Why are some artists constantly on the road while others can't get past their hometown gigs? In this episode, we talk with Will Johnston, booking agent at Intrepid Artists to better understand the ins and outs of working with booking agents to expand your music’s reach.
Episode Title: Why Do Some Bands Tour Non-Stop While Others Never Leave Home? Understanding the Role of Booking Agents
Guest: Will Johnston - Booking Agent, Intrepid Artists (www.intrepidartists.com / @interepidartists)
Host: Tony Neely
Topics Discussed:
Role of a Booking Agent: Will Johnston explains the daily tasks of securing gigs for artists, from concerts and festivals to private events, and the negotiation process involved.
Intrepid Artists' Genre Focus: Intrepid Artists primarily deals with blues, blues rock, and related genres like New Orleans roots, funk, and soul rock and roll.
Booking Independently vs. Agency: Will discusses the advantages of booking with an agency, like leveraging established relationships to secure better gigs.
Choosing Artists for Representation: Will shares how Intrepid chooses artists, from online discoveries to artist submissions on their website.
Artist Submission Do's and Don'ts: Will emphasizes professionalism in communication, demonstrating previous success, and showing potential for growth.
EPKs and Websites: The importance of having a detailed website or EPK for a quick and comprehensive view of the band's profile is discussed.
Looking for in Booking Agents: Will advises artists on what to look for in booking agents, such as genre fit, and active touring artists on the roster.
Agency's Payment Structure: Intrepid Artists typically takes 10% of the gross deal, with some variations depending on the situation.
Merch Sales: Will clarifies that Intrepid never takes a cut from a band's merchandise sales.
Handshake Deals: Intrepid operates on handshake deals, allowing flexibility and ensuring that both parties are satisfied with the partnership.
Booking Process: Will describes the collaborative process of booking shows and festivals with artists.
Getting Booked at Festivals: Challenges for independent bands to get festival slots and strategies to stand out are discussed.
Finding Talent Buyers: Tips on identifying talent buyers for festivals, including city contacts and Pollstar Pro account usage.
Effective Communication with Venues: Will advises on the balance between being persistent and annoying when reaching out to venues.
Opening Slots for Bigger Acts: Strategies for landing opening slots for bigger acts and the typical structure of such deals are covered.
General Advice for Artists: Will encourages persistence, improving one's craft, and networking within the industry.
Upcoming Events:
Intrepid Artists' 30th-anniversary celebration in Charlotte, NC, from November 8-10, with performances from their roster. Check the Intrepid Artists website and social media for more information.
As always, if you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and following us on social media. Links are available at www.bookyourbandpodcast.com