Throwing an album release party?

[JustinPhelps]

Just got done producing a few songs on a friend's album and he's wanting to throw some kind of release party. Anyone have any advice/experience in such? It sounds easier than I'm sure it is. Should we have tickets? Cover charge? Give away an album at the door? Live concert? Alcohol? (Free? Per cup? cover charge?)

We'd like to be able to have alcohol but we know there are for sure going to be minors here and it's going to be at the studio (we of course don't have a alcohol license.) Is it OK with the law as long as we strickly card to get a rist band?

Any tips?

Thanks!

[emdub123]

I'd like to hear what people have to say about this too. Thanks for posting the question...

[JustinPhelps]

Agreed. I searched and searched and searched until my fingers bled...All over the internet and Gearslutz. Didn't find a single thing except one audio book on Amazon.

[warhead]

I really don't like the term "cd" when referring to an album.

CD's are something I can burn pictures, video, and data on. I can buy them at Office Max for like 5 cents each (or free with a rebate).

Somehow it seems to cheapen the work that goes into an album.

I'd love to see someone call it a "record release" or "album release" party!

Carry on.

War

[JustinPhelps]

Originally Posted by warhead

I really don't like the term "cd" when referring to an album.

CD's are something I can burn pictures, video, and data on. I can buy them at Office Max for like 5 cents each (or free with a rebate).

Somehow it seems to cheapen the work that goes into an album.

I'd love to see someone call it a "record release" or "album release" party!

Carry on.

War

How's that? (changed it) I see what you're saying and totally agree. I usually refer to it as an album (note my first post did) but for some reason in the title I used cd.

I'm guilty..thanks for the heads up!

[warhead]

Every album I do for local bands is always referred to by them as the "cd". I am always invited to the "cd release party", it's one of those things that's starting to bug me though!

Best of luck with it.

War

[Jonboy79]

If you're charging money for anything then you can't legally server any alcohol. I'd especially be wary of serving it with minors around. All someone has to do is hand a minor a cup and the cops show up and you're totally screwed. If you're going to charge to get in you could just charge a cover at the door. I recently finished an album and the band made fans buy it instead of giving it away and they nearly sold out which led to a very lucrative night for the band.

[retropete]

We're having one tonight here in NYC. Just booked a date at the Ace of Clubs and we're giving our album away at the door. It's actually the first time playing out with this band. The club has a cover charge ($6)

Check out some of the tunes if you like...
www.myspace.com/taojonesband

I arranged, produced, mixed and played guitar.

[Peter Morrison]

I recently attended a album release at the ball room of a local hotel, we were carded at the door and given wrist bands, the hotel bar served up the booze, and there were a bunch of free snacks available too.

Everyone got a copy of both the CD and a live CD from a gig a few weeks before. The dress was kitschy formal, basically an excuse to raid your fathers old dress clothes and the Salvation Army/Good Will. There was an opener, and then the full band came on and played through the Album in track order.

Then there was a good old fashioned dance party.

In your case I would check in with your local certification board and ask about a temporary liquor license. Also you might want to ask a local restaurant that does catering and see what they do. If you are going to have food and your budget is right you could just have them handle it. Either way, have a bouncer at the door with wrist bands, that should at least help in covering your ass

As always check with as many local health, police, whatever regulation boards you can.

Oh, and if you can, try not to be in charge of it during the party, enjoy yourself, you don't have to worrying if there isn't enough ice and if everyone likes the music

Best
Peter

[JustinPhelps]

Originally Posted by Peter Morrison

I recently attended a album release at the ball room of a local hotel, we were carded at the door and given wrist bands, the hotel bar served up the booze, and there were a bunch of free snacks available too.

Everyone got a copy of both the CD and a live CD from a gig a few weeks before. The dress was kitschy formal, basically an excuse to raid your fathers old dress clothes and the Salvation Army/Good Will. There was an opener, and then the full band came on and played through the Album in track order.

Then there was a good old fashioned dance party.

In your case I would check in with your local certification board and ask about a temporary liquor license. Also you might want to ask a local restaurant that does catering and see what they do. If you are going to have food and your budget is right you could just have them handle it. Either way, have a bouncer at the door with wrist bands, that should at least help in covering your ass

As always check with as many local health, police, whatever regulation boards you can.

Oh, and if you can, try not to be in charge of it during the party, enjoy yourself, you don't have to worrying if there isn't enough ice and if everyone likes the music

Best
Peter

That's exactly what I'd like to have. Thanks for the advice!

[Stevil]

not sure where you are at or what "the scene" is like.
see if you can buddy up with an existing club that already caters to your genre, has a liquor license, sound gear, securtiy, ect. give em a few copies of the album to give away & everything else should already be in place. i ran a club for a year & we hosted a few release parties for bands/labels. a band doesnt nessicarily have to play their release party. short of that i'd look for an equipped venue with a dead night you can rent out for the day.

[usamike]

There is often a record release party AND a record release show. A private party for family, friends, everyone who worked on the album, press, members of the local music community, etc. You play the record- serve drinks and food, maybe play a few songs live. Then you have your record release show where you play your first gig after the release of the CD, sell it to your fans. You should try and make it special somehow, special openers or guest performers, extra lighting, I don't know. But that's what we used to do. One time we did them on the same night. Private party in the club at 6 or 7, followed by rock show starting around 9:30. Boy were we drunk when we took the stage at 11:30. Never did that again.

[kats]

This is what you do.

Throw the party at a bar on one of their quiet nights. Choose a bar that attracts the type of patrons that suit the genre of music. You get the ticket sales (or cover charge) they get the booze money. Save yourself the headaches, because unless you know what your doing, you'll end up working your ass off and losing money.

[severe]

I agree with kats. I've been to dozens of these things, of all sizes. It nearly always takes place at some local bar or club.. some divey, some not. No one ever seems to care, as long as the band is there, there's alcohol, there's music playing, and everyone's having a good time.

Good luck with it.

[JustinPhelps]

Originally Posted by severe

I agree with kats. I've been to dozens of these things, of all sizes. It nearly always takes place at some local bar or club.. some divey, some not. No one ever seems to care, as long as the band is there, there's alcohol, there's music playing, and everyone's having a good time.

Good luck with it.

Thanks everyone! If anyone else has advice feel free to share.

[Jeff A. Roberts]

Make sure that the party is scheduled after you have cd's in hand. It really sucks to have a release party and no product. I have seen it happen way to many times.

Really.

[GTR]

Since I am such a pro, I plan to lip sync at my record release party in August.

[warhead]

Originally Posted by GTR

Since I am such a pro, I plan to lip sync at my record release party in August.

Well, you better get your jig dance together, and bring some extra eggs to place on your drummer's face.

War

[celticrogues]

Originally Posted by Peter Morrison

I recently attended a album release at the ball room of a local hotel, we were carded at the door and given wrist bands, the hotel bar served up the booze, and there were a bunch of free snacks available too.

Everyone got a copy of both the CD and a live CD from a gig a few weeks before. The dress was kitschy formal, basically an excuse to raid your fathers old dress clothes and the Salvation Army/Good Will. There was an opener, and then the full band came on and played through the Album in track order.

Then there was a good old fashioned dance party.

In your case I would check in with your local certification board and ask about a temporary liquor license. Also you might want to ask a local restaurant that does catering and see what they do. If you are going to have food and your budget is right you could just have them handle it. Either way, have a bouncer at the door with wrist bands, that should at least help in covering your ass

As always check with as many local health, police, whatever regulation boards you can.

Oh, and if you can, try not to be in charge of it during the party, enjoy yourself, you don't have to worrying if there isn't enough ice and if everyone likes the music

Best
Peter

Darn, you beat me to it.
Anyway, this was awesome!

-Mike

[Mr. PC]

Well, around here bands usually play a gig that they highly promote as their Record Release Party. Then they charge extra at the door ($10) and the attendees get admission and a copy of the album. If the band does a good job of hyping their release, the night is a success and the band recoups a decent chunk of the cost of making/duping the album.

Beer is good-

PC

[mixman499]

well, at least you seem to have the album ACTUALLY FINISHED, before you are booking a party !!

i cannot tell you how many bands i have produced or recorded records for, who scramble in the last weeks to get the cd mixed, mastered, artwork done, and duplicated BARELY, and often, NOT in time for their "CD RELEASE" show.

wish I had more suggestions...just have a party..make it fun...make the music the focus....SELL the cds.

good luck with it !!!

jch

[mixman499]

Originally Posted by Jeff A. Roberts

Make sure that the party is scheduled after you have cd's in hand. It really sucks to have a release party and no product. I have seen it happen way to many times.

Really.

yup....(sorry to be redundant...did not see this post...guess it happens to everyone.)

btw...jeff, your stands are wicked amazing !!! no more cussing out the overheads as they slowly creep down.

back on topic...(apologies)