Demo tapes and the Rally - what's a good approach?

[fusilierb]

I'm curious how you instrumental composers handle bringing demo CD's to the Rally. How many copies do you bring? Do you organize them by style or strongest pieces first? What kind of packaging do you go for?I've never been so I don't know what its going to be like as far as being able to hand out demo cd's.Thanks,B

[mazz]

I only bring a few. One year I brought an orchestral and a more generalized one, maybe 5 of each. I tried to put a variety, but only my strongest material. I have organized them into genres, I've also specified the genre for each piece separately on the cover.I tend to not put the list of pieces on the CD since it's hopefully spinning in their player anyway. I list the pieces, timings and any genre information on the J-card, which I print myself at home. I had a graphic designer come up with a little logo that I use on everything, business cards, etc. and I put that on the cover of the J-card. I also put my name on the spine so it's viewable when the CD is on a shelf.I make sure that my contact info is on everything, CD, front and back of J-card, I also slip a business card in there as well. That's the most important information on the CD, IMO.I wrote a little bio that I printed on the inside one year after I had some actual credits I could list.I'm not big on rushing the stage to try to shove a CD in the hands of the panelists, I prefer to be more discerning. I've also brought pre-printed labels, J-cards and my laptop along with blank CDs and empty cases so I can burn in my room if I run out.When the listing of the classes and panels comes out, you'll want one CD with one piece on it for each listening panel you choose to submit to. Your member number has to be printed on your CD somewhere. Alternatively you can put one of your demos in and write in your member number and the track number you want them to play if your CD gets drawn out of the box. I prefer to prepare a single piece CD ahead of time.HTH,Mazz

[mfowler]

Mazz.. great advice for any genre!! thanks! I just cant rush the stage either.. too old and to introverted!!!But in case I get the opportunity, I will be more organized. I'm thinking of picking up a cd/dvd printer so I dont have recordable cd swith sharpie writing on them!!Marlin

[mazz]

Oct 4, 2009, 3:22pm, mfowler wrote: I'm thinking of picking up a cd/dvd printer so I dont have recordable cd swith sharpie writing on them!!Marlin Your CD should be dressed for success. You probably wouldn't go to a meeting with a library owner dressed in your shorts you work in the yard in, why would you give them a CD labeled with a sharpie? Hope to meet you at the Rally!Mazz

[fusilierb]

Thanks Mazz!B

[bete]

Mazz, thanks for this advice. I'm just beginning to understand the business, despite many years of writing

[matto]

Bryan, I definitely wouldn't bring "tapes"...

[fusilierb]

Oh s&$% that's funny! I have a bead on a cheap 8-track production house I was thinking about using. They even throw in the artwork for free. Good idea?B

[milesbparty]

This is my first Road Rally too (I just joined Taxi about a month and a half ago), and I was also wondering how many tracks you guys put on your generalized demos?Paul

[bobadohshe]

Bryan I am wondering the same thing, thank you for starting this thread:I have 25 tracks in 9 genres of TV instrumentals, and I am wondering if I should put them all on one CD, of course with the track listing neatly categorized by genre on the CD case. Is that just a PITA for these people?Some of my categories include those largely seen in TAXI listings, like 'Crime Drama', 'Hip Hop', 'Dance/ Electronica', 'Uptempo/Chase', but then I have a couple in 'New Age', 'Smooth Jazz' and 'Straight Ahead Jazz'. Should I leave off the last 3? I think they are all strong, but maybe I should just have like 18 tracks in those more relevant categories?I'll have a separate CD with vocal stuff. But I have the same question for Vocal stuff:Should I have my 3 RnB cuts by themselves on a CD, or can I have my 3 RnB cuts along with my 2 vocal jazz cuts and 2 indie songwriter cuts and 2 Uptempo dance vocal cuts? Again, is it over kill or good to have them all on one CD provided it's neat?Those who speak from experience, please advise!