By Olivia Busceme
TASI Band Nite Coordinator
So now you’ve formed a band. You’ve gotten your stage legs, you’ve begun networking, and you’ve even written some songs. Now what? Start playing shows!
It’s easy enough to say, “Start contacting venues you want to play at and let them know you’re available.” However, just because you’re available, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready. Venues are going to need to know they can rely on your ability to draw a crowd and entertain their patrons before they’re going to take a leap and book some fresh new act off the street. The age-old question is, to paraphrase Cocker Spaniels, how to get a gig without experience and how to get experience without a gig. For lucky citizens of the Southeast Texas area, the answer is Band Nite.
As you may know, TASI hosts a monthly showcase of local musical artists who volunteer to perform their own original works before an all-ages audience. Performers must fill out an online application to be considered for booking, and when selected, will be offered up to 40 minutes of stage time to do with as they please, as long as the material being performed originates with the artist(s) performing it. While the opportunity is not limited to solely music, the majority of performers are musicians. And don’t blame me for the name, it was like that when I got here.
In order to be booked for Band Nite, performers are not required to have any internet presence, any promo photos, any demo recordings, albums or single releases, music available on streaming services, any music videos, or any merch to sell. But you will find, it helps. Make the most of the opportunity by having some of the aforementioned items prepared by the time your show comes around. Rally your fanbase, create brand recognition, and maybe even make a little cash by having items for sale like stickers, buttons, and homemade shirts or recordings. You can get really creative with merch. TASI makes digital and paper fliers available over a month before each show date (not all venues will do that for you, so take advantage). Practice using social media and word of mouth to let people know about your upcoming performance; it’s a skill you stand to gain from in future gigs, and your fans will appreciate knowing where to catch you playing.
With some planning, you may even be able to use your Band Nite performance as an opportunity to capture photos and live videos of your act. This will give you something to show to the booker at the venue of your potential next gig. Once you’ve got shows under your belt, a social media presence, images/videos/demos, then you’re already well on your way to having a full press kit and making your act seem ready for real gigs at real venues. And having run the gamut of Open Mics and Band Nite, you should have picked up a thing or two about show etiquette. More on that, next month.