KOSHA DILLZ
When I think about “working” a room, I always try to not make it as if I want to “get something” out of the next person:
The unexpected approach—Don’t ask!
People don't need you as an “opener” for cheap, because their management already has an opener as a “buy on.” The correct way to approach being considered for an “opening act” opportunity is to say, “Hey, I'd love to buy a ticket to one of your shows.” Now this band/act is intrigued that you are attending their show as a patron, and might be more willing to engage with you.
A lifesaving gift
A CD or a tee shirt is definitely not a gift. Better yet, in the club and heat of the moment at 3 am, there are only a few things people want. They want a date, a party, a place to stay, or a phone charger. DING! Instead of giving out your CDs, give out a USB with base, which costs you about $16. If you gave out $200 worth of phone chargers, you could literally save anyone’s life. Even the Prime Minister of England needs one. He does not need a Kosha Dillz CD or a hoodie. Trust me. (I tried.)
Do not judge your room…ever.
Sometimes we walk into a place and we can smell the emptiness. But instead of looking at what “you can get” to further your career, look at how “you can give” to other people. You will be relieved of any expectations and instantly earn 10 more awesome points. I met a guy at a pool table in Park City, UT. He bought some merch, and then later asked me to play his nephew’s bar mitzvah. Who would've thought a friendly convo would lead to my biggest deal at Sundance Film Festival.
Just be cool—Less is more.
Let’s say you're in a room at SXSW and everyone there does the same thing. They all have fans, tour the world, and it’s sort of like a work mixer. Rule of thumb at work mixers: try not to talk about work and don’t take pics. Talk about coffee flavors, comic books, Swedish pop music, rare holidays. When you see them again, you can say “Oh yeah…we talked about Tu’bshvat, aka Jewish arbor day. How can I hear your music?” The less you say, the better. Give yourself a chance to get your music heard and maybe if it is that good, and they like you as a person, you could get what you’ve been waiting for.
KOSHA DILLZ is an unsigned rapper who has an LP out called Awkward in a Good Way. He is performing on Vans Warped Tour all summer, and had his song “cellular phone” licensed to a Bud Light Super Bowl commercial in 2012 and will curate his own SXSW official showcase called OY VEY! See koshadillzworld.com.
