya.
-b

[phatbass]

That's a pretty major deal (in my opinion) for a local band. There's no need to mention money; but I'd play up, bigtime, the fact that a track off the EP will be featured on the show.

[agreatheight]

ummm... YES!

and congrats!

[ishouldbeking]

thanks guys, yeah it definitely is a really big deal for us, which seems to be why we're so hesitant to do anything that might not take advantage of the situation in the best way possible.

i can't imagine how much pressure must suddenly drop on your shoulders when you're faced with a record deal, man...

[baalroo]

I'm from a "punk/indie" background as well, and I say do the press release. You went for it, you got it. Good for you. A "sellout" changes or hides who they really are to make money, don't "sellout" by pretending you didn't do the things you've done. If you're proud, tell your fans so and they too will be proud. If they are not, **** 'em.

[BassLand]

My thoughts are as follows... If I got a spot with a TV show I would consider that a success and start diverting energy in that direction. Look for more work in that general direction (which could include films industrial, documentaries etc) and play upon the fact that your stuff is being used locally/nationally (which ever...) and getting paid... the EP and other more "rock star" aspirations would take a back seat while I get the $$ rolling in. Now I am almost 60 years old and I would think that you are considerably younger so please take this with a grain of salt (as they say)...

[matskull]

Congrat, let people know about it!
Do you have a myspace, let us hear that.

[MakiSupaStar]

Sweet roll with it. Use the momentum while you have the spotlight. The trick is keeping the momentum going, by using this spotlight to jump into the next one. This is where the pro's separate themselves from riff raff. Congrats. Got an air date?

[ishouldbeking]

airdate is Nov 13th presumably at 9pm and our myspace is www.myspace.com/theflyingtourbillon