Building a Better Scene

[Metal-X]

In case you are not aware, my band Blood Culprit is based out of Nashville, TN a.k.a. Music City, USA. So, that title alone would make one think that music does very well here..... riiiiiiiiight, maybe if we were a country band, but even then....

I've been playing with these guys for about 2 years now, been their audio engineer even longer than that, so I've had plenty of time to examine our scene and see what works and what doesn't. We do pretty well for ourselves, have access to good studios, songwriting professionals, and usually have good turnouts at our shows, but things could be way better. I know there is a metal scene waiting to emerge underneath this cities pop country image.... but I'm going to need some help.

I know there are cities out there that have a scene that is alive and thriving, and there is a lot to learn if people are willing to share how things are done in their area, what needs to be done, and what everyone can do to help build a better scene in their community. I'm a firm believer in the 80/20 rule. Meaning that by accomplishing the first 20% it can have 80% of the impact that you need to jump start things into gear.... its just finding that 20%. That being said, Nashville is in desperate need of help and we have the people willing and motivated to help..... just need to know how to approach it. So please help me answer a simple few questions about your scene:

How have you managed to reach most of your fans?

What kind of promotional tactics do you use to promote your shows, and what have you had the most success with?

Is there a known place in your scene that is frequented by your fans? If so, what kind of establishment is it?

How have you managed to reach out to your fans online in ways other than your facebook page?

Do the venues you frequent in your area have a regular draw for a crowd, or do you have to draw in the crowd for them?

How much help do you get from the venues in promoting your show there? If they do help, what seems to be their most successful strategy?

How much radio exposure does your local scene get, and does it have much impact?

Do you have a local alliance of bands in your area, and what percentage of your fans would you say you share between all of them?

What do you do at your shows that is unique and keeps the fans coming back?

What is unique about your scene that you think other scenes would benefit from?

And in general, what has given you the most success in reaching out and becoming a more establish and respected band in your community?

These are just a few questions I could think of off the top of my head. If you have anymore helpful tips for anybody trying to rebuild or revitalize their scene, please feel free to share them. I know there are lot of places where live music seems to be on its last leg and we need everyone's help to bring them back up!!! Please try to answer all the questions, even if you think you have nothing to add. It is a good judge of where the scene is at for everybody, so we can all learn build a better scene and start getting everyone off their couches and into the venues, drinking beers, and raising hell with everyone else!!! \m/

[DEADIRON]

Here's what I've learned from my experiences.

>How have you managed to reach most of your fans?
Word of mouth, and playing shows. One fan spreads it to 10, and at your next show they've brought some of their friends. Sticker your entire town to build name recognition and they will think you are a big deal. Then talk to people, whenever you get a chance. Make as many friends as possible. Every friend is a potential fan and vice versa.

>What kind of promotional tactics do you use to promote your shows, and what have you had the most success with?
Free ticket giveaway shows are the best to get a guaranteed group of people to see you for the first time. Go out to other bands shows, even if there isn't a national you're fond of, and meet people and hand out the free tickets and talk to people about your band. Try to condense what your band's music and image is about in two to three sentences and use this when you talk about it. Finally, day of show in person hangouts > phone calls > texts > facebook in terms of efficacy in mobilizing people.

>Is there a known place in your scene that is frequented by your fans? If so, what kind of establishment is it?
Yes. It's a 600 capacity venue called Peabody's in downtown Cleveland.

>How have you managed to reach out to your fans online in ways other than your facebook page?
Yes. Mailing lists still work, and there are other resources that expand your reach and give you new ways to have people plug in (SoundCloud, ReverbNation, OurStage, YouTube etc.)

>Do the venues you frequent in your area have a regular draw for a crowd, or do you have to draw in the crowd for them?
Most of the time we have to bring the draw. There are clubs that have built in draw and we try to mix up our shows with these clubs so we're not always hassling people to come to shows.

>How much help do you get from the venues in promoting your show there? If they do help, what seems to be their most successful strategy?

It depends - free ticket giveaway shows usually have free hotcard printing and such available. Getting other good bands with sizeable and DIFFERENT draws is the most important though. And working every day to promote.

>How much radio exposure does your local scene get, and does it have much impact?

There are several local radio stations that play our music as well as other local bands. College stations are the easiest to get in with.

>Do you have a local alliance of bands in your area, and what percentage of your fans would you say you share between all of them?

Yes. I'd say that 10- 20% of our show-going fans would go to our friends' shows.

>What do you do at your shows that is unique and keeps the fans coming back?

Intense live show with solid musicianship. People are there to see you thrash about like a retarded electrocuted bunny with endless energy while playing metal, which by its nature is technical. It's hugely important but I rarely see it in local bands.

>What is unique about your scene that you think other scenes would benefit from?

There's an air of cooperation that's going on in Cleveland right now that is new and refreshing. People are recognizing that united we can do a lot and demand a lot from the resources required to make a band (designs, printing, photos, etc.) and venues.

>And in general, what has given you the most success in reaching out and becoming a more establish and respected band in your community?

Don't be an asshole and be good at what you do. Always ask yourself what you can do better and realize that no one cares about your band as much as you do. Try to help others and when that's difficult, remember when no one helped you and how it felt. The most basic thing you can do is what you're asking from your fans and your fellow local bands - go out to shows and support bands by liking them on facebook, buying their shit, and listening to their sets.

Hope this helps.
Sunny
DEADIRON