Band Member's Frequently Asked Questions
When do band members need to arrive to set up?
Members of our setup crew aim to arrive 3-4 hours before the event. They are responsible for loading in community gear, setting up the sound system and lights and running cables for all of the band members. For all private events (weddings, corporate, etc.), we complete a sound check before the wedding begins. Instead of requiring a "call time," we believe that band members should manage themselves and be ready to sound check at the time noted in our shared calendar. Being ready to sound check means you've line-checked your instrument with our sound tech and you've confirmed your monitor is working. We'll use the sound check to dial in mixes. If it takes you 15min to set up, you should arrive at least 15 min early. If it takes you longer, come earlier. For club gigs, we split up into a "setup crew" and a "tear down crew." The setup crew handles loading in and setting everything up and gets to leave when the gig ends. The tear down crew is able to arrive with enough time to line-check before our start time, but stays until all of our gear is cleaned up and the van doors are closed.
How do we handle client song requests?
At weddings: We allow the client to pick any songs they want for their first dance and parent dances. The band learns those special for the client and performs them on the wedding night. For open dancing, we ask clients to pick up to 15 "must play" songs for their wedding night, and then allow them to pick as many other "favorites" as they want. We plan to play all of their "must play" songs and as many other favorites as possible, balancing that against what we know works to keep the dance floor going all night. If clients include any "do not play" songs, we will skip those. Because it's a wedding, we do allow couples to choose "must play" songs because we've found that choosing some of the music for the night is very important to brides and grooms. At the same time, we limit the number of songs they can choose to ensure the mix of music is good.
At private events: We provide clients with our full playlist and ask them to highlight any songs they feel will make the night special. We also ask them to cross off any songs they feel will be offensive or inappropriate for the atmosphere of their event. On event night, we aim to play as many of their highlighted songs as possible, balancing that against what we know works to keep the dance floor going all night. Based upon our discretion, we may decide not to play a highlighted song -- either because it doesn't fit or because we're not show-ready on that song. However, if someone at the event requests that song, we must be ready to play it. We do not offer to learn any new songs for non-wedding clients. However, if the client asks us to learn a song that is special for the event, we agree to learn the song.
At public events We do not provide a playlist to public event clients or ask them to choose favorite songs. Instead, we put up a "Tweet Your Request" sign and allow people to request songs throughout the night. If we know it, we play it.
Members of our setup crew aim to arrive 3-4 hours before the event. They are responsible for loading in community gear, setting up the sound system and lights and running cables for all of the band members. For all private events (weddings, corporate, etc.), we complete a sound check before the wedding begins. Instead of requiring a "call time," we believe that band members should manage themselves and be ready to sound check at the time noted in our shared calendar. Being ready to sound check means you've line-checked your instrument with our sound tech and you've confirmed your monitor is working. We'll use the sound check to dial in mixes. If it takes you 15min to set up, you should arrive at least 15 min early. If it takes you longer, come earlier. For club gigs, we split up into a "setup crew" and a "tear down crew." The setup crew handles loading in and setting everything up and gets to leave when the gig ends. The tear down crew is able to arrive with enough time to line-check before our start time, but stays until all of our gear is cleaned up and the van doors are closed.
How do we handle client song requests?
At weddings: We allow the client to pick any songs they want for their first dance and parent dances. The band learns those special for the client and performs them on the wedding night. For open dancing, we ask clients to pick up to 15 "must play" songs for their wedding night, and then allow them to pick as many other "favorites" as they want. We plan to play all of their "must play" songs and as many other favorites as possible, balancing that against what we know works to keep the dance floor going all night. If clients include any "do not play" songs, we will skip those. Because it's a wedding, we do allow couples to choose "must play" songs because we've found that choosing some of the music for the night is very important to brides and grooms. At the same time, we limit the number of songs they can choose to ensure the mix of music is good.
At private events: We provide clients with our full playlist and ask them to highlight any songs they feel will make the night special. We also ask them to cross off any songs they feel will be offensive or inappropriate for the atmosphere of their event. On event night, we aim to play as many of their highlighted songs as possible, balancing that against what we know works to keep the dance floor going all night. Based upon our discretion, we may decide not to play a highlighted song -- either because it doesn't fit or because we're not show-ready on that song. However, if someone at the event requests that song, we must be ready to play it. We do not offer to learn any new songs for non-wedding clients. However, if the client asks us to learn a song that is special for the event, we agree to learn the song.
At public events We do not provide a playlist to public event clients or ask them to choose favorite songs. Instead, we put up a "Tweet Your Request" sign and allow people to request songs throughout the night. If we know it, we play it.
