Experiment: Band Management: Blog 21: The Artist

I am managing “Band A” for one year, because I’m fascinated by the music economy, and by the question of how artists become economically self-sufficient. (Quick aside – in a functioning music economy, like the CBGBs scene or England in the 80s, we would have more than bands supporting and inspiring each other. There would be minor labels, management, producers, experienced individuals who would help create that pathway for bands.) What we do have at this local scene is a number of killer bands who show up for each other, and we also have fantastic artists and photographers documenting and creating art inspired by the scene. 
Lee Vee Levy of Rock Photography of Levy has created tour posters and album covers for everyone from The Black Crowes to Asheville’s own Daydream Creatures – beautiful cover. Bands need to think about how they present themselves – music releases and posters – and think about what they can sell. We get into the basics of band/artist economy: merch. If you play a transcendental spirit elevating show, it’s not so difficult to sell an extra $100 of merch afterwards. Just make it a good t-shirt – and bring a light so fans can see the merch. Also leave the artists alone for posters and album covers: you hire an artist to be an artist. 
Levy has a show at the Push Skate Shop this June 28. Described as an experimental art mashups of 50’s – 90’s Television & Film. These are the shows and films we loved growing up, remixed with a highly creative and fresh approach to the abstract. Local OG Quinn Powers will be providing music. Levy has been digging into his insanity for a while – and has something like 20 new pieces for this show. Artists make a scene. 
This is the link to the art show:
https://www.facebook.com/events/347463172564909.
This is the video interview: 4 Questions in 5 Minutes with Levy: (Sound is a little sketch cause we used Facetime… also nice shout-out to Sane Voids and Thee Sidewalk Surfers) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt-Dei6u0JI&fbclid=IwAR0gE7apr9CUFDO8SdgWViQGx-VeyTAkgkAvY4Tm-0B2hwlIqzqo21JC7pk