Thursday, January 18, 2007
Dear Bandmembers,
Another AthFest submission season is upon us. At their website, you can now download the forms for submitting music to the AthFest comp as well as request early consideration for the outdoor stages. May we (I) offer up a few of suggestions?
1) I know you want everyone who buys that CD to hear you in your best light. You want to offer up the best material and then maybe earn a new fan or two when some unknowing stranger picks up the AthFest CD. Hey, we all want that. But nothing is more boring to those of us who already own your CD than to hear a song we've already hear 100 times. Choose a b-side. Something that makes it worth buying. And don't try and trick us by putting out a song early that's gonna be on your album that comes out in two months anyway.
2) Just because it's a b-side, don't let it sound like it is. The song needs to be awesome nonetheless. I know, it's a tall order to ask for a song that kicks ass and yet isn't on your album. But plenty of big bands do that through singles every year, and I'm confident our hometown bands can do the same - at least, the good ones. Hell, it can even be a re-mix or a radically different live version. I'm not sure if it's allowed by AthFest or not, but if you don't have a song like that ready, how about covering another Athens band's song? That'd be cool.
3) For you big bands, and you know who you are, many of you have been staying away from AthFest lately. I know you can probably make more money on any other night selling out indie rock clubs around the southeast or maybe even the country. And that's great. But just think how cool it would be to play to a packed-out Washington Street - to kids and old people and all that. And if it rocks right, that's a might big reception. Plus, hometown pride and all that. So, give the organizers the choice of an incredible set of headliners this year (no more irrelevant outta-towners, please).
4) As for booking, don't be afraid to play shows the week before or the week after AthFest in addition to your AthFest slot. Those weekends are usually pretty blank and sometimes folks are either craving more or didn't/won't get to see you play at AthFest because of scheduling.
5) Make sure your CD is for sale at the AthensMusic.net booth. I know it sounds like I work for them, but I don't. I just don't know how many times I've gone looking, or heard someone else ask for a band's CD that wasn't there. Especially bands that have been around a while or are playing outdoors or Friday night. More people look there for your CD than anywhere else, especially if your show is packed and no one's at the merch booth that night.
That's it, for you bands. Now, for the organizers and people in charge of choosing bands for the CD and stages... well, music selection is a matter or personal taste, and I'm not gonna preach on what would be great choices because as I get older I realize that my taste sometimes sucks bigtime in hindsight.
That being said, try and keep it local and good... and please, please, please make sure that outdoor sound is great (we all remember that one year). Oh, and it wouldn't hurt to pimp your own products in between sets... I remember hearing 311 in between bands one time - why not the AthFest CD's? Or other local acts? Maybe you'll get a few more purchases at the AMdN booth out of it.
That's it... that's all I got. Hope this year's fest is awesome and I'll see y'all there on June 20-24th.
Sincerely,
MailClerk
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