so whats the next step for us?

[thehangingmist]

my main band, a fusion act, has played almost every bar/pub venue in the city. we are pretty well known within the city, among folks who are into live music etc and we've been making a fair amount of money off each gig as well. this month alone we have 6 gigs booked for us and we might end up playing more by the end of it. and yeah we pull a decent crowd as well.

now this is keeping in mind we play sort of commercial music which is popular here mixed in with our songs which is again on a similar vibe so they generally dig it! also there not a lot of bands which play regularly and are known!

now anyway thats all said and done am wondering how do we go to the next level from here? infact what is the next level?
how do we book gigs in other cities? the band has SEVEN musicians+manager and the cost of travel etc does makes playing else where very expensive for the host so it doesnt work out most of the times

we are also recording our debut album in studio right now which should be all finished up by next month but again i dont think we know how to make the best of it!
so anyone familiar with booking tours? how its done? any ideas on what the band should try and do next?

[MysticMichael]

You say there are seven musicians, plus a manager. But what have you heard from the manager on this question?

This kind of thing - how to bring the band from one level, to the next level - is a core responsibility of the manager. Perhaps THE one and only core responsibility. In your case, given how successful your band has already been, your manager should have a master game plan - in fact, should have had it and should have been using it, for a good while already.

If your manager isn't out there, guiding & leading you along the way, removing obstacles from your path, opening up opportunities, with a strong strategy based on experience, knowledge, drive & commitment - then it's way past time for a new manager.

MM

[matante]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

You say there are seven musicians, plus a manager. But what have you heard from the manager on this question?

This kind of thing - how to bring the band from one level, to the next level - is a core responsibility of the manager. Perhaps THE one and only core responsibility. In your case, given how successful your band has already been, your manager should have a master game plan - in fact, should have had it and should have been using it, for a good while already.

If your manager isn't out there, guiding & leading you along the way, removing obstacles from your path, opening up opportunities, with a strong strategy based on experience, knowledge, drive & commitment - then it's way past time for a new manager.

MM

+1 Your manager's main responsibility is to deal with the very question you're asking.

In my most humble opinion, your manager should be figuring out how to get your album into the hands of radio DJs who might actually play it. There are still plenty of radio stations in the country that don't play a corporate set-list dictated by Clear Channel. You should also be thinking about how to present yourselves on youtube and the internet in general: professional music videos, pro photography sessions, etc...

I think the days are long gone of playing gigs in order to obtain a following. The places to obtain a following are radio and internet, then you play gigs when there is a measurable demand for your act in that city.

EDIT: I just realized that you're in India. Disregard everything I said except as it pertains to your situation.

[thehangingmist]

i guess i should explain that part a little, so there is this artist management company and they book us gigs, work around problems so that that there is proper sound and hospitality etc
but they are more like booking agents and enforcers, like they go and negotiate on our part if we need something, or such the equation is right now.

maybe i should go and ask them if they have a plan on taking us to the next level and if they do then they really get to become our managers?!

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

You say there are seven musicians, plus a manager. But what have you heard from the manager on this question?

This kind of thing - how to bring the band from one level, to the next level - is a core responsibility of the manager. Perhaps THE one and only core responsibility. In your case, given how successful your band has already been, your manager should have a master game plan - in fact, should have had it and should have been using it, for a good while already.

If your manager isn't out there, guiding & leading you along the way, removing obstacles from your path, opening up opportunities, with a strong strategy based on experience, knowledge, drive & commitment - then it's way past time for a new manager.

MM

Originally Posted by matante

+1 Your manager's main responsibility is to deal with the very question you're asking.

In my most humble opinion, your manager should be figuring out how to get your album into the hands of radio DJs who might actually play it. There are still plenty of radio stations in the country that don't play a corporate set-list dictated by Clear Channel. You should also be thinking about how to present yourselves on youtube and the internet in general: professional music videos, pro photography sessions, etc...

I think the days are long gone of playing gigs in order to obtain a following. The places to obtain a following are radio and internet, then you play gigs when there is a measurable demand for your act in that city.

EDIT: I just realized that you're in India. Disregard everything I said except as it pertains to your situation.

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by varunkapahi

i guess i should explain that part a little, so there is this artist management company and they book us gigs, work around problems so that that there is proper sound and hospitality etc
but they are more like booking agents and enforcers, like they go and negotiate on our part if we need something, or such the equation is right now.

A booking agent is not a manager. Not even close. A booking agent is tactical and short-term oriented. A manager is strategic and long-term oriented. Their duties may overlap somewhat, in some cases, but that's all. Different responsibilities, different roles.

Originally Posted by varunkapahi

maybe i should go and ask them if they have a plan on taking us to the next level and if they do then they really get to become our managers?!

Just like that? Without any further qualification? Why would they have a plan for you, if you've never asked them to develop one? Even if they do have a plan for you - or are willing to develop one - how do you know it's a good plan for you - and that they're the people in whom to entrust your future?

I can see now that you have no idea at all about how this works. Start educating yourselves - now - on the role of a band manager. Start shopping around - discreetly.

A good, professional manager will usually - though not always - have an established track record. If/when you find one who is a good match for your band and its music, he/she may be willing to take you on...and maybe not. Standard fee is around 15% of gross revenues, give or take a few percentage points.

Start there. Begin networking - discreetly. Make sure you know what you're doing - before you sign any contracts. Etc. etc.

Good luck,

MM

[pacojas]

the next level can be had right now if you down-size!

[Icey101]

this is an Indian setup....

i'd be interested to know how things work in India and whats your band look like?

[Corbeau]

I think the next level would always be expansion. Expansion of your fanbase, expansion of the places you play at, etc. I guess it's worth thinking about where you would like to see the band be say, after the release of the album?

[aressiont27]

yes, for what have you put up a manger in your team. It's his primary work to look forward to forge deals and concerts for the band outside of your cities, formulate the legal policies and managing and arranging for the complete fixtures.


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[thehangingmist]

Originally Posted by Icey101

this is an Indian setup....

i'd be interested to know how things work in India and whats your band look like?

here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIAzoBkv6F4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GejoT1l24CE

[thehangingmist]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

A booking agent is not a manager. Not even close. A booking agent is tactical and short-term oriented. A manager is strategic and long-term oriented. Their duties may overlap somewhat, in some cases, but that's all. Different responsibilities, different roles.



Just like that? Without any further qualification? Why would they have a plan for you, if you've never asked them to develop one? Even if they do have a plan for you - or are willing to develop one - how do you know it's a good plan for you - and that they're the people in whom to entrust your future?

I can see now that you have no idea at all about how this works. Start educating yourselves - now - on the role of a band manager. Start shopping around - discreetly.

A good, professional manager will usually - though not always - have an established track record. If/when you find one who is a good match for your band and its music, he/she may be willing to take you on...and maybe not. Standard fee is around 15% of gross revenues, give or take a few percentage points.

Start there. Begin networking - discreetly. Make sure you know what you're doing - before you sign any contracts. Etc. etc.

Good luck,

MM

we were booking our own gigs for a long time before we got these guys onboard it just didnt make sense to do it ourselves

Originally Posted by Icey101

this is an Indian setup....

i'd be interested to know how things work in India and whats your band look like?

ive put some video links in the post above but yeah this was at an awesome festival and we had a friend/ex member sitting in as an extra guitar player for a couple songs and whole lot of new things happening right there in the moment so nevermind the madness!

[matante]

Originally Posted by varunkapahi

here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIAzoBkv6F4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GejoT1l24CE

I'm using a computer with lousy speakers and I don't have headphones with me so I can't hear your bass, but i want to tell you that the music sounded good to me... UNTIL that cheesy guitarist came in.

You guys are good. Get rid of that cheesy rock guitar wannabe and you'll already be at the next level.

[thehangingmist]

Originally Posted by matante

I'm using a computer with lousy speakers and I don't have headphones with me so I can't hear your bass, but i want to tell you that the music sounded good to me... UNTIL that cheesy guitarist came in.

You guys are good. Get rid of that cheesy rock guitar wannabe and you'll already be at the next level.

boom! we realised that and already have a new guitar players onboard! its been a couple of months now now that was one of the last gigs with that guitar player!

BUT lets not turn this into a guitard bashing thread, got to stay focused.. got to push the envelop and reach new places!