New band - getting noticed?

Subject: New band - getting noticed?
From: GUEST,Fyldeplayer
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 02:23 PM

What methods of promotion are people using to get work?

I have a new group of experienced players, vocals/strings/concertina.

We will have name, website, sample recordings etc in next few weeks.
We are two couples some distance apart so 'floor spots' do not appear practical (plus the amount of instruments req'd for couple of numbers).

Serious ( and light hearted ) answers welcome.

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: GUEST,Chubby McDogger
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 02:52 PM

2 couples ?

There are websites springing up all the time for couples who wish to meet other couples for 'sessions'...

Maybe you could promote your band via these networks and arrange gigs at their homes and clubs ?

You say you are 'experienced' that should well work to your advantage;
and you don't have to do 'floor spots' if you don't want to
as there would usually be comfortable big sofas and mattresses,
and often even a jacuzzi...

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 04:09 PM

You could start by putting a link to your website anywhere and everywhere. There's a folk site called Mudcat, try googling it.

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 04:51 PM

If you play for the love of it, does it matter? There is no money in it anyway.

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 28 Oct 12 - 07:06 PM

You Tube with lots of links ! And The Old Boy Network still works a bit .

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 03:34 AM

As an Old Boy - I would like to deny that

Les

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: theleveller
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 04:05 AM

Try busking (seriously).

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: Acorn4
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 04:34 AM

Is it possible for either of the couples to go out and play as a duo to promote the band?

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: Will Fly
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 04:56 AM

How far apart are you? If you're within reasonable striking distance, the effort in doing a floor spot or two at a good club - by pre-arrangement, of course - may well be worth it.

My old mate Alan Day now lives in Suffolk, but it's not stopped me travelling up there from Sussex to play with him now and then. I just treat it as a "couple of days away" occasion and turn it into a short break with music attached.

Presumably you rehearse? And for that you have to be together anyway.

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 05:07 AM

Stating the obvious - what are you looking for? Pub gigs, festivals, folk clubs, dances? A festival band tends to be a different breed than one that does folk clubs.
How much time are you willing to comit?
How far are you willing to travel?
Have you got your own PA.
Who in the band can produce a web page/ update you tube?
Who will handle bookings?
Make a target list of places you would like to get bookings.
Invite each coulpe for a week to your home - make a list of the local clubs/ festivals/ etc   let the clubs know in advance you would like a floor spot. Have business cards ready. Bookings tend to come from a range of sources - often unexpected ones.
Ask for feedback from people you respect - is your act good enough, or are you like a 1000 other bands - just OK.
Have you got a good local agent?
Sorry - its a bit like answering a question with 10 others - but being clear what your short term and long term aim is will help - then its easier to plan how to achieve it.
FloraG

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: greg stephens
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 05:31 AM

You say the players are experienced. Then perhaps you can promote based on the reputation of the players? tell club/festival organisers who you actually have in the lineup.

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 06:11 AM

When I, was a member of the Harmony / Instrumental group Fools Gold
we lived at the apexes of a 60 mile a side triangle and rotated who's place we rehearsed at
For Floor Spots AND Gigs we arranged wether we
should meet at one of the houses and travel together if possible , or
travel independantly !
Not easy , but we thought it was worthwhile to get our music out as much as possible

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 06:12 AM

If you are near Norfolk why not go along to the Folkspot weekly folk club at North Elmham. They have a booked guest act for 50minutes each Sunday night + floor spots available for anyone else who comes along. The whole evening is broadcast over internet radio. Failing that, send them some recordings and they will play them for you. You can also advertise your band on the website for a modest annual fee.
See Folkspot Club and Internet Radio Show

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 02:39 PM

I wish you all success.

################

As for publicity: it's difficult to come up with a grabber but--listen--buy a chicken and go to a Russian church. Then take the chicken and shov--whoa, wait a minute. It's been done. I'll keep thinking and get back to you.

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: GUEST,fyldeplayer
Date: 29 Oct 12 - 04:51 PM

We certainly rehearse - original plan was 'country walks, drinking, eating, playing, then you get feeling its more than a one night stand.
Plans inc - urgent recording, best done while still fresh, web etc. We are looking at utilising our different locations but maybe Art Centres rather than folk clubs (no offence, I'm a regular).

Thank you Chubby McDogger - I hope our music has a degree of 'swing' although I think a jauczzi session might put a damper on proceedings :-)

I think I know some old boys - if I could just rememeber....

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 02:45 PM

Give the band a name which people can understand, Like "the [insert name of town] Traditional Band."

What kind of name is Show of Hands, Bellowhead, His Worship and the Pig? Unless people already know the group, how do they know what anybody's talking about when they say the band's name?

I hang out with harpers. One staple of their business is weddings. FYI, I know one who tells the bride's family, "When I get my check, I will start playing."

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: GUEST,Fyldeplayer
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 05:55 PM

Sori leeneia, can't agree about your name views - SOH is a good name as is Bellowhead. Its simply a name that will be enforced by good performance. We are looking for ( I think we may be there ) that reflexs our common aims. A process I have found harder than music creation with several combos. What kinda name was Yes - they did alright - or Free - The Who etc.

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Oct 12 - 06:56 PM

There aren't any band names left any more, they've all already been taken.

Think up a new name , google it - already being used by some obscure college band with a facebook account
and a home made CD..

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: GUEST,Southport
Date: 31 Oct 12 - 10:13 AM

As a one time "prospector" I/we got work travelling vast distances and doing floor spots. And, as has already been mentioned - Busking.

Indeed, Busking supplied the monies needed to do the travelling!

Best.

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 31 Oct 12 - 10:26 AM

record an album in a decent studio.

put album on Bandcamp.

Send review copies to all folk media: magazines, festival organisers, radio shows, internet radio shows. Plug, plug, plug.

Floorspots/busking/gigs are all very well, but you could do one every night for the rest of your life and not end up with any more than 10 people who remember your name - irrespective of how good or bad you are.

Subject: RE: New band - getting noticed?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 01 Nov 12 - 09:49 AM

Let's see. The band Yes? Never heard of them.

The Who? I think I saw them on the Ed Sullivan show. Here's how they got there. (from Wikipedia)

"The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964... .They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction.

The Who rose to fame in the UK with a series of top ten hit singles, boosted in part by pirate radio stations such as Radio Caroline..."

Instrument destruction! That's a pretty pathetic way to get the media to sit up and take notice. I doubt if it will work any more.
And pirate radio stations are probably not an option for your new band either.

My point is that the name the Who had nothing to do with their fame. If you want someone walking down a street to notice your posters or if you want a radio announcer to give you a free plug, then you need a name that makes sense and can be understood in a split second.