your band pg2

ORGANIZE YOUR BAND

This may sound crazy, but many bands don't actually know who is in their band. They used a keyboard guy one time, another singer sometimes shows up, the old drummer thinks he's still in... these things are common. Take a moment to decide who is the band and who is a supporting part-timer. Make it known. Even starting-out bands who play only free gigs need some basic organization, it saves a lot of frustration.

The band also might not have established a leader, someone who acts as band spokesman. At times, it's just too obvious who's in charge ( Darryl writes all the tunes, owns the PA and provides the rehearsal room, so he's the main dude). Most bands, however, have a more evenly distributed list of contributions. If one person doesn't volunteer to be the business frontman, it may be important to choose one. This person acts as manager until the band gets solid enough to actually hire a manager outside the members. Managers get a cut of the bands money, and it's only fair. Many times the manager is a trusted friend. Most managers get 10% of proceeds. Some get more. If a bandmember is acting manager, allow him to get the extra cut, just to keep him motivated. Some bands give the managers cut to whoever gets a gig.

Most bands work in the hole, because they spend more on being in a band than they bring in at gigs. THAT'S OKAY! There are lots of things about being in a band that are so fulfilling, that it's worth the hassle of being in the red. The comraderie, the good times, the laughing fits, the shared energy... all these things are worth something more valuable than cash. If you fail to realize that, you probably won't be a musician for long. Good musicians play for the enjoyment of it, and hopefully figure out a way to make it pay off eventually. Some go on to make it their main living, some do not. Don't be too eager to discount a part time musician , or too quick to idolize a full time musician, because they may have identical musical skills. If their heart is in it, you will know it.

MONEY FROM GIGS?

Most young bands split gig money evenly. Many give a bigger share to the band leader or acting manager. Some pay the songwriter more than the others. There is no right way. This is important: always reimburse members first before distributing gig income. Profits are defined as income MINUS EXPENSES. Decide as a group how the profit will be split among you. This split can change for each gig, but work it out before the gig, not after.

Some bands have a band spokesman AND an acting manager, as different people. The spokesman answers all creative questions and the acting manager deals with all money questions. This can work well. Figure out who is more responsible with cash and who is more eloquent with reporters. Discover who has a mind for promotion, usually one person thinks along those terms better than the others. He can write press releases, call the local papers, pester the radio station, print the flyers, all that stuff. Thank him and reimburse his out-of-pocket costs! That stuff is mentally taxing, so don't under-value it. As your band gets more pro, hire a promotion guy if that stuff gets too time-consuming.