Wasn't sure where to put this.. I've never actually tried to book anything myself, someone has always called me with the gig..tips?
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Double Bass Tips for getting restaraunt gigs
- Thread starter Alex Spradling
- Start date
Go in with a demo and a smile. Talk to someone in charge. I'm just starting on this path too, but I'm assuming that's about it.
One thing I did to start getting gigs, restaurant or otherwise, is go into the places that you've played before and ask to be booked for a date. Unless you're playing with someone that has a steady gig, most places will hire if you just ask. Plus, the owners will already be familiar with your playing, which is always a plus. Let them know what kind of ensemble you can put together and what works best for the atmosphere and go from there. It was weird for me at first, being in the same situation as you. I always got called for gigs, but never booked them myself.
We've offered to go in for a reduced rate on the first night, having outlined what we'd like to be paid if hired as a standing gig.
Otherwise it's been all about connections, connections, connections. Last restaurant gig came from a restaurant where our singer had painted a mural.
Otherwise it's been all about connections, connections, connections. Last restaurant gig came from a restaurant where our singer had painted a mural.
Careful about doing this though. Enough people offer that up and he'll have a new band every night.
Not talking about you joe but just in general wanna note that most times people do a gig for substandard pay as a "trial" or for the "experience" they're boning themselves in the long run and boning all the players who've already paid their dues and need the full pay from those gigs to make the rent. Consider too that a lot of the time if you seem too eager to work cheap you'll be perceived as second rate.
I would take it one step further. You need a promo package with a demo, photos, testimonials, newspaper articles, a resume, etc. Put in a nice presentation folder with your business card. Go in person and hand it some someone in charge. Don't give it to the bartender. It will end up in the circular file cabinet. Follow up with several phone calls. At least in Chicago so many people are trying to shop gigs that you need to make sure to make a professional impression on the booking agent and stay in the front of their mind.
Yes connections cubed.
No reduced rate. They will not call you back after that first night.
I believe there are two major categories of restaurant owners who have live entertainment:
1-Those who put in specific types of music for a certain atmosphere.
2-Those who will hire almost any group if they think you will put butts in their seats.
The first group is generally an established place that makes money, the second is often a new owner. If you are approaching the established place, then it's all about the image. Professional photos, CD, REFERENCES, etc. is required. A referral from someone they know really helps a lot.
Once you have the gig, it's all about the relationship and keeping patrons happy.
If approaching the newbie owner, it's all about a following. They'll usually go for the reduced rate bit to see how many people you bring. Sounds like a rock band / bar thing - and really it's the same. They don't care about jazz, they just want people in the place. Sometimes this can work even if you have no following. If you can get a few friends out the first time and the patrons who are already there love you, you may get the gig, but if the restaurant is not making money it will not last long anyway.
1-Those who put in specific types of music for a certain atmosphere.
2-Those who will hire almost any group if they think you will put butts in their seats.
The first group is generally an established place that makes money, the second is often a new owner. If you are approaching the established place, then it's all about the image. Professional photos, CD, REFERENCES, etc. is required. A referral from someone they know really helps a lot.
Once you have the gig, it's all about the relationship and keeping patrons happy.
If approaching the newbie owner, it's all about a following. They'll usually go for the reduced rate bit to see how many people you bring. Sounds like a rock band / bar thing - and really it's the same. They don't care about jazz, they just want people in the place. Sometimes this can work even if you have no following. If you can get a few friends out the first time and the patrons who are already there love you, you may get the gig, but if the restaurant is not making money it will not last long anyway.
I have never seen this work. Owners that think adding live music is going to drum up business is doing it for the wrong reason. In a resturant enviroment is has to be part of the owners vision for the atmosphere of his resturant. Good owners know that it is going to take a while (months) for a live music thing to start having any effect and they have to be willing to make the investment. Expecting a band to bring them business is crap and when I hear an owner bring that up I'm pretty much done with the gig. I have seen things end badly (not paying, cross words) too many times.
At my first regular gig, which was not long ago haha, i remember the manager bothering us after every gig that we did not bring enough people in and that we did not deserve to be paid. Needless to say, those 15 minutes after the gig trying to get some cash were the most excruciating. He ended up not calling us back, kept telling us that he was on an extended vacation. We gave up even though he was one of teh two restaurants in town with live entertainment.
That's why they make contracts. Without one, it's not a regular gig, or a gig of any kind for that matter. Try and get any service at your home performed without a contract. Your service to the restaurant should be no different, and without it, you have no recourse.
I agree 100%. I always use a contract for any private gigs. I try to use them for club or resturant gigs too. Unfortunately I have seen managers freak as soon as they have to put pen to paper. Doesn't mean we shouldn't try but sometimes it can be tricky.
If they won't sign, get their fax # or email address and as soon as you get home, write up the terms that were agreed and fax/email it to them. If they don't correct anything in the correspondence before you do the gig, at least you now have something in writing regarding the agreement.
- May 6, 2003
- 5,272
- 160
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- Disclosures
- Proprietor Fifth Avenue Fret Shop. Technical Editor Bass Gear Magazine
I agree about contracts too. It's tough though. Contract or no I've had people tell me to go f.... myself. It's tough to collect. Around here the union won't back your contracts. They are actually completely worthless. Contracts value is up front keeping honest people honest. Bums tend to wilt in front of contracts, reputable folks take them right in stride. If a guy is gonna stiff you a contract isn't going to stop him.
Years ago I used to do the Rock and Roll circuts. I remember band guys drawing firearms, shooting up the house PA or the topshelf liquor. One time the roadies started hauling out pinball machines and kegs of beer. There was all kinds of crazyness when barguys tried to stiff the outfit I was with. Most of those were contract gigs too.
Dog eat dog.
Don't have the gas for that anymore.
Years ago I used to do the Rock and Roll circuts. I remember band guys drawing firearms, shooting up the house PA or the topshelf liquor. One time the roadies started hauling out pinball machines and kegs of beer. There was all kinds of crazyness when barguys tried to stiff the outfit I was with. Most of those were contract gigs too.
Dog eat dog.
Don't have the gas for that anymore.
This is true for sure. But they can be source of gigs until something else comes around. I've had my share, and they did not end badly in terms of the relationship; I've always made friends with the person hiring us - but a few did go under. Mostly because they were just not good restaurants.
I did show up to play one night and find the place closed and several waiters sitting around outside in shock. The owner did come out to another gig of mine a few weeks later and apologize for not giving any notice.
I steer clear when I think the person is an a**hole. I'll bend over backwards for them if they're cool. Same goes for bandleaders.
I have a confession to make. I am not only a bassist, but also a lawyer and my area of specialty is contracts. What Freddels wrote is absolutely correct. If the Gig-giver won't give a contract, you MUST create one by writing up the agreement and sending it to them. Fax is good, or even email. You could prevail even in court on that much evidence... If they then allow you to go ahead and play, then in contract law the "conduct of the parties" shows those were the terms of agreement -- unless they proposed something else. If they object to what you send, but make no counter-offer, consider not going ahead with it. My band gets a contract in writing before we commit.
I play in a Greek band. The bouzouki player is not only a lawyer but a judge too. He books the gigs, writes the contracts and will be the judge at litigation of anybody who tries to stiff us.
Contracts are about getting it in writing. The hope is that having it on paper will make it more likely for the owner to honor it. Going to court over peanuts is a waste of time. The union (if you belong) won't bother unless it is for a certain amount. Especially in Chicago waiting in a municipal small claims court only to deal with a crabby judge that has been hearing lame cases all day. No thanks. I'll just know to stay clear of that person in the future.
- May 6, 2003
- 5,272
- 160
- 64
- Disclosures
- Proprietor Fifth Avenue Fret Shop. Technical Editor Bass Gear Magazine
Thats exactly it. It's something to refer to in case you have a disagreement. It doesn't mean you'll get paid or even treated fairly. It's just a tool to negotiate from. Yes you can pursue these things in courts and in a perfect world get a judgment and perhaps even collect but in my experience it never works out that way even if you happen to be right.
Get it in writing if you can, avoid working with those that stiff you or your respected colleagues.
