BAAMO is looking for a few good bands
Care to throw your hat in the ring?
We love live local music, and think that the Tampa Bay music scene is amazing. BAAMO (Bay Area Arts & Music Organization) is a non-profit group of volunteers who want to tell the world how great our local music makers are. And people are listening. Not only have we helped some of our bands get airplay across the US, but in Canada, France, Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands — even Australia.
How do we do it? Maybe it is our good looks, but more likely it is The Florida Bandango, an unofficial Florida band showcase (aka party) we put on in Austin, Texas, during the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Conference. Neither BAAMO nor The Florida Bandango is associated with SXSW.
The Seventh Annual Florida Bandango will be held on Wednesday, March 18th , 2009 at the Yard Dog Gallery on South Congress, the thriving arts district in Austin. Last year we had about 650 people come through and listen to our bands and special guests. Do you want to be one of those bands playing in Austin?
BAAMO’s selection criteria includes:
Have a retail quality CD or recordings
Be available to play at one to three local fundraisers
Play original music
Have an up-to-date media kit (electronic mandatory, paper nice to have)
Have a band web site that is up-to-date with show schedules and press mentions
Have the desire and willingness to perform outside of the greater Tampa Bay area
Apply to the 2009 official SXSW music conference
Have ever been accepted to the official SXSW music conference
Have national CD distribution &/or digital downloads available
Be able to stay in Austin for a few days during the conference.
Be available for pre-Bandango meetings (required)
Here’s what some of the Tampa Bay artists who have played the Florida Bandango had to say about their experience:
“There is that chance of lightning striking there, [and it’s] greater than anywhere else in the country during the course of the year.”
“We showed up with no expectations and had a great time. Now googling my name we find all these little reviews from music critics from all over the US saying great things about us and giving us high ratings. We wanted to just share our music with people who have never heard us before and it worked.”
Over the course of the year, BAAMO is typically involved in sponsoring one or two tribute shows (fund-raising events), producing a compilation cd for national distribution, occasionally booking bands for local events, hosting the Florida Bandango in Austin, Texas and potentially, sponsoring Tampa Bay artists at other national music festivals and conferences (Folk Alliance is the first one on our radar).
Our latest compilation, Cheatin’ Heart: Tales of Lies & Love, was the #1 or #2 most-played album on WMNF 88.5 for 10 weeks after it’s release in February 2008. The record is also getting the aforementioned national & international airplay.
If you are interested in applying to be one of our bands at the 7th Annual Florida Bandango, send us a link to your Sonic Bids site or mail your press kit, with a current cd to: BAAMO, 1432 Dr MLK Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33704. There is no fee to apply, and BAAMO tries to help out with some of the traveling expenses.
