two gigs, two cities, same night!

varunkapahi · #1 08-01-2010, 04:55 AM

so i am playing with two bands. both started as sessions gigs but then with time its not so "sessions" anymore really. i've known one of the bands for about a year or so (call them band A) and they have a gig booked for 28th aug and i've known about it for last few weeks. i started to play "sessions" with this newer band (call it band B) informed me that might have an outstation show on the 28th too! so i told band B right away that i have another gig booked for the same date but they should go ahead and if its confirmed i'd find a sub for one of the gigs and manage.

the newer band B's show is not confirmed but it would be high paying as its outstation and sponsored by an embassy. the older band A's gig is a local pub gig which pays little (about 50$ per person)

so incase the 2nd gig gets confirmed too do i go for the more paying gig and desert the band A which i've known for longer? i can find them a sub and teach him the songs which are anyway really simple and they have an ever changing line up for each gig too. but i know they wont be happy. :-/

i dont see either of the band doing really well in the future but definitely band B is way more commercial which is good

edit: theres no way i can do both. am secretly hoping one of them gets canned so there's no trouble
i also told the bandB right away that i have another gig booked for the same date

Jon_West · #2 08-01-2010, 05:16 AM

If the gigs are at different times, why not go to both? My guitarist did 4 sets in 2 different cities within about 30 minutes between them, one time. It was ridiculous, lol

varunkapahi · #3 08-01-2010, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jon_West

If the gigs are at different times, why not go to both? My guitarist did 4 sets in 2 different cities within about 30 minutes between them, one time. It was ridiculous, lol

the gigs are all the way across the country

elavate7 · #4 08-01-2010, 05:45 AM

do both if you can......

varunkapahi · #5 08-01-2010, 09:16 AM

IbanezBass69 · #6 08-01-2010, 03:13 PM

Well, I am no pro, but it sounds like me like it may be time to get a little selfish. I am a very loyal person, but at a time like this, maybe consider where you would rather play, the money involved, and each bands chance for success. Then, of course get a sub for the band that you turn down. I think that is the best you can do in this situation.

Schlyder · #7 08-01-2010, 03:39 PM

Which gig will have... i) most, ii) better, looking women, and the best chance of getting a little somethin' somethin'.

varunkapahi · #8 08-02-2010, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schlyder

Which gig will have... i) most, ii) better, looking women, and the best chance of getting a little somethin' somethin'.

heh that settles it

tycobb73 · #9 08-02-2010, 07:35 AM

No band is going to be thrilled that you have a sub so take the gig you want the most.

champbassist · #10 08-02-2010, 08:34 AM

Just a curious question if you don't mind: where are the two gigs?

varunkapahi · #11 08-02-2010, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by champbassist

Just a curious question if you don't mind: where are the two gigs?

delhi and the other possibly in pondichery i think

guroove · #12 08-02-2010, 08:40 AM

Go with the higher paying one if it's confirmed, and try to get a sub for the other one. Make sure your sub doesn't suck, and find one ASAP. If the higher paying one isn't confirmed, then I'd go with the one that was on the books first.

bigfatbass · #13 08-02-2010, 08:45 AM

I have been in this exact spot many times back in my gig whore days. Best advice is be honest with all parties NOW. You have weeks to get a sub ready for either gig, but that time will disappear fast when it comes to scheduling a rehearsal or 2. Tell band A you have a potential offer for a serious payday, and you really can't turn it down if it comes through. Ergo: the truth. No one can grudge you for needing the cash. Having a solid sub lined up as quickly as possible is your best move if you want to keep bad feelings to a minimum. Make the whole thing as seamless for them as you can, and hopefully you'll have no issues.

Good luck, and remember, it's always nice to be busy!

varunkapahi · #14 08-02-2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guroove

Go with the higher paying one if it's confirmed, and try to get a sub for the other one. Make sure your sub doesn't suck, and find one ASAP. If the higher paying one isn't confirmed, then I'd go with the one that was on the books first.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigfatbass

I have been in this exact spot many times back in my gig whore days. Best advice is be honest with all parties NOW. You have weeks to get a sub ready for either gig, but that time will disappear fast when it comes to scheduling a rehearsal or 2. Tell band A you have a potential offer for a serious payday, and you really can't turn it down if it comes through. Ergo: the truth. No one can grudge you for needing the cash. Having a solid sub lined up as quickly as possible is your best move if you want to keep bad feelings to a minimum. Make the whole thing as seamless for them as you can, and hopefully you'll have no issues.

Good luck, and remember, it's always nice to be busy!

the other gig is not confirmed yet so thats a major problem. speaking to bandA will create drama and i dont want drama unless i really know the other gig is confirmed and well paying. its very dicey but the problem is if it gets confirmed when its too late to find a sub then i will have to back out from the higher paying gig
anyway thanks for some real good advice here

Jools4001 · #15 08-02-2010, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varunkapahi

the other gig is not confirmed yet so thats a major problem. speaking to bandA will create drama and i dont want drama unless i really know the other gig is confirmed and well paying.

So, be honest with Band B and let them know that unless their gig is confirmed by x date they're gonna get a sub.

guroove · #16 08-02-2010, 09:16 AM

Does band B know that you are booked for that date? They ought to know now. How much do you like playing with band A? Would you be terribly beat up if they never called you back for a gig? Are you just playing for them, or are you in the band? Are they the kind of people who would bad mouth you? Double booking dates is never good for your reputation.

champbassist · #17 08-02-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varunkapahi

delhi and the other possibly in pondichery i think

My personal suggestion would be to take the higher paying gig. Reason is simple: I've seen way too many selfish musicians with zero integrity who will shamelessly dump their years old bands for a better paying (even one-off) gig with some guys they hardly know.

I suspect you might not be one of them, though

varunkapahi · #18 08-02-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guroove

Does band B know that you are booked for that date? They ought to know now. How much do you like playing with band A? Would you be terribly beat up if they never called you back for a gig? Are you just playing for them, or are you in the band? Are they the kind of people who would bad mouth you? Double booking dates is never good for your reputation.

yep i told the band B right away. i dont care too much for band A but i like those people, they are good musicians and i like to stick around those guys.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jools4001

So, be honest with Band B and let them know that unless their gig is confirmed by x date they're gonna get a sub.

yep dont that

Quote:

Originally Posted by champbassist

My personal suggestion would be to take the higher paying gig. Reason is simple: I've seen way too many selfish musicians with zero integrity who will shamelessly dump their years old bands for a better paying (even one-off) gig with some guys they hardly know.

I suspect you might not be one of them, though

see even with bandA am supposed to be a sessions player, thats what the band leader wanted when i got on board.

troy mcclure · #19 08-02-2010, 04:39 PM

I was in 3 bands at 1 time..I always played what was booked 1st. It is the fairest way.

stoneboy26 · #20 08-02-2010, 05:10 PM

IMO - you already committed to Band A and told Band B of this committment, so you should be doing the gig with Band A. Especially since the gig with Band B is not yet confirmed.

The way I see it is, that as you told Band B you were booked already that day, if you then get a sub in for Band A so you can play the higher paying gig, you are telling Band B (and Band A to a point) that in future if a conflict comes up that you will either:

1 - Prioritise them over anything else, or
2 - They can't rely on your word.

In which case, you then start to build a reputation of being unreliable.

"Oh we booked him for a gig once, but he bailed on us when a better paying gig came up. Let's just find someone else who we can rely on."

Anyway, that's my $0.02. It's the way I operate and the way I expect those I work with to operate. Pull something like that with me and you go down my list of people to call.