Countless idealistic, fresh-faced musicians move to NYC every year, and far too many of them are preyed upon by shady bookers who cancel last-minute, take unreasonable cuts of the door, and bill them with other bands who share no genre or potential audience reach. One of the first shows I booked in the city required…
As an artist, performer, band member, bandleader, or however you want to label yourself and your pursuits, you are a company. Congratulations! The good news is that you are chief in charge of your destiny. The bad news reads much the same way. You are your business. Meaning you are now solely responsible for carving…
A couple of weeks ago, I spoke with a group of musicians to discuss the essentials that first-time touring bands often forget. During those conversations, another topic came up: the things they used to bring on tour that just ended up taking up space. If it’s your first tour, your mind is racing at a…
By Rachel Grimes The quality of the sound in an environment is always so captivating to me, and seems to be something that either makes me comfortable or uncomfortable immediately. Here are some of my favorites around Louisville, Kentucky. This morning I walked outside early and heard the sound of a long, low barge horn…
As a bandleader, it’s your job to cover all the bases — run rehearsals, plan shows on the road, arrange practices — and yes — execute a killer merch table. These 10 square feet of retail are your gateway to making a lasting impression and some extra dough for the band. It’s an opportunity to…
Musicians often get stereotyped as being “flaky.” Unreliable musicians not only drive other musicians crazy, they hurt the relationships with venues, booking agents, and everyone else musicians rely on to get their music heard. But despite what stereotypes say, you CAN be a “creative type” and also know your way around a spreadsheet. So rather than hold yourself back, embrace…
A jam session can be one of the best ways to build your network. My jam session in Brooklyn, Playground Sessions, brings together so many people on a regular basis. That session has sparked countless collaborations and performance opportunities. So here’s how you can go about starting your own. Step 1: Find a Space This…
Licensing your music for film or television is one of the few sure-fire ways to make money as a musician. But how do you get started?
Summertime is upon us, and so is the glory of festival and touring season. If you are lucky enough to travel around to perform music at venues all over the country or world, chances are you’ll spend at least a little bit of time airborne en route to your next exotic destination. Many of us…
The music scene is a tricky place to navigate. It often feels like you can’t get anywhere without knowing the right people and that your fate is entirely in someone else’s hands. But many of the “gatekeepers” are actually there to help you, and knowing who to talk to at the right moment can mean the difference between booking…
