On
the Road with OnlineRock
Late
last fall, OnlineRock Records released �Spirit
and Decibels�
from the Gregory
Paul Group. The group hails from Rochester,
New York and has been described by Billboard Magazine
as "a hybrid of atmospheric ambiance and powerful
acoustics." Their hard work and artistic efforts
are starting to get them noticed throughout the East
Coast and the Midwest. They play at colleges, clubs and
festivals and were chosen to showcase at the 2002 NACA
South Regional Conference in Tulsa, OK last fall.
This July they will embark on their first tour to the
West Coast. In addition to the live gigs the group will
be doing, they will also do in-store performances and promotional
appearances at popular tourist areas. Although it took
a lot of phone calls, a profession demo kit and much postage,
the tour looks like it will possibly break even. In addition,
any CDs that the group will sell will add to the bottom
line.
As
I mentioned, it was a lot of hard work but any band or
musicians with some persistence can set-up a tour for
themselves. We started getting things together about six
months before we planned on traveling. The first thing
we did was look at where we wanted to reach. We chose Los
Angeles, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle. We then compiled
a list of possible venues to play in those cities. Some
basic research on the Internet made this step pretty easy.
We also used Map Quest to figure out travel times and miles
between the cities.
After sending out an initial email to the venues, we followed
up with a press kit to those clubs that expressed interest.
The press kit included a CD, reviews of the CD and live
performances, a bio, a picture and a cover letter. We also
contacted independent music stores requesting to be include
in their listening booths and offering a free in-store
performance.
After the dates were set we printed posters and flyers
to advertise the gigs. They were distributed to each venue.
We also sent the dates into calendars and music reviewers
in each city and posted the dates on music web sites such
as Jambase.com. Most importantly we contacted everyone
we knew in each city and asked for their help. Now the
group is ready to hit the road.
Although
it took a lot of time and effort, we feel that the exposure
during the tour will prove to be worth it.
We will use this formula to set-up additional tours whether
a few miles for our home town or across the country. While
we are out on the road, we ask for your support also. Please
feel free to check out any of the shows listed below. We
look forward to seeing you.
07/19
Brain
Wash in
San Francisco, CA at 9:30 P.M.
07/20 Club
Fais Do Do in Los Angeles, CA at 9:45 P.M.
07/21 Genghis
Cohen in Los Angeles, CA at 9:30 P.M.
07/22 Boo Boo Records in
San Luis Obispo, CA at 5:30 P.M.
07/22 SLO
Brewing Co. in San Luis Obispo, CA at 9:00 P.M.
07/25 Q's
Music Hall in Ashland, OR at 10:00 P.M.
07/26 Music
Millennium Records in Portland, OR at 1:00 P.M.
07/26 Bitter
End Pub in Portland, OR at 6:00 P.M.
07/27 Easy Street
Records in Seattle, WA at 4:00 P.M.
07/27 Tractor Tavern in
Seattle, WA (GP Solo) at 8:30 P.M.
07/28 Conor
Byrne Pub in Seattle, WA at 8:30 P.M. with Sugartown
07/29 Sunset Tavern in
Seattle, WA at 8:00 P.M. with Sugartown
07/30 Bitter
End Pub in Portland, OR at 6:00 P.M.
07/30 The Rabbit Hole in Portland, OR at 11:00 P.M.
08/01 KFJC Radio Broadcast on the Web at 3:00 P.M.
08/01 Pete�s
881 Club in San Rafael, CA at 9:00 P.M.
08/02 Cannery Court in
San Francisco, CA at 4:00 P.M.
08/02 St.
Stephen's Green in Los Altos, CA at 9:00 P.M.
