Wanted to share a press release with you all from a service that I’d love to see explode here on Maui. If it sounds interesting please check out the site and pass the info around to anyone you know who plays music.
-J
Indie on the Move revolutionizing music and touring, one venue at a time.By David Urbanic
BROOKLYN, NY – To say the world of independent music is “challenging” would be something of an understatement. Especially with touring bands, who often find themselves flying blind, booking shows in unknown cities, relying on the loosely vetted-if at all-reputation of their local counterparts sharing the bill, and their too often empty promises of good crowds, cool venues, and a semi-clean floor to sleep on. But, the little known truth is that the venues themselves suffer the same such blight. Often suffering for their reliance on unknown touring bands unfamiliar with the area, a questionable local following, and the legitimacy of their press kits.
For too long the chasm between the two most integral parts of the independent music scene have been separated by a seemingly self-imposed wall of silence. Since the inception of MySpace, ReverbNation and SonicBids, it has been easier than ever for bands to promote their music, contact, and book shows with venues and other musicians worldwide. But as with so many great resources on the Internet, this niche community has suffered nothing less than the paralyzing wrath of oversaturation.
Enter, Indie on the Move, a completely free music venue database and tour booking resource. Developed and managed by members of the band, ZELAZOWA, who achieved the mind clobbering feat of performing over 500 shows throughout the United States and Europe between 2006 and 2008. Over 500 shows, booked entirely on their own, without the aid of a record label or any kind of corporate sponsorship. If any band has been “through the wringer” it’s these guys.
Of course, in doing so, they amassed a veritable treasure trove of venue data, booking contacts, and other such knowhow that can only be gained through many years of difficult do-it-yourself work ethic. Their collective experience as performers, promoters and tour bookers is in essence priceless. To put a value on it would be impossible. Which is why they are offering it to anyone willing to take advantage, for free.
“After touring the US and Europe pretty thoroughly over the span of a couple of years, we naturally amassed quite a list of contacts and venues,” says Kyle Weber, lead guitarist for ZELAZOWA and president of Indie on the Move LLC. “We then realized how valuable that information was and how much it could really give back to the industry that eats people alive everyday.”
Despite being a website aimed at a niche market, the immediate impact of Indie on the Move cannot be underplayed. Within its first year, the site has accumulated a loyal and very involved following of over 10,000 members and doubled their initial list of venues to a current count of over 2,000. A modest number for the moment, but what makes Indie on the Move unique is that these venues are all under 1,000 in capacity (barring some special exceptions that cater to smaller artists). With no arenas or amphitheatres on the list, and a high degree of accuracy in the information provided, the entire database has been engineered to maximize the payoff for smaller, self-reliant musicians.
“I guess most of our frustrations came from the fact that it always seemed like other sites and informational resources were merely taking advantage of artists,” says Bryan Weber, lead singer for ZELAZOWA and vice president of Indie on the Move LLC. “It was like us vs. “The Man”. Anytime you wanted to get your hands on a database of venues for instance, you had to pay a premium, and nine times out of ten, once you got your hands on the publication a lot of the information it contained was completely out of date. This is a big reason why we encourage our members to help out with the upkeep of our site. While the site administrators verify all of the venue information every month, we are not flawless and our community helps out a great deal in keeping us in check. “
This is a unique formula for an industry that has long been loosely connected, at best, and lacking in self-regulation. From the initial volume of positive feedback, one that is paying off in spades, and not just for Indie on the Move, but the ever growing volume of members. “For us, there is absolutely no tour without Indie on The Move,” says Justin Stang, singer for the band Sideways Reign. “I can’t imagine a world before this outstanding resource existed.”
“Indie on the Move is the booking resource for a do-it-yourself band,” says Tyler Reardon, vocalist for the Massachusetts based band, Semester Abroad. “I needed to book an entire east coast tour within one month and without [them], I would have failed miserably.”
In the words of Kyle Weber, “Our aim is to help bands and venues to better work together, maximizing results on both sides.” This is a goal that is consistently appreciated by the venues themselves. “We were exceptionally pleased with the quantity and quality of talent that contacted us,” says Barbara Kenig from the Freakin Frog in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Indie on the Move is filling an important niche in the music industry.”
“I acquired, by mistake, a last minute project of booking a venue called City Ale House in Danbury, Connecticut,” recalls Octave Revolt Booking agent, Christine Mutch. “As I searched online for a way to contact bands, we came across Indie on the Move. They have made it much easier to fill empty dates, bring us professional, responsible bands and led us to constantly use their services.”
“We have built strong professional relationships with thousands of the best venues across the U.S.,” says Bryan Weber. “A lot of them are even encouraging the local bands that play and frequent their establishment to sign up for the site. It’s a wonderful balance.”
Without a doubt, Indie on the Move has made a huge dent in the way the independent music world operates. While the organization may not yet have truly revolutionized an entire industry, the rate of their growth and success makes one wonder what is in store. Already with a reputation for innovation, Indie on the Move fights the threat of stagnation with the regular unveiling of new content, features, and ever more opportunities for interaction from bands, venues, and fans alike. The Brooklyn, New York based upstart has already seen the first glimmers of competitor imitation; the so-called, most sincerest form of flattery.
“I think you always have to worry about the competition mimicking your moves,” says Indie on the Move treasurer, Shaun Weber. “If something is done successfully, others will be sure to follow. We’ve already seen some of our competitors acting in the same capacity as us, but that only drives us to become more innovative. Fortunately for us, we have four successful, experienced independent musicians on our team providing that spark.”
“I guess the biggest difference between us and our competitors is that we are all still independent, working musicians,” says Bryan Weber. “I believe that this gives us a unique perspective and advantage when it comes to how we can improve the site and better enhance the experience of our members. It’s like that old Hair Club for Men commercial,” laughs Weber. “‘Not only am I the president, but I am also a client’.”
So what of the future? Indie on the Move has a wealth of new features and improvements in the queue, ready to continue the turning of the industry on it’s head, but until their reveal the site administrators are remaining intriguingly mum. After all, in an industry carried by the countless tools in the do-it-yourself toolbox, the next wave of innovation could come from anywhere.
“Indie on the Move can, ideally, become the toolbox, rather than just a very effective tool,” exclaims Shaun Weber. “Our feedback to date has been extremely positive. Bands are realizing that our site makes booking faster, easier and more effective and venues are seeing great results from our show availability e-blasts. As more people begin to fully utilize the site, our potential is limitless.”
“I feel very positive about the future,” says Kyle Weber, with a smile. “My only wish is that we could implement some of our ideas quicker, but good things take time. “
Indie on the Move can be found and contacted online at www.indieonthemove.com. For more information on ZELAZOWA, music and tour dates, visit www.myspace.com/zelazowa.
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