Guy from Goo Goo Dolls video seeking way down from tower
October 18, 2016 5:03 PM Subscribe
I'm trying to get a music project started in a city I haven't lived in that long, where I don't have a huge network. How do I draw an audience in the early stages?
I've got a solo act that I'm thinking seriously about getting off the ground, but I want to not shoot myself in the foot by trying to book shows that I can't guarantee any draw for. I've lived in Oakland for two years now, and I've got some friends here, but basically I think I'd be able to guarantee 5-10 attendees, which probably won't be turning the heads of anyone booking for even a small venue. I don't really have a scene here that I feel like a member of, although I know a few people on the periphery. FWIW, I played in a band for several years in my last city that played out consistently and had a good number of (locally) high-profile gigs, so I know the ropes in that respect, but we were a large band with members who had all been living there for a while and who all knew a bunch of people in town, so this particular phase was never really a difficulty for us.
So what are some other strategies for bringing people in? Is flyering and postcarding and event-calendaring likely to draw a decent crowd, or are those only really effective if you already have an audience of some kind? If it matters, I can write solid bio copy and could put together a pretty cool flyer with some work. I'm prepared to hear that this is going to take months of preparatory legwork, but I'm not sure what that looks like. I'm very interested to hear from people who have experienced this before.
I've got a solo act that I'm thinking seriously about getting off the ground, but I want to not shoot myself in the foot by trying to book shows that I can't guarantee any draw for. I've lived in Oakland for two years now, and I've got some friends here, but basically I think I'd be able to guarantee 5-10 attendees, which probably won't be turning the heads of anyone booking for even a small venue. I don't really have a scene here that I feel like a member of, although I know a few people on the periphery. FWIW, I played in a band for several years in my last city that played out consistently and had a good number of (locally) high-profile gigs, so I know the ropes in that respect, but we were a large band with members who had all been living there for a while and who all knew a bunch of people in town, so this particular phase was never really a difficulty for us.
So what are some other strategies for bringing people in? Is flyering and postcarding and event-calendaring likely to draw a decent crowd, or are those only really effective if you already have an audience of some kind? If it matters, I can write solid bio copy and could put together a pretty cool flyer with some work. I'm prepared to hear that this is going to take months of preparatory legwork, but I'm not sure what that looks like. I'm very interested to hear from people who have experienced this before.
Response by poster: That's a good suggestion, thanks mekily. It reminds me that I should maybe note that my thing is a little gear-heavy, like keyboard + laptop and etc., which implies a PA, in case that affects any answers.
posted by invitapriore at 5:38 PM on October 18, 2016
posted by invitapriore at 5:38 PM on October 18, 2016
Find a band who already has a draw who is a good match for your project. Go to their show, strike up a conversation, and try to open for them sometime.
posted by nosila at 5:48 PM on October 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by nosila at 5:48 PM on October 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
Yeah, start going to lots of shows by established local acts and talk to them/the venue bookers about opening.
posted by rtha at 10:32 PM on October 18, 2016
posted by rtha at 10:32 PM on October 18, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
A friend of mine in the Bay Area started going to weekly open mic nights in her area (Mountain View) and built up a core group of 6-7 friends and a larger group of acquaintances over the course of a few months. It helps that many people there are in the same position (trying to build an audience for their creative work) so they're likely to be sympathetic and willing to help you out.
posted by mekily at 5:33 PM on October 18, 2016