Dan's Papers - June 6, 2008 -

In order to make a name for themselves in the local music scene and beyond, bands must know all of their local media outlets inside and out.

Before they can even think about contacting a local publication or radio station, bands need to create a press kit. "A lot of bands ask me if they need a publicist now, which they don't," said Glenn Gamboa, who writes the column "Long Island Sound" for Newsday, "but they do need a press kit."

A press kit should contain all relevant information about a band: a press release or bio, a CD of music, any other press that has been written about the band, and, most importantly, contact information. And these days many bands opt for electronic press kits. "It's not just about getting people interested in you, it's about giving them the information they need," said Richard L'Hommedieu, former publisher of Long Island Entertainment, and founding chair of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame and host of "Making a Scene" on WUSB. "If you make their job easier, it increases your chances of their using you for a story."

He said it's important for bands to learn about deadlines and lead times for articles. A band needs to give publications as much advance notice as possible if you have a big show coming up or an album coming out. "You can't just email Newsday and say, 'Hey, I have a gig tonight. Come down and see me,'" he said.

There are quite a few publications out there that musicians can contact. Gamboa said that he is always interested in discovering new bands for his Newsday column. While he often turns to Myspace to search for new local talent, he says he routinely gets CDs sent to him or handed to him at clubs.

Bands can also look to their local community newspapers. Community newspapers are not likely to review a CD or an upcoming gig, but they might write a feature on a group, as they're always interested in what area residents are up to.

Long Island also has its fair share of publications that cover the music and arts scene. For example, Good Times Magazine has been covering the local music scene for 39 years. It can be found at every venue, bar, CD store, and music shop, as well as other locations across Long Island. There's also Aural Fix, as well as Internet vines such as cluballey.com and perpetualtoxins.com.

Radio can be more difficult for young bands to break into, since most stations' formats don't leave room for unsigned local bands. However, WEHM, 92.9 and 96.9, does a segment on local artists every Tuesday and Thursday night. In addition, WMJC, 94.3, in Nassau and western Suffolk, recently started a new program on Sunday nights called "Unlabeled," which focuses on unsigned acts from around the globe, with a soft spot for those from Long Island. Q104.3 and WBAB also have local music segments.

But college radio is the way to go, says L'Hommedieu. Bands get more exposure there than from a one-time play on a commercial radio station. "There's no new music being broken in on those stations," he said. "College radio is the only place to get any airplay at all."

WFUV at Fordham University, WRHU at Hofstra, and WCWP at C.W. Post are all open to hearing from new artists. But WUSB, 90.1, at SUNY Stony Brook, which can be heard well into Southampton or streamed online, is the heavy hitter for Suffolk. Like many college radio stations, 25% of each show is required to feature new music. Most DJs there are more than happy to comply, and often reach for the CD rack of releases by local artists first, L'Hommedieu said.

His show, "Making a Scene," which is aired on alternating Thursday evenings, talks about various music business issues for bands and often interviews local acts. The show "Long Island Sound," also on alternating Thursdays, brings in local groups to perform live. "But basically every show on WUSB, in some way, features local music," L'Hommedieu said.

There's also Radio J - Radio for the Scene, a weekly podcast on auralfix.com, which focuses on unsigned Long Island indie and rock bands.

So, there are a lot of media outlets available for local bands who are just starting out, they just need to make sure that they're aware of what's available.