The Carnelian Agency

How come we haven’t gotten any gigs? A common misconception is that signing with an agency will result in immediate work and a full calendar. This is almost never the case; we are working with venues that book shows a minimum of 3-6 months in advance and often up to a year in advance. It takes a good deal of time to discover and nurture the contacts that will eventually result in quality bookings for Carnelian artists.

How many press kits have you sent out? As a general rule Carnelian does not send out unsolicited press kits to random venues. We follow a specific formula: research, strategy and action. We target- market through research, plan our contact method, and then follow through with the action. We send a letter of introduction about the agency with brief highlights of the matching artist. If they are interested we send out a complete press kit with cover letter, promo pictures, demo, bio, and references.

How can we get into the casino market? Most casino markets are managed by talent buyers who form a unique representative relationship with the casino. We can only work with the casino through the talent buyer who provides guarantees to the casino about the acts they book. Keep in mind that entertainment is not the primary function of a casino. Casinos are looking for big name acts, popular and highly polished regional acts. It is a very competitive market and we are slowly but surely building our relationships within it.

Should I call the venue and talk to them to get our band’s tentative date confirmed? Absolutely not; we have spent countless hours providing professional representation of the agency and our artists. Our agents and the venue talent buyer have formed a professional business relationship by the time you are given a tentative date. Venue talent buyers that choose to work with Carnelian agents will expect all communication to come from our agents. Artists must realize that their calls will interfere with the communication between our agents and the venue and may jeopardize that date, as well the agency and the band’s professional image.

I want to play again at the venue Carnelian booked for our band last week, I just gave them a call to get another date . There are many concerns when a band assumes this course of action. First of all, there is no need to call the venue for a rebooking that soon after a show. Secondly, your agent has put in long hours and the lead work to secure you a first time booking in a venue, and you are stepping on their toes. Thirdly, we believe it is ethical, legal and professional for the agent and talent buyer to continue working together for future bookings. Finally, loyalty, respect and professionalism really will take you a lot further in this business than over eager actions that subvert your agents work and jeopardize rebookings. Allow you agent to develop their professional relationship and earn the trust of the talent buyer as they represent your band to that venue. Representation is afterall, what your agent is doing as they work to secure bookings for your band.

Have we gotten any response to the press kit mailings you told me you sent out? Please keep in mind the person who receives press kits could easily get hundreds or even thousands of press kits in a given booking period. We do not “shotgun” press kits everywhere; we target them to very specific markets and venues. Carnelian’s formula and introduction strategy may increase your press kits opportunity to be reviewed. This is why it is important for artists to assume responsibility for a professional, distinctive and up to date press kit. However, the markets are highly competitive and there are no guarantees that you will be selected.

Will you check out our band at rehearsal? No, we are a professional booking agency; we review bands by their audio materials, promo kits, press and reports of live performance experience.

Will you come out to the club and watch our show? (The alternate versions) Why didn’t you come out and watch our show? We do appreciate a kind invitation, but please do not be offended if we do not attend your shows. Our booking agents can not attend every show of every artist on our roster. In fact, Carnelian agent’s book shows for artists we have never seen perform at venues we have not visited. This is simply the nature of a booking agency’s work and is not an indication that we don’t care about your performance.

What can I do to assist you in booking shows? Provide the agency with up to date materials and information, we need the following: Good quality audio demos or CDs, your photos, bios, a complete press kit in printed and electronic forms, and copies of any press releases or clippings. We also need up to date contact information, your phone, address, email address and website address. Keep us advised as to your calendar and availability. When you perform at a gig booked by our agency, give it your best, have a great night, do your band and our agency proud, and please give us feedback on your performance and the venue.

*List Carnelian Agency and a provide link to our website on all promotional items and your band's website.

My friend’s have started a really good band, can they open for us at ____________.

No. That other band or that other artist is not under contract with The Carnelian Agency. Artist’s under contract with our agency have been reviewed, and selected because we believed in that artist or bands potential. We represent your band on that premise, the agency and our artists need to deliver the shows we promise.

You haven’t called me in two weeks, what the heck’s the deal? Two weeks is not a significant amount of time to measure progress and we are simply unable to report to all of our artists on an on going basis. Please be assured, we share a common goal, when we are successful we all benefit and we are always working for you.

Can we have a list of all the venues with contact info that Carnelian is contacting on our behalf?

Part of Carnelian's distinction is its unique database of qualified contacts it has developed over several years' time. This database is extremely valuable and is considered proprietary to our company and not available for sale, trade or borrowing.

Why don’t you try to contact ___________ again, maybe I can get in there now?

We believe we know the difference between presenting an artist and doing appropriate follow up, and harassing a venue that is simply not interested at this time. It may be difficult to hear your agent tell you a venue or talent buyer was uninterested and they can not call the venue again. But please bear in mind that your agent is exercising informed professional judgment and can not run the risk of alienating the company or any of our artist to that venue.

We had a really great gig at _________, when are we going to play there again? One thing artists should realize that it is possible overplay a market. Local venues might book a show 3 times per year; high profile venues may only book an act once per year and in many cases, every other year. And in extreme situations, in instances where an artist thought their gig went really well, we sometimes receive contrary reports. In one instance, the venue reported unprofessional conduct and in another the venue stated the act was not a good match for their clientele. This happens sometimes and a certain amount of “public relations” repair work must be done, usually at the agency’s own expense.

Can we get prepayment for a gig to offset gas expenses? No. We expect to work with artists who are able to plan ahead and incur the ordinary expenses involved with most performances. We also expect artists to calculate the costs of a gig and to examine the terms of a contract before accepting the gig.

Artists who work with us are forming a professional association which increases their visibility in the live music entertainment industry. Benefits include representation through the agency, our many affiliations, publications and the Carnelian website. In addition, Carnelian has professionally trained agents who work full time at their job; they are developing contacts, networks, discovering markets and forming music business relationships on a regular basis. Working with Carnelian increases your opportunity for visibility, expands work opportunities and adds a touch of professionalism

The Carnelian FAQ is intended to address some of the more common questions that come into our office and to prevent misunderstanding between Carnelian and its artists. It offers insight to our day to day business operations and the common concerns of many artists.

In closing, we would like to share a few words of wisdom that we have learned from seasoned music business professionals and performing artists and musicians.

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