They got the tour through Musicians Institute, which sponsored the festival. The singer came out of the school's music business program and the drummer, Chase, out of its drum program. The deal: the band played the tour and worked the school's tent in exchange. No booking agency, no label.
Their view on the business: attitude, networking, realistic goals and good songs before anything else, and lose the sense of entitlement. On ticket deals, they had played about 20 shows opening for international acts in Southern California, responsible for 40 to 60 tickets a show, $3,000 to $4,000 worth, and never paid out of pocket. Some nights they sold the last tickets out front an hour before doors. Plenty of bands see those deals differently; this is how they made it work.
Crowdfunding was the other tool. They put the stage banner on Indiegogo, built real reward packages instead of asking for donations, and raised $2,000 in four days.
Your career is in your hands.
the band, Mayhem Fest 2013, Thrown Into Exile
You're not just asking for donations.
the band, Mayhem Fest 2013, Thrown Into Exile
What to take from it: The people already at your shows are the first investors.
Quotes are from the interview audio, trimmed for filler words only.
