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Pay To Audition?

#201
I’m starting to wonder that if the audition in question is in an actual studio rented to a BL organizing a new band, then is it possible that he’s going to have the different musicians that come to audition play songs of his choice to be recorded at the studio and then used for the BL’s purposes?

Maybe he’ll have the auditions recorded and will choose the best takes to use for booking and promotional purposes, and the musicians auditioning (and paying $12 each) are then helping the BL to pay for the cost of the studio and postential tracks he’ll have from this event?

Sounds paranoid I know...but surely not any more ridiculous than someone who would organize auditions for his “band” that doesn’t exist, hold them at a recording studio then have the gall to ask the auditionees to pay for the experience.
 
#208
MrBassman17 said:
After several weeks of texting back and forth with the guy who contacted me to come try out for the bassist in a country band he is forming, this coming Sunday, it looks like it will happen. We will be meeting in a local studio, and the time is charged at a reasonable rate. I just found out today, that we (prospective band mates) will be expected to split the cost of the time! It's a small amount ($12), and that's not the issue, so I'm still going to the audition, but shouldn't he have mentioned this before? The last time I was invited to that same studio to lay down a track, there was no mention of money! The new guy responded that 'it's a new band - who's gonna pay?', and I said 'usually the band leader/organizer does!'.

Has anyone ever heard of this? First time for me!
Click to expand...
Way back when I was a more tolerant person, I joined a ska band. We always split the rehearsal time. Then we started backing our expenses...shirts, recording time, etc. In hindsight it was kind of easy to avoid a cash shuffle while paying rehearsal dues, but we would put all our money into the "kitty" fund. Gotta admit, there were plenty of times I asked myself "why the **** did you let them do that?" until the band disbanded and funds dispersed.

Anyhow, the other side of it is, being "a craigslist guy" it was an open method to go somewhere different, join a band, etc. Even was on college radio a time or two. But if you have a better (free) location...don't hide it.
 
#212
The more people I see in front of me, the more money I want. So if I see two people in front of me at a gig, then I don't expect to get payed. But if I see two thousand people in front of me, then I want to see some cash. Pay to audition? No
 
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#213
I read the beginning of this thread yesterday and was surprised that there was even one person on here who thought this was acceptable. It's definitely not about the money ($12 is a decent 6-pack) but it's just plain rude. I have definitely shared practice space expenses, but that was for a band I was in. If there are 3 other folks in the band, they should definitely be paying an extra $4 while they audition folks. Very bad form to expect or even ASK for an auditioner to pay a dime.
 
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#214
Different situation here, but having auditioned for professional orchestras (on trombone, not bass) there is typically a $50 or so deposit to hold your spot. It's because people tend to no-show at the last minute (nerves, last minute "I suck" panics etc). In these situations though there's a full on committee (plus conductor in the finalist round) having to listen to 50+ players grind it out usually with 2-3 rounds of finalists usually in a rented hall. Cost is covered by the orchestra though. Difference is you get the check back when you show up. You definitely know this going in.
 
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#215
A lot would depend on the situation of the "band"... and the context in which the request was made (and how much "reading in" to the context has been made).

Assuming that the band is a completely "new" venture, and that the parties involved (i.e. the musicians) have been specifically chosen by the new Band Leader(s) for this venture, then it is only fair that all parties contribute something to the hire of a suitable venue. Especially if the parties involved are up for the idea of setting up a new band with the new Band Leader(s).

Saying that, if it's one or two people who are wanting to set up a band, and then asking people to attend an audition to see if they'll fit in to said band, then they should be expected to pay for the costs themselves, and not ask the auditionee's to contribute.

If it is an "open" audition, i.e. a number of people are being asked to try out for a certain role in the band, over the period of 1 rehearsal session, then it is unfair to ask for the auditionee's to contribute to the costs of the rehearsal space.

Alternatively, the auditionee can state that as they have been asked to attend an audition, at the BL's request, then it is unfair to also ask them to contribute to the costs of the rehearsal space.

Context is king.
 
#220
BTW one of my bands rehearses in a first floor apartment of a city 6 apartment three-decker in a smaller city. With an acoustic drum kit and amps - we all wear earplugs. After two years I'm still shocked we get away with it :wideyed:. We usually do 2 PM on a weekday as none of us have regular jobs and that is after the one guy in the building on the night shift gets up. I think someone else has to go to sleep at 8 so 2-8 is open for us. The BL has lived there for years and is one of them guys that knows everyone in the neighborhood - probably because of the two private clubs across the street (1/2 block one way, a block the other) one of which we host a monthly "closed mic" at.
 
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