10 Questions with The Fumes
1. Tell us a little about your band.
We're two rather hirsute individuals who play rock n' roll with a healthy dose of blues and (sometimes) an un-healthy dose of volume.
2. How often do you update your Sonicbids EPK?
As we up-date touring info and new releases - A WHOLE LOT.
3. What’s a recent gig you've gotten using Sonicbids?
Our CMJ Music Marathon Showcase in NYC.
4. Where did you hear about the gig?
Sonicbids site.
5. How did you determine the opportunity was right for you before submitting?
We were in the USA for a tour in March this year, which included LA, NYC & also Canada. So we wanted to get ourselves back on the touring radar before the year was through.
6. What did you think of the gig?
I think we performed really well at our CMJ Showcase. We played at Rockwood Music Hall, which made it pretty special too. That's the second time we've played there and the audience have been extremely supportive and vocal both times.
7. What’s the one thing you wish promoters understood about the band’s side of the submission process?
We only ask for that much because someone did actually give us that much once.
8. How do you get the word out about your band?
In general? Or for CMJ? Either way, it's press, web invites to industry and fans, social networking sites, conversations or performances at house parties and on the ground promo (flyer hand-outs) while you’re there. Touring our asses off seems to help too.
9. Any additional advice you’d like to share with other bands?
Get a haircut!
10. What’s next for The Fumes?
Well, we're both going to get haircuts and hopefully that leads to another United States working VISA. We definitely want to come back soon but - in the meantime - we're just going to play a whole bunch of festivals over the Australian summer and maybe do some writing and jamming in-between. It's a tough life.
The Fumes Profile
10 Questions with SXSW Promoter Brad First
1. Which genres do the best at SXSW?
Pretty much all genres do well at SXSW. Maybe classical, not so much.
2. What do you look for when selecting a band?
Stage experience, road work, having a "team" for career support such as publicist, manager, booking agent, label affiliation. Music that is interesting. Displaying talent in the playing of the music and songcraft. How long the band has existed, schedules, fanbase, etc.
3. Which presentation elements of a band are the most important? Can they play in-time and in-tune, how active the band is and has been.
4. When you’re reviewing an EPK, what’s the first thing you look at?
Start the music and read the bio. Check the schedule page. Look at press, check for video...
5. What are some common mistakes you see artists making when they’re submitting to you? The most annoying is incomplete applications/EPKs. If you are going to submit an application, have the EPK finished, post your schedule-past and present, have more than one song, put something on the press page, write a damn bio!!
6. What’s the one thing you wished bands didn’t cut corners on?
Setting up their EPK or actually deactivating their account just days after applying. It’s [Sonicbids] free for months, take advantage!
7. What do you wish bands understood about the time and effort that goes into the selection process?
That SXSW hits every band twice for evaluation, not by the same person.
8. What method of follow-up do you prefer bands use to reach you, and when’s the best time to catch you live?
Email is the best and fastest way to contact and/or follow up with SXSW. There is no good time to catch me live.
9. What’s your musical/professional background?
I have been a talent buyer, a tour manager, front-of-house audio engineer, venue owner, venue general manager, band manager, event production manager…
10. Do you have any other advice you’d like to share with bands listening?
Anything worth mentioning about your band should show up somewhere on your EPK. And put your best, most representational song at the top of your playlist.
South By Southwest Profile