Village Whiskey Opening
Managers: Can not live with them … but Can not Live Without Them
You can not throw a rock in any metropolis on Earth without hitting someone said to be a manager. Where musicians go, managers follow. It is so accepted and expected in the entertainment industry and out of addiction to cocaine, control or non-payment of taxes. When you tell people you're a musician, one of the first things you'll be asked is: Do you have a manager? However, those shoots in the music industry even knows to ask a more precise question: Do you have a good manager?
"What is the difference?" You may ask. Is not any manager better than no manager at all? If you think the answer to that question is unequivocal: "Yes" in reality is a bit like asking "Is not having a herpes-ridden prostitute for a girlfriend better than being alone?" Actually, the representation is much worse than bad the lack of representation. While it is a fact that there are things your band will probably never achieve without the help of a manager, agent, entertainment attorney, etc, poor representation can stagnate a career … stop dead in his throwing climbing the ranks of stardom, or even worse … undo some of the hard work has already made the band.
Sad but true, a bad manager can have a band in perfect condition and turn them into something so bad that the old gypsy women covering their faces with rags will spit and give his band the evil eye when passing. Ok, this may be a bit dramatic, but seriously … your whole group really has is his name and reputation, so why have an opportunity in any of those putting all of his band in the hands of someone you're not 100% sure has your best interests at stake?
The following are some tips to help you figure out if your manager can take you to the top or turn your band in failure:
1.) The bride's drummer is not an administrator — Sure, it is possible to obtain the names of your mailing list, invite your team beach volleyball girl every concert and post your latest photos in your photo gallery website but in reality it is your manager. She is an assistant who can be president of her fan club, the head of your street team and the world's sexiest roadie, but probably do not know how to assemble a press kit and make calls that will give you access to an office of A & R representative for a meeting. This also applies to: boyfriends, wives, husbands, booty calls, one night, mothers, fathers, cousins, aunts, uncles, neighbors, nieces, nephews, grandparents, grandchildren, pets and the vagabond roots through your trash at midnight. All these people may be well intentioned and may accept their help in dozens of points (it takes a village to build a popular unsigned band) but do not give them the label or the powers of a manager.
2.) Treasure Your Fans But do not let them manage — This should be a given, but you'll be surprised so many obsessed, move slightly obsessed fans of semi-stalker to mega-manager of a week simple. I can not stress this concept simply wrong in its entirety for two reasons dozen large the most important of which is: fans have to stay away. There is a reason why that same person comes to all programs regardless of the amount you play, get there early, sits up front seemingly paralyzed starring at you enraptured. Or you're in love with someone in the band or they're crazy. These may be reasons not to get a restraining order, but certainly reasons for your manager to someone. A band manager knows every secret of each musician, every person in the personal life of each member, in which to save your money, in which live, and that your fan / contact database. This is not information you want someone 450 has cut out pictures of you in your ceiling rooms have in their possession. Enough said?
3.) Do not sign a contract unless it's worth — control as Manager. That why they choose to managers and people who macramé wall hangings with the mane hair of horses. Therefore, most managers will try to evoke in the signing a contract. In the entertainment industry, contracts are like marriage certificates before … a sure sign that your band wants to be linked to the same person for a long time (one year, two years, five years, etc) because they are much easier to get that out. For example, if you sign a contract with an efficient, but somewhat green manager, who is helping all he / she can get everything possible from the limited resources it has and then Gwen management team Stefani approaches you after a show and want to tour with John Mayer. Do you think that if you tell them, "We are delighted to bring his tour, but we are under contract with another person for the next five years, then we can hit up? "The offer will still be standing? Not so much. Therefore, if you have to sign contracts, keep them short and make sure you leave room to act, think, play and communicate with others without obtaining authorization from your band director (manager). Y which includes an exit clause. Read up on it.
4.) Sometimes more is not better — Although it is a huge ego blow to brag to all the other musicians between racks at the Whiskey A Go-Go that your manager works with Grammy award winners and the state of settlements, sometimes an unsigned band can get lost in a management company enormous. While Mr. Big Stud Manager is busy picking Madonna Dress American Music Awards, you may forget to ask Quincy Jones to attend his concert birthday bassist Billy-Bob Tofu Wang Shack BBQ. The problem with huge managers is that their focus is often the acts that they are doing 15% of 100 million dollars a year. Its 15% of $ 45.75 a year after expenses is probably not your top priority now or never, and the good are your contacts industry super surprising if he does not remember to invite them to your concerts?
Having a manager is great, but only if they provide more benefits than the sum band total members of his band and band helpers can do for yourself. If you find someone who can open doors, places to take your music can not go on and have your their best intentions in his heart, then grab the contract, sign it and enjoy the benefits. If not, you will find: conned, stalked, ignored and / or legal obligation to someone who puts his own agenda (well intentioned or not) and his own ego above what's right for you band. And whatever you do, do not sit around and wait that Mr. / Mrs. Right to whisk his band off your feet and takes off his white horse to fairyland, where everyone has a recording contract. You, as members, more than anyone know how to do what is right for your band and nothing is going to attract the perfect manager faster than the musicians who are already there; doing his thing, and move in a very difficult business with a great attitude and great music.
About the Author
Sheena Metal is a radio host, producer, promoter, music supervisor, consultant, columnist, journalist and musician. Her syndicated radio program, Music Highway Radio, airs on over 2,400 affiliates to more than 126 million listeners. Her musicians’ assistance program, Music Highway, boasts over 10,000 members. She currently promotes numerous live shows weekly in the Los Angeles Area, where she resides. For more info: http://www.sheena-metal.com.
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