Micropop

Local bands have found that one effective method of getting their name out, is to pass out CDR samplers of their material to people as they leave shows for other artists at area clubs. Cedars and Exit Clov are two bands from the DC area which spring to mine that have gone this route.

Monday while leaving the 9:30 club after a great show from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, I got handed CDs from two bands. One of them represents the right way to do it, the other the absolutely wrong way.

Exhibit A - The CD itself.

Not really sure what the name of the band is with the "arty" graphic.

Exhibit B - Information provided on the CD envelope.

If you are going to hand print a website address make sure it's legible and what's up with the clever note.

Thirdly and most importantly know your audience. If your band just another derivative of every other Emo, screamo, etc group on the scene, it's doubtful that people attending a BRMC are going to interested in you, especially if they can't make out the bands name or website without some effort.

The other CD from Middle Distance Runner was done right. An affixed printed sticker announcing the next show the band was playing and legible hand printed song titles on the CD. The sample tracks were enjoyable indie pop with a beat and clicked instantly with me.

Moral of the story, Middle Distance Runner won me over and I made the effort to find out more about them and the other band's cd will end up on the scrape heap and mocked here.