Contacts

What is the best way to find and build contacts?

Get on the local scene

Much of what was covered in the first question applies to this question. So find out who are the main players are within the local music scene and take time to meet them (this may be tracking them down after gigs or just sending a polite email to their company to say who you are).

Keep a well-organised diary/ contact book

Keep a diary/ contact book (physical or online), every time you meet somebody get their number, email and, if applicable, website. Never be afraid to ask for somebody’s contact details, the least they can say is “no”. More likely if they don’t fancy you chasing them up, they’ll give you a work email or the number for their manager.

Whilst on the subject of managers, do not sign up for management until you cannot cope with the workload you have. If you are trying to get a manager because you are not getting enough work, it’s probably because of other reasons. Most ‘local’ managers are charlatans and will take a large percentage to tell you what you already know. Most good, well-established managers will not even offer a contract (or agreement) until they have worked with you on several occasions. If you are lucky enough to have contracts (record/ publishing etc.) offered to you, you will need a lawyer rather than a manager.

Work with others to build contacts

A resourceful musician recognises that everybody is ‘useful’ in one way or another! Consider how your friends who work in big companies might book bands for their end of year parties or how your friend who works at the council may be responsible for helping facilitate music festivals within the city.

However, do not confuse ‘busy’ for work. A number of musicians within the city will claim to be busy – more often than not, they are not getting paid for being busy. By all means, keep these people as contacts but don’t be drawn into ‘working’ with them regularly if in the long run it will mean you’ll have to find another source of income (and effectively not work within music).

Set up your own night or collective

The best way to meet others is through ‘doing’. Set up a regular gig or music related night and you will find that the local music community comes to you! Most successful musicians have done this.

In the Southampton area here are a just a few names to know that support up and coming musicians through paid work (these are only the tip of the iceberg!). All of the following are worth emailing with a polite message explaining what you do, an example/ link of your music making and a gentle request for work:

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