house concerts and 21st century touring

Great questions from Dave Cool, who plans to publish an eBook on the subject. My answers below.

1- What advice would you give to an artist attending a music conference for the first time?
If you are showcasing, prepare. Know your best tunes cold so you can focus on the audience. For timed showcases, work up at least one short option - about one minute and a half in length. It’ll come in handy so often - NEVER go over your allotted time. A solid verse/chorus, or verse/chorus/bridge can be great - heaven forbid you leave them wanting more, right?

2- What should artists avoid when attending a music conference?
Avoid ANYONE who is complaining. Conferences are exhausting enough without suffering these people. Once in a while, be aware that you ARE one of these people. And stop it right away.

3- How can an artist stand out from the hundreds of other artists at a music conference?
Be actually interested in the people you talk to. Nothing will set you apart more quickly than that. Want to be remembered? Follow up after the conference. That takes you to the top 10% right there. Attend the conference with this ethic for three years and you’ll be one of the best known people at the conference - easily in the top 1%.

4- Do you recommend that artists play as many showcases as possible while at a conference, or just stick to 1 or 2 “quality” showcases?
Both are viable options, but one of them is exhausting and annoying.

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