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This is a DIY method and a little more work for bands but really the success rate is much higher for shows than me just booking the first band that emails me:
Locals, locals, locals secure a local and then contact me. I am really getting hit hard with bands and promoters who are not following the directions that are detailed here on this page. PLEASE read this page if you want to get something set up. Any day of the week is fair game right now.
You must email me but the focus really needs to be on the locals. If you are a new band in the Topeka Market then I probably will not email you back until I have heard from a local that wants to bring you in. I just get so many bands wanting dates but without a local the chance of success is much more difficult. However for weekday shows if you really want the show and understand we do our best to get people in we are willing to give it a shot without a local but do try.
(Update) With a lack of locals at the moment I am willing to host some shows for bands seeking routing dates. You will still need to try and contact a local or at least and area band (KC, Lawrence, Manhattan, etc.) But we may be able to help you out as long as we have at least two bands for the bill.
| Step 1: |
Look at my Calendar page and see if the date is available. If there are already touring bands listed I will want to add a local if possible but you are welcome to inquire about the date. READ my INFO page before emailing me questions: pay, load in times, set times etc. I really hate to have to answer the same questions over and over.
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| Step 2: |
If you are looking for a weekend and there is a spot open then contact the locals. I allow my locals to book their own shows. However, I do require, when possible, a balanced show with a young band to open and an older band to close so we all make money. The young bands bring the numbers the older bands bring the drinkers. I do need the shows to run until at least 1am. We close at 2am.
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| Step 3: |
I host an Acoustic Open Mic night on Thursdays, but with an area band we can do a show. |
| Step 4: |
For Tuesdays we are willing to try different things such as reduced cover to get more kids out for regional and touring bands. Just hit me with an email if the date is open and we will get you in for a Tuesday. No local neccesary but it helps.
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| Step 5: |
If you re a touring band and find an open date please contact any band from the drop down menu on my Main Page page to get a show set up. Without an area band it will be a tough draw. See notes below. If you haven't already, go ahead and send an email directly to me as time allows I will help all I can. If I do not respond I may just not have a spot for you. I don't always have time to reply to the dozens and dozens of emails I get everyday, however I do try to check out every band that emails me.
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| Step 6: |
Please be patient as I answer emails for hours a day and can get behind but I promise I read every email I get and will respond asap. If I don't get back I just can't help you out this time but feel free to contact the locals.
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| Step 7: |
Once we have confirmed a date be sure and check the Calendar page for errors; bad link, correct date etc. I update my Calendar daily so if there is a prob let me know.
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| Notes |
Please understand that I do my best to get a local for every show but there are only so many locals and lots of dates. Then I will try to get an area band that I think will give us the best chance to have a nice turn out. I am taking chances on the bands just as you are taking chances in playing venues but be assured I am doing the best I can to make every show a success.
Also know that The Trap, as with most venues, is not a place where there are hundreds of fans for your band to come in, collect a large paycheck from the door and to sell your merch to. The Trap is an opportunity for you to bring fans in to hear you play. You must bring the fans, not the other way around. If you book a show and then just show up without doing any promotion then there will most likely be few there to see you. I have over 18,000 Myspace friends and 3000 Facebook friends most within a 50 mile radius so there are plenty of folks who know about your show at The Trap. It is then up to you to make them want to come and see you (interesting music, good website, good promotion etc.) The Trap only holds 100 or so :o) screaming fans at a time so with the right local and promotion you should pack the place for every show.
I know you may be thinking, "How do we know who will draw?" when contacting locals. But you can also be thinking that you don't want to put your show in the hands of someone else. Be aggressive and contact the locals and find out all you can. Some will answer and some won't but if you just sit back and let someone else set the show up and then it turns out crappy you will wish you had done a little more. I cannot possibly forward an email from every touring band on to every local for every date needed. This is why I leave it up the touring bands to sell themselves to the locals to get a show.
It has been great to work with so many great bands and the great people in those bands. Keep it up!
Please Read: Helpful Hints (print out for your entire band to read) |
| Expectations |
Posters - I would like to have some kind of flyer at least 2 weekends before the show. It doesn't have to be fancy but something letting kids know about the show other than my Calendars. I don't have time to do posters for every show and you only have one show a month and then you can even use the same poster again with new dates if you need to. But something with your logo or whatever helps people recognize your band.
MySpace - You need to make an event on www.Myspace.com. then be sure and invite me so I know you created one. This is a simple but extremely useful tool to get some folks out to your show. |
Brian Chambers: boobietrap@cox.net |
