Playing Live: The Catch 22

Here is an excerpt from a more in depth article on getting and playing your first gig(s). I suggest you check it out here: http://www.creativedeconstruction.com/2009/10/think-outside-the-venue-to-get-that-first-gig/

Most new bands approach the first part of their careers like this: We need to find an audience, but in order to find an audience we have to play shows. If we want to play shows we have to get a talent buyer to book us, but talent buyers are going to want to know we can draw an audience before they’ll ever consider letting us play. It’s a frustrating catch-22.

The most important concept that I want to get across is that the only person who can hold you back from launching your career is yourself. Booking agents, talent buyers, club owners – none of these people owe you anything. They are never going to care as much about what you are doing as you do, and you shouldn’t expect them to. If one of these gatekeepers is standing in your way there is no reason why you shouldn’t simply find a way to go around them. Independent artists live and die on their ability to find creative solutions for difficult problems. So get creative.

View full article here:

http://www.creativedeconstruction.com/2009/10/think-outside-the-venue-to-get-that-first-gig/