A little bit about me, Robin, Segment of Society: I'm just a music fan really and I do this for fun and cause I just love spreading the love ! I don't expect much in return. Just some great music, new friends, possibly a new cd and maybe a few bucks. Some ask how I got started in all of this. Well, I used to go and listen to great indie music a couple times a week at a place called CATH Coffeehouse, run by Nora Spitznogle. In September of 2004, CATH closed. It was the typical story of a big guy kicking out the little guy(girl) cause the big guy wanted to build a new big store on that spot. At the time I was taking guitar lessons at Indy's Music House. IMH, built a stage and I said to Kevin, the owner, that I could probably find some musicians (telling him the story of CATH) who would be looking for a place to play. Next think I knew, I was booking the music there and they put me in charge of the open stage too ! Then in December of 2004, IMH closed it's doors and I was left with musicians booked into the new year, but no venue. It's then I started approaching music friendly places around town. I started out booking at just two coffeehouses in town and now book with as many as six different venues in town! This offers us a choice of setting for a gig based on different things such as, draw, bar type setting, or even a house concert setting. Many times, I've made a weekend out of one act, booking them in more than one venue during that time. I like being creative and try to give the best opportunities to expand your fan base and reach new folks with your music. In 2006, SOS was listed in the top 5 music events for 2006 by NUVO Newsweekly in the folk/singer-songwriter category ! Musicians contact me from all over the country just wanting a place to play. I'm not an expert and I learn by doing. I do have quite a bit of "experience" though. I've been a volunteer with Women In the Arts (www.wiaonline.org) and The National Women's Music Festival since 1991. During this time I've worked in performer care, festival sales, fundraising events and dances and even sat on the Board of Directors for a period of time. Additionally, I've worked front of house and coordinated volunteers for Branching Out Productions, sold merch for various local and touring artists, belonged to many street teams and just plain been a grass roots music supporter for years. This is my passion.Below are a few details about what I do and the venues that I currently work with. Once we make contact and begin discussing a possible gig, I'll provide more details. What I do for YOU is:
*Secure the venue and negotiate a cover if needed
*Post your flyers around town and make up handbills
*Promote show via my website, and other websites and e-mails
*Sell your merch during the show
*Provide a PA if needed
*Take photos and post them on my website & can e-mail to you if you like
**Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee a fee for you at this time but I hope to be working with other venues and/or promoters in the future to where that would be possible.
Some of the venues will allow us to set a cover. ***I like to ask for 10% of what you take in. this does not include your merch sales. You keep 100% of that ! I do a lot in promotion and securing a venue, I distribute posters/handbills, post on several music/event websites, send out to my e-mail list, provide a PA if requested, offer a place to crash. Under certain circumstances I may decide to waive my 10%. Also, I like trying to bring in a local singer/songwriter to open or do a round robin type thing for out of town musicians. This can help with the draw. Set lengths are generally 60-90 minuets or two 45 minute sets. Depending on the venue, that may be flexable.
***Important***Indianapolis, Indiana is now back on daylight savings time in the EASTERN time zone. Please take that into account when planning gigs in Indy ! ****
The Venues
(more venue details will be discussed upon contact)
The Irving Theater located at 5505 E. Washington St.: Located in Historic Irvington, this very very old movie theater is fast becoming an ideal spot for live music, plays and yes, movies still. All the old seating has been torn out, but there is plenty of seating in church pews ! Often, tables and chairs are brought in for events. This venue has some great history and stories. I've had some great bookings already ! Visit them at www.attheirving.com.
Lazy Daze Coffeehouse located at 10 S. Johnson Ave: Located in what is known as Historic Irvington. Small neighborhood coffeehouse with a great feel. There is plenty of outdoor seating, including a deck. But of course living in Indiana that's pretty much seasonable. Segment of Society hosts it's Folked Up Wednesday Music Series at Lazy Daze ! Occuring the 3rd Wednesday of each month, come and get your FOLK on ! www.lazydazecoffeehouse.com
The Indy Hostel located at 4903 Winthrop Ave: Indy's only Hostel. Offers rooms to travelers and musicians, located south of Broad Ripple. It's a fully functional old house with all the comforts of home and then some. This space offers a wonderful house concert setting. I tend not to book first time to Indy musicians in this space because we don't have the benefit of walk ins or a traffic flow. Acts that have a local fanbase or are regionally popular or unique are more suited for the hostel. You can visit them at www.indyhostel.us
Additionally, I have booked shows at Locals Only www.localsonlyindy.com , which is a bar with a lively music calendar throughout the week and well as some open stages, as well as Radio Radio, which is a great nightclub south of downtown ! Generally I try and book a bit of the rockier folk/rock to rock stuff or shows with crowds over 60 at one of these venues.
*Secure the venue and negotiate a cover if needed
*Post your flyers around town and make up handbills
*Promote show via my website, and other websites and e-mails
*Sell your merch during the show
*Provide a PA if needed
*Take photos and post them on my website & can e-mail to you if you like
- Professional Photographer William McAdow shoots most SOS events
**Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee a fee for you at this time but I hope to be working with other venues and/or promoters in the future to where that would be possible.
Some of the venues will allow us to set a cover. ***I like to ask for 10% of what you take in. this does not include your merch sales. You keep 100% of that ! I do a lot in promotion and securing a venue, I distribute posters/handbills, post on several music/event websites, send out to my e-mail list, provide a PA if requested, offer a place to crash. Under certain circumstances I may decide to waive my 10%. Also, I like trying to bring in a local singer/songwriter to open or do a round robin type thing for out of town musicians. This can help with the draw. Set lengths are generally 60-90 minuets or two 45 minute sets. Depending on the venue, that may be flexable.
***Important***Indianapolis, Indiana is now back on daylight savings time in the EASTERN time zone. Please take that into account when planning gigs in Indy ! ****
The Venues
(more venue details will be discussed upon contact)
The Irving Theater located at 5505 E. Washington St.: Located in Historic Irvington, this very very old movie theater is fast becoming an ideal spot for live music, plays and yes, movies still. All the old seating has been torn out, but there is plenty of seating in church pews ! Often, tables and chairs are brought in for events. This venue has some great history and stories. I've had some great bookings already ! Visit them at www.attheirving.com.
Lazy Daze Coffeehouse located at 10 S. Johnson Ave: Located in what is known as Historic Irvington. Small neighborhood coffeehouse with a great feel. There is plenty of outdoor seating, including a deck. But of course living in Indiana that's pretty much seasonable. Segment of Society hosts it's Folked Up Wednesday Music Series at Lazy Daze ! Occuring the 3rd Wednesday of each month, come and get your FOLK on ! www.lazydazecoffeehouse.com
The Indy Hostel located at 4903 Winthrop Ave: Indy's only Hostel. Offers rooms to travelers and musicians, located south of Broad Ripple. It's a fully functional old house with all the comforts of home and then some. This space offers a wonderful house concert setting. I tend not to book first time to Indy musicians in this space because we don't have the benefit of walk ins or a traffic flow. Acts that have a local fanbase or are regionally popular or unique are more suited for the hostel. You can visit them at www.indyhostel.us
Additionally, I have booked shows at Locals Only www.localsonlyindy.com , which is a bar with a lively music calendar throughout the week and well as some open stages, as well as Radio Radio, which is a great nightclub south of downtown ! Generally I try and book a bit of the rockier folk/rock to rock stuff or shows with crowds over 60 at one of these venues.
