Advice on sending out demos

Subject: Advice on sending out demos
From: Maryrrf
Date: 21 Feb 03 - 06:14 PM

I'm working on sending out some demos for some prospective gigs and I wanted to ask for some advice. I have a CD produced in a studio with some instrumental backup - not a lot, but a couple of guitar tracks, bodhran, a little mandolin, whistle and fiddle. I also have some demos that I've recorded with just me and guitar - decent quality recordings and they sound nice, certainly more like what I would sound like live. Which demo should I send out? One place requested a "live" recording so I know what do to in that case. But in general, do I send out the studio recording which is much more polished, or the guitar/voice recording which is more representative of what I would sound like when I play solo? Although the studio recording is by no means overproduced, it will be obvious to whoever listens to it that more than one musician is involved and the gigs would be solo. Opinions? Thanks!

Subject: RE: Advice on sending out demos
From: black walnut
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 10:00 AM

My sense is that you should send out the slightly more enhanced version. I think that just about any listener would understand that a live performance would be different. It's true of many big and famous performers too - often their CD's are quite different from what you'll actually hear from the stage. We're used to that split when we listen to music now.

I may be wrong, but that's my feeling....go for the polish, and shine!

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Advice on sending out demos
From: Maryrrf
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 10:43 AM

This may be good advice. My fear in sending out the less polished demo is that although the studio recording is a little deceptive, I'll be up against lots of other people who go for the "bells and whistles". I get the sense that these demos don't usually get much of a listen - just probably a brief sampling. Any other opinions?

Subject: RE: Advice on sending out demos
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 11:11 AM

Sending out your demo is a huge step in the process. PLEASE don't wreck the music by being sloppy in any of the labelling or descriptions of the music.

I can't tell you how many tapes I've received with phone numbers, addresses, e-mails etc. SCRIBBLED by hand on the packaging. I simply don't know how folks can be so careless, when they put so much time into their music.

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: Advice on sending out demos
From: Maryrrf
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 11:20 AM

Good point, but I'm not worried about the packaging. I do nice little covers and labels and bio sheets, etc. on the computer and put everything in a neat folder. (Actually years ago I cringe to think that I did send out some pretty crappy packages, but that was before the days when so much could be done with computer and color printer. Needless to say I didn't get a lot of responses.)I think the appearance/presentation part of my demo passes the test. It's the musical content I'm worried about at this stage.

Subject: RE: Advice on sending out demos
From: vectis
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 11:44 AM

Be realistic and send only the very best.
Track 1 will make or break you so it's got to be superb not just good.
You have about 30 seconds to really impress. If you havn't grabbed the attention of the listener and made him/her WANT to hear more you won't get a booking.
Club and festival organisers get loads of demos and many listen to them in the car going to and from work this is why you get such a short time in which to impress.
Kind organisers try several tracks or listen longer but really busy people give you the magic 30 seconds.

Subject: RE: Advice on sending out demos
From: Maryrrf
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 11:58 AM

So far the consensus seems to be "Send out the polished recording". I think that is what I will do unless they specifically request "live". While we're on the subject, I know we've had threads on this before = but if anybody else has ideas on what will make or break a demo... So far we have mentioned 1)quality of recording and 2)appearance. Anything else?

Subject: RE: Advice on sending out demos
From: black walnut
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 11:59 AM

Maryrrf is asking a simple A vs. B question. She likes both A. and B. for different reasons, but she wants opinions on which is the best to send for a certain purpose, and why. I think that there are many people here who can address this question better than I. My opinion was quite subjective.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Advice on sending out demos
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 12:44 PM

Yup....the first thirty seconds will get you a job, or get you thrown in the garbage. It's a total drag but that seems to be that way it is these days. I'd go with the most polished recording, but I almost hate giving that advice, because it implies that the person on the other end may have no subtlety at all....... so I'll make another suggestion

PHONE the person they're to be sent to (reasonably early in the morning) Be friendly, articulate, and advise them that a recording is on the way. Wait a week, and phone them again. I can't tell you how many folks I've hired for my radio show, 'cuz they showed some real interest rather than JUST sending a package. You have to do SOMETHING to jump the queue.

Good luck

Rick

Subject: RE: Advice on sending out demos
From: Maryrrf
Date: 22 Feb 03 - 12:50 PM

Good advice, Rick. I've been phoning or e-mailing, which sometimes seems better. I've had some rather abrupt conversations with people kind of telling me to get lost, but I figure that saved me wasting a demo. I guess the problem is it's hard to tell who is on the other end and what they're looking for. I have found phoning or communicating helpful in that respect.

Subject: RE: Advice on sending out demos
From: Maryrrf
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 09:57 AM

Hmm, after thinking things over and with the input I've received, here's what I'll do. Since I have everything on my hard drive I'll make up a demo CD with two tracks from the studio recording (the best ones) and two tracks from the "unpolished" recording - pointing out that those songs are "live". That way if they only listen to one song they'll get the best first impression but if they want to hear something more representative of a live performance they'll have that available too.

Subject: RE: Advice on sending out demos
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 10:42 AM

Hi. Being told to "go away" is (sadly) one of the things that happens. But for what it's worth most folks will appreciate the call. You have to be in the middle of "Pushy.......and persistant"!!

Good luck

Rick

Subject: RE: Advice on sending out demos
From: black walnut
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 12:03 PM

All the very best with it, Maryrrf!

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Advice on sending out demos
From: Maryrrf
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 12:16 PM

Thanks for the support and input. I'm sending out a bunch of stuff next week so hopefully I'll get some positive responses.

Subject: RE: Advice on sending out demos
From: vectis
Date: 23 Feb 03 - 03:18 PM

Let us know how you get on.

Subject: RE: Advice on sending out demos
From: treewind
Date: 24 Feb 03 - 05:57 AM

The only other aspect of a "live" demo might be that if you have a recording of an actual gig and your act features stunningly witty introductions that have the audience helpless with laughter or you get obviously wildly enthusiastic applause this gives a feel for your live performance that may not come across in a studio or home recording.

With that exception I'll go along with the majority opinion of "send them the best you've got".

I've just finished cutting an album as part of a duo and while there are some heavily multitracked songs and tunes much of it is as performed live, so I shouldn't have trouble picking credible demo tracks from it. Fortunately, though it's for a label (Wild Goose), I have permission to make demo CDs from it as long as I include the necessary phonographic copyright notices.

Anahata