How to Make a Flyer
In this post I will impart the 6 things to keep in mind when making a flyer for a show or event. It may seem simple and trivial, but a good flyer/poster will give people all the information they need to make up their mind to come to your show or not.
The purpose for the flyer/poster is to entice people who don’t know your band or the other bands playing to come check you out. You are asking them to take their leisure time and hard-earned money and spend a fraction of it with you. Also, the flyer needs to communicate to your fans and provide them an incentive to return to your concert. Here’s what 10 year of making flyers has taught me:
1) Highlight the date – The most important element is the time element. “When is the show?” is the most important question in your potential concert-goers mind. Also, the time the show starts is a nugget of information to never omit.
Timeless Advice to Musicians from Thelonius Monk
My buddy Wes Price from Polysound Studios sold me on the fact that this handwritten note was created by Jazz God Thelonius Monk in 1960 as an advice sheet for his new drummer. I think that most of the advice here is valid for anyone in the music business. This is a great companion piece to Quincy Jones’ SXSW Keynote speech. Enjoy!
The Rock and Roll Report Cool Indie Record Label Feature is on Mohawk Bomb Records
Today, The Rock and Roll Report features an interview with your truly about the label, our plans for 2009 and my hopes of giving Austin, TX a run for its money as the live music capital of the World. Thanks to Mark B. for making it happen and to Steven from Black Diamond Love for the referral. Check out the whole interview here…
Photos from Apr 11 MBR Showcase @ Gasoline Alley
Thanks to Jon LaFrance (JLPhotography), we have some badass photos from our first ever showcase this past weekend at Gasoline Alley in Largo, FL. Enjoy the photos below:
No Lip Vol. 3 Submissions Open Today through Sonicbids
No Lip Vol. 3 Submissions Open Today through Sonicbids.
Mohawk Bomb Records is an emerging, Web 2.0, artist-friendly music promotions label with the mission of spreading the word about undiscovered bands. They are pleased to announce the their next compilation project, No Lip Vol. 3. 1,000 copies will be pressed and distributed to 300 music writers and bloggers. Mohawk Bomb Records is now accepting submissions from Sonicbids artists to appear on the compilation.
Accepted genres include Rock, Alternative, Indie, Punk, Metal, Pop, Emo, Goth, Industrial, etc. There are 8 slots reserved for Sonicbids artists and 2 of those artists will have the participation fee waived. All bands will be featured on our Free Song of the Day download newsletter that goes out to our fan and media distribution lists.
Sonicbids enables you to get a press kit to anyone electronically.
- Create your EPK™ (Electronic Press Kit) in 20 minutes or less
- Email your EPK™ to anyone, anywhere and save time & money
- Exclusive one-click submissions to hundreds of events
- Daily email alerts about festivals, competitions and other music events that you should know about
- Edit your EPK as often as you like, no matter where it’s been sent (it updates automatically)!
Submission period: Apr 8 2009 through July 5 2009. Selected artists will be notified by July 30 2009.
Soulfound performs “Occupation” on CL Sessions
This is the final Soulfound performance ever recorded.
How to Book a Tour in 7 Steps
Touring is hard. With the current economy, its even tougher for independent bands to hit the road and actually make some money. Despite the financial constraints, touring is the most effective way to spread your music across the land. Sure MySpace will get you some ears, but nothing beats seeing the band live, seeing them sweat all over their instruments and meeting them after a gig. Touring is what the music business was built on and is a tradition that will never go away.
Many new bands ask me how they can go about booking a tour. Everyone is so eager to hit the road. I always tell them that it takes patience, perseverance and planning. Also, it takes money and self-sacrifice and its not for everyone. If your bass player needs to mommy and daddy (or his girlfriend) to tuck him in every night, or if your singer needs to eat sushi everyday and wash it down with Evian, chances are touring might not be the best for your band. If you get sick of a car after 2 hours of driving, don’t even THINK about touring.
