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"Exposure bucks" are worth more than real bucks (to me) right now
- Thread starter The Ruiner
- Start date
Without weighing the relative merits of one versus other, it definitely has been my experience that a new originals band can benefit from taking on some gigs that don't pay much or at all as part of getting their name out and building up toward bigger gigs. Every gig is a chance to get your music and name in front of some other bands and a venue, and potentially a promoter, that could help be a conduit for future gigs, plus you are developing your potential fanbase and ideally building up content for social media and circulation to venues and promoters for future gigs. In a perfect world even these developmental gigs would pay well but that is not always the reality in some of the scenes I have been a part of.
Here's my problem with it.
If my presence as a musician helps drive revenue for a business, whether playing originals or covers, I expect to be compensated, not exploited for revenue.
Exceptions are benefits for worthy causes that so happened to be hosted by a for-profit venue - Though typically if it's a daytime deal, revenue comes from mostly beer sales vs liquor, and it's maybe enough to break even on staff and overhead; In a way, the venue's doing it for exposure too.
Otherwise, yeah. The reality is original showcases don't usually pay much if anything, and the venue still gets reasonable revenue from multiple bands and their friends & fam.
A work-around that's worked in the past, We've snuck in originals in the context of mostly covers without pre-announcing them as such, while managing to pickup a $150 cut of pay + tips for covers.
Exposure for the sake of exposure?
S*** - I'll get arrested.
If my presence as a musician helps drive revenue for a business, whether playing originals or covers, I expect to be compensated, not exploited for revenue.
Exceptions are benefits for worthy causes that so happened to be hosted by a for-profit venue - Though typically if it's a daytime deal, revenue comes from mostly beer sales vs liquor, and it's maybe enough to break even on staff and overhead; In a way, the venue's doing it for exposure too.
Otherwise, yeah. The reality is original showcases don't usually pay much if anything, and the venue still gets reasonable revenue from multiple bands and their friends & fam.
A work-around that's worked in the past, We've snuck in originals in the context of mostly covers without pre-announcing them as such, while managing to pickup a $150 cut of pay + tips for covers.
Exposure for the sake of exposure?
S*** - I'll get arrested.
Go after venues that refuse or can't pay ASCAP and/or BMI fees.
Edit: some clubs in my area will only hire originals bands
Edit: some clubs in my area will only hire originals bands
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with any Exposure gig, ask: "What will you be doing to promote my band?"
I’m not going to judge anyone (in an originals group) for playing for exposure, just make sure you are getting your moneys worth. Same with cover bands that are just starting out. I don’t care if you take a few low paying gigs, just be clear with the booker that when you start pulling a crowd, you want to be paid more. I do have a problem with bands that will play good venues cheap. It just lowers the bar for everyone. I think many of us are in a good spot and we’re doing it for fun and don’t really need the money but that doesn’t mean we give it away. I look at it as I play for free, you’re paying me to haul my gear, set up, tear down and all the rest that goes into it. It should be win-win for us and the establishment.
I play in original bands, and I don't really even think that much about exposure anymore. I do want to play fun gigs with other bands that I really like, if that counts as exposure. I'd rather make a connection with another cool band that we might get a gig with down the road. I want all of my friends that took time to come out and stay out late to think it was a really good time and was worth it. I've given up on making money or getting popular. I just want to play fun gigs with good bands.
VERY good idea ^
OP, even if making money isn't that big of a deal, playing larger gigs or connecting with more successful artists is still going to be dependent on your "perceived value". The charity gigs are excellent since you haven't really devalued your band and most people don't consider it a comparison for market value (i.e. - charity auctions usually have very high bids on items, for obvious reasons).
Nobody is going to value your work/art more than you do...don't sell yourself short
Am I the only one who rather pay to see original acts? Granted I listen to metal which is not the most popular genre and at times there could be 50 to 100 people but I have discovered a lot of bands that way.
Good points, and thank you for the encouragment @Plucky The Bassist !VERY good idea ^
OP, even if making money isn't that big of a deal, playing larger gigs or connecting with more successful artists is still going to be dependent on your "perceived value". The charity gigs are excellent since you haven't really devalued your band and most people don't consider it a comparison for market value (i.e. - charity auctions usually have very high bids on items, for obvious reasons).
Nobody is going to value your work/art more than you do...don't sell yourself short
At our age, it’s hard enough to get work playing commercial music..LOL!!! Best wishes.
Sounds like the members of the band are all on the same page... that alone has value.
Good money or no, I can't/won't be in a project that doesn't require me to bring my "A game" to every rehearsal and gig.