CD/mp3 vs live video to get a gig booking?

[Bass Momma]

We're a jazz band (bass, drums, keys, guitar+ some vocals), with a female vocalist on some songs. So far, we've been jamming, now it's time to start gigging.

One member feels to get a gig booking it's important to make high quality recordings of us playing. That means buying $500+ worth of gear, not to mention going down the recording rabbit hole.

I feel (and have found in the past) that venue owners tend to listen with their eyes rather than their ears, with the result that actually SEEING a band on an edited video synced to reasonable sound (in action at a cafe we can play at), is much more likely to get a booking than sending them a CD/mp3.

What's your take?

 

[LBS-bass]

We're a jazz band (bass, drums, keys, guitar+ some vocals), with a female vocalist on some songs. So far, we've been jamming, now it's time to start gigging.

One member feels to get a gig booking it's important to make high quality recordings of us playing. That means buying $500+ worth of gear, not to mention going down the recording rabbit hole.

I feel (and have found in the past) that venue owners tend to listen with their eyes rather than their ears, with the result that actually SEEING a band on an edited video synced to reasonable sound (in action at a cafe we can play at), is much more likely to get a booking than sending them a CD/mp3.

What's your take?

Most people nowadays do not even have the capacity to play a CD. I don't.

What has worked well for me is a live video of the band actually doing the thing they're hiring us to do. If it's too slick, it doesn't represent you well, and most people who book bands know the difference.

I'm sure there will be people along shortly to tell me I'm wrong.

 

[51PRI]

Most people nowadays do not even have the capacity to play a CD. I don't.

What has worked well for me is a live video of the band actually doing the thing they're hiring us to do. If it's too slick, it doesn't represent you well, and most people who book bands know the difference.

I'm sure there will be people along shortly to tell me I'm wrong.

No me. Video is best. My cousin's band in the St. Louis area gets almost all of their gigs through YouTube video. He records every show and posts clips weekly.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Video is best, so they can see the and and (hopefully) the crowd. If you have the capacity to use two cameras so you can vary the video, so much the better. Don't show entire songs. A 30-45 second snippet allows you to show different tunes quickly.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Video is good, but not enough. When my BL is trying to get into a new venue, she visits a few times first, finds out who does booking, visits a few more times. Once there is a personal relationship established, then she goes in with her iPad and offers some open dates. Yes, it takes a significant amount of time and effort, but it works. Just about every place we play, the owner comes up and says hello, how are you guys doing, etc. Of course, it is up to us to go in and deliver. For the most part, we do, and get new bookings at the end of the night. Perhaps you're skeptical? We're weekend warriors, but we're going play 67 gigs before the year is out.

 

[MTC2291]

Are you aiming for high end corporate gigs/weddings? If not, to start with at least, live videos should be useable, but long term it's always worth investing in recordings. Are there any local studios who would record a single track for you?

 

[Bass Momma]

Are you aiming for high end corporate gigs/weddings? If not, to start with at least, live videos should be useable, but long term it's always worth investing in recordings. Are there any local studios who would record a single track for you?

No, we’re aiming at restaurant/cafe type gigs. I’m also thinking retirement communities. So small beer. We’re in our 70s, so this is for musical pleasure, mainly.

 

[Bass Momma]

Video is good, but not enough. When my BL is trying to get into a new venue, she visits a few times first, finds out who does booking, visits a few more times. Once there is a personal relationship established, then she goes in with her iPad and offers some open dates. Yes, it takes a significant amount of time and effort, but it works. Just about every place we play, the owner comes up and says hello, how are you guys doing, etc. Of course, it is up to us to go in and deliver. For the most part, we do, and get new bookings at the end of the night. Perhaps you're skeptical? We're weekend warriors, but we're going play 67 gigs before the year is out.

Yes, exactly. In our previous set up (different state) I visited every suitable venue in our area, and had a chat with whoever was doing the bookings. Sometimes they couldn’t be reached, or weren’t interested, but often that was the foot in the door. We were gigging at least weekly, and had a couple of regular bookings.

I was hoping not to have to do that this time, but it might come to that. Takes a certain kind of shamelessness!

 

[MTC2291]

No, we’re aiming at restaurant/cafe type gigs. I’m also thinking retirement communities. So small beer. We’re in our 70s, so this is for musical pleasure, mainly.

In which case high quality recordings probably aren't the most important thing to consider! Phone some venues and get someone to film you at gigs. You can always get recordings done a little later down the line!

 

[Killing Floor]

What’s a CD?

 

[hrodbert696]

Mugshot Monday (classic rock cover band) did a recording session for a few hundred bucks to get quality samples of our playing. The main use of it was that it was required by the booking agent who controls most of the major venues in southern NH (small market, one guy largely rules it). Our singer knew him personally but to get on his roster he needed recordings from us as a matter of policy. It was worth the investment, we're getting into better places than we could on our own. Honestly, if I'm playing basses that cost a thousand bucks or more each and an amp and pedalboard that, between them, are as much again, a few hundred isn't a bad investment in getting good gigs.

For direct bookings, the simplest thing is to contact the booker - in person, if possible, visiting their bar or restaurant or whatever - and asking them what they would want to see to consider you. I wouldn't bother with CDs unless the booker is old and still uses them - a webpage or social media profile where they can conveniently access links to either audio or video is the better bet.

 

[mambo4]

Once there is a personal relationship established,

This, right here. Nothing compares to having a personal network relationship with those who book.

 

[LBS-bass]

This, right here. Nothing compares to having a personal network relationship with those who book.

I will attest to this as well. Get out there are meet the people you want to work for.

If you need video but you don't have gigs, throw a party somewhere and make the video that way. Or rent a stage and get people out to see your grand premiere show, and get a video there. You can hire a videographer to get something a little nicer, but audience videos or an iPhone on a tripod are usually good enough to get you started. Personally I would wait until my band was pretty tight before spending the money on a videographer.

 

[Ostie]

I’ve found that bar owners and managers are really hard to connect with. They’re busy running a bar/restaurant, there’s always a crisis with someone out sick or a missed delivery, and booking the entertainment is just another chore for them. They rarely have time to talk, much meet with me. Having said that, I’ve found that the best time is mid-afternoon, after the lunch rush and before the dinner rush. Emails and texts are easy for them to ignore, even though Gen Z or whatever we’re calling them will say they prefer texting over emails or calls. I have worked with some that I had a good relationship with, to the point that they said “let me know when you want to play and I’ll make it happen”. But that’s rare.

 

[Hummergeist]

Networking, especially real-world going to the venue and meeting the people, is the best way. Like it or not, they will probably also be swayed by your social media presence and popularity.

 

[LBS-bass]

I’ve found that bar owners and managers are really hard to connect with. They’re busy running a bar/restaurant, there’s always a crisis with someone out sick or a missed delivery, and booking the entertainment is just another chore for them. They rarely have time to talk, much meet with me. Having said that, I’ve found that the best time is mid-afternoon, after the lunch rush and before the dinner rush. Emails and texts are easy for them to ignore, even though Gen Z or whatever we’re calling them will say they prefer texting over emails or calls. I have worked with some that I had a good relationship with, to the point that they said “let me know when you want to play and I’ll make it happen”. But that’s rare.

You have to go out several times and, honestly, it helps if you're also in other bands so they can also see you play, and I know that not everyone is going to have that advantage. But if you find out who to talk to and you go, as you say, during slower times, you'll have a shot at it. Familiarity makes things easier and once you've been around someone for a while it almost becomes like a buddy network. They appreciate people who support them by coming out.

 

[portpc]

Nowadays the short video clip is the most requested format I get. We keep it short 3-5 minutes and go in/out of several songs. Most folks who may be attracted to your band just want to be sure you don't suck or escaped from a leper colony.
Club owners want something they can quickly see on their phone.

 

[Bass Momma]

Nowadays the short video clip is the most requested format I get. We keep it short 3-5 minutes and go in/out of several songs. Most folks who may be attracted to your band just want to be sure you don't suck or escaped from a leper colony.
Club owners want something they can quickly see on their phone.

Um, well ….. we didn’t escape from a leper colony. That’s a start, right?

 

[portpc]

Um, well ….. we didn’t escape from a leper colony. That’s a start, right?

Well if you did, then more power to you!

One other technique that has worked for me over the years is to go in prepared and most of all be specific.
Carry a list of available dates with you when you go anywhere. Give them to whoever you meet with. Does the venue you are pursuing post a calendar? Match yourself up to any dates that are marked "TBD" or are open and offer your band for them.
Rather than ask if a venue has any openings ask what dates are free? When the rep tells you they'll have to get back to you get a phone or email and text/send all your open dates for the next few months. Good luck!

 

[BrotherMister]

Never underestimate the power of the hustle in a digital world. It still goes the longest way in creating something lasting so go out for lunch or a drink to these venues and get schmoozing.

Be prepared as well. Video is most accessible and full representation of what they are going to book. Remember most people always make decisions within the first 30 seconds of a video as well so you have to be ready from the offset.

I’ve lost count the amount of people who have spoken to me at functions to say they say and watched the videos during lockdown or had nights in with people to enjoy it.