COLLIN ARTISTS
Barbara Collin, Founder, Agent
collinartists@gmail.com
Web: collinartists.com
Case Study Act: Street Corner Renaissance, (streetcornerrenaissance.com)
Collin Artists is a boutique company, which enables it to provide a high level of individual attention to established and emerging artists. The company books national and international tours in a variety of venues, including festivals, concerts and clubs. Agency founder Barbara Collin is a faculty instructor at the Musicians Institute where she teaches a class called “Agents & Bookings.” Collin also offers a variety of informative workshops and seminars on a regular basis.
What changes have you noticed in the booking and touring business?
After 30 years I’ve seen a lot of changes. The biggest one involves economics. The marketplace has gotten very tight. Guarantees are down and it’s harder than ever to book acts that aren’t household names. As a result, it takes a lot more time and effort to book tours that make sense.
Do agents generally specialize in certain genres and acts?
Often it ends up that way when you have success in specific markets. It’s just not possible to be an expert in every one of them. It takes time and research to familiarize yourself with the different needs and opportunities each market presents. My areas of expertise include jazz, world, Latin and R&B. But, every once in a while, if you’re lucky, you’ll come across acts that are so good they take you out of your comfort zone.
Did you ever have an act take you out of your comfort zone?
Yes––it’s my “case study” act, a doo-wop a cappella group called Street Corner Renaissance. I was out one day when I heard them singing. They were so good I had to get to know them. I learned that they played local gigs and entered a couple contests. After talking with them, I was sold and offered to work with them––even though I knew nothing about the doo-wop or a cappella markets.
How did you develop your case study act?
I worked with them on their performance and honed their brand. I wanted to get them as much exposure as possible. It took a few years, but I managed to take them from local bookings to national tours and, eventually, had them opening for big name acts.
Were there any challenges you had to overcome?
Yes. Most doo-wop fans like to see known acts that have had hits. But SCR was not a known act. They covered hit songs and had a few originals of their own.
I sold them to promoters by explaining how exciting and fresh their musical approach and live shows were. That got them enough bookings to start them on a roll.
How can artists attract a booking agent?
They need basic tools: a recording, a website, an EPK and a performance video. It’s also nice if they have a team around them to help out, like a manager, publicist and attorney. But, most of all, they must be pro-active––they have to work at it and have some idea of what they want. It is also very helpful if they have some touring experience and know which markets we should focus on.
How should a new indie act approach touring?
They should find out everything they can about their market. They can use social media analytics to see where there’s a demand. Additionally, new acts need to do a “tour circuit—which means they must return within a reasonable time. That’s how you build a fan base and get established. One-offs are a waste and will not sustain fans.
What are the biggest mistakes artists make when contacting you?
They don’t do their homework. They need to do research before submitting material. They need to find agents and markets that suit their genre. And, they need to be patient, because it can take a while before any decisions are made.
