Band Management: Blog 39: The Publicist

I am managing “Band A” for one year, as an exploration of the music industry. And I promise to tell you the complete truth….
“Band A” has a pretty good recording schedule. Every six months or so they go into El Rancho Morbido Studios with producer/engineer Edward Madill and record a 5-song EP. They usually have around 20 songs they’ve played live, so they can be picky. But this also means they have to keep writing…
I went to their practice space yesterday and there were only three of them messing around with a couple of new tracks. They were good – that new wave garage rock sound. Good melody line. Sing-a-long choruses. But it doesn’t really sound like “Band A” unless all five members are involved. The drummer makes sure nothing gets too poppy or singer-songwriter – and smashes everything back into garage rock. The rhythm guitarist probably has the best ideas on hooks and making catchy stuff – but he wasn’t there either…
The rhythm guitarist hurt his hand making a KRAKEN. He and his wife make the best Halloween decorations and this year they’re making massive tentacles of a KRAKEN to rise up from a hole they’re digging in their front yard. For real. Two of the other bands members are planning to make a three mast ship as a costume, and then will walk down Cherry Street in Black Mountain and fire cannonballs on the KRAKEN. Sometimes I think I’m managing a gang of very smart and devious 8-year-olds.
The very same day a publicist reached out to “Band A” – “Hi Johnny, wanted to quickly introduce myself; I work as a freelance publicist, was recently turned on to “Band A” and just wanted to offer my services if you’re ever in need of PR. Cheers!”
My first reaction was – aren’t I doing publicity? I’ve got “Band A” on three radio stations and one write-up by an underground music magazine??? But I also read the article by Alli Marshall in Mountain Xpress about Secret Shame and how a publicist really helped them out. Secret Shame is a great band with great songs, and it was helpful to have people in the industry hear them…
So yeah, sure, I’m going to respond to this publicist. Best thing about this blog, this story about managing “Band A,” it gives me an excuse to explore everything about the music industry… so yeah – hello publicist…