Is Bandmix as useless as it seems?

[2cooltoolz]

I found my last 3 bands on BandMix. 1 I gigged with for about 1 1/2 years, They still play around town about 3 times a month. The 2nd one? I loved the band members, but the singer was pitchy, read lyrics at gigs off her phone, and would start singing over the solo if she thought it went too long. The 3rd was a husband/wife team. I loved the drummer, hated his guitar tone, and she said she had perfect pitch... which is true if you consider consistently missing the intended note as a skill.

I had to double check your avatar and user name twice to make sure you aren't me! I didn't meet my version of these situations through Bandmix though, even though I do list on it. North of Houston area here.

On the Bandmix topic, I've been on since 2015. I've made a few contacts, but nothing lasting. I'm not paying, so why not list?

 

[buldog5151bass]

It seldom yields results, but I've gotten several good offers, just from having an account there with clips.

 

[pepj]

Get Zero from it.

Anybody have any luck?

My friend used it and made some decent contacts but it comes down to this...people either get off their butt and they dont. And you'll probably find that those that do get off their their butt dont have cause to use it.

What I've seen heard this week about fluid band situations;
Too drunk
Too stoned
Have hindering issues of a mental nature
Too far to travel
Gig too much
Gig too little
So, you get rid of most of the above and its really down to you how you manage the gigs that are left.

I'd connect with all situations and take referrals from those connections. hopefully.

 

[Core Creek]

Never got a single lead through it….. I even have good videos and links. Maybe three people contacted me over the years but they weren’t anything serious.

By contrast, Craigslist has gotten me tons of gigs, including my current band that plays 10-12 times a month and actually pays well. Bandmix just seems so amateur in my neck of the woods.

 

[Low End Scum]

Get Zero from it.

Anybody have any luck?

I've heard it depends on where you live which in my experience is similar to Reverbnation and Craigslist. Bigger population, higher chance. That said, I've had all of 3 people contact me on Bandmix when I lived in Dallas and all years after initially setting it up. I've never had anyone contact me on Reverbnation. Weirdly, I have got both my best gigging bands and my career out of a craigslist ad band that I got fired from for overplaying.

I now live in a tiny town and even with having my social media listed on there (had to break it up and put "dot com" on things) so that people could reach out for free, I still get nothing. Ironically, the thing I'm involved with now was also a craigslist get. Though that seems atypical these days. They're the only people out of all the responses I did get that were under the age of 65.

Before anyone gets butthurt about me bringing that up, no age doesn't matter and I still jammed with them and gave things a shot. However, age does tend to correlate with a difference in goals for what we're doing. I'm barely 30, I don't play in cover bands, and I don't care about making any money in this. I play because it's the only thing that gives me that rush. No drug, rollercoaster, or other experience ever has been able to cop it. I don't need 100 dollars to make it worth it to go, and I actually still enjoy spending the time before/during/and after the set.

 

[gtlover]

My current band leader recruited me via BandMix, and this is far and away the most ambitious group I've ever been a part of.
Other than that, I've had a few other invites to audition through BandMix, and connected with a handful of local musicians, but nothing ever came of it. Local CL has been kinda hit or miss - found a couple of good bands that were fun to play with but didn't gig much, and several people who had "interesting" ideas and the chops to go with them, but weren't a good fit for me.

I think what really holds BandMix back is the cost - I've never like what they ask for is worth what I think the platform offers. I can connect with other musicians for free on any social media site. And, just like the old days, I make more useful contacts going to shows and playing gigs than anywhere else.

 

[Danny O Danny]

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.

An update to my post from 2 years ago... My wife and I moved from Seattle to Austin (Georgetown) TX a little over a year ago. We updated our Bandmix profile looking for musicians. Found a good horn player, but decided he wasn't the right fit for us. Found a couple of good drummers/percussionists and finally settled in on one of them and he's now part of our band. Had a hard time finding a guitarist or even getting a response from any that I messaged (perhaps because we had something very particular in mind stylistically). But eventually a guitarist reached out to us and has become part of our band. We're currently rehearsing and prepping to start playing out.

So I've had really good luck using Bandmix. But it can be frustrating how long it can take, and how often people don't respond when contacted. It also amazes me how many musicians on Bandmix don't provide audio or video or even photos. There's no excuse for that nowadays.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

I had been aware of BandMix, but never used it. I decided to just do a reasonable effort with information, some other than stage pics (I'm not a collector!) and a few tracks in a few genres that are absolutely respectable.

I've had at least a half dozen contacts and dropped by and checked out one. Nice guy and could play, but ya know how it can go...

Others I was just not really wanting to invest the time for, but not potentially terrible, either.

I've also had contacts (and contacted) on CL and had good situations. I tend to do better when I'm placing the ad. This is probably because I don't live on my cell or short character formats. I can put out an ad that gets results!

 

[pepj]

No one I know admits to using it. FB groups do ok but I think people should make it their business to know who is about.
There is also a hierarchy which further streams things

 

[One Way]

Well, there’s always one in the crowd. . I just moved to Chattanooga, updated my search and location in my Bandmix profile, and had someone reach out to me. We assembled 4 guys, (KB, Guitar, Drummer , and me on bass) and are scheduled to play together tonight.

 

[brianrost]

Never got a nibble.

Word of mouth has always served me much better than want ads.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

Well, there’s always one in the crowd. . I just moved to Chattanooga, updated my search and location in my Bandmix profile, and had someone reach out to me. We assembled 4 guys, (KB, Guitar, Drummer , and me on bass) and are scheduled to play together tonight.

What type of thing are you doing?

Classic Rock, Blues, Cover, Tribute, Dead or post-post-post whatever or just drinking beer?

For myself, side guy stuff has been what I had done for years due to living in Austin. I never do more than one thing at a time. (It can be difficult enough to find a good writer.) I'll play for money about anytime, but that's functionary. No emotion involved. I'm not a "sell out", I just don't care!

We're still in the recovery period after COVID and other market forces in the music industry, in general, that most have some idea about. I'm still not into wearing a cowboy hat and doubt that this will ever change. I am however into music evolution, leveling up my bag and have patience and persistence.

I hope your Chattanooga Choo-Choo is on track!

 

[One Way]

In my Bandmix profile I listed that I am a Bass Player looking to join or start a band with the goal of gigging weekly and that I work to provide a great experience for both the audience and my fellow band members. I listed I have gig quality instruments, amp, cabinets, and PA. I uploaded 3 audio recordings one original recorded in a studio and two covers recorded during rehearsals. I also uploaded 3 videos demonstrating live performances. The first question I got from a KB player in Chattanooga was “why are you looking to join another band? Quantum Creek is a great band!” I let him know my band mates were really sad to see me go but I’ve moved to another state and looking to get gigging again. Fortunately I already knew a drummer here referred by a guitar player friend in Atlanta, the KB player knows a guitar player and the four of us are getting together Monday night. Fingers crossed we all have the same goals in mind. All that said, I’ve connected with 3 bands in Atlanta via Bandmix and I believe video of live performances is important. I’ve also connected with others at open mic events.

 

[pepj]

I'd prefer 2 gigs a month..plus or minus ..
I don't want 8.
But always, it depends on the band.

 

[manbass]

I joined on the free side back in 2010, with a pretty sparse bio only. I received about one inquiry per year until I loaded some audio and video content as well as a gig ready covers type songlist of about 250 tunes in 2022, since then I get hit up almost monthly and am with my current active band from receiving an inquiry on Bandmix. I think you have to have some decent content or pay premium to count on it. Heres my Invalid Link Removed

 

[groovepump]

I have replied to people "looking" for bass players, and no one even responds. I put out posts looking for other musicians, and receive no replies.
I did finally get two who responded, and one of them was NOT the professional level he claimed. Was terrible guitarist, and sang even worse.
I think people use BandMix just to buoy their own egos. No one actually replies to messages. I pay for the membership, which I am planning to
cancel. It's worthless for me. I think I've had better success with CraigsList postings.

 

[One Way]

Just an update to my previous post; had a great first meeting with the guys. We are putting together a list of songs, scheduled weekly rehearsal sessions, and ultimately will see how this goes.
Having worked as a hiring manager (in a field separate from music) I’ve seen plenty of resumes and when meeting with the applicant their experience and skill level don’t match what they stated on their resume.
Best of success using whichever method or source you choose to find the next musician or group to play music with!

 

[newwavefrank]

I found my current and previous drummers on Bandmix. Like anything, you weed through a lot of crap but you can find good people there

 

[shirojiro]

I have replied to people "looking" for bass players, and no one even responds. I put out posts looking for other musicians, and receive no replies.
I did finally get two who responded, and one of them was NOT the professional level he claimed. Was terrible guitarist, and sang even worse.
I think people use BandMix just to buoy their own egos. No one actually replies to messages. I pay for the membership, which I am planning to
cancel. It's worthless for me. I think I've had better success with CraigsList postings.

This has been my experience in Sacramento.

I'm trying it out here in Seattle, but haven't had any luck as of yet.

 

[gtlover]

This has been my experience in Sacramento.

I'm trying it out here in Seattle, but haven't had any luck as of yet.

I don’t have myself listed as “looking” but I still get messages every couple months from people needing a bassist. It’ll happen.
When I was looking, though, I’d often just use BandMix to find bands or people to jam with, and then contact them through socials or the band’s website.
Speaking of socials, Seattle Area Bass Nerds is a good group to join on FB.