A Little Local Recognition

Featured on an Entertainment Business Blog and re-posted on OrlandoBands.com:

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WWDMD? Or What We Can Learn from Orlando's Jam Band Scene

WHY ARE THEY STILL ON THE COUCH!!??  Music fans’ awareness of shows has never been higher – with social networking event posts, evites, and tour apps. And can you tell me why my Google calendar has imported every single event by every act I have ever liked and sends me constant push notifications?  Despite rising awareness of shows, it is still a challenge to get fans off their couches and into a venue on a consistent basis. Central Florida musician and scene veteran, Dave Mann reveals the wisdom he’s learned as both founder and organizer of the ever popular Jambando Concert series and band leader for the perennial purveyors of flavor rock, funkUs.

BIGGER MIGHT BE BETTER

Playing live is where it’s at! Everyone now has the opportunity to create super slick polished yet home studio produced album. Protools and its counter parts are like video games; spend enough time playing around and the player can become the conquering hero. But step into the real world and the princess they saved onscreen won’t talk to them, ‘cause their live game still sucks. 

It is during live shows that fans can see the talent and professionalism that separates real artists from studio content creators. But to get people through the door, rely on a basic principle of sales and make them want it. “If you want people to come, it has t be something special.” Said Mann. His band, funkUS, consciously decided to cut down on the number of shows they play. They also changed the types of shows they play, opting to focus more on festivals and large venue shows. When planning an event type show don’t just look at the band calendar. Know the target audience and plan an event at a time that doesn’t compete for their attention. Be the best source of fun for them on that day or evening.

GET A ROOM

Where can be as important as When, when it comes to throwing down. “It’s important to have a good working relationship with the venue.” When a good foundation has been laid with a venue, you can book and plan much farther in advance. More time to plan gives artists a greater likelihood that things will run smoother or they’ll have time to grease the inevitable squeaky wheels. There’s always one. “I like to plan shows 6 months in advance. But I start thinking about them a year in advance.”

When choosing the right venue there are several things to consider. Is the venue easy to get to? Does it show up in the average GPS device? Is there enough parking? Will fans have to pay to park? Every dollar they spend on parking is a dollar lost on merch and bar tabs, both of which can effect an artist’s bottom line. Pick an appropriately sized venue. Too small and fans experience a bad kind of crowd funk. Too big and any empty space can kill the excitement.

LOOSE LIPS ARE ONLY BAD FOR SHIPS

Making any show successful takes a TON of hard work. Best get organized. Dave Mann shares, “I do it in segments to make sure I have time for everything.”  Spend too much time promoting, inviting, reminding, tweeting, and instagramming pictures of how hard you’re working and that can leave little time for efforts that have a bigger payout. 

Dave Mann has made a name for himself in Central Florida.  He’s the kind of musician other musicians love to share the stage with.  Venues love the draw his band brings to their bars.  Fans love the festivals he puts on. He’s not just one part of the music scene, he ingrained himself in it. And his advice for any artists wanting to follow suit is, “Go out. Be a part of your scene. When you’re there, talk about your shows.” The power of a facebook event page is to be able to see the shows your friends recommend. A personal recommendation is still the best way to get fans off their couches. The online promotions should flow from that concept of personal recommendations. “Be your own press.  Word of mouth is the strongest social media.”

THE WHOLE AUDIENCE ISN’T LISTENING

“The first step in building a fan base is to recognize it.” Mann continues, “You can’t hope to appeal to everybody. Find that 1% that really digs your music and focus on them. [A fan base] spreads that way.” Unsigned acts fortunate enough to enjoy the longevity and dedication of its members have another consideration when it comes to getting fans’ attention – fans get old. 

For the aging fans, the passage of time somehow makes a midnight start time a nightmare. They don’t bounce back from the party as quick as they used to (So I’ve heard). Weeknight show attendance depends on if they have early morning meetings.  Babysitters must be gotten and returned unharmed back to their own homes at a decent hour. Fans get old. Their priorities change. “You gotta respect that.  It just means you gotta keep getting new fans.” If the music is good, people will share it. If they move away, they share it with their new neighbors. If they have kids, they pass the music along. Every fan won’t be at every show. “But with a little buzz, it’ll work out”

With show awareness so prevalent these days, bands need more than just infrequency to create demand. They need to keep it different. Variety keeps fans interested. funkUs shows happen at camping festivals, charity fundraisers, even cruise ships. Jambando does more than offer an extended line up of Central Florida’s best jam and funk artists. Fans just have to go to each Jambando because each one is different from the last and won’t be anything like the next show. 

In December, Jambando presented ‘What Woodstock Jambando ‘79’ where fans can to discover what would happen if Woodstock had been in 1979. Local acts put on shows paying tribute to the likes of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Black Sabbath.  Fans enjoyed the added elements of food trucks, glass blowers, and local vendors.  The effort raised what could have been an average local music show to a head turning event. 

HAVE YOU SEEN YOUR SCENE?

Success is magnified when it’s shared with others. With the death of A&R departments and the expense of management companies still out of reach for many emerging artists, a music scene itself has an obligation to develop its own. That means artists need to help each other out. When bands get better, the scene gets better, the fans have more fun, and they get off their couches.

“We showcase a lot of up and coming bands.” Said Mann. Getting on a Jambando bill is a big deal in the scene. Even with a guaranteed audience, the hardest work isn’t done.  Playing bigger events can mean big opportunities. “It is up to [the bands] to make the most of those opportunities.”

Before anyone spends the next 5 days getting the mix just right on their latest single, consider recorded music’s place in history. Recorded music has not been around too long in the grand scheme of musical history. When labels and ‘industry insiders’ point to low album sales and declare that music has no value anymore they discount centuries of the thriving success of music scenes everywhere. Music is a part of our lives not because we can buy singles from the dashboard of our cars but because it connects us with community. 

Live music is where it’s at. Always has been. Always will be.

NEVER A NIGHT OFF

I’ve always loved going to see independent music shows. I get to hang with friends, meet new people, and hear some good tunes.  But all too often regular indie concert goers are made up of only music fans and not other musicians. Sure some musicians make the effort to at least pretend to care about their fellow bands in the scene but too many are only seen at their own shows or maybe only to promote their own shows.  

A recent conversation with Jonzey, bad ass fem fatale bass player for Sarasota, FL’s hard rock four piece, The D.O.O.D. (The Distinguished Order of Disobedience) demonstrated the huge value in going out when you’re not playing.

Q: How often do u go out to other band's shows? 

[Guitarist] Ray and I go to shows just about every weekend as fundage will allow. We focus on shows that are featuring  bands or venues that have supported us. We commonly drive out of town to support our local friends because we know how much it means to look out into the crowd and see family and friends. We also hold a local jam night on Fridays at our warehouse and many musicians gather and jam out cover tunes and all are welcome. 

Q:  Do you have set goals when you go out?

All we really do at the shows is mingle and meet people. It is a chance for us to get to know the people who are willing already to go out to shows. If we have a big show coming up we may pass out flyers or talk it up, but for the most part it just about making friends and having a good time.

Q:  What's something you've learned from seeing others perform?

I have learned a lot from others, but most importantly is passion. I have seen bands that can make you "feel" their song and I have seen others that just seem to be going through the motions. Another thing that is important is to be well rehearsed and know your parts.

Q: Any tips on selling more merch at shows?

I find that I make more sales walking around and asking others if they would like to buy something when I get off stage and initiating conversations than I do just anchored down to a table waiting for someone to stroll by.

Q: What’s a big DON’T when going out to others’ indie shows?

I think that the biggest faux pas would be talking shit about other bands and/or musicians. We should be there to support others and too often people are competing. We should be building each other up, not tearing each other down. I can always find something that a band does well. One of my favorite parts about being in the scene is watching bands and musicians grow with time.

Q:  I know “fundage” is scares for many. Is it tacky to ask to be on another band’s guest list?

I have been on lots of guests lists in my time but it is not from asking the bands. Many times bands aren't even given this perk now days. However owners and promoters who see us at every show often just waive us in or ask us if we’re coming so they can put us on the list.

Q:  What's a benefit The D.O.O.D has received from all this effort?

The benefits to supporting the scene are endless. You make friends and fans; you see what works and what people want to hear; your stage show improves; you are offered more shows, etc. If we want there to be a scene then it is our responsibility to create it.

Q:  Why go out of you don’t know any bands on the bill?

We have to show venues that we support them when they support local original music. You can be the best and in the world but if there is no place to play......