Live Music Archive

Having a lot of people that know who you are is always a value and not a hindrance.
Just the other day I got a call from an individual who wanted to find out if I was 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 an individual 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 business is based on who I know.
people like working with others whom they trust will do the job they want them to do or like recommending others for jobs that they cannot tackle themselves for one reason or another. I understand that when this particular performer that was looking for a bassist finally found one through my network I was proud of myself. I was glad to endorse an individual out.
That’s what networkings really all about though is not it? Helping people?
For everybody who is just starting out my recommenndation is to find as a lot of people and go to as a lot of functions and performances as you can.
Immerse yourself in your local/regional 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 value knowing and do not be afraid of knowledge.
One thing that you do not do nonetheless is to get to know people for what they could do for you. Get to know them for who they’re as a individual. Others could spot your insincerity a mile away (especially us cynical musos) and that is a real turn-off.
Personally I’m chuffed when an individual asks me for recommenndation or just wants to have a chat about how things are going for them, but only If the y are genuine about it.
A amazing place to start networking would be at open mic evenings.
Get yourself involved in an open mic and just walk up to an individual and say “hi”. Everyone is there for the same reason so there is some common ground. You could perhaps ask them If the y are going to be performing on that night and go from there.
Do not forget, the more you network the more you will be known and the more you are known the more work you will get.
In time your ‘little black book’ of names will become your  greatest  asset.