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Why is it so hard to find a gig?

ryanfenderbass

ryanfenderbass

Jan 15, 2006
324
4
Washington, DC
#1
I live in the Northern VA/DC area. The current band that I founded is on the rocks and I'm looking around for new opportunities as the situation may be unsalvageable (a topic for a different thread).

However, I'm not finding anything--not even an audition worth auditioning for! What I really want is a trend-setting working band, or a non-cheesy working cover band.

Is it me? Well, let's look at my "credentials:"

I've been playing for nearly 15 years and I have performed with decent local bands and recorded several records. I have a diverse and eclectic taste in music and I can play the hell out of any kind of music that interests me. I'm the opposite of flakey. I've literally never missed a band rehearsal, ever. This track record goes back to high school

I have a BA in music, and a Master's in Entertainment Business Management, I can fluently read music, I'm a songwriter, play/understand multiple instruments, and I know how to market a band, get gigs, etc.

As far as the superficial stuff is concerned: I'm 28, young enough to be marketable, yet old enough to be relatively wise. I'm mostly photogenic, and I have good stage presence and gear.

To top it off, I run a music school where I essentially have free, well-equiped practice space 24-7.

So what's wrong? Why can't I find a good gig with a good, reliable, gigging band? Can anybody offer any advice on where to look besides Craigslist? CL (at least in DC) is a desert of teenagers trying to jam in their parent's basement and old burnouts that think 90s alt rock is still alive. Is there any hope for a bassist that wants to be in a cool, working indie rock band?

:help:
 
#4
Sometimes that's how the business is. In the meantime, maybe you should record some of your previously written material, or some nice demos. It sure sounds like you have your act together, so maybe investing in some writing/recording time (maybe pick and choose some individuals to come in as ringers for a single project? Like have a song written and tracked, but have a vocalist you like come in and do the vocals?)

Also: go see some bands. Talk to the bass players. See if they know of any openings or give them a card in case they ever need a sub. Check out the local universities and see if there is any talent to pluck. Good luck!
 
#5
I feel your frustration, and I'm a good deal older than you.

What I've concluded is that you really need to start your own thing. Have a good idea of what kind of music you want to present, and then start assembling a band. And then take on the hard work of doing a demo and marketing the band.

Word of mouth is best for these kinds of things. Craigslist is a minefield of slackers and flakes, including musicians whose big talk far outpaces their actual abilities.

Since you run a music school, you must have access to a pretty big network of musicians. I'd start there - informal chats with some musicians you already know. And they might bring in other good musicians. It may take a period of informal jamming with a number of folks to figure out who might work for what you're trying to accomplish.

Yes, I know -- easier said than done.

But I've found this approach to be, ultimately, more satisfying than hoping for the right opportunities and hooking up with bands that turn out to be less than expected or desired.
 
#6
I'm having the same trouble on Long Island. I'm in my 30s and looking for people who want to do original stuff. All I see on CL are teen punk/hardcore, butt-metal, frat rock, white man's blues, and cover/tribute bands. No one seems to want to do anything interesting.

And for what it's worth--Creed does not deserve a tribute band, people!!!
 
#7
90s ( and newer) alt rock is still very much alive. The biggest radio station in STL plays it exclusively. My band has more gigs than we want and we play 90s and newer alt/hard rock exclusively.

Maybe you can't find a band because of your attitude. lol
 
#8
First of all, I know what you're up against, I've worked in the DMV music scene myself... it's brutal, but a good bass player is a hot commodity there like anywhere else.

My initial thought is that with your credentials as you have presented them, you should have a pretty deep list of contacts. Exploit that contact list until it's been exhausted, then go back and contact them again. Try not to disqualify anyone in that group for any reason ('they only heard me once three years ago', 'we were competing for the same studio session and I got the call'...) because you never know who can help you.

Secondly, use social networks like twitter and facebook to get the word out that you're looking for a working band. Be specific as to what you can contribute and what you want out of your prospective bandmates.

Lastly, ust this time to also write as much music as you can. Any group worth working with will love to have fresh talent with new material to bring to the table (just be sure to copyright it).

Best of luck. I've subbed, so I'll follow along to see how you do.
 
#9
ronaldpdbrandt said:
I'm having the same trouble on Long Island. I'm in my 30s and looking for people who want to do original stuff. All I see on CL are teen punk/hardcore, butt-metal, frat rock, white man's blues, and cover/tribute bands. No one seems to want to do anything interesting.

And for what it's worth--Creed does not deserve a tribute band, people!!!
Click to expand...

Tell me about it. Also--LOL--a Creed tribute?! Weren't they sued by their fans for sucking? Check out this other gem I found while surfing the DC Craigslist: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Don't want to start a CL rant, just thought this was topical!
 
#10
Tampabass said:
I feel your frustration, and I'm a good deal older than you.

What I've concluded is that you really need to start your own thing. Have a good idea of what kind of music you want to present, and then start assembling a band. And then take on the hard work of doing a demo and marketing the band.

Word of mouth is best for these kinds of things. Craigslist is a minefield of slackers and flakes, including musicians whose big talk far outpaces their actual abilities.

Since you run a music school, you must have access to a pretty big network of musicians. I'd start there - informal chats with some musicians you already know. And they might bring in other good musicians. It may take a period of informal jamming with a number of folks to figure out who might work for what you're trying to accomplish.
Click to expand...

Sound advice, from you and everyone else. Even the guy about my attitude has a good point (however, it's not a horrible attitude, it's a passionate chip on my shoulder that keeps me working hard and inspires to keep playing music that I like to play).

The problem is I've already built, managed, and marketed my current band and wrote 75% of the material. Now I'm looking for a gig where I'm both needed and I enjoy the music.

As strange as it sounds, I would love the humbling experience to fail an audition! However, my frustration is based mainly on the fact that I can't find a good audition. Yes, I have connections through my music school, but they only reach so far as many of my teachers are in the same position as me (that's why they're teaching and not touring).

Thanks for the advice so far!
 
#11
After reading the OP and your credentials I couldnt help but think that you should have a huge network of musicians that can get you in a group, start a group with or even put a little part time project together. What happened to all your fellow music peeps?

Im in an area where the live music scene is pretty small...a lot of venues hire from out of town, lots of holier-than thou cover bands.... but yet if I wanted to start a new project I'd need an afternoon and facebook and could probably start something up, and im definitely not the most connected guy in my area.
 
#13
Possibly take a survey of all the live music venues within a 2 hour radius(or however far you're will to drive) and see what's going on with the groups working there. What genre of music are the playing, set lists, Reverb Nation/Facebook promos, etc.

Also, how many big corporations are there in your area that still hire bands for corp. gigs? Maybe a few still do.

Or think about going acoustic. If you play guitar and sing, how about an acoustic duo? Any of those playing around town and getting paid?

Weddings and other celebratory events may be an option. Any party planners still in business in your area?

Good luck.
 
#20
I wonder how long you've been looking? It may be that you just have to wait longer.

I don't think CL never works. Sure, take all these other suggestions for networking, but CL is a viable method too, IMO.

But besides CL you might also try Backpage.com. It's pretty much the same as CL, but in my area it seems to attract more serious band ads and less of the junk.

The reality is that opportunities don't always appear when we'd like them too. In fact, it's usually the opposite.
 

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