Agents for us Guns?

[papajune]

Hi there,

So something that has intrigued me as of late is the idea of agents representing musicians. Not writers, bands, or frontmen, but those of us looking for work on tours and in the studio.

Do this exist and if so how credible are they?

I ask as a 25 year old semipro from Atlanta wondering how I am going to make this all last. I've been lucky to get good gigs, or at least picked up new ones quickly, but it has always been happenstance. Im on tour with a group now, but I know that one day I will find myself looking for work again and have wondered how that oh so elusive concept of consistency is found. I am making good connections, and we are doing quite well, but a future in this business seems terrifying and I am finding it hard to get studio work.

Does it simply come down to marketing yourself, or is it more luck (right time right place), or even still are there places one in my position can go to and find abundant lists of auditions, sessions, and opportunities?

Thanks,
Chris

 

[jmjbassplayer]

It's about marketing yourself and luck, but I'd say luck is only 5% of the formula.

Any people I've ever tried to hire or work with in the promise of helping me get more work have not ever really come through in that regard. It's always been up to me.

Trust me: it's a little terrifying right now, and I have taken myself off the market of studio work in a devastating way by taking the NIN tour. But that was a calculated risk...what does it mean? It means I have to re-aquaint myself with everybody in the biz that I know when the tour's over.

It's tough, but if you're good, interesting, unique, flexible, and tenacious, you will survive.

JMJ

 

[bassybass]

. . .it's a little terrifying right now . .JMJ

I've thought about this very thing too, and my gut tells me, in these times we're in, if you're working and getting paid, you're better off to hang on to your money and do the pavement beating yourself.

 

[papajune]

I figured as much, I have found myself in a position now where doors are being opened and I haven't had enough time to think about how to prop them open. The group Im in will be the one to break me onto a national scene if any will, but I find myself sometimes drifting through the fun of the ride and not quite making myself known as a commodity as I am that I only am part of a larger sum.

As far as studio work goes, how long should one work for free, and what is the best way to get the jobs. When I was younger I ran demos and resumes to all the Atlanta studios I could find, even with follow-up I had no luck. A bit older and wiser now I find there simply doesn't seem to be that much around this area to begin with, at this point I have one songs worth of experience, but it's a hit.

Thanks for the advice

 

[pbass2]

My two cents (speaking as someone not in the strata of somebody like Justin) is I still do demos for producers(some big guys too) for free on occasion to get my foot in the door. Even these cats are often doing artist development work on spec (probably more now than ever). Another big help is to have your own set up to track yourself(maybe you already do?)--it's a lot easier for a producer to give you a try if it's low-maintenance, low time-investment the first time around (plus you're not restricted location-wise that way).