44 replies to this topic

[ladydemon]

i got this in my email basket..how not to approach booking agents.

it's an upbraid from a booker (keith martin) in POrtland. notice he sent his reply to everyone because Destinations Unknown did not do a "blind copy" i posted this kids angry diatribe on the shizz (after i gave him a little criticism about his song then he went off and i posted all those others too.. maybe i shouldn't have done it, but you can see he carried on and now has advice for other much more well-seasoned bookers than i.) i have a feeling he probably sent Keith back a scathing letter.

... you can see the Destinations Unknown, first email to all the bookers at the bottom then Keith's reply to it here...



From: Keith Martin <keith@johnhenrysclub.com>
To: "'Destinations Unknown'" <destinationsunknown@earthlink.net>, <info@infectiouspublicity.com>, <anita@thelamplighter.ca>, <ben@hi-dive.com>, <bluemoonseattle@hotmail.com>, <burtsbands@hotmail.com>, <myfatassproductions@yahoo.com>, <cdiaz@knittingfactory.com>, <colin@chopsuey.com>, <booking@grpub.net>, <dantesbooking@qwest.net>, <booking@hotelcafe.com>, <booking@highdiveseattle.com>, <jennifer@spaceland.tv>, <atomiccantina@hotmail.com>, <liz@spaceland.tv>, <music@lestats.com>, <lucifer@sabalasmttabor.com>, <booking@cafevenus.com>, <mattbaquet@hotmail.com>, <gapbooking@gmail.com>, <bookings@themediaclub.ca>, <mike@hotelutah.com>, <starryploughbooking@gmail.com>, <nate@vegasdivebar.com>, <montev_bo@yahoo.com>, <booking@theparadox.org>, <email@devilbar.com>, <booking@programcouncil.com>, <bondsbooking@hotmail.com>, <booking@thepaperheart.com>, <fold@sbcglobal.net>, <shirley@sanddollarblues.com>, <booking@mississippipizza.com>, <tangierbookings@aol.com>, <setsbooking@cox.net>, <booking@viperroom.com>, <tenmanbren@aol.com>, <tom@luckymanonline.com>, <booking@bottomofthehill.com>, <will@luckymanonline.com>, "'Mark Martin'" <msm413@hotmail.com>

Subject: RE: Destinations Unknown - About Booking Requests
Sent: Wednesday, December 6, 2006 9:18 PM

Here are a couple suggestions that might be helpful for booking a tour as
from what I gathered from your earlier email this might be your first
tour...

1---Send specific dates, figure out your routing then contact clubs.
2---Most Venues (if not all???) post booking instructions on their website
for a reason. This allows us to hopefully not answer the same repetitive
questions like why your band can't get a show on a certain night. It
probably also gives instructions as to the best way to get a hold of us and
other specific instructions...for me, I prefer a myspace link and the actual
dates you're looking at, not an email saying you might be looking at dates
in February or March and to contact you if interested.
3---Don't refer to yourself or your band in the 3rd person, it's just tacky.
4---USE THE BLIND CARBON COPY FEATURE ON YOUR EMAIL (AKA BCC)...it's the
right thing to do!
5---Thanks for your interest in playing John Henry's but at this time we're
not interested in changing all of our booking policies and preferences to
accommodate you.

Thanks,

Keith Martin
John Henry's
77 West Broadway
Eugene, Oregon
97401
(541)345-9315 booking
(541)342-3358 club

www.johnhenrysclub.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Destinations Unknown [mailto:destinationsunknown@earthlink.net]
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 5:49 PM
To: info@infectiouspublicity.com; anita@thelamplighter.ca; ben@hi-dive.com;
bluemoonseattle@hotmail.com; burtsbands@hotmail.com;
myfatassproductions@yahoo.com; cdiaz@knittingfactory.com;
colin@chopsuey.com; booking@grpub.net; dantesbooking@qwest.net;
booking@hotelcafe.com; booking@highdiveseattle.com; jennifer@spaceland.tv;
keith@johnhenrysclub.com; atomiccantina@hotmail.com; liz@spaceland.tv;
music@lestats.com; lucifer@sabalasmttabor.com; booking@cafevenus.com;
mattbaquet@hotmail.com; gapbooking@gmail.com; bookings@themediaclub.ca;
mike@hotelutah.com; starryploughbooking@gmail.com; nate@vegasdivebar.com;
montev_bo@yahoo.com; booking@theparadox.org; email@devilbar.com;
booking@programcouncil.com; bondsbooking@hotmail.com;
booking@thepaperheart.com; fold@sbcglobal.net; shirley@sanddollarblues.com;
booking@mississippipizza.com; tangierbookings@aol.com; setsbooking@cox.net;
booking@viperroom.com; tenmanbren@aol.com; tom@luckymanonline.com;
booking@bottomofthehill.com; starryploughbooking@gmail.com;
will@luckymanonline.com
Subject: Destinations Unknown - About Booking Requests

_________________________________________________

SNATCH RECORDS - DESTINATIONS UNKNOWN
P.O. Box 50064 Phoenix, AZ 85076 U.S.A.

Ph: (480) 242-0526
E-mail: destinationsunknown@earthlink.net
Website: www.destinationsunknownusa.com
_________________________________________________


Attention: ALL BOOKING AGENTS


Destinations Unknown has recently sent you a booking request because several
shows are being planned to support the release of the new EP "Experiments in
the Garage". Just as you have a job to do, so to does Destinations Unknown.

Destinations Unknown does not possess mind-reading capabilities. No one
knows what any of you are doing or thinking and Destinations Unknown doesn't
make a habit of assuming anything about you or your venue.

Likewise, you should not assume that whatever policies and practices are
acceptable to a local band of unorganized, twenty-somethings will also be
acceptable to Destinations Unknown.

Destinations Unknown is booking shows all over the country and it is
especially difficult dealing with many of you when each venue has their own
specific preferences and/or criteria about handling such requests.

If you are hostile or the agenda you're pushing does not coincide with
booking a Destinations Unknown show, then you should just be up front about
it and indicate such.

It is easiest and most convenient to simply send an e-mail and indicate that
your venue has no interest in booking Destinations Unknown. If that is your
prerogative, there is no need to be shy about rejecting a booking request.
If your venue is certain there is absolutely no interest, then you should
reply accordingly so that Destinations Unknown can eliminate your venue from
further consideration.

I can't speak for anyone else except Destinations Unknown, but it does seem
clear that no serious band or performer is interested in chasing down a
show, either by making repeated telephone calls or by sending numerous
e-mail messages that may not be received or returned. If you want to book a
show, then you shouldn't be wasting a lot of time about it or give people
the run around. This just creates ill-will and bad vibes that none of us
needs.


Thank You,

Destinations Unknown

[rudolpho of pensacola]

stanks for all those email contacts, lb! right clicked, copied, and saved! youre the best!

[aaronburke]

wow, i'd really like to meet Destinations Unknown.
they are truly a well-named band

[mancopter]

It's interesting to see the Destinations Unknown saga continuing.

Kinda sad, but interesting.

[woodman]

When is the next installment? This is serialized, right???

[Hooray For Everything]

what was their myspace address?

they got fuckin' ATTITUDE!!!!!

That, with a cool name, might get 'em a Tuesday night opening slot at the Casa Blanca...

[Hooray For Everything]

Established during the spring of 2001 as the brainchild of singer-songwriter, Kris Jarvis, Destinations Unknown was initially conceived as a three-piece art rock band with moving interchangeable parts. Since then, DU has mainly been a solo effort mixing acoustic punk, alt-country and power pop arrangements with softer melodies and lyrical ballads.

Over the past five years, DU has emerged unscathed from the occasional live gig played here and there at some of the cozier, more intimate venues around the U.S. Opting not to follow the pack, DU has taken a low-key, unconventional approach toward making music that has sometimes defied industry trends and set DU apart from most everyone else making music at the moment.

At the same time, DU has resisted the urge to make music that is formulaic or crassly commercial. With an elusive and capricious sound that easily crosses over from one genre to the next, DU continues to enjoy a steady and growing fan base and be well received both at home and overseas. With the new release of its debut EP 'Experiments in the Garage', DU is certain to achieve a degree of cult success and establish DU as a new and innovative force on the indie rock scene.

A native of the Chicago area, the DU frontman has lived, worked and studied predominantly among the artistic communities of NYC and, more recently, Hollywood. After a short-lived foray into the world of independent film, KJ has taken off for extended periods of time to travel and explore the world. When not holed up somewhere at a secret undisclosed location either writing new songs, recording or playing live shows, he is at work completing a fictional novel.





HFE - it sounds like he has his head stuck in some secret, undisclosed, location.

he writes his songs on a lap-top at fuckin' Starbucks.

[ladydemon]

no problem for the contacts.. i figured it was stuff you could just find anyway!
now you just don't have to look for it.


oh it's a cliffhanger allright.

"you should reply accordingly so that Destinations Unknown can eliminate your venue...."

[guitarduane]

lb could probably write a pretty decent book based on "DU" emails alone! always love a laugh, thanks!!

[unluckycharm]

Let's interpret this:

"After a short-lived foray into the world of independent film" = 2 minute film made in mom's garage, features DU action figures spinning around while a strobe light flashes.

"KJ has taken off for extended periods of time to travel and explore the world." = Dude was fired from 7-11 and took the bus to Tempe, mistakes street construction for 'noise rock'.

"When not holed up somewhere at a secret undisclosed location either writing new songs, recording or playing live shows," = again, mom's garage.

"he is at work completing a fictional novel." = community college 2 page essay.

[chadk]

dude, my sister went to the Denver University!

[John MFer]

Established during the spring of 2001... With the new release of its debut EP 'Experiments in the Garage',

They're so big and popular, but five and a half years and only one EP to show for it?

[weener]

I remember this guy, Donald had to close the last thread because everyone, especially me, was making fun of him so bad. He had all these reeeeedonkulous things on his myspace about...well...if I get into it I'll just start bashing him again.

[DoctorShumway]

Established during the spring of 2001 as the brainchild of singer-songwriter, Kris Jarvis, Destinations Unknown was initially conceived as a three-piece art rock band with moving interchangeable parts. Since then, DU has mainly been a solo effort mixing acoustic punk, alt-country and power pop arrangements with softer melodies and lyrical ballads.

Translation: all of my bands members hated me because I'm a dick but fuck them because I am the brains. Am I right or am I right?

[beefstew]

wow, i'd really like to meet Destinations Unknown.
they are truly a well-named band

that dude (band) is truly a work of art. wow.