Recording Artist Advocate: Think like it’s your bar…

When you want to get booked into a place you are a big question mark to the person your talking to. Do you know how to entertain their crowd? Will their crowd like you? And most important, will they make more money with you there?

That’s about it… and will you show up when you say you will.

The first time is about proving yourself. So talk to the people at the other places you play and ask important questions. Do they notice a different crowd when you play there? Get their take. If you bring in a crowd that spends money tell every manager you meet that so-and-so said that. Or that you don’t just appeal to kids. (who don’t have money and can get a bar in mucho trouble) Whatever they say that’s good, tell everyone. You have to create your own buzz.

Don’t be afraid to ask those questions. I see bands get their money and head for the door.  Don’t do that. When the money is in your hand start asking questions.

Did you notice people staying longer or ordering more?

Did you see new faces?

I saw people singing along. Did your regulars seem to like us?

Who do you want to attract here?

If you’ll just ask questions, you’ll learn a lot about the bar business. A good bar manager knows what the average customer spends and how long it takes. When one customer spends their money and leaves, and is replaced by another customer, that’s a “turn”.  The more turns the better. They know exactly how many turns they need to have a good night. It’s simple math. You only have so many tables or standing room. Move enough people through and you can make more money from the same space.

People like to tell you how smart they are. So let them! Pay attention and you’ll know exactly how to get booked again and at the next place. 

Recording artist advocate: Don’t write off the deaf guy…

I was recording a band. A really good one. As we were putting a rough mix together, one of the principals told me he was almost deaf. Not just the kind of deaf you get if your not careful, he actually has large parts of the audio spectrum that are just gone. And yet he was able to tell me exactly how he wanted the mix and took an active role in the process. I wanted to tell him to leave it to the folks who could actually hear, but I didn’t, and was impressed when the things he asked for sounded great.

I had a singer in recently who impressed me in the same way, especially when I realized she was just as hearing impaired. Another artist had a terrible time with his headphones at ear-splitting levels but was able to match the lead singers backing vocals with amazingly tight harmonies.

All this is to say that people will surprise you. The guy who can’t seem to put a sentence together may write a song that could make your career. The person asking you to play a song or say happy birthday may hire you for a private party at twice your going rate. Or a nearly deaf person may know how to make your music sound great.

Keep an open mind. Oh, and get yourself some ear-plugs or sound reducing inner-ears so you can protect your hearing.   

Recording Artist Advocate: But is it any good?

Artists are becoming more savvy with regards to marketing themselves. I see a lot of artists and shows, and I can see that they do more themselves with responsibilities split between band members.

And the work is good. Social media and merch stand out. Equipment is better than in the past. Some even have their own lights and in-ear monitoring.

But, is the playing good? Is the band practiced and tight? Are the songs memorable and entertaining?

These days you have to do it all, and you have to do it very well. The bar is higher and you have to reach a level of success before anyone will even think about signing you.

While you’re doing everything well, you also have to make music worth listening to. Music based on your own experiences, that your audience can connect with.

The bar is high, but the rewards are fantastic too. You can live the life you want when your audience says, “That song is about me.”

Recording Artist Advocate: Good to Great...

I went to see a group I recorded. The set list was tight and one song flowed into the next. There were several times where the front man talked to the audience while he and the band discretely tuned or switched out guitars. All in all a very professional show by a band that is going places.

Start-up bands can be forgiven for on-the-fly set lists and long pauses between songs, but a professional band comes prepared and never does those things.

We’ve all seen players turn their backs on the audience, check their phones, and generally tell you they don’t care. These people need to find something else to do.

The most successful bands play the same show weather they’re playing a sold out arena or an almost empty bar. In your career you will play both. Even when you hit a level of success, some venues just don’t bring in a crowd. Those people deserve the same show as a sold out venue. So give it to em’!

This is another thing that separates the weekend pickers from the people who make it. Commit to this level of professionalism at each show and watch the repeat bookings come in.

When you see another band floundering around on stage, know that’s another booking you can get next time. 

Recording Artist Advocate: Talking to your audience.

An artist I work with was feeling a little under the weather but he had a show that he had committed to. It was an acoustic show with just him and his guitar. There was no way to hide the hoarseness in his voice. I suggested he spend a little time before each song giving some background on the song or telling an interesting story. When we talked after the show, he told me that he was able to rest his voice between songs and it really helped. But the best part was how he was better able to connect with the crowd.

I’m sure you’ve seen artist just go on stage and do a great show. But I believe you’ll do even better when you talk to your audience too.

I was at a show where there was so much going on, I expected someone to burst into flames. Every song was a bigger event, but the audience started taking out their phones and generally loosing interest. Maybe it was sensory overload. The artist and everyone on stage were pouring their harts out and getting less back. Someone realized this and at the next song she had an acoustic guitar brought out. The quieter she got, the more the audience reconnected. At one point she just stopped. The audience began visibly bouncing. I thought she milked it too long, but to her credit she never lost the audience. When she knew she had them back, the show was back full-tilt to the end.

A tight, well-rehearsed set list is vitally important, but watch the pros and you’ll see they know when and how to connect to their audience in a way that sets them apart. Learn to do that and your shows will be received on a much deeper level.