Spring Break
Music managers share tips
Trading favors, online options among advice
Melissa Crowe
Issue date: 11/21/08 Section: NEWS
If blaring guitars sound better than pencil scuffs across graph paper and stardom has been a dream, suit up and prepare to rock.
Before offers for platinum records and movie deals start rolling in, a band has to market itself, said Graham Richards, co-owner of Denton-based publishing and booking company Richards Bros. Music.
Appearance counts, Richards said.
"It's just like going to a job interview and wearing a suit," said Sid Goldsmith, manager of Denton band Oso Closo.
Oso Closo crafted its image to its level of musicianship, Richards said.
"But it wasn't done at the expense of their music," he said.
Goldsmith said an "air of professionalism" is the key element.
Sell a package with promotional pictures, a well-designed Web site and eye-catching merchandise to compliment good music, he said.
"To make the money you want, you have to present the image that you make that kind of money," Richards said.
With a well-developed image, bands can "guerrilla market" themselves via promotions on MySpace.com, Facebook.com or ReverbNation.com. MyDentonMusic.com helps promote artists and venues in Denton's music scene.
The site can help artists break into a new audience, owner Tony Spiro said.
"Use Web sites' organizational tools," Goldsmith said. "Anything to spread the word. The Internet is the new wave of marketing."
Stream music, make Web banners and share with friends.
K Ishibashi, lead singer for Jupiter One out of New York City, said having a manager who constantly comes up with innovative ideas helped his band get songs on popular video games like "Madden NFL 08," "NHL 08" and "Burnout: Paradise."
Bands need managers who can "turn you into money" and know how to make money, Ishibashi said.
If the money isn't pouring in, Goldsmith said try to cut costs by designing a poster that will work for every show.
"Don't spend money at all if you can avoid it," he said. "I try to trade favors."
Richards said if musicians are spending money, they should allocate exactly where each investment will go and how they can make more.
Passing out CDs at a party or giving away free stickers doesn't give a "professional" look, Spiro said.
"I don't think people will listen to your free demo," he said. "They won't take you seriously."
Before offers for platinum records and movie deals start rolling in, a band has to market itself, said Graham Richards, co-owner of Denton-based publishing and booking company Richards Bros. Music.
Appearance counts, Richards said.
"It's just like going to a job interview and wearing a suit," said Sid Goldsmith, manager of Denton band Oso Closo.
Oso Closo crafted its image to its level of musicianship, Richards said.
"But it wasn't done at the expense of their music," he said.
Goldsmith said an "air of professionalism" is the key element.
Sell a package with promotional pictures, a well-designed Web site and eye-catching merchandise to compliment good music, he said.
"To make the money you want, you have to present the image that you make that kind of money," Richards said.
With a well-developed image, bands can "guerrilla market" themselves via promotions on MySpace.com, Facebook.com or ReverbNation.com. MyDentonMusic.com helps promote artists and venues in Denton's music scene.
The site can help artists break into a new audience, owner Tony Spiro said.
"Use Web sites' organizational tools," Goldsmith said. "Anything to spread the word. The Internet is the new wave of marketing."
Stream music, make Web banners and share with friends.
K Ishibashi, lead singer for Jupiter One out of New York City, said having a manager who constantly comes up with innovative ideas helped his band get songs on popular video games like "Madden NFL 08," "NHL 08" and "Burnout: Paradise."
Bands need managers who can "turn you into money" and know how to make money, Ishibashi said.
If the money isn't pouring in, Goldsmith said try to cut costs by designing a poster that will work for every show.
"Don't spend money at all if you can avoid it," he said. "I try to trade favors."
Richards said if musicians are spending money, they should allocate exactly where each investment will go and how they can make more.
Passing out CDs at a party or giving away free stickers doesn't give a "professional" look, Spiro said.
"I don't think people will listen to your free demo," he said. "They won't take you seriously."
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