hi all,
I am looking for advice from those who've been in bands that have done both. By that I mean those that have shared gig profits equally, as well as have been in bands where the guy who books the gigs may earn and extra %....here's what I want to know.
1.) did you notice any difference in the "work ethic" of members where the incentive was there?
2.) has anyone introduced that into a band that previously shared equally??? If so, how was it perceived?
I'm considering bringing this topic up to my band to get some movement.
Thanks all
I have not had much success with the democratic model. People tend to act out of their own short term self-interest in my experience. I often don't get what I personally need to be happy in the band if the band decides everything. And I find that if I don't look out for my own interests, no one else will. Your experience may be different.
The model that works the best, when I am doing all the sales and administration, is to
not disclose the total amount charged for the gig, to the musicians. Make sure the client knows not to disclose the total amount either. I take a fee that I think adequately compensates me for the work I am doing and my administrative overhead. The musicians get the rest equally, unless there is some kind of extraordinary circumstance, such as having to bring on a sub at the last minute or something. In that case I might let the sub's pay eat into my share if s/he won't do it at the rate the other musicians are getting. In any case, whether the pay is fair depends on whether the musicians accept it. If I offer $x, and they accept it, the conversation is over, regardless of how much pay I get.
I have had success in letting people who book gigs take a commission for their trouble, even if they are not the band leader like me. But for other duties, such as hauling PA, or rehearsal related stuff, I don't offer a dime more than the even split the band gets after I take my share. The hard part is the sales and administration, and few people want to do it. There are significant costs and labor associated with it, and I am doing it, so I get a bigger share than anyone else.
Also, I've been sorely disappointed with musicians who promise to do the heavy lifting when they join the band. Unless they are in sales, they rarely do the sales work. They hate it, and sit back and reap the rewards of my hard work. No more.
If you talk about your concerns with the band, it's a crap shoot what you'll get at the end. Democracy is great, but not in bands....a fair band leader who compensates himself enough to keep his motivation high, while treating the band members fairly is my preferred approach to pay, incentive and "sharing".
