Getting gigs / getting yourself out there

electrogrimey

Anyone have any insider knowledge/experience on the best ways of getting club gigs and promoting yourself?

I've got two small residencies, the Bernard Shaw and Twisted Pepper, but I'd love to get into the bigger clubs, both for the atmosphere, and the money :pac:

I've gotten to know a good few promoters pretty well, and I'm chatting to them and sending them mixes, that's how I got the other gigs, but is there any other way? And how do you go about getting gigs at nights not run by your friends?

There's been a few people asking about this on here, so it'd be good to have a little collection of knowledge here.

Zascar

I think you're doing pretty dam well with residencies in Twisted Pepper and Bernard Shaw mate - fair play... I think you've hit on the main points, keep doing what you are doing and it will come, it definitely takes time though, and its sometimes more about networking than anything else. Don't forget about online - obviously not as good as getting out there to gigs and meeting and talking to people, but when not doing that you can still network through facebook etc - just don't slut yourself around. Get a soundcloud account and put your music up and build your network and comment on other people's stuff. You cannot expect people to go listening to your mixes if you are not actively listening to theirs and providing feedback etc.

Others will have more experience than me here but it looks like you're doing fairly well already so just keep up the momentum, and good luck!

Pandoras Twist

Zacars advice is pretty much spot on (also you can be cheeky and "like" your own soundcloud on Stumble so it shows up for people with Dance and Electronic as on of their preferences). Joining Clubbing Forums such as irishclubbing and DMI can help get you in touch with promotors in other areas, and feedback on mixes

The only other option I can think of is to book an act yourself and play support to get your name more notice...but as has been said on this a few times...promoting is a bit of a mugs game.

Helix

Pandoras Twist wrote: »

Joining Clubbing Forums such as irishclubbing and DMI

dmi is dead

long live www.emireland.com :P

Diageio_Man

Helix wrote: »

dmi is dead

long live www.emireland.com :P

ha ha enter the thunderdome.

/\ NIGHTFLIGHT

We wouldn't give anyone a gig on the strength of a mix on soundcloud.

Being in the venue that you want to play and talking to the promoter is your best bet. Or just put on your own night.

Pandoras Twist

Helix wrote: »

dmi is dead

long live www.emireland.com :P

I was a member back in the day. (Even have the uber respectable "first day of the revolution" join date) Heard it was dead too though now

hans aus dtschl

Nah EMI's in fine nick really. Not as busy as c-ie in its heyday but it's still going strong.

Topic-at-hand:

To the original poster:

Running a clubnight seems to be one certain way to get gigs.
Similarly, producing music seems to win people over too.
Get mixes up online (especially live-sets) too.

This all helps on a local level. But I can't get outside of that local thing myself. I'm in a similar situation to you: I don't want "recognition" or a "name" I just want to play in spots I don't know inside out. I've 3 residencies locally and can't get out of the local area. Maybe we're just not good enough, you and I, though. Bear that in mind: that maybe this is as good as it gets.

The latest way for people to get ahead seems to be through constant facebook spam. I'm not sure if the general public is buying into it or what, but it's one development I definitely despise. Lot of it going on.

I also hate people asking outright for gigs. I much prefer when people say "have a listen to my mix and tell me what you think".

For what it's worth:
With our (very small) night, I'm much more inclined to get people in who come in often and know the crowd/music we have, more so if they talk to me regularly about what's influencing them and even more so if they mention they have some of the records they hear inside, or mention some parties or places where they've played them. The biggest thing then is for them to just give a mix, or ask to play for free to get experience.
I'd rather give someone who's looking to better themselves a slot than someone who just wants "a gig".
For us, its critical that people don't pester us for gigs. Don't think anyone we've ever had in has asked us for the gig.

Táck

dont be telling him to go to emi, he's got his whole future ahead of him. if you want some advice, dont use emi electrogrimey. you wouldnt like it.

if you want to push on, produce music.

Diageio_Man

happy b-day tack ha ha.

copeyhagen

Diageio_Man wrote: »

happy b-day tack ha ha.

Birthdays
Birthdays

Congratulations to: tack (27)

hahaha good call man!

Táck

Thanks, my bird got me a savage air guitar so I'm just learning how to play it all mornin