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Is Bandmix as useless as it seems?

#49
ArtechnikA said:
What is now my blues project started there, although ironically no longer with the guy who originally made contact...
I think if you're hoping to be discovered there, it might not be your best investment, although just having a presence there is free...
If you're looking for people, $100/yr for the option to contact people directly might be worth it, although none of the people I contacted ever responded to my inquiries. That was for a tribute band position which is always a hard sell...
I've got a paid subscription there and I chalk it up to cost of doing business as a professional, and yes, I deduct it as an expense every year.
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I just used the free account and listed my resume. When someone contacts you, you can reply for free. You just can't initiate a new e-mail thread to anyone. I jointed two groups from it and had a third inquiry in 2020. Didn't seem to be a good fit though so didn't take them up on it.
 
#50
mrjim123 said:
I used to think BandMix was useless, but I started having more luck when I uploaded a recording of my playing (5 song segments, each about 20 seconds in length, of me playing along with recordings by Beck, Steely Dan, Queen, Jerry Reed and Blake Shelton).

My current band found me through BandMix. I almost joined another band through BandMix nearly two years ago, but COVID laid waste to that project.

So, yeah, it's worth it, but you have to be patient. And upload a recording! I think a photo also helps.
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Haven't done this...I'm pretty old school, gotta have my kid show me how.
 
#51
TedH said:
I agree with the posting of photos, audio, video so people can get an idea of what you are capable of. One current issue is that BandMix is not allowing Soundcloud links to work anymore (some dispute between the 2 about fees), which really cramps the ability to check quality of players.
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That would be a problem, but you can always paste links into your description, I suppose. I agree that if you're looking to get hired you want to have something out there that people can hear. As I said earlier, if i'm looking for players it's a bit trickier but I suppose that depends on the size of your town. If I were still in a big city it would be less likely I'd hear from the same three people I don't want to hire over and over again saying "hey there, LBS, I want to be in your band."
 
#54
The first time I used BandMix I found a band seeking a bassist, went to audition, and joined. It turned out to be a great experience, and I was with them for a couple of years. I eventually left them to start my own band (they did covers and I wanted to pursue doing originals), and I found a great drummer on BandMix, who I still work with. So I've had good luck. This was all pre-COVID however.
 
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#55
I'm in for free. about 2 years. I've made a dozen or so contacts, got together with about half a dozen players. Nothing working, but met several viable musicians. The problem's been mostly with me. I don't care much for garage jams; give me a set list and let's get to work. But after serious back problems, followed by back surgery, I've had to turn down offers for gigging bands. I think I'm ready now, but not getting any hits.
 
#56
I put together a cover band on Bandmix. We’ve been playing together for a year. We are on our third drummer, all through Bandmix. I think this drummer will stay with us. I’ve had some trouble finding a keyboard, but that hasn’t been a major problem and is more money for the four of us.
 
#57
I am getting a lot of gigs from a bulletin board that I post-on at my local Walmart. Does that count?

Yeh. It's another year and I continue to need attention. And gigs in the age of whateverthefthisisnow...
 
#58
Acoustic356 said:
I found 3 different bands there in the last 3 months:
  • A corporate band offering $400/gig - fast changing set list, and travel by bus almost every weekend
  • A basement project with a prima donna that has an ego the size of Lake Superior
  • My current band that gigs about once a month
Since I have a day job, and play 2x a week at church (twice on Sunday, and on Wednesday for the Youth program) I'm pretty happy with gigging once a month.

I got more hits when I really put my profile together with video and pics of me at gigs etc.
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:laugh:

 
#60
I'm in a rural area in Australia and in the past I have either had too many interesting offers to do them all or I have been dead quiet. I watched my area in BandMix for a while and when there were some likely suspects I paid the money and got in contact with them. The Covid lockdowns here have really got in the way of things but we've had 2 jams and everyone is keen. I imagine a bit down the track it will result in a gigging band. Up until then I was struggling - I was in a fun jam band (still am) but there wasn't a lot of commitment there and I really like gigging. (Fingers crossed.)

In my situation I'm glad it exists but I do think they would make a lot more money if they made annual subscriptions much cheaper so everyone would just go for a paid annual membership first up and you could contact or be contacted whenever someone looked promising.
 
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