house concerts and 21st century touring

You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete” – Buckminster Fuller

Is that what we’re doing?

What’s the existing reality? Well, thousands of otherwise very competent artists are trying to become “stars,” assuming that the model of the 20th century can still work for them.

Back then, you played bars and tried to gain industry attention until a record company offered you a deal.

But you’re an acoustic act (or solo, duo, etc.). Tough to get the good bar gigs because so many full bands are willing to play for the same amount of money. So if you want to get paid, you find yourself playing coffeehouses and restaurants, for the most part. These places can pay you because they sell food and drinks and provide an atmosphere with enough distractions to please everybody. YOU are one of those distractions.

So you play covers to get attention, and sometimes you actually get a little. But these crowds are fickle, and lose interest easily. Furthermore, they see 5 guys/girls like you every week, and to the untrained ear you sound much more like them than you think.

If you’re persistent, you can do 4-8 of these shows a week, mixing in as much original stuff as you can. You sell a few CDs, get a few email addys. Go home, take a shower, and repeat. You are making a living.

10 years go by.

It seems email addresses go bad faster than you can add new ones. You’ve put out 4 CDs, and still have plenty of first pressings around. Your friends are all having babies and staying at home. Your new “fans” seem to have as much depth as a toenail, and no cash for CDs. What’s an artist to do? Has the music world passed you by? Or are you ready for a new experience?

To be continued….

No Comments »

Part Two:

a. Review Part One of this article!

b. Don’t lose heart if things don’t happen quickly. Hardly anything good ever does.

c. Don’t underestimate travel costs, and travel time.

d. Remember to build your mailing list. If you want to return to this area, it’s more important that selling CDs.

e. Pay close attention to the musical tastes of the host. If they want bluegrass - don’t call if you can’t play bluegrass!

f. Don’t expect financial guarantees. If you must ask, be gentle, and be prepared for a “no.”

g. Be realistic about your ability to headline and do two sets. It’s hard to thrill an audience for 90 minutes if you only have one album of material.

h. Remember to ask about pets/smoking if you are allergic to or dependent on either.

i. Don’t be desperate. Don’t act like a star. Be yourself, even if you’re a jerk. Better they know now. 8^)

j. Remember that people want to have fun. If your music is depressing, your stage patter better not be.

k. Don’t underestimate the intimacy of house concerts. Some artists are uncomfortable being that close to the audience.

l. Don’t assume that the host can fill the room without your help. Be ready to promote if their house concert series is open to the public.

m. Don’t assume room and board are included, or anything else for that matter, until you ask.

and finally…

If a host’s website (or CIYH profile) says they are not looking for artists at this time… please leave them alone.

No Comments »