Starting a Band Business Guide
By Diana F.
About
The Author:
I started on my tinker piano at 4 years old and have been playing ever since. I took singing and piano lessons throughout my life then Studied at Mercer University. Started out in my first band in 1990... Flight Crew from Tifton, GA. Me and the boys were a Southern Rock group who played all over the Southeast and toured as far as Michigan (oh, what a story that is). But I was always into dance music and R&B, so the first chance I got to taste that kind of band environment, I took it....
Getting Started:
I attended Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. I studied courses in music consisting of sequences in music theory, musicianship and music history. Other supportive courses include form and analysis, orchestration and basic conducting. I had several years of Voice training is important in strength and overall quality of your voice. You can also damage your voice if you aren't singing properly.
Mercer University Offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, Townsend School of Music (TSM) is home to more than 100 artists preparing for careers as performers, music educators, conductors, church musicians, composers, theorists, and music scholars.
Starting a band may sound pretty straightforward, but it can actually be one of the most frustrating parts for many people. If you don't go about setting up your band right, you'll be caught in an endless cycle of trying to replace this player or that, trying to get the new people ready to play the songs, and so on and so forth - not to mention the fact that a dysfunctional band can out-drama any group of middle school girls. Save yourself the hassle and get your best band going right from the start.
Know Who You Need:
Before you can start finding band members, you've got to figure out exactly what your band needs. Say you and friend are playing together, and you play guitar and she plays drums. Well, you're set on a drummer, and whether you need a second guitarist will depend on your songs. Sounds obvious, right? But, it's easy to end up trying to fit in an unexpected keyboard player or extra guitarist just because you like that person. Remember that your goal is to get a band that can play shows together. Figure out the roles you need filled and match the people to the roles instead of the other way around.
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Find the Musicians:
Now that you know what kind of musicians you need, you can start
looking for them. There are plenty of places you can track down
other musicians, from word of mouth through your circle of friends,
to the internet. I put and add on Craig’s list.
Figure Out The Ground Rules:
When you're just getting started in your band, there's no need to get too overly complicated and start fighting about your future royalties (if you are - consider it a huge red flag). If you're serious about your band, however, there are a few basics you should consider - it will help keep everyone on the same page:
- What is the practice schedule?
- Where will you practice?
- If there are any expenses (practice space, etc), how will you pay for them?
I paid my band member 50.00 a rehearsal. We practiced at my home, or a friend’s home.
BAND Manager Agreement: Sample
Who's the Boss?
Most bands have a natural leader, usually the songwriter and/or the person who formed the band. Exactly how much you want to exercise this whole "boss" thing is up to you - for instance, is it your songs, your way or the highway, or can others have some input? More importantly, when you start booking shows and promoting your band, it's good to have one person who is the main contact for the band. This can be the person who runs the show musically or someone else good at taking care of details
Start Playing!
Obviously, of course, the most important part of starting a band is just getting together and playing some music. Even with the best musicians, this is the only way to make sure your band really clicks together. This is also a good time to figure out who is taking things seriously and is committed to the band, and who is not. If you have ambitions to make a living through your music, and your other band members view the band as a hobby, now is when that difference will rear its head. If you and your band aren't a music love match, you will know early. Now you have all your players, so what’s next? I had all my band members sign a band member’s contract. Many, many bands do not - but many bands that have broken up and lost opportunities, friends (and money) that they will never get back again wish they had taken the time to write things down. You can function as a band without one, but the best way to protect everyone involved is to get one. You can download a sample band member agreement by going to this author online and clicking on this section.
Promo Package:
With the perfect picking of musicians in place, it's time to start taking your music to the masses. No matter where you are in you music career, promotion is the key to taking things to the next level. Having an informative and professional promo package can be the thing that sets you apart from other bands.
Choose the Music
The point of your promo package is of course to get your music heard, so choosing the music to include in the package requires some thought. Whether you're trying to get the attention of a label, an agent, the press or radio stations, remember that these people receive A LOT of music every day. Make a short demo cd with your best two or three songs, preferably songs that have strong beginnings, so they capture the listener before they can push "next."
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Write the Bio
Your promo package should include a short -one page is ideal - artist bio. This step is where a lot of people fumble. Don't try to be overly cute and don't make it read like it was written with your thesaurus firmly in hand. The people who do decide to work with you on the basis of your package are going to need some useful information about you and your music, but they don't need to know which song is your Mom's favorite or that you "knew you were going to be a musician the first time you picked up a guitar/heard such and such a song/etc." Go for professional over cheesy.
Include a Photo
If you're sending your promo package to magazine, website, or newspaper, include a color photo in your package. A hard copy of the photo or a disk with a photo file will work equally well. The media is much more likely to run a photo if they don't have to chase it down, so including one in your package dramatically increases the chance they will actually run a photo. You should always send a color photo, because many publications demand color photos, and the others can always print the color photo in black and white. Be sure to include the photo credit information.
Music Agent:
Music agents, who are also called booking agents, talent agents, they hold the key to the good shows, and as an up and coming band, a good agent on your side can mean playing in front of bigger audiences sooner than you probably would A good agent with well placed connections can make all the difference in getting a band in front of the right audience and increasing their profile. Music agents also take care of the negotiations with promoters and venues when it comes to the pay for performances and to arrangements for things like backline and accommodation. Backline is another word for gear or equipment. When a gig is booked, sometime before the concert, the agent, or band should liaise with the promoter, venue, or club to discuss the backline needs of the band - the promoter will need to know what the band is bringing with them in terms of instruments, mics, and amps and so on, and what they will need the promoter to provide.
Music agents get paid a percentage of the proceeds from a GIG These proceeds are limited to the actual payments for performances and do not include money earned from merchandise sales. The most common arrangement between a band and an agent is for the agent to get between 10% and 15% of the money paid to a band for a gig, though 18% or even 20% is not entirely unheard of.
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A contract will also clarify what the band expects of the agent and the agent expects of the band. You won't be fighting about money or arguing over what the agent was supposed to provide. Below is an example of a booking contract. example of a booking contract.
Booking Agent Agreement: Sample
The Deal
There are several ways bands get paid on a gig. You typically have a set rate. A typical example is 500.00 for a 3-4 piece band. Or a “door split” which means you are entitled to a percentage of the cover at the door. I recommend having someone you trust at the door so you know exactly how many people show up. The rates vary and you take a chance on how many people will show up. So until you have a following your agent will probably give you a set rate.
Equipment:
The first step is to figure out the kind of venue that you will be playing, because you can potentially save yourself a lot of money by matching your equipment to the venue. For example, if you're going to be playing in clubs that host a lot of live bands, chances are these places have their own permanent gear: A PA system, speakers and a house mixer permanently installed. This is the best-case scenario, because all you have to do is hook into that system. In a club with this kind of equipment, grab your instruments and a couple of microphones and you're ready to go. If that leaves you feeling a little empty handed, you could bring along your own mixer -- it's not necessary, but you'll have more control over the sound.
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List of equipment:
- One 8-channel or 12-channel mixer
- Main amplifier
- Monitor amp
- Main speakers
- Speaker stands if appropriate
- Monitor speakers
- Speaker cables for main and monitor speakers
- Three to seven mikes
- Mike stands
- Mike cords
- Power cords and extension cords
Set of Peavey SP4
DW Drums
PRS Guitars
KORG Keyboard
MACKIE Sound Board
HARTKE Bass
Equipped Clubs:
Even if you are playing in a large club that has its own mixer, amp and speakers, you should consider bringing several pieces of your own equipment.
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For example, many bands bring their own mikes, mike cables, mike stands and an 8-channel or 12-channel mixer. The band runs all its mikes to its own mixer. The band sets its mix with its own mixer and then sends its mixed signal to the club's mixer. That way, the band can control the mix rather than letting someone at the club control it. It can also simplify things if there is no one at the club to run the sound board. You won't have to learn the club's board, since you'll be using only one of its channels.
If you plan to mike your guitar amps, then you should bring the amps and the mikes you plan to use. If you are using amp emulators or direct input boxes, then you should bring those and plug them into your own mixer
Tips:
- Choose a leader- Makes decisions from whom to have in the band, where to practice, and what songs to play.
- Choose a set list- High energy = high alcohol sales. Pleases all club owners
- Develop Original material- Have a repertoire of recognizable music for people to listen to. But write and play your own music. Promote your music, internet sites such as MySpace
- Talent- Find good Musicians
Of course I didn't have the luxury of having managers and record labels to manage our money we made through our band. If you are heading down the right track then your band should be generating some nice money. Whether this is through gigs, selling some CD’s or singles at gigs or via your website. We used MySpace and they use SNOCAP. We sold a demo CD for 10.00 at the venue with t-shirts and other merchandise, one of the other band members partner set up the table before each gig. Either way, once you get this money, you need to manage it correctly. You obviously have your overheads like most bands, but you should really think about putting some away, this money can be used really well for other promotional items or replacement equipment for example.
Learn How To Book & Promote Music Concerts
There are a lot of websites out there that have given the unsigned artist the opportunity to sell their music. I have got together a list of 6 websites where you are able to do this.
- CDBaby: This is one of the most popular sites around for selling your music.
- Overplay: Dedicated to the promotion of signed and unsigned artists. There is also a growing music community.
- MusicFreedom : Fans can buy your MP3's here while you rake in the bucks.
- Trackseller: Manages paid music downloads and enables you to add a button to your website to sell from there to - if this is what you want to do. Remember - they will get commission from this though. It is still really worth it.
- TuneCore: Sell your music not your soul! (Nice Line). Get your music into all the digital stores, its fast and easy. You can also keep all your rights.
- IndieStore: Sell your music, set your own price. If your music is selling well, put the price up, if not, sell it cheap. This counts towards the official UK and US chart listings, along with 20+ other countries too.
These are just a few of the stores where you are able to do this. There are many more out there, some better than others. I know that the sales will not make you loads of money to start off with, but you got to start somewhere.
Business Side:
As I always say: Run you band like a business, run it correctly and run it smoothly. All gigs in a bar get paid right after the last set. I had several other businesses at the time so I used a local CPA. All band members received a 10-99 form at the end of the year. The more money you have to work with, the more money you are going to have to expand and venture out. If you have some nice savings in the bank you can go on tours and gig further-away and expand your fan base. MYSPACE is fantastic for putting out bulletins and advertising your gigs. You need your band to grow at all times - and if none of you have any money you can’t really do that much, this is just a way to make the most from your money.
You need to be very patient with this though. It is so easy to spend the money when you get it and not think about the long term. Give yourself a goal; all agree what you are going to save for. For example: Keep putting money away until you can afford a weekend in the studio, once that’s done, give yourself another goal. This can potentially take months before you have enough money to do what you want to do, but you need to stick with it.
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This subject has so many angles about the best way to split the money you earn, but maybe the band keep 50% and the other 50% of a gig goes into a bank account for future expenses and promotion for example, this percentage needs to be agreed amongst yourselves. We were a 4 piece band, so we split the money 5 ways - the 5th divide goes into a band account. We also helped pay the bar tab right off the top. If your alcohol sales were high in the club for that evening, most bar owners either paid your tab or discounted it by at least half.
Below I have compiled a list of ideas you can spend this money on.
- With the money saved from gigs, get yourself in the studio and record a demo.
- Get some CD’s and sleeves printed.
- Any equipment that needs replacing or upgrading.
- Fuel costs for gigs, along with accommodation and food.
- Get some flyers printed up for additional promotion.
- Home recording equipment - recording home demos and practice for the studio.
- Website costs - paying someone to build and maintain this site.
- Band merchandise - t-shirts for example.
Here is a list of companies that have Insurance for the musician. The coverage varies for equipment as well as for individuals. I would start with trying NetQuote and if they don’t give you a great rate then try the others below.
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