Would you treat this as a red flag?

[LilMissStrange]

Nope, you're not being unrealistic at all. Its completely reasonable to expect a response in a timely fashion, especially if its material for an audition. Its only professional. Its a shame, but people are just flakes. Theres a lot out there, wish I knew how to fix it. This is definitely an omen of things to come. If they cant even get you the material and flake out w/ emails, imagine the practices and the gigs...
Id be wary, but on the other hand, some people just aren't plugged into a laptop all day. They just arent. I know its hard to imagine in 2009, but perhaps they only check it a few times a week.

 

[Count Bassie]

...Its a shame, but people are just flakes. Theres a lot out there, wish I knew how to fix it. This is definitely an omen of things to come. If they cant even get you the material and flake out w/ emails, imagine the practices and the gigs...

Flakes? Maybe some well-organized social engineering would help that... I'd just offer that professionalism isn't everything. 'Soul' and the ability to communicate an idea through music isn't always in the same package as 'neat and smart'. So if an impression from a potential gig doesn't work for you, then you simply steer away from it, right?

Id be wary, but on the other hand, some people just aren't plugged into a laptop all day. They just arent. I know its hard to imagine in 2009, but perhaps they only check it a few times a week.

Not being 'plugged in' all day is a good thing, I'd say. Just because it's 2009... that's just not necessarily meaningful to everyone, especially artists and their ilk. One creative option might be to exchange phone numbers.

 

[tasty sweeps]

Flakes? Maybe some well-organized social engineering would help that... I'd just offer that professionalism isn't everything. 'Soul' and the ability to communicate an idea through music isn't always in the same package as 'neat and smart'. So if an impression from a potential gig doesn't work for you, then you simply steer away from it, right?

Not being 'plugged in' all day is a good thing, I'd say. Just because it's 2009... that's just not necessarily meaningful to everyone, especially artists and their ilk. One creative option might be to exchange phone numbers.

wow. that was one of the best replies to this kind of topic i've ever read. i'm glad someone else sees group artistry as more than business.

[i mean, i know we all love to play. that's why we play. i just see so much emphasis being placed on the 'model band' and while i understand why, i like seeing others who aren't afraid to offer the flip side of the flip side]

 

[Count Bassie]

...i'm glad someone else sees group artistry as more than business.

[i mean, i know we all love to play. that's why we play. i just see so much emphasis being placed on the 'model band' and while i understand why, i like seeing others who aren't afraid to offer the flip side of the flip side]

Glad to know I'm not the only one! Not for nothing the phrase "Music Business" is said to be an oxymoron...

 

[Silas Martinez]

You know, its funny.

Played with them once, they loved it, it was a great time, they asked me to come back, made a big deal about how great it was to get a bass player who knew the material, blah blah blah.

I got an email saturday. The day of the rehearsal. Yes, an email, not a phone call.

Oh, don't bother coming out today. One of our guitarists is bringing a friend over. They'll give me a call next week. I had canceled playing with another band to accommodate their schedule, and they did the last minute nevermind deal. The other band I could have played with had already made other plans.

I told them fine, I hope that guy, or someone else, works out for them. Don't bother contacting me.

Being an artist and having fluid plans is fine. Its great for some. Being non-communicative and jerking peoples chains? Not so great.

Maybe that sort of thing isn't always a red flag. Who knows. Ended up being so in this case, though. What a waste of time.

 

[budget bassist]

I responded to a flyer a while ago in regards to playing bass for a band, they never got back to me. A "thanks but we've already found someone" would have been nice. But oh well, **** them.

 

[Count Bassie]

Well here we are... being inconsiderate and self-centered has it's drawbacks alright. Sorry to hear it.

 

[Bass Viking]

I got an email saturday. The day of the rehearsal. Yes, an email, not a phone call.

Oh, don't bother coming out today. One of our guitarists is bringing a friend over. They'll give me a call next week. I had canceled playing with another band to accommodate their schedule, and they did the last minute nevermind deal. The other band I could have played with had already made other plans.

I told them fine, I hope that guy, or someone else, works out for them. Don't bother contacting me.

You did the right thing, that's pretty lame of them. And who's to say they wouldn't kick you out at a later date and bring in a "friend" to replace you.

 

[LilMissStrange]

Glad to know I'm not the only one! Not for nothing the phrase "Music Business" is said to be an oxymoron...

You know if I had a dollar for everytime I got the "Oh yeah, great! Im interested" speech then suddenly that person joined the Witness Protection Program, I could tell Donald Trump he's fired! I almost expect people to blow me off, and brace myself for it because it happens so often. That way I'm not as dissapointed when it does happen. It's almost shocking when, on the rare occasion, someone actually doesnt flake out on me.

 

[Count Bassie]

You know if I had a dollar for everytime I got the "Oh yeah, great! Im interested" speech then suddenly that person joined the Witness Protection Program, I could tell Donald Trump he's fired! I almost expect people to blow me off, and brace myself for it because it happens so often. That way I'm not as dissapointed when it does happen. It's almost shocking when, on the rare occasion, someone actually doesnt flake out on me.

I wouldn't say you should take people seriously. That's just the big picture no matter what you do.

 

[bjlevine]

I've never, ever gone to a rehearsal unprepared. I would tell them you'd love to audition as soon as they send you a set list and give you a few days to learn the material. If they balk, then you have your red flag.

I responded to an ad a couple of years ago from someone claiming to have a bunch of progressive oriented originals and had a truly unique sound. When I showed up, they played them for me...the standard one chord, no harmony grunge crap. Sometimes, you just have to wonder what people are thinking when they put ads out there.