Live Music Archive

Having many individuals that know who you are is always a benefit and not a hindrance.

Just the other day I got a call from a person who wanted to find out if I has been available to play bass with their band. I declined due to not having the room to take on another project but I gave them the number of a person else I knew that would fit the bill perfectly.

That day, that performer found a new bass player and so the story goes.

That experience got me thinking that pretty much everything that I do in my dealings with the music industry is based on who I know.

individuals like working with others whom they trust will do the job they want them to do or like recommending others for jobs that they can’t tackle themselves for one reason or another. I know that when this particular performer that has been looking for a bassist finally found one through my network I has been proud of myself. I has been glad to help a person out.

That is what networkings really all about though is not it? Helping people?

For anyone who is just starting out my recommenndation is to find as many individuals and go to as many functions and concert as you can.

Immerse yourself in your Local scene.

The more that people know who you are, the more opportunities that will open up for the taking. Become the squeaky wheel that gets all of the oil. Have that belief in yourself that you are benefit knowing and do not be afraid of knowledge.

One thing that you don’t do nonetheless is to get to know individuals for what they can do for you. Get to know them for who they are as a person. Others can spot your insincerity a mile away (especially us cynical musos) and that is a real turn-off.

Personally I’m chuffed when someone asks me for recommenndation or just wants to have a chat about how things are going for them, but only Assuming that they are genuine about it.

A exceptional place to start networking would be at open mic nights.

Get yourself involved in an open mic and just walk up to a person and say “hi”. Everyone is there for the same reason so there is some common ground. You might perhaps ask them If they’re going to be performing on that night and go from there.

Remember, the more you network the more you will be known and the more you’re known the more work you will get.

In time your ‘little black book’ of names will become your greatest asset.