[acidrain30005]

Considering the fact that nobody in my band has a drivers license yet, gigs are few and far between.

Last week I was invited to a concert that a friend of mine is doing at a venue that is especially welcoming to younger people. I shoot the booker an e-mail giving him general info about the band, a link to our website, etc.

I get a response a day or two later. He asks if the band has a myspace. I say no, but I don't tell him that I had posted the URL to our website just so I don't come off as pushy. I ask if it is imperative to have a myspace. Personally, I don't see the need when we already have a website.

So today I check my e-mail and I see that I got a reply from him. The e-mail said, and I quote

"In today's environment if you dont have a myspace you don't have a band."

I fail to see what having a myspace has to do with the music. Especially when the band has a website and a video on Google.

What do you guys think?

[Laytonco]

Yeah, that's that booker. Hell with him. I will say though that in today's world, it is beneficial to have a website. The old days of having to mail demo's to bookers and all the expense and wasted time. Well, websites relieve all that. I sling our myspace site to every booker, big and small and they like it. Most times, they listen to the tunes while I'm on the phone with them. It's cool because I get immediate feedback and can cough real loud right at the point where we butcher the tune! Myspace is very easy to use and manipulate. I'd recommend it. It's definitely not a magic bullet that will get you discovered, but it sure makes showing yourself off easy.

peace,

Gil

[bucketorain]

my side job is as an Agent / Promoter. the company name is On The Road presents.....www.otrpresents.ca

i get endless emails via my website requesting that i assist bands with getting gigs.

To be honest, the 1st thing i look for is if they either have a "myspace" or a website so i can demo their tunes. if not i will reply asking for them to email me some mp3's.

I will say that it is helpful to have the ability to electronically send out your promo material in an efficiant manner.

For that booker to say that you don't have a band without a myspace, well he's an idiot....and you probabley don't want to work with him anyhow.

Not having drivers liscenes is a bummer...but i will guess that the guy in your band who gets it first will be the leader...and may get all the chicks!!lol.

As a indie music agent all i can say is keep at it...don't get disapointed with roadblocks. Get yourself set up with an Agent that will have your interests at heart. I tell my clients that 1st adn foremost i have to be a fan of their music, if not it will not motivate me. Make sure the agent likes your music and not just a paper pusher. Agent fees are usually 15 percent of the door or flat fee....this way the Agent does all the dirty work and you can focus on your craft!

If anyone has anyquestions, feel free to PM me...

Cheeers and good luck..

[strumminsix]

Bear in mind this simple fact...

Myspace friends = potential fans to walk in the door

The dude was rude/harsh but there is some reality to it.

[myoung6923]

myspace is a good thing to market your band with. It takes quite a bit of work to get your friends list built up - but once you do - it's a really nice mechanism to specifically target people in specific areas to get the word out about upcoming gigs.

If you put in the work on your myspace, keep it updated, communicate with friends - then it can really help you attract people.

Also - venues like to see this because they want to see that you are advertising THEM. After all - that's what it's about for them right? They could care less how talented you are, they just want an indication that you can draw a lot of people and make them money. If they see that have a huge friends list on myspace, then that's going to make them feel more confident that you can do that.