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06 Aug 02 - 06:52 AM (#760544) Subject: Thoughts on agents and small record comp From: alanabit I have been thinking about trying to get in touch with some new agents. I am out of touch with the ones I used to work for and I do not wish to do beer tents and birthday parties in any event. The fact is that I know very well that there are very few gigs available which I would really enjoy and that the agents working in this field already have a hard enough time placing the people they already have. I am well aware that most approaches from strangers are unwelcome as most agents and record companies simply do not have the time to listen to unsolicited material. In one case, I heard of a record company which had a skip into which all unsolicited material was automatically thrown. Is it actually plain stupid or just downright bad manners to approach an agent whom you do not know? |
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06 Aug 02 - 10:11 AM (#760606) Subject: RE: BS: Thoughts on agents and small record comp From: GUEST,maryrrf I think you risk rejection because it's true, most agents and record companies have too many artists and not enough time - but I think you should go ahead and approach them anyway. It's like sales - you sometimes have to make a lot of calls until someone takes the bait. If you've been performing for a long time I'd send a cover letter and "resume" before sending an actual demo, listing your accomplishments, recordings, venues played, etc. It certainly wouldn't be bad manners - I mean what else can you do? It does help to have a personal connection to get you in the door but if you don't have that you've no choice but to knock. And yes, I think a lot of record companies just throw out unsolicited material, unfortunately. But I would think it's worth a try. |
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06 Aug 02 - 11:05 AM (#760631) Subject: RE: BS: Thoughts on agents and small record comp From: alanabit That's the problem I have with the sales mentality really. I recall what was probably the worst job I ever did - a long story - but essentially it was as a favour for a friend. It involved telephoning people who had no intention of buying trade fair space - and would have known perfectly well where to find it anyway had they wanted it. Surprisingly, most of the overworked staff who took our pestering phone calls were remarkably polite. I found the whole business very distasteful because I knew I was wasting their time. I suppose what my question amounts to is, "How much are you entitled to waste other people's time when you know that rejection is near certain?" It certainly goes against every code of good manners I've ever been taught, but like you maryff, I don't know what the alternative is! |
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06 Aug 02 - 11:42 AM (#760657) Subject: RE: BS: Thoughts on agents and small record comp From: GUEST,maryrrf Well, but they're used to pestering phone calls and every now and then you probably will get a hit! I know what you mean, I'm in a horrible sales job now. Unless you have connections with agents/record companies that's the only way to do it. After all, you obviously have something to offer and it is in their interest to have a "stable" of artists to represent. A lot of times a new agent will be looking for artists - problem is they won't have the connections. But don't you already have to call people and pester them in order to get gigs? |
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06 Aug 02 - 12:05 PM (#760674) Subject: RE: BS: Thoughts on agents and small record comp From: M.Ted I would call, because agents do all their work on the phone, and do it repeatedly--the main thing is to remember that persistance and confidence are the things that pay off, and that good manners make no impact on an agent at all. To figure out which agents you want to contact, work backwards--look at the artists that have the kind of jobs you'd like, and find out who handles them, also, call the venues that you want to play and ask them which agents are usually in touch with them-- If you are in their faces all the time, they'll give you something just to shut you up--not the way you'd like to work, maybe, but at bottom, it's a business, no different from any other-- |
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06 Aug 02 - 12:11 PM (#760680) Subject: RE: BS: Thoughts on agents and small record comp From: GUEST,maryrrf Yeah, M.Ted has it right. You have to call and call "Did you receive my demo" etc. etc. I'm quite sure they're used to it! If they're booking acts they have to be just as obnoxious and persistent with the venues, pub owners, and such so they know where you're coming from. |
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06 Aug 02 - 12:26 PM (#760691) Subject: RE: BS: Thoughts on agents and small record comp From: M.Ted If you catch a booker in a pensive moment, as what kind of act he/she would really like to handle--it'll give you a sense of how to develop your own show (or, as they call it, your "product")-- |
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06 Aug 02 - 12:34 PM (#760697) Subject: RE: BS: Thoughts on agents and small record comp From: GUEST,Mudjack |
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06 Aug 02 - 12:38 PM (#760701) Subject: RE: BS: Thoughts on agents and small record comp From: GUEST,Mudjack You might try sending a video tape and show the entire package. Most CDs lack the real presentation and it seems todays commercial market must include appearance of artist as well as the music. Just a thought. Will they look at it, who knows? Mudjack |