Get More Gigs: Your EPK - Electronic Press Kit

Do you want to play more? As we talked about in an earlier post, everybody wants more gigs. Well, here's another idea that might help you to land more jobs.

The idea of a "press kit" has been around a long time, but has been updated with the widespread availability of technology in the modern world.
Just last week I had the opportunity to attend a panel discussion on the music industry that included one of the top booking agents in my area. She talked about the need for musicians/bands to have a good EPK, or electronic press kit. At one point, she said, "Don't call me, don't email me, don't visit my office until you have a great EPK put together."

So, what should your EPK include? Here's the list from the panel discussion.

1. Photos. To paraphrase our panelists, this means you need to spend some money. If your "promo" shot was taken in your back yard by your little sister, it probably won't cut it. Click here for some great promo shot examples.
2. Audio tracks. Again, this should be the absolute best quality you can afford, and should represent your best playing. 
3. Video. We've all seen a million videos on YouTube that were shot with a smart phone. In the professional world, this is the mark of someone who may not be serious about their craft. As with audio, your video needs to be the best quality you can afford, well edited, and represent the best aspects of your skill set.
4. Resume. You could also call this your, "greatest hits," list. Include all your significant performances, venues, partner acts, accomplishments and awards relative to you music career.
5. Website. And, no, I'm not talking about a Facebook page. Back in the day you would have delivered all of this material by hand, in its physical form. Today, you email the link to your site, which will provide everything included in this list. 
6. Easy contact info. E-mail and phone numbers are a given, but you might also include your Twitter handle, Facebook page address or any other ways that somebody can contact you. 

Obviously, this list is geared toward the performing act - bands, solo acts, shows, etc. But I think it is very applicable to the freelance musician trying to land work. Whether it be a potential gig, studio session, or appearance, you want to put your best foot forward when people are looking to hire you.

One more thing for drummers. It may not be a bad idea to include the gear that you have, even pictures if it can be done in a non-obtrusive way. Potential clients need to know that you don't only have the ultra-mega-double-kick-metal-mayhem kit, or that you can only bring a four-piece. Your gear, especially as a drummer, can be the key to your fitting into any musical environment.

And, last (for now), make sure that your imaging is consistent. Even if you're pursuing opportunities across many different genres, settings, etc., all of your photo/video, recordings and online imaging need to accurately and professionally present who you really are to anybody who views them.

For some more EPK tips, click here. 


The bottom line is that you control how people see you. So start taking it seriously, and get more/better gigs.


Happy drumming!

Do pro drummers have a dress code?

"How do you maintain your own personal style at the same time that you look and act professionally as a drummer?" 


This question was posed to me by one of my students, a young, up-and-coming player with a great future. So I thought I'd address it and get feedback from all you pros and fans out there.

Of course, the answer is, "It depends." What does it depend on? Among other factors, these can determine how you should dress.

• Size of the group. Are you a soloist? Dress any way you want. Are you in a 75 piece concert orchestra? Dress like everybody else, unless you're the soloist. If you're in a five-piece band, it's worth at least coordinating. And you may think your act is either too small or too unique to work with an image consultant or wardrobe stylist, but looking like a bigger deal than you are might just help you become a bigger deal than you are.
• Style of music. For some reason, I just can't see a death metal band performing in three piece suits and bow ties. Likewise, if you're performing Beethoven sonatas, the shredded jeans and studded mohawk may not add to your overall performance. Do a little research, and develop a good understanding of what some other groups in your genre typically wear, especially those that appeal to you and your natural audience. You can still be unique, but you want your image - your music and your look - to be consistent. 
• Type of event. Even if you're a high-energy act, there's a big difference between playing a huge outdoor festival stage and performing at a wedding in a relatively small, elegant setting. It goes without saying, but you should dress to fit your role in the event and to enhance the evening. Much like not wearing contrasting colors, you want your image and look to feel very natural and appropriate for the setting. 
• Setting or stage. Similar to the previous point, you should be sensitive to what your audience will perceive from the way you dress. If you're going to be on TV, your dress and coloring will be very different than if you're on a huge stage with thousands of people in the audience. And, again, get some advice and do a little research. 
• The band, or your fellow performers. I'm sure you get the point already, but a group - just like an album cover, concert poster, t-shirt or website - needs to look like their image is intentional. That goes for individual performers, too.

Some "standard" ways to dress.

• Concert black. Think symphony. For men, this is usually a basic tuxedo, and for women it's a black concert dress or pantsuit. Some good examples for ladies here. 
• "Gig" black. You have a little more flexibility here, but gig black is usually just that - black clothes. For most of the groups I play with, black slacks or jeans with a black button-down shirt or sweater will fit the bill. You can check out a very classy example of this here. 
• "Rock star." Actually, it's "insert-the-style-you're-playing" star. It's already been said, but the key here is to coordinate with your mates so that you're all sending the same type of message about who you are, what you play, and the message you want to send. 

Finally, let me leave you with another little bit of wisdom that has helped me since my high school days: "Your audience will hear you with their eyes before they hear you with their ears." 

True that.