intro
This is kind of a no-brainer for those of us who go to shows and hang out too much. You call up the band and say, "Hey, play this show, there will be chicks there!" But if you don't know a gazillion bands offhand, there are really easy ways of getting a hold of some cool, nice bands.
go to local shows
1. The best way is to actually go to shows in your area. When you see bands you like or some hottie in a band you don't like, go up and talk to them. It's as simple as that. Let the band or a member of the band know you are a promoter/booking agent and you want them to play a show for you.
There is no "cool" way to go about this. Starting out with "hey, you played a good set tonight" is kind of lame, but basically that's really the best way to break the ice. Most of the time it is understood that you are giving a standard insincere greeting.
note:
Remember to always get their number. If you only give them yours, they won't call. If they do call, it will be around 1 am--trust me. If they are seasoned veterans of this process, they will just automatically give you their number; they know better.
another note:
One important aspect of dealing with bands is keeping in touch. No one wants to be a nag, but it is always best to confirm with bands about their appearance at your show, because nothing sucks more than paying for a hall, getting flyers out and then having no band.
one more note:
Have every band confirm before you make flyers advertising your event. This eliminates most confusion and disappointment from the attending few. When confirming with bands, it is always wise to inquire just how much gas money they will need. Try not to give out gas money in advance unless you have some legal-sounding, but not necessarily legally binding, contracts (indie/punk/underground music folk are leery of such things). Most bands will play for gas money, a place to crash and beer.
go to your computer
2. Another way to find out about cool bands is the internet. Sites like Book Your Own Fucking Life (http://www.byofl.org/) and IndieWeb (http://www.indieweb.com/) have information on almost every band imaginable. Yeah, you may not have a clear-cut idea of what they sound like, but you can always request demos or buy albums. Most bands who post on these sites are actively looking for shows anyways, and will agree to play for the most meager of accommodations. For example, I once had a band play for Taco Bell and some black jelly bracelets, if that is any indication, so let not money be an issue.
go to the record store
3. There are also other, more luck-driven, ways to expand your independent music horizons. You can try just randomly buying an album once in a while. This can sometimes be a lovely surprise, if it doesn't hurt your back pocket too much. You can also try checking out other bands on your favorite bands' labels. This is a good way to keep by the way of what you dig, and sometimes bands are more accessible than you think.
