No "I" In T-E-A-M: Self-Managed vs. Managed Bands

published in Shinbone Magazine, December 2008, http://www.shinbone.net/

Some people join bands because there's a need to express the music filling their head. Others pick up instruments to further a political agenda or cause. And still others hit the stage for a far more simpler reason - women.

A common desire weaved throughout the Pa. music scene is the attainment of success and stardom. To reach any level of success, management is required to get the music heard, marketed, and promoted.

The choice to self-manage or sign to a management firm is an individual one for each band depending on the level of success they wish to obtain. Regardless of how a band chooses to manage itself, management is necessary.

Doing It Yourself
The business of self-managing a band compares to having another full time job. Instead of focusing solely on writing, recording and performing their music, self-managed bands delve into promoting, booking and marketing their music. These bands are often referred as DIY projects – "do it yourself."

For the past two years, Ryan Kiscaden, drummer and manager of Drop of Grey, has been involved with booking shows, making financial decisions, bookkeeping, networking, attending industry events, establishing rapport with artists and bands, negotiating with club owners, cascading messages, and managing his band members. The duties are never-ending and according to Kiscaden: "the list goes on and on."

Without a manager to provide business contacts, networking is a very important ingredient in the recipe for success. "You have to have close relationships with your fans and business contacts, because at this level you are a nobody and have to prove yourselves to be worthy," said Kiscaden.

Like any business, bands must hold regular business meetings to discuss what ideas and projects are helping or hindering the band. Drop of Grey has "quarterly meetings and also smaller meetings to adjust things we [are] doing" said Kiscaden. These meetings also allow the band to decide which direction to follow in an open discussion.

Terry Selders, owner of Susquehanna Entertainment, a management firm, explains that "successful DIY bands usually divide up the management type jobs between the band members."

Shoot The Moon, from Wilkes-Barre, divides the management duties between each band member. "Everybody does their job… one person is in charge of marketing, another handles finances, another does bookings and public relations," said Sean McGeehan, vocalist.

Ends with Disaster, from Wilkes-Barre, is run much like a democracy. The band "votes on things like merchandise, songs to learn, etc." said Bob Lewis, vocalist and guitarist.

A problem can occur in these situations when certain individuals do not complete their assigned tasks and the project is slowed down. Following a business model, Kiscaden explains that "there is the thought of a bottleneck. The theory of constraints says you can only go as fast as your largest constraint allows."

Outsourcing Your Problems
If there is an aspect of the business that the band has a weakness in, outsourcing is an option. Instead of signing a management contract, individual tasks are conquered by hiring outside companies. Kiscaden says to "highlight those things you are weak at and outsource them when it comes to your band or business."

There are many promotional companies popping up throughout the Pa. region to help bands with these outsourcing projects. Amount 2 Zip, a promotional company, offers services such as graphic design and internet promotion. Although not a management company, Amount 2 Zip "provides bands with publicity that can help them get the word out about their band," said Mike McHale, owner.

Tony Villella, lead guitarist of Dead Horse, a self-managed band from Lock Haven, understands the bright side of self-management. "We have control and first hand knowledge of everything that goes on in the band, and essentially we control our own destiny" he said.

Kiscaden concurs, as he explains why he and his band mates take on the extra stress and work to self-manage their band: "The biggest reason for self-management is that your band is your project. You absolutely will work the hardest when it's you doing the work because you control how far you can take it."

The Management Transition
Management firms offer bands the opportunity to take a step back and focus on their writing, recording and performing, instead of devoting more time to business management.

Tim Farley, vocalist of Pa. based Pan.a.ce.a, who recently signed a management contract with Susquehanna Entertainment, explains that "with each member having not only an ego, personal finances, relationships and family… the hardest part about being in a band is keeping it together… this is where being able to 'manage' is not only important, but necessary."

Pan.a.ce.a was a DIY band until October 2008. According to Farley, "from finding rehearsal spaces and scheduling practices to eventually booking shows, managing money, networking new contacts, creating press kits and electronic press kits, and writing and recording albums," every effort by the band was orchestrated by the band.

Pan.a.ce.a's self-management efforts paid off as they become one of the most popular and most followed bands in Pa.'s music scene. Due to this success, the band needed to set higher goals for itself and decided to sign with Susquehanna Entertainment.

"We chose to seek larger management because managers are like the gatekeepers to the upper echelon of the industry" said Farley.

Signing with a management firm is often seen as taking the project to the next level. "Not every band wants [management] and not every band needs it… it depends on their definition of success" said Farley.

Having a Reputation in the Biz
While self-managed bands may seem to lack credibility to contacts in the music industry, an experienced management firm offers years of experience and usually a long list of important contacts.

Management firms which have "a good reputation in the business… add to the credibility of the artists we represent," said Selders.

If a band determines that they need outside management, they should still stay active in career decisions so they are not taken advantage of. Until the band is able to find an experienced manager, Selders recommends finding "someone outside the band, perhaps a fan with some business experience and the time and desire to assist with management duties, someone who's enthusiastic about the future of the group and wants to be a part of it."

The decision to transition from self-management to a management firm varies from band to band. Kiscaden realizes that once Drop of Grey "gets to a certain level we will need outside management to help us. There are just some contacts we can't get."

Shoot the Moon, who have had several management companies contact them, have created their own successful following as a self-managed band. "We will not sign with a management firm unless they demonstrate something to us that we cannot do ourselves," said McGeehan.