I really like this comment I recently received and I feel it warrants posting on it's own. Let me know your thoughts on what he has to say. I absolutely agree with him. Both bands and club/restaurant owners should pay special attention to what he has to say!
"A lot of good advice and truthiness here, but I've noticed something else that should be said. You obviously keep tabs on who's playing where and an ear to the ground on how various clubs are doing. It seems to me that some of the clubs that have gone under or are doing badly or have abandoned live music have a lot of the same bands playing there before the inevitable end. Some bands have a knack for getting booked, whether it's because the members have been around the area forever and have connections, they're able to hand out slick and great sounding demos, etc, but can't fill a bar to save their lives. And many of these bands feel like they deserve X-amount of money because they've been at it for so long, or that's what clubs should be paying, etc. Face it, bands: if the owner isn't making money, neither should you. That said, I don't like playing for the door. There's too many variables involved: dingbat doormen, a club that has zero regulars and wants the band to fill it but won't put any effort themselves to promote their own shows, and even the weather. But in these tougher economic times, I can certainly see why more clubowners are turning to the door, and if your band is worth it's salt, you should try taking the show. If it works out well and they want you back, then maybe you can work out a guarantee since you've proven yourself.
Sorry about the rant. I just get tired of seeing the some of the same usual suspects dooming clubs and live music due to pigheadedness and greed. You don't deserve to be paid for your show; like any other job you should earn it. That's why it's called the music business. And if you're only doing it because you love music so much, then don't demand or expect to be paid a certain amount.
That said, yeah, there's plenty of promoters and clubowners that want the best bands for the cheapest price (music 'business', remember?), and if you're a decent act that's making money for the places you play, you deserve a percentage of that.
All I'm asking is that everybody- bands and owners- be honest about themselves and play fair, alright?
Now be cool. "
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2 comments:
I am brand new to this blog as of about 15 minutes ago. I happened across it looking for live music venues in McHenry, IL. I am the senior staff writer for Feedback Magazine. We are a local music magazine focusing on northern Illinois, Chicago, Southeast WI. We distribute in Rockford, DeKalb, Lake County, Chicago, Kenosha County, and Walworth County. We are on myspace.
I love local music and I am in a band myself. Compensation is an issue that has been debated for years. I think its fairly simple. Each appearance is an opportunity to negotiate terms. I know of bands that get paid $1500 a night at a venue where my band might make $500-$600. This is all explained by simple mathematics. The more people that you get to come to your show, the more money the venue makes. The more money the venue makes, the more money you make. This is about long term relationships. Original bands are not discovered overnight(usually). Cover and tribute bands need these long term relationships to even be able to get out of the basement. Be smart, be fair, and keep track of each event. Keep track of the draw, when the crowd gets thick and when it thins out again. This will help you later. Also getting the details in writing protects everyone. Remember, if you dont like the terms of a venue you can walk down the street to the next one. Not every venue is right for every band.
More than anything else, never rely on a venue to promote your performance. Some will some wont. Dont get salty, do your job and PROMOTE PROMOTE PROMOTE. If you wanted to play in front of 7 people, you would set up in your garage and play for the neighbors. Tell everyone about your band. Always carry flyers and demos. Kill Hannah and Disturbed have had tons of success. They are also two of the most hard working bands I have ever come across. I cant begin to count the number of times I was handed a Disturbed demo or a Kill Hannah flyer as I was walking out of a show. If you want it, go get it.
You're right on with your comments as well. One thing I will say is that if I'm in a 4-piece band and the band's getting $500, that's $125 a person for 6 hours of work (for a 4-hour gig including the hour set up and take down). And most bands don't even get that much. That's a hair over $20 an hour. If you're a veteran musician who's been practicing your craft for 20-30 years, let's face facts, that's pretty sad pay. Hell, I was getting $50 - $75 per gig back in the 80's and I thought that was great and that dollar was worth more than it is now. Hell, hire 4 plumbers for 4 hours and see how much that costs you!
There's still a big piece of me that feels that we are all taken advantage of to a point. Musicians are the types of people who just plain love their craft so much that they don't care about the pay that much .... and bar owners know that!
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