Shock Value Music Webzine

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Volume 2 Issue 3 September, 1998

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CONTENTS

Gemini, Artist of the Month
FOCUS ARTICLE: Getting Gigs
Concert Dates
What's Hot on the Internet
Mainstream Music News Headlines
Gossip Headlines
The Charts

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Welcome!

Welcome to another edition of Shock Value Music Webzine. If you have never read Shock Value before, you should know that it's a free online magazine written for and about unsigned and independent bands, singers, songwriters and musicians. You can send us an ad for your CD/tape and your concert listings and we'll print them for free. You may also send us your CD for consideration for our Artist of the Month section, or send us your URL for consideration for our Performer Page of the Month feature. For CD/tape submissions, send your package to: P.O. Box 303, North Bend, Ohio 45052. We know you have a busy schedule, that's why we print Shock Value all on one webpage so that you can print it out and take it with you. If you would like to know more about me, professionally; I've been in the music business for over 13 years, and have been employed in radio and television broadcasting for over ten years. If you would like to know more about me, personally; you can visit the Cauley family's webpage. If you would like to help spread the word about Shock Value, visit our banner exchange page, or see the instructions following the top ten chart.

Thank you and enjoy! -C.J. Cauley (Editor)

Artist of the Month
Gemini

What's your sign? If you answered Gemini, you are capable of juggling many tasks at once. That could sum up Tony and Tommy Perrone's contribution to their debut CD, Long Time Coming. They wrote every song, with the exception of two covers. They also played every instrument, performed all the vocals, and arranged, produced, engineered and mixed every song at their studio, Doppelganger Recording, in Yonkers, New York. These brothers have put together an interesting mix of music genres in their debut effort. They take you from pop to jazz to funk and back again. Tommy and Tony, as you can see, are identical twins, together they are Gemini.

Gemini's biography boasts a "a unique blend of pop, r&b, rock, funk, jazz, and dance music," and I couldn't agree more. When I first popped in the CD and started listening to Feels Like Yesterday, I was thinking 'pop,' but I soon changed my mind--over and over again. Someone to Look Forward To felt like old motown in the beginning, but evolved into a pop/r&b mix. My favorite track is The One I Need. It has perfect jazz accents and an infectious chorus. In between the refrains, the music reminds me of Barry White, and incidentally, Gemini covers a Barry White tune on this album. I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More, Baby was written by White in 1973. My Kinda Love has great key action and leans toward the funky side of Gemini's intricate musical style. Also funky is Can't Let You Go, an upbeat track that verges on the edge of Blues.

Long Time Coming also delves into the jazz arena. The title track is a great example of a cool jazz tune with great harmonies and horns. The horns are a nice change from today's dull tunes. A lot of bands these days have either guitar or piano, not both, and drums, that's it. Gemini opens up their music to an entire new realm with the additional sounds. Long Time Coming dabbles in yet another musical style, blues, with Blues For You. Gemini are able to fuse jazz and blues together for this sweet tune. Blues For You was also unique in that it had no chorus. Songs can get so structured these days that they end up losing the art and just becoming well organized clusters, so it's nice to see a band willing to deviate from the norm. Gemini also covered a great Bob Marley tune, Waiting in Vain, adding a special jazz twist and great harmonies. Comparable to Waiting in Vain is a fabulous reprise of My Kinda Love at the end of the CD. Gemini calls it the "Lounge Mix," it's a terrific jazz arrangement.

Tony and Tommy Perrone have been performing professionally since they were thirteen. They already have a large following and have received airplay on several college radio stations. Gemini has also received airplay on The Keg, an internet-only radio show. The brothers also produce other artists. In their bio, Tommy and Tony say they want to create "music that will affect people in a positive way." I definitely think they've succeeded there. Gemini have found their niche in the music business, the only thing left to do is get the word out. Someone once said that Naomi Judd was the only person in the world that could harmonize well with Wynonna because of their family ties. Hearing Gemini you'll understand just how well a family connection can benefit vocal harmonies. They have a very professional sound, versatile and polished. With their unusual style, it's almost guaranteed that Gemini will catch the attention of an ambitious A & R rep sometime soon.

To be considered for Shock Value's Artist of the Month section, please send a press kit and CD to: Shock Value, P.O. Box 303, North Bend, Ohio 45052

Gemini
Long Time Coming, now available
Check out Gemini's website
E-mail Gemini@twinworks.com for more information.

FOCUS ARTICLE:
Getting Gigs

Gigs range from regular bar and club gigs to occasional corporate gatherings and bar mitzvahs. Weddings can be quite lucrative, but the bigger money is in private parties. You can also find work at country clubs, tennis clubs, yacht clubs, and even company picnics. There are a lot of opportunities out there, and although DJ services have been stealing away some business, there are still a lot to choose from. Then, there's also touring gigs. There is the question of booking your own gigs or hiring a booking agent. There are also decisions to be made about equipment, attire, and the owner/performer relationship. We'll try to cover all of the bases here and give you a little insight on all aspects of playing out from your play list to your persuasive techniques.

Before you start looking for gigs, you'll need a submission package. Your package should include a cover page, a one page bio, one page press clippings, a business card, photo, an optional video tape, and, of course, your demo. We've covered submission packages in complete detail in previous issues of Shock Value, so check out our past issues for more extensive information. Your cover letter should be short and to the point, basically stating who you are, a few accomplishments, and why you'd be a great performer for that particular venue. Your bio is self explanatory, just keep it to one page, be honest and don't exaggerate. Your clippings should be a couple of lines from each article, including the by-line and the name of the publication it came from. Your business card should be hard stock, not the cheap computer cards, if you can avoid it, and should have a logo, if possible. Also use a logo on your letterhead paper and envelope. Your photo should be professionally done and should have all of your contact information printed at the bottom. A video would give the owner a terrific idea of how you are as a performer, so I strongly encourage you to have one. We covered getting a video done for free in our May, 1998 issue, please click on the link to check it out. Your demo is another story.

Your demo can be done in several different ways, all acceptable to bar/club owners. First, is the obvious, going into a recording studio and producing a demo. You don't have to spend a fortune. There are studios that range from 20-80 dollars an hour that are just as good as the $200/hour studios. Make sure you ask to hear samples that the engineer recorded and mixed. Your recording is only as good as your engineer. If you can't afford that, a home studio could be an option for you. Your equipment won't be as high quality as a professional studio, but you can still get a good sound of it. Some people record basic tracks at a studio, then take the tape home for overdubs and mixes. The third option is a live tape. Some club owners like this option better simply because it's more real. You can do a lot of fancy editing in a studio to make a bad band sound good, but live is live and gives the owner a better idea of how you'll sound if you play their venue. The best way to record a live performance is with a multitrack recorder. As with home recording, you may have to do some submixing, but these days, you can buy digital multitracks that don't lose generations like analog recorders. You could also use a DAT, but there would be no post-recording mixing involved with that method. Once it's recorded you can go to any duplication house to dub copies. You can find duplication house listings in Electronic Musician. You don't have to hire your own personal graphic artist for the CD cover art, you can make it yourself on your computer. Make sure your CD, along with everything else is labeled. The CD should be labeled on the actual disc with contact information also.

Now it's time to pound the pavement. First, you'll want to start a log, including the names and contact information of local club/bar owners. If you have friends in the business that can tell you what the club pays, that would certainly be helpful, especially when it comes to setting a price for your fee. Some clubs have a standard rate that they pay all performers, but other ask what you charge and haggle from there. You don't want to blow them away or sell yourself short. You need to call the club before you send/deliver your demo and ask for permission. Keep a record of who you spoke to each time you called in your log. You may choose to meet certain owners in person, depending on the venue. Some can be much more lucrative than others. If you do go in person, try to get the person to watch your video or listen to your CD while you're there. Once they have your submission package, keep following up with calls (without being a nuisance) until something comes out of it.

There are some things to watch out for. Some club owners may ask to see you perform live before hiring you. If you have other gigs you can just invite them down, but if you don't, you may want to set up a freebie gig somewhere. This is the only time you should accept a freebie gig, unless you do something that benefits a charity. Be wary of anyone that wants you to perform one free concert before they'll hire you, or worse yet, someone that offers to "allow" you to play for free in exchange for exposure, avoid them all together. Also beware of anyone that offers you a "door" gig. These gigs don't guarantee any money, except a percentage of what's made at the door. Several problems can arise there, like getting shorted by the club, or not drawing enough people to make enough money to make it worth your while. There are crooks out there, it's hard not to be taken at least once. You may also find a club/bar that has an "audition night." Make sure you invite as many friends and family as possible that night to ensure your acceptance. You would use this same method for pubs, coffeehouses, bookstores, restaurants, anything remotely similar.

Other venues are very similar. Wedding bands and bar/club bands are traditionally very different. Wedding bands perform a lot of traditional covers and are normally a lot bigger, often times having two lead singers, one male, one female. If you want to perform at weddings, you'll want to make contacts with other wedding bands/performers so that they can refer people to you if they are already booked on a given night. You'll also want to contact wedding planners and advertise your services at photography studios, bakeries that design wedding cakes, any business having to do with weddings. Keep in mind you may be expected to be the master of ceremonies at the reception. This is a duty not everyone can be successful at. You would announce the bride and groom, the first dance, the garter, the bouquet throwing, the cutting of the cake, etc. You also need a huge repertoire of music, including many different musical styles. Formal wear is usually required as well, which can put a dent in the pocket book, not to mention cramping your style. Make sure you know what you're getting into. Get to know some wedding bands/performers and sit in on a reception if you can. This is just a gig to you, but it's one of the most important days in the lifetime of the bride and groom, you should think about them. If you can't handle the responsibility, you should look into other types of gigs.

College gigs are handled in the same manner as clubs and bars. You can contact the college and find out who handles booking for their events. You can also try on-campus venues like coffeehouses and pubs. Other good contacts are fraternities and sororities. Each has some sort of entertainment chairperson that handles bookings. For more information, you can contact the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) at (803) 732-6222. The NACA not only helps you find booking agents, but they also hold conventions where performers can try to get gigs. There is an endless list of gigs you can acquire using this same method. There are bar mitzvahs, where you'd want contacts with local synagogues and Jewish meeting places. There are country clubs, tennis clubs, yacht clubs, and others that hire bands/performers for various parties and events. That leads us to corporate parties, special events, conventions, meetings, presentations and picnics. Party Planners are good contacts for those type of events as well. The corporate gigs can pay more than weddings, so they are definitely nice if you can get them. There are hotel gigs, which are usually reserved for touring bands, but there's always the possibility of the occasional dinner or dance where a local band/performer is needed. Some of the previous mentioned gigs may be a "continuous engagement." Just be aware that a "continuous engagement" means that the band never stops playing. Since these things can last four hours, band members will have to take turns taking breaks and that could require a lot of planning with the play list. Don't forget the private party circuit as well, once again a good time to have party planner contacts.

Touring is a whole other story. Booking agents aren't generally a good idea for local gigs, but almost a necessity for touring gigs. They typically take 15% of your earnings, but it's worth it to avoid the hassle. Again, there is a separation that occurs because club bands would play in medium to large clubs while wedding-type bands would probably play at hotels and talent showcases. There are also increasing opportunities at casinos. You're not restricted to Reno, Vegas, and Atlantic City anymore, more and more cities are putting up casinos every year. You should be very polished and have been playing local gigs for quite a while before you consider touring. Make sure the agency you go with is on the up and up, there are sharks everywhere. Making contacts with some of their clients is probably the best way to check up on them. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged against them. Be wary of "exclusive" contracts. You should always be guaranteed a certain amount of work, and have an escape clause in case the agency doesn't live up to it's promises. As we've said a million times, always have a good entertainment attorney look over any contracts before signing, and don't go with one that was suggested by the agent.

If you're planning on setting up the gigs yourself, you have your work cut out for you. It's handled in the same manner as getting local gigs, but you have to call long distance. You would send out your package and follow up with calls. This can be very difficult for an individual without the connections that a booking agent has. You, unlike a booking agency, probably have no idea what clubs are where. You run the risk of setting up gigs in a dive in a horrible neighborhood. Hotel gigs are a little easier, if you stay with the bigger name hotels, you'll probably be o.k. and your lodging is usually free. This brings us to another problem with club gigs: lodging. Some clubs include lodging, others don't. You have to be careful with the club funded lodging, they often go with the cheapest flea bag hotel in town. You also need to be careful with the clubs that don't supply lodging. You need to know that the payment for the gig will be enough to lodge you in that area and still make a good profit. Then, you run into the problem of booking lodging. There's no way for you to know what areas are good, or even close to the gig. The local police department should be able to help you with safe neighborhoods if you're concerned with that, and the venue should be able to help you with what neighborhoods are close by. It's very difficult to know the good clubs in areas you've never even been to before. These problems are why we suggest a booking agent for tours. A reputable agency will take care of you. Once you've completed a tour though an agency, you may have enough knowledge and contacts to branch out on your own. One word of caution, make your first tour a short one so you can be sure it's what you really want. You can always extend if you decide you like it.

Whether you're touring or performing locally, you'll need a lot of gear. You probably already have your instruments, and some other equipment already. You need good professional microphones, and that can cost a pretty penny. Make sure you're prepared for this financial undertaking. You'll need a good PA system, including speakers and mixers. A solo act may need drum machines, synthesizers and sequencers as well. Some acts can combine all of those elements in a keyboard, but I'm sure you know who you are. Your attire could end up costing you some bucks too, it depends on the type of gig you have. If you're playing a wedding you'll want to wear a tux or formal wear, a hotel you may want to wear costumes, at a private party you may need to dress up a little, and for a club/bar you can probably wear anything you want. If you're playing a themed event, they will probably want you to go along with the theme. Always make sure you know what the dress code is, don't be afraid to ask, the owner will appreciate your concern.

Now that you know how to get gigs, there are few things to remember once you have some. You'll always want to be early, no matter where you're playing. This allows for traffic and gives you time to set up. If you don't know where a gig is, always scope it out ahead of time. Pass out flyers at casual gigs (with the owner's permission), or have flyers available at the formal gigs for those who inquire about your availability. Have a guest book so people can sign up for your mailing list. Alternate your material, if you're good, you're going to have a following and you don't want them to get bored with you. Treat the servers and bartenders nicely, you should tip them even though you're an employee. They may help the owner decide whether or not to hire you again. Do not get drunk. There's nothing more pathetic than a drunk sloshing around on stage. Talk to the audience, you really have to have a great personality to pull gigs off. Always have a song list and a set list. Your song list is for the audience to request songs, your set list is for you, so you are prepared ahead of time. Make sure you have plenty of spare parts. If there are guitars involved, make sure there are tons of spare strings available, if you have a sax, have spare reeds, you get the idea. Do your sound check early, when the least amount of people are present, and make sure you're all set before you begin. And finally, you can never be too eager, check with club and bar owners about being the opening act for national performers that play there.

If you'd like to suggest a focus article subject, or would like to write one yourself, please send your submission to us via e-mail: SVwebzine@aol.com

CONCERT DATES
Unsigned/Independent Artists

This section of previous concert dates has been deleted. For current concert dates for unsigned/independent music makers, please visit the latest issue of Shock Value Music Webzine. If you'd like to know about mainstream tour dates, visit POLLSTAR. Please send us your concert dates: SVwebzine@aol.com

What's Hot on the Internet
Websites that Benefit Unsigned/Independent Music Makers

This section is a listing and summary of websites that will be of interest to unsigned and independent bands, singers, songwriters and musicians. Our goal is to let you know what's out there, we are not, in any way, endorsing or recommending any companies, we're simply reviewing websites. We also feature one Performer Page of the Month, spotlighting artists' pages. Please let us know if you have an URL that's note worthy, just drop us a line at SVwebzine@aol.com.

http://www.musicnote.com/--The Music note. Their slogan is "The Site for Music Worth Noting," a great slogan for a great cause. The Music Note features Real Audio tracks of their members' CDs downloadable from any computer with a 28.8 baud internet connection. They also have a chat room. They cater to music industry discussions with bands, soloists and talent scouts. Their crowning jewel is free classified ads, you can sell your gear here, look for gigs, or make industry connections. The Music Note does charge a monthly membership fee to feature your CD, it's less than $10/month.

http://members.aol.com/baxterzine/Baxters.htm--Baxters Anti-Zine. Contrary to the title, it is an online 'zine. It's published two to three times yearly and boasts a readership of over fifteen hundred. Baxters is written about bands and music in general. It features CD reviews of unsigned/independent bands/acts and they are always seeking new material to cover, so they would welcome your material. They are open to all genres of music and issues are free online, $1 in print. Baxters also features Afternight, with free webspace for bands, check out the site for more details.

http://www.geocities.com/~songshark--Song Shark. Song shark is a service for up and coming artists. It alerts you to music business rip-offs, scams and crooks. It has a Known Scams section that describes certain scams and how people can be baited by song sharks. Song Shark also has a section for repeat offenders, links, resources and a place to tell your story if you've ever been taken in by these slimy creatures. It's an informative site, check it out.

http://www.indicentre.com/--IndieCentre. IndieCentre was created to assist artists with releasing an independent record. IndieCentre includes several informational areas, including a FAQ, company recommendations and information on recording, mastering and manufacturing. They help you out with information on printing and DIY graphic design, along with suggestions about promotions. One of their best sections is dedicated to booking. Their Booking a Tour section assists you with booking your own tour. They have had over a hundred thousand visitors to their site, and the information is free.

Performer Page of the Month

http://members.aol.com/SongsByBob--Bob Cushing. Bob Cushing is a one man band out of Cincinnati, Ohio. He performs six nights a week at various clubs and bars in that area and has opened up for several national acts. Bob has gotten a lot of local radio airplay and press coverage as well. He has had two independent releases, I've Never Heard of You Either and it's follow up, Now That We've Met which is available from the website. His webpage features a pic, song clips, CD ordering information, tour schedules and press clippings. The song samples are clear and download quickly. Bob also has a great logo with a caricature.

For more musical websites, check out our Links Page.

Mainstream Music News Headlines
The Other Music Business

This section was a series of headlines leading to links with news stories. Since these links would soon become dated, this section was omitted. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. If you would like current mainstream music news, please visit these sites:

Mainstream Music News:
MTV Online
VH1 Online
AOL members:
Entertainment News
MTV On AOL

A Tribute to Shari Louis:
This is the song that doesn't end,
It just goes on and on my friend.
Some people started singing it,
Not knowing what it was,
And they'll continue singing it forever just because...
This is the song that doesn't end...
R.I.P. Shari

Gossip Headlines
Personal Lives, Rumors and Innuendo

This section was a series of headlines leading to links with gossip stories. Since these links would soon become dated, this section was omitted. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. If you would like current mainstream music gossip, please visit these sites:
Gossip:
The Gossip Diva
E! Online

TOP TEN ALBUMS
(As of the 1st)

Korn, Follow The Leader
Beastie Boys, Hello Nasty
Snoop Dogg, Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told
Soundtrack, Armageddon
'N Sync, 'N Sync
Barenaked Ladies, Stunt
Soundtrack, Dr. Dolittle: The Album
Soundtrack, How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Backstreet Boys, Backstreet Boys
soundtrack, City of Angels

For more chart information, follow this link: Billboard
AOL members can visit Top of the Charts

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Public Service Announcements

Songs of Love
Writes songs for terminally and chronically ill young people
Now accepting demos
Songs of Love Foundation P.O. Box 750809
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Phone or fax (718) 997-8482
E-mail: SongsLove@aol.com
Visit their web site: http://www.songsoflove.org

Over 850,000 children are reported missing every year in the U.S. alone.
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