How to
Hire Free Lance Musicians
By Ari Herstand
This originally appeared on Digital Music News
and is used with permission.
I just released my new record at the Hotel Cafe
in Hollywood with a 9 piece band. Over the
course of my 600 shows I've hired 7 drummers, 7
bassists, 6 guitarists, 3 keyboardists, 5
singers, 3 trumpet players, 2 cellists and 3
violinists. Not to mention the various session
players for recordings.
I've also been hired as a trumpet player on a
few gigs. I've seen both sides. But as a
singer/songwriter, I've primarily been the
employer.
Here are some tips to help you get your band
together:
Freelance musicians aren't playing your music
for fun.
Sure, all musicians love the art. Love the
craft. Have a passion that bleeds out of their
eyeballs. It's the only reason they chose such
an unstable career.
But musicians, like all other humans, need to
eat. Just because they're holding a guitar
instead of a hammer, you shouldn't treat their
craft any less valuably. Just like a
construction worker isn't going to build your
fence for the love of the craft, don't expect a
professional freelance musician to play your gig
for free either.
Young musicians will tend to take gigs for free,
however. For experience. Some friends might even
agree to play your gig as a favor. Or because
they believe in you. They may even say "for
fun." But be very cautious about getting a
volunteer band together. If they get offered a
last minute paid gig the same night as your
show, you may be left without a drummer hours
before you hit the stage.
By paying your musicians (regardless of the
amount), you can demand (politely) a level of
professionalism. If they're playing 'for fun' or
as a favor, prepare yourself for flakiness.
Sitting In
However, "sitting in" is an honored tradition
and many artists sit in with friends all the
time - for, of course, no pay. If you want your
singer/songwriter friend to sing backup vocals
on a couple songs for free, that's totally
kosher. Just make sure to plug her from the
stage.
Discuss all details up front
You can't just ask someone to play the gig for
$100 and then spring 3 rehearsals on them the
week of the show and assume they'll be ok with
this. Make sure you discuss all details up
front: rate, rehearsals, show date(s), per diems
and sleeping arrangements (if it's a tour), how
many songs you want them to learn, rehearsal
length (2-3 hours is typical), show length, and
anything else you'd like from your musicians.
Get the Scene's Going Rate
In LA, the typical going rate is $100 for the
gig and about $50 per rehearsal. This varies
depending on the musician's demand and
experience. Some ask for more and some will
accept less. If you've never hired musicians
before, ask other singer/songwriters in your
scene what they pay their players.
Don't be afraid to ask what their rate is. But
their "typical rate" might actually be their
"ideal rate" and would accept less. Make sure
you set your own budget before getting into
these discussions.
And remember, just like every contract
agreement, you can always negotiate. But be
respectful. If you ask them to play the gig and
two rehearsals for $50 and they reply saying
they need $150 for that, try to make it work, or
pass. Don't tell him his mother only goes for
half that.
Send songs as Soundcloud files and mp3
downloads.
I hate downloading music. When I freelance, I
want practice tracks sent as streamable links.
Preferably on Soundcloud. I want to listen to
them when I'm driving. I want to dedicate a few
minutes here and there to run them in my home
studio. I DON'T want to spend 15 minutes
downloading, importing, labeling and syncing to
my iPhone.
Give your players options. Send mp3s, Dropbox
download links and Soundcloud links.
Be a leader
You need to lead your rehearsals. Your players
have agreed to play YOUR gig with YOUR name on
the bill. They may be the lead songwriter and
front person of their main project, but for this
gig, they defer to you.
Make sure you show up to rehearsals prepared.
Know what songs you want to rehearse in the
order you want to rehearse them. Don't spend 10
minutes in between each song deliberating over
the setlist. This is your responsibility. You
can ask their opinions if you want, but you know
your audience, act and songs best.
You should be familiar with every player's part.
Be able to answer every player's question
decidedly. Confidently. Don't say "I don't know.
Do whatever you think." Yes, you can trust their
talent, expertise and craft, but it's your gig
and your songs. Know your songs and know your
show.
Set expectations
In addition to discussing all details up front,
make sure you let your players know what you
expect from them. Will you have charts available
or do you want them to learn the parts on their
own?
Let the players know what to wear to the show. I
once forgot to mention this to my players and my
bassist showed up to my festival show wearing
cargo shorts and Birkenstocks.
It's your responsibility to lock in a rehearsal
space, but feel free to ask if they have
suggestions.
Are you religiously against alcohol? Make it
known that the tour will be dry. Don't wait for
show #3 on a 50 date tour to bring that up.
Discussing everything up front will save you a
lot of stress down the line.
Have the check at the gig
This is the #1 rule. Don't make them hunt this
down from you. If you become known as someone
who never pays (or delays payment), you're going
to have a very difficult time finding players.
Hand them the check BEFORE they hit the stage.
If you can't afford to hire a band, you can't
afford to have a band
I never recommend singer/songwriters split the
door with their freelance players because it's a
slippery slope. If you somehow get your
musicians to agree to split the shitty door cuts
with you, they're going to expect the same when
you get the huge check.
It's your name. Your image. Your reputation. You
are making all of the management decisions and
you are setting the shows up. If you get a
$2,000 check then you should pay your players a
fair wage, and then invest the rest into the
career. If you get a $100 check, then you take a
loss and pay your players the same, fair wage.
You're the entrepreneur. It's your project. And
your career.
Early on, your gigs will not pay for your band
and you'll have to take losses. But those early
investments into your career will payoff when
you're selling out venues with the same players
who have felt respected and cherished from day
one.
|
Ari Herstand is a Los Angeles based
singer/songwriter who has played over 550 shows
and is the creator of
Ari's Take. Listen to his new album, Brave
Enough,
on Spotify or download it on
BandCamp. (**Please keep his
links embedded**)
|
More:
What to Do About
Changes to the Facebook Algorithm
Articles to help you
navigate the music business.
The 10
“Commandments”
4 Tips for
Getting Fans to Your Shows with Social Media