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The Art of Gigging: The Essential Guide to Starting Up as a Performing Artist

by Mark A. Singleton

231 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #04-2349; ISBN 1-4120-7402-9; US$22.68, C$26.08, EUR18.63, £13.04

Why be an amateur? With a bit of inside knowledge you could become a pro. With essential information and guidance you could lose the 'average' tag and gain the 'wow' factor.

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About the Book      About the Author      Excerpts      Catalogue Information

About the Book

As explained throughout the book, having the talent is one thing, but amassing the knowledge, resources, equipment, etc, and then getting yourself into a position where you can entertain people with a view to earning some money is another.

Like any trade, the entertainment industry is not something you can just jump into. You have to learn the basics and learn about the industry you are getting involved in. There has to be some kind of an 'apprenticeship' of sorts.

If you are even considering starting up as a 'gigging' musician ( going on the road ), spend a couple of weeks or even months with a working act or band, preferably the latter.

Travel with them from the moment they leave for the gig. Don't just meet them at the gig, that's cheating. Jump in from the start. You should get an idea how long it can take to pick up band members and equipment with the added bonus of travelling in the back of a cramped van!

It's very surprising how much you learn from attending 'coal face' gigs from start to finish. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you need to; they had to start somewhere themselves!

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About the Author

Born within a mile of Liverpool city centre into a musical family, it's not hard to see why Mark started entertaining people from the tender age of nine.

With a love affair for the mechanics of the music and entertainment industry, Mark, ever the consummate professional. has gone on to teach and mentor hundreds of up and coming musicians of every genre in his role as a music industry consultant (music careers advisor) and peripatetic instrumental/guitar teacher.

A musician ( guitar, keys, banjo, bass, vocals) for the last 30 years Mark has been involved in some 3000 gigs in some capacity - whether that be a 'one off session', as a member of a band, as a roadie, a mentor or manager.

Mark has also played in many well known Liverpool bands, most notably Afraid of Mice (1984-87), and his own band Now Hear This (1988-95) also playing sessions in the early 80s with many 60s & 70s hit bands.

Mark has also helped design, write and construct practical educational provisions that have helped guide countless musicians to move into the industry, excerpts from The Art of Gigging can be found in the UK Government's Music Open Learning Provision (MOLP) Workbooks 1 - 8.

Mark has also contributed and worked with 'London Weekend Television' talent shows, appeared on the Jonathan Ross show, Granada TV and also worked with Channel 4s video production team and has also performed on countless radio sessions. Currently NW coast Regional Manager for the Music Industry Consultancy service provision for a company called Access to Music and working in conjunction with the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts ( LIPA ) provides the NDFM government initiative, specifically designed to move musicians into work within the music & entertainments industry.

From sticky-carpet back-street 'dives' to sell out theatre gigs, Mark has touched both worlds of what is the life of a journeyman musician.

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Excerpts

The following chapters are there to give an honest insight as to what to expect on the long, long road to becoming a semi/pro musician or performing artist. Although the book is mainly aimed at starters to intermediate performers in the industry, it will in some places offer a more advanced insight into aspects of the music industry that many of you may never have had the good fortune to reach. Throughout the book there are quotes and sections that have been written by guests and may offer a different perspective in order to give a broader range of advice. Some guests have been to the very top of the ladder, some are simply gigging musicians in some shape or form. I have the same respect for all of them, no matter what range of success they may have achieved. After all what is success? To me success is learning an instrument well enough to truly entertain other people and even more importantly to entertain yourself with years of enjoyment and pleasure, regardless of the fact that you may never reach number one in the national charts. Throughout the book I will be covering both the 'original songwriters' side of the industry and also the covers side, both differing in their routes. Solo work ( covers and original ) and band work ( covers and original ) will be included, and I will be starting from scratch as regards my advice. "Most Artists will never really ask themselves 'why Gig'? What is the purpose of gigging, who is it for and is anyone actually interested in your band? There are several reasons for gigging/performance, one being money(!!) self gratification (ego), and the opportunity to show your mum and friends that all that prancing around the bedroom with a microphone substitute (hair brush) was not just day-dreaming and time wasted, but a realistic attempt to have an alternative career to the perceived norm! There's nowt wrong with being a secretary or bricklayer, but for some of us the idea of going on stage to bare our souls to the world, can be the most nerve wracking and poignant moments of our lives". Keith Mullin, The Farm contents

"A must-have for anyone with a desire to become a semi-professional or professional musician- essential reading." Stephen Lawson editor of Total Guitar ( Europe's best-selling guitar magazine ) "It's good to see a book dedicated to the best part of being in a band -getting out and gigging. Anyone serious about playing music should read it." Barney Jameson - Editor of Playmusic magazine. "Essential life lessons.- An essential guide - Michael Molenda, US Editor in Chief, GUITAR PLAYER magazine "It's a bible for getting your show on the road" - Liverpool Echo 13.1.6 "So you want to be a pop-star? A new no-nonsense guide from Liverpool's Mark Singleton will have wannabees running for the hills, and dedicated artists honing their skills.....teaches real gigging out on the front lines." www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool 25.01.06 "The Art of Gigging is essential reading for anyone who has started out gigging or is thinking of starting a band. Mark conveys his in depth knowledge of the industry in this interesting book and offers tips that can help even the more established bands. The book covers just about every aspect of the music industry and is ideal for anyone who is just starting out as a musician". - St Helens Star 25.1.06 "If you want to know how to get into show business and what to do when you get there- this is the book for you, great stuff" - Billy Butler - Radio Merseyside interview 16.2.06 A great talent.... I was hooked....excellent book. - The Buz Magazine March 06

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Catalogue Information

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