AllanGuy
12-01-2008, 03:18 PM
What did you do early on to get those first gigs for your band? I am kind of in that situation now.
Ray Luzier
12-01-2008, 11:37 PM
I'm not sure where you live, but it's just a matter of getting out and meeting a TON of people and promoters in your area. It took me a long time to realize that when I moved to Los Angeles. It takes a lot of networking to get out there, be seen and create a following for your band. Of course your band has to be killer and people have to dig you too! Don't just assume that if you do a few gigs that people are talking about you. Try to open for bigger bands and even National acts that come through your town to get more exposure.
I've done everything from weddings to stadiums and I'm still out there handing my card out to people I meet in the biz for that next gig or recording.
Now get out there! Good luck...
tonyrobbins
12-03-2008, 12:09 AM
wow... cool asnwer thanx ray!!!!
botkiller
12-10-2008, 10:38 AM
Man, it's hard for me to remember how I got my first gigs...
I'm pretty sure that I spent a lot of time going around to local venues I thought I could play ( I was only about 15) and asking if they needed a session drummer, or how could I get gigs for my bands. I got to know a lot of people that way, and then I started to promote myself that way.
It's good to know a lot of people, but there is a fact; you won't get gigs unless you pound the pavement, and go out and network the hell out of yourself.
I also always carry demo discs, stickers, business cards, etc. and am always handing those out. I want to be a working drummer, so I am constantly on the prowl for people who need a good drummer, and for paying gigs (I am a firm believer that playing for free all the time is a thing I am not interested in). It is also good to get on the local internet forums for bands, music and gigs all around you, and to meet other musicians and talk to them about how they get gigs, etc.
so my #1 answer is networking, I guess I've been doing that for the nearly 15 years I've been gigging, and just learning how to sharpen those skills to know good people to work with, what I need to know to get those good gigs, and how to stay away from the bad ones.