Guide to getting and playing better gigs
Manager
Management is a somewhat vague term in the rock and roll business. Most bands think they want management when really, they just want someone to get them gigs. That's actually an agent. Basically speaking, a manager is someone that advises and counsels you (and/or your band) in every aspect of your career. On the surface it doesn't seem like much. When you get right down to it though, a manager is very much like a coach of a team.
Someone who helps you develop your talent, analyze your strengths and weaknesses, and guide and direct you in competition. Along with success comes more and more facets of the business to deal with. You want to be sure that the person advising you is an informed, effective individual. One who knows the game and will keep your interests as an artist at the top of the priority list.
In layman's terms, a manager is the person that helps you build the right team around you to deal with all aspects of the business in general. A manager is responsible for being informed enough to give you good advice with regard to all of the decisions you're going to have to make as you move through the artistic and business world of the music biz. This person doesn't make decisions for you, they assist you in making the decisions.
So who is this person that you're going to pay good money to just to give you all this advice? Hopefully, if you've picked the right person, it will be someone who understands your needs and goals, in addition to being able to devise a game-plan for achieving them. Make sure that this person is someone that has your interests at heart. There are plenty of so-called managers out there who sign on a band in the hope of making some money from them.
But what happens if your success is not as quick in coming as one would hope? You want someone that will have the long-range picture in mind, not a "throw-it-against-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks" person.Trust is one of the most important aspect of a managerial relationship.
You have got to be able to absolutely trust your manager absolutely! You have to believe that your manager is capable of giving you the right advice. Management is not a relationship to enter into lightly. It's more like a marriage and just as difficult to get out of. In short, a manager is the member of the band that doesn't play onstage with you.
Many artists or bands who can't get their act together or have fallen at a few hurdles believe a manager to be the missing link between the shame of having to get a proper job and securing that illusive and lucrative record deal. You might believe you have the ability to take on the reins of manager as well as songwriter, guitarist and frontman. However, a manager might be able to allow you to concentrate on your music while he provides the professional punch to get you contacts and contracts.
There's always one or two rotten apples in a barrel so take care in choosing who your manager might be. You could advertise locally but always interview candidates carefully, look at their backgrounds and any previous successes. Alternatively check out the White Book at www.whitebook.co.uk or other music directories for reputable management. You could also get in touch with management companies who handle some of your favourite artists. You can find the addresses of many of them on album and CD covers.
Try not to part with any money up front. There are plenty of horror stories where managers have demanded money for services up front and then disappeared with the cash. If the manager is good enough he'll get you somewhere without asking for any money first. Naturally he'll probably take his slice of your signing on fee with the record company but that's only to be expected for the work he has put in.
Before finally choosing your man (or woman) find out how many other acts they have on their books. You might consider there could be a future conflict of interest if they already have another band playing the same music. It's important to impress, and a manager is just as demanding as a record company. They will want to know if you have a demo, photo, biography and a list of up and coming gigs so they can check you out. They will want to see a tight, happy unit with a direction, not a bunch of egotistical maniacs with no identity and a minute away from splitting up. You'll need to convince a manager you want it bad and that you're "all for one and one for all" since no manager will be too chuffed if they sign you up only to find out a fortnight later you've split up.
You'll need to agree what your manager will be doing for you, whether they'll just be concentrating on getting you a record or publishing deal or if they will also be involved more closely in personal matters such as image, musical content and future direction.It's important you agree from the outset about charges and what sort of expenses the band will be expected to pick up the tab for. Get regular updates on how things are progressing.
There have been many examples of relatives or friends managing the band and this can often be a good thing as they can be closer to the music and be in tune to what the band wants. However, they naturally must be up to the task. You must be sure they have what it takes when it comes to the crunch and not let any personal squabbles stand in their way. Obviously they will be a lot cheaper too.
If you decide against a manager you'll need the members of your band to have a unified and vivid sense of direction. Where you're going and what you're about. You'll need to pull together to manage and promote the band, get gigs, save money to record and send off demo packages, and make follow-up phone calls. It will be hard and sometimes you'll feel your music is taking second place, not to mention the girlfriend or wife. Rest assured many bands have made it without the aid of a manager. Just remember all those top rock icons recounting how they ended up broke while their manager had the Rolls, five houses and six swimming pools!
See also: Wanna Be A Rock Legend?