When you’re at work do you let people just walk into your office whenever they want? Hell no! So, if the stage is our office, why should we let you get on it whenever you feel like it? When people try to get on stage while you’re doing a set, we know they’re digging the band and the music and we very much appreciate that. But, there’s got to be a VERY GOOD reason for having you up there because we don’t want anything ruining our set. So, what we came up with 6 exceptions for allowing people on stage. If you think we missed something obvious then leave it in the comments below:
1. Hot Girls
You can get a lot of places just on looks alone, and our stage is definitely one of those places. Sure haters are going to hate you for being pretty. But we will love you for it. Especially if you can dance.
2. Friends Giving Shots to the Band
It’s a tough job performing on stage and making sure that we rock. Yes, we love what we do, of course. But we appreciate a little appreciation for all our hard work. That said, if you’re planning on presenting us with a couple of shots (preferably Patron), then feel free to join us on stage and let everybody see what a kind-hearted Samaritan you are.
3. Other performers
Whether it’s someone from one of the other bands that’s playing that night or a good friend of yours who’s just there for you, it’s always cool to have guest performers play a song or two with you and the band. Audiences love these kinds of collaborations because it’s unexpected and gives them something to talk about with their friends when they go home. Plus if said performer is a girl, you definitely have to get her onstage and play. Hot girls that sing are the best! One caveat, you need to make sure that said performers can actually perform BEFORE you get them up there. There’s nothing worse than bringing someone onstage who isn’t a pro.
4. Someone Famous
If Kayne West, Kobe Bryant or Bruce Willis show up at your gig, then it’s always a good idea to bring them on stage so that you can rock our with your idols. Why not, right? And do we even need to mention that thing about pretty ladies? Yes, Sofia Vergara, you are more than welcome to join us on stage anytime you’d like.
5. Bouncers
There are some fans out there who can’t take no for an answer, and yes, we’re talking about you Mister Creepy Fan With The Weird Look And Giggle. So to protect ourselves, we might just have to have a menacing guy, or two, on stage to make sure that your weird look and giggle doesn’t screw our show up. You wouldn’t want to scare everyone away now, would you?
6. The sound guy or band roadie
Sometimes the unfortunate happens and the sound just goes bananas. Since you’re playing live, you’re not going to stop and fix whatever is going wrong. That’s when it’s ok to let the guy running the sound or someone from your road team come onstage to help you fix whatever’s f’d up. This will happen at some point. So if you don’t have someone who does this for you full time, then make sure that you’ve got a roadie who’s ready to lend a helping hand.
Great gig but lousy photos of the band afterwards? Worse, they’re floating all over the internet? Save yourself from bad photos from well-meaning fans by following these tips:
1. Don’t Cover Your Face
By that we mean don’t let anything obscure your pretty mug from being caught on camera, especially if you’re going to stick out your tongue. Don’t stand behind bandmates or anything else that might cover your profile.
2. Work the Stage
Not everyone is using a zoom lens on their cameras or these days, phones. That means you should work the stage to give everyone an opportunity to get a good photo of you or any other band member. Going near the audience also helps a lot.
3. Slow Down a Bit
Because it’s going to be dark, your audience will need to adjust their DSLR cameras’ settings to capture the action. But if you want cellphone and point-and-shoot cameras to be able to take some really cool photos, you better slow down a bit. Stand in a spot for a couple of seconds and let the cameras do their work.
4. Love the Light
Whatever camera your audience is using, you’ll want to stand where the light falls. This makes it easier for you to be photographed. Plus the added effects that the lights add to the photos can make for great concert shots.
5. Look at the Cameras
Your audience is probably having a hard time getting good shots (especially if they’re using those point and shoot thingies). Give them a little hand by looking directly at them once in a while. You might not be able to do this for everyone, but the fans that you do do this for are going to appreciate the sentiment.
6. Wear Something That You’ll Be Remembered By
You got it right. If you’re trying to give off the “I look like crap” image for your band, then be my guest and wear wife-beaters and bad make-up. The bands that make it flash a wardrobe that has been cultivated over time. If you’re going to wear costumes (like we do sometimes), then make sure that it works with your set. Nothing’s worse than having a gimmick that doesn’t fit the show.
7. Oh, and make sure that the pics are not of just the lead singer
Make sure that you’re rocking with your band mates and that you’re physically close to them as well. It’ll be much better for shots and your fans will totally feel the additional energy that you and your guitar player have by rocking close together.
8. Smile, wink or blow a kiss!
Hey, even the rock and roll legend of old knew the powerful effect a well-timed smile had on an audience. Smile once in a while and watch as the audience smiles back. It’s just one of those genuine moments that make for memorable photos. If you see that lucky someone in the crowd, then maybe blow them a kiss or wink. If it gets caught on camera, then you could begin rumors online about who that special someone was. That’s a good thing by the way.
9. Have an Official Photographer
Yes, an official photographer. Someone who really knows what to do. That way you can always have great concert shots available on your site for your fans to download.
10. Be Present In Social Networks
Pinterest, Instagram, Flicker, Facebook…utilizing social networks is one way to let your fans reach you. This is also a great way to see other people’s photos of your concert. It’s also a great way for the band to reach fans. And to make new ones as well. So make sure that your fans know that they can post their photos on your Fan page.
Bonus tip. Look Like You’re Having Fun
Don’t look hungover or sick if you’re hungover or sick because it’ll show in the pictures. If you show that you’re rockin it regardless of how to you feel, then you’ll end up with good photos and a satisfied audience.
If you’ve ever been in a band, then you’ve definitely spent countless hours daydreaming about making an album.
Problem is, if you’ve spent countless hours daydreaming about making said album, then chances are you don’t have the talent producer actual songs money for it.
Enter Kickstarter.
Kickstarter (www.kickstarter.com) is a site which encourages small-scale funding for innovative projects or, in layman’s terms, a place where your fans can blow some of their hard earned cash to hear more of your band’s awesome music.
Another great thing about this is that the whole set up works. Hundreds of bands and solo artists have recorded their songs, produced music videos and wowed their fans all because of Kickstarter. And you can bet their moms are all the more happier for it.
So what do you say we stop talking about what Kickstarter is and start discussing how your band can finally get the funds to produce your album?
A Couple of Tips to Reach your Kickstarter Goal
1. Create Awesome Videos
You need a good pitch to help your album and, don’t tell anyone, but a surefire way to make your fans reach for their wallets is to show them a heartwarming video of the band. Your video pitch is also a perfect opportunity to introduce new listeners to your music (hey, you can insert a mini music video in your pitch if you feel like it).
2. Be Awesome Yourself
Okay, so they’re listening to your songs already. That won’t nearly be enough. Fans want to see an awesome band before they truly commit their money over to your product. Believe in yourself, believe in your songs and believe in your Kickstarter project. Post updates, reply to messages, connect with your fans. A little self-marketing never hurt anybody.
3. Provide Awesome Rewards
Dreamy as Kickstarter might sound, fans aren’t simply going to fund your album project without getting something in return. Provide realistic and inviting rewards to your fans depending on the amount that they are willing to pledge. You will have to pay for these yourself so think carefully before you start offering after party rewards to all of your backers.
There you go. Now stop daydreaming and create your band’s Kickstarter account now.
Here are five tips for surviving LA’s terrible traffic (especially on your way to see one of our shows!)-
1: Have a traffic station pre-programmed, in case you don’t have our CD in your car.
2: Use sigalert.com, which factors in traffic times into your commute. You’ll definitely want to know if there’s going to be a pumpkin fight on the freeway before you get on it.
3: Get a GPS, “Gigantic Penguin Shield”. This helps you steer clear of those furry critters that could distract you from getting lost.
4: Expect the unexpected. There’s a chance that someone in your car might get the munchies, or that someone siphoned your gas before you left, so plan accordingly.
5: Hands-free is the way to be. Whether it be blue tooth or speakerphone, having both hands free to add that Air Drum sauce to our killer drum transitions is essential.
In short, be prepared for anything on the streets and highways of LA. They don’t call this city the worst driving experience in the country in the country for nothing. But hey, the juice always seems to be worth the squeeze.
This past weekend Oak Street Blues played the Canoga Park Farmers market. This is was off schedule from our typical first and third Saturday of the month only because the Mayor of Los Angles, Villaraigosa was possibly going to show up. Well as you would expect the Major didn’t show up but regardless we rocked out the people that did. Thank you Canoga Park. It was also Oak Street’s newest member Jenny’s b-day this weekend. We got a bungee chord bounce house and celebrated it OSB style.
On Saturday we played at the Westwood Brewing Company. It was a good night overall. We played with our best buddy band The Long Holidays. We usually play a show with those guys once a month. It’s a really great band relationship because their peeps love our tunes and we dig their stuff as well. Also playing that night was Mr K and the Romeros, they’re another band we are friends with and we share gigs with them too. The show was an average show with all the typical tunes. The penguin came out as well as the pumpkin guy. We went on last but there were a lot of people still hanging around since it was Saturday. No lasers because I could not find the power plugs for them. We have a new bass player, Jenny Arias. This was her first show with OSB and she did a great job. She has great rhythm. Kevin played noise, guitar, megaphone and chimes and was great.
Rock the spot
Just finished playing 3 crazy shows this week. We’ll be rocking it again in a week. Canoga Park Farmer’s Market on 17th and some where that night too. More details to come.
Thanks you for visiting OakStreetBlues.com Event Calendar.
Happy Halloween.
