Advancing Shows

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Advancing Shows

After you book a show, send promo material to the club and to the local press. Send a press kit plus a poster design if they will use it. Some clubs will deal with electronic files, but most won't. Ask ahead of time. A few places will even book based on an MP3, but ask first. And make sure it's an easy download, direct URL, not some service (like MP3.com or worse ) where you have to jump through a bunch of hoops and give a bunch of demographic info to download. Because they won't do it.

Then advance the show. This means calling and e-mailing four weeks, two weeks, one week, and two days before the gig and letting them know you're on the way, and making sure the club hasn't been burned down by fundamentalist Christians. (You laugh ? It happened to Bomb.) Call them when you're pulling in to town, too, about a half hour away, so they can let the soundman know. And if you're gonna be late at all (you did get the time for load in and the time for soundcheck on your Excel spreadsheet when you booked the show, right?), call. Call if you're going to be late for anything with anyone , for any appointment, not just on tour.

All this advancing of shows may seem like overkill, but it's not. It all makes things flow better. And if you find out that the show is cancelled four or five days in advance (they won't always call you if it is), you can either scramble for a replacement or at least re-route your driving to something more comfortable.

And make sure you get good directions from the freeway to the club. And bring maps. You don't want to get lost pulling into town. Especially since a lot of clubs are in less than good neighborhoods because the rents are cheaper.

Figure 16.11. An Albatross bass.

Figure 16.12. An Albatross singer .

NOTE

Be early for everything: interviews, gigs, practice, whatever. Get to that end of town, check in with the people, and then kill some time there. Eat lunch near your destination. It's the way to always be on time.

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