How are musicians connecting in the current year?

[cornfarmer]

Is it still Craigslist? Or something like Bandmix, and for session people, is it Fiverr or Airgigs etc? Do people use Facebook for this?

Any other ways I am missing out on? What's everyone's experience been like in say the last 1-3 years?

 

[DWBass]

For me......Craigslist and Facebook via musicians groups. I have a profile on Bandmix but I can only receive messages. Ain't much happening in regards to the music I play. If I was a 'rocker', I'd have no problem finding a band. So it's been slow for me.

 

[Bassinthemudd]

I'm still doing the old fashioned face to face networking. It's been working well the last couple years.

 

[sean_on_bass]

on gigs, in person, and by referral

 

[pepj]

Get known. Get referred

 

[Nashrakh]

I'm still doing the old fashioned face to face networking. It's been working well the last couple years.

In my bubble of mostly people under the age of 35, this is still true also. Jamsessions, referrals, friends of friends, the occasional sit in or sub.

 

[brianrost]

Word of mouth remains the best for me.

 

[KenSmithFan]

When you’re serious, you try everything. Craigslist, Facebook groups, Bandmix, open mics, referrals, etc. if there was one best way, everyone would use it. Over the years I’ve found really good bands using all of the above.

 

[FullumMusic]

My own personal experience is going to jams and meeting people is the most useful. It's almost like we've come full circle back to real life. Every social media or musician platform/website/app is completely useless except Instagram, which is barely useful, and mostly so the other musicians you meet can share your profile with their friends when their friends are looking for a bassist (so long as you have some basic vids of you playing bass. You don't need to make "influencer style" videos), and very occasionally someone in your area will DM you to see if you're interested in a gig or their band or something.

I also think the answer to this question is going to be very location & age dependent.

 

[Danny O Danny]

I've had pretty good results with BandMix over the years. I've used it to both find bands to play in and to find individual musicians for bands I was already in.

 

[ahbradot]

"How are musicians connecting in the current year? "

That's a great question as I myself would like to just sit down and noodle around with another local bass player.
Here on TalkBass I put in these search titles to see what I can find in discussion threads and posts on the subject of;
-Dual bass players
-Playing with another bass player
-Just two bass players
-One on one bass players
-Bass player looking for bass player
-Two bass guitarists

 

[pepj]

I find Jams/open mics are really a favour to your friend who is hosting them.
Around here you really need to focus on who is running it and who is attending to avoid getting offers you'd prefer not to navigate.

If I want a gig, I ask active friends if they know of anyone looking.
Sometimes if people see you are busy, they don't ask because they assume you are too busy.

All, as far as I can recall...my friends are out working so staying in touch is the best way to find decent projects/openings.
Being a mate is not the same as being the right or best fit though.

 

[mambo4]

I am no comfortable having to pursue face to face personal connections with strangers
I think a lot of people are, and many online services prey on it.
But building a robust network of personal connections (and a solid reputation) is by far the best way to find opportunities

 

[WG Plum]

I haven't had much of a need in a long time, but it used to be Craigslist for me. I successfully snagged a killer sax player via Facebook earlier this year though.

 

[pbass2]

Craigslist is still good for local stuff. I don't know anyone who's gotten much work from Airgigs or similar but I guess it happens. The rest is word of mouth for me.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Is it still Craigslist? Or something like Bandmix, and for session people, is it Fiverr or Airgigs etc? Do people use Facebook for this?

Any other ways I am missing out on? What's everyone's experience been like in say the last 1-3 years?

Going out to places with live music of some sort- bars, breweries, open mics, jams, and whether or not performing myself, making a conscious effort to say hello and meeting people in the real world and make that connection. Then perhaps following up later on FB or Messenger or something and trying to keep the connection in the electronic realm.

 

[Kael]

on gigs, in person, and by referral

This is and has been my method of drumming up work for the past 30 or so years. I am getting old.

 

[Lefty Joe]

This is and has been my method of drumming up work for the past 30 or so years. I am getting old.

everybody gets old some time ... except the one who don't make it that far

 

[dannylectro]

Bandmix has worked well for me, but only when I’ve been using it in large markets like Metro NYC, Atlanta, etc. I’ve had less success in smaller markets…

 

[pepj]

Currently looking for a female singer.
Loads out there playing to potentially poach but looking further afield.
A couple or referrals from people so will be interesting to hear their work.

I don't get how people put bands together on the basis of being a friend first and foremost. Hardly ever works ime.