May
NEWS: THE LET IT BURN AGENCY AND PITCHBACK STUDIOS
We entered a great new partnership with Aljoscha Sieg & Pitchback Studios.
Mar
NEWS: Marathonmann’s Debut Album “Holzschwert” out now
Marathonmann’s debut album “Holzschwert” (Century Media) just hit the streets.
Mar
BLOG: write one hit song and you’ll never have to work again
Everyone better grab their instruments now! If you manage to write only one average hit song you can probably retire right away. This Celebrity Networth article helps you do the math.
Mar
NEWS: The Haverbrook Disaster release new music video
The Haverbrook Disaster launched their first video of their upcoming Let it Burn Records album “Weather the World”. The song is called “The Chosen Few” and features Jesse of Stick To Your Guns.
Mar
BLOG: Music industry back on track!
Our beloved IFPI just informed the world in their latest report, that for the first time in 12 years the global music revenue rose. It’s only a fragile 0.3% and compared to its peak of $38 Billion the $16.5 Billion of 2013 doesn’t seem to be too impressive. However this is a strong signal that digital music is more and more taking its place. Digital sales are rising, streaming / subscription services are constantly growing and also revenue from licensing has grown a lot. So overall very good news or as the folks at Acuity.Music would put it: Embrace Digital!
Feb
BLOG: The live musician pt. 2: Dos and Don’ts off stage
The many likes and reblogs of my previous post (“The live musician: Dos and Don’ts on stage”) showed that there is either an urgent demand for enlightenment or that it simply was quite entertaining. Either way I gladly wrote a follow up, dealing with faux pas and right-doings that usually don’t happen on stage but everywhere else at a show.
There’s a lot of things artists have to learn along their way and everyone is very supportive and tolerant especially when it comes down to younger bands, but some musicians seem to not give a fuck about everything and everyone. When being at a show you have the chance to cooperate with and learn from a whole bunch of experienced music business professionals, so why the heck do some bands behave like 5-year olds at a McDonalds Birthday Party?
Here’s a few hints how to avoid making a complete idiot out of yourself and ruining your band’s career before it has even started:
Soundcheck is soundcheck not bandpractice
It is highly embarassing and completely annoying to show off your whacky guitar skills to the poor sound guy who is trying to make your crappy playing and fucked up amp settings sound bearable over the PA. Listen to his advice, play when he asks you to, play riffs that clearly reflects the sound of your band (not some crazy metal shit you are currently trying to figure out for your next youtube-cover) and put away your guitar once he’s done with checking your instrument. Same goes for drummers and bassists of course, only with singers it’s the exact opposite. Most of them don’t even show up for soundcheck and if they’re asked to check their mic, they just quietly mumble something like “check one two yeah thats alright” for a second and leave just to give the sound guy shitto put more vocals in the front mointors during the set.
Don’t be too picky about catering
I must admit that some show promoters clearly underestimate the importance of band catering. Bad food can be equally as dramatic as bad sound or a bassist that doesn’t show up. However it’s not an easy task to create quality food for 10-30 people and it’s simply impossible to cook a la carte and server everyone his favorite dish (as long as you are not Biffy Clyro). To avoid the worst, catering riders are really helpful. That’s where you can mark down all your allergies and other sensitives towards food. Make sure your catering rider is being sent to the promoter in due time before the show. Not sending a catering rider and then complaining about the food at a show is not an option. Well it is, but only for ignorant douchebags.
Set up up your merch properly
With guarantees for small bands in particular getting lower and lower you certainly have to rely on merch sales at every show to bring back home some bucks or at least break even. Since things at the venue can be very hectic I suggest you bring a merch guy who is taking care of business while you are doing soundcheck and during your set. Also make sure your merch table does not look like summer sale at Wal Mart and that your prices are reasonable. For more insight about how to handle your merch business I suggest you read: Big news: MERCH is the new MUSIC!
Show up at the merch table after the show
No matter if your band has a punk/hardcore background or if you’re playing in a jazz combo, your fans love to meet you after the show! The most appropriate place for a meet and greet is the merch table, so that’s where your band should gather after your set. In other words:
Don’t leave right after your set
A show is a lot more than only a chance to present your art on stage for 45 minutes. Usually it is a place where you are able to connect with all sort of important partners for your band. That includes show promoters, other bands, label A&Rs, people who know people but most important of all: your fans. In addition to this it is completely disrespectful towards the show promoter and the other bands. So please tell your girlfriend you won’t be back home for dinner.
As mentioned before: There’s no other situation where you are more visible as a band than on stage. This is a great opportunity to present your art and passion, make some amazing experiences you might never forget and enlarge the number of people who like what you do. Being invited to play a show, especially in places that are not your hometown, is the greatest and most valuable thing that could possibly happen to your band, but it’s only up to you to make the most of it. Don’t fuck it up.
Feb
NEWS: New Marathonmann Video
Marathonmann released a fun-video on Valentine’s Day. It’s a cover version of the evergreen “Dein ist mein ganzes Herz”, mostly known in Germany through Heinz Rudolph Kuntze.
Jan
NEWS: Marathonmann tourdates
Marathonmann will hit the road to support their upcoming debut album “Holzschwert” (Century Media):
supporting Heisskalt
07.03.2013 Frankfurt a.M. - Ponyhof
08.03.2013 Kaiserlautern - Kammgarn
10.03.2013 (AT) Wien - B72
15.03.2013 Dortmund - FZW (Club)
21.03.2013 Leipzig - Werk 2
22.03.2013 Dresden - Groove Station
23.03.2013 Erfurt - Museumskeller
28.03.2013 Köln - Underground
29.03.2013 Lübeck - Riders Cafe
30.03.2013 Hamburg - Headcrash
supporting Itchy Poopzkid
05.04.2013 Köln - Stollwerk
06.04.2013 Dortmund - FZW
11.04.2013 Frankfurt - Batschkapp
12.04.2013 Konzstanz - Kulturladen
13.04.2013 Stuttgart - LKA
supporting Boysetsfire
16.03.2013 Frauenau - Bürgerhalle Frauenau
Jan
NEWS: The Haverbrook Disaster on tour in april
The Haverbrook Disaster will be touring Europe together with STICK TO YOUR GUNS, FIRST BLOOD and HUNDREDTH to support their upcoming album “Weather the World” (Let it Burn Records).
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