Paul Costley, Booking Agent: Walking the Fine Line Between Rooms and Bands

Every band deals with a booking agent at some point, and today that becomes true here at GigGab, too, as we welcome Paul Costley of Notso Costley Productions onto the show. Paul’s been playing in, managing, booking, and organizing bands since the 1970s, and has carved out a very successful booking business for himself in New England.

Yep, it’s a two-Pauls-and-one-Dave show as your two favorite weekend warriors listen to advice about working with a booking agent, managing relationships with various clubs, and what representation with a booking agent does – and doesn’t – bring you. Take a listen, then send in your questions to us at [email protected]. Enjoy!

Chapters/Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 GigGab 120 – Monday, June 19, 2017
• 00:01:52 Paul Costley from Notso Costley Productions
• 00:02:38 Started with a restaurant
• 00:04:01 …and then went to just booking
• 00:05:24 Who do you book?
• 00:06:51 Our job is to entertain the people in your room
• 00:10:20 Your band is your business
• 00:11:36 Walking the fine line between rooms and bands
• 00:13:40 Develop relationships with owners on top of managers
• 00:15:40 “We’d love to have you represent us!”
• 00:16:49 Start playing with younger people
• 00:17:55 Send me a couple of YouTube clips
• 00:18:40 Use an open night
• 00:19:42 Your success is your song list
• 00:20:24 What about the look?
• 00:22:02 It’s all about understanding the venue
• 00:23:57 Venue micromanagement
• 00:25:57 How to attract (or turn away) a booking agents
  • Make a name for yourself and let the booking agents come to you
• 00:29:20 How pesty is too pesty
• 00:31:12 Feedback from clubs
• 00:33:42 ASCAP/BMI/CESAC is Causing Attrition
• 00:36:17 GG Outtro

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