While I'm shooting shows I always encounter at least one person who assumes I got into the show for free because I'm wearing my press badge and have a camera. Sometimes there's a sincere amount of irritation in the suggestion - like an accusation, which I can relate to. While I try not be, I'm occasionally in the way, obstructing a view, or taking up a spot someone else wants. It would be one thing if I were just another patron - but the badge suggests I'm not.
After a few beers, the badge (and then the patron)
suggests I'm a douche bag. Or some other colorful expletive. This is the other reason photographers have a general 3 song guideline. You have about 10 minutes to take your shots and then get out of the way. Whether you paid or not, it's the
perception that you didn't that can get you into trouble. Plus, the band gets tired of having you right under their noses after awhile and they'd rather not think about you anymore.
But on to the issue at hand - comped (or free) tickets, free CD's etc.
Here's my stance - and it is only
my stance. Not a judgment call on anyone else, period. But I've been asked to clarify my point, so here it is. I don't ask for comps and I don't ask for CD's to review.
Since I review local bands (primarily) and my list of recommended bands to check out is lengthy, I will never run out local talent to check out. These bands aren't charging $30 a show folks! Most of the shows are under $10. Same goes for their CD's (many of which are available digitally for an even lower price - so if you want me to hear your music to review, why press me a CD at all?)
My point is I pay to get in. Frequently (okay more than frequently, pretty much every time) I also buy the CD. That's because I screen the music and the bands before I decide to go to the show. Myspace can be a beautiful thing. Friends are also wonderful sources of information and leads. Does that mean if someone sends me a free CD I won't listen to it? No, but I discourage it. I'm behind as it is folks - and you should see this list I'm working on. Does it mean I'll turn down free tickets to a show, again - not necessarily, but this is my second job - and as you can imagine, it generates more bills than it pays. (Camera lenses don't pay for themselves, honey.) My time is far more limited than I would like it to be. I'd love to cover 2 shows a weekend, but my day job would suffer and my knees would never forgive me.
I have accepted the occasional comped ticket to shoot a show (I was actually shooting a series of shows of one particular band) and the manager put my husband and I on the list so we could both shoot (we're both photographers) that particular show. I didn't know that she meant that our tickets were paid for - I thought that we were only guaranteed a place to shoot from. Of course the band's manager was no fool. I purchased three CD's that night. And two more CD's on successive shows that I paid to get into. Have I mentioned I love live music? Whenever I get an email from someone that says "I saw so-an-so that you recommended, and I just loved the show!" - I just know I'm doing God's work. Well, I'm doing somebody's work anyway - and it feels pretty damn good. So there.
But it begs the question. Am I more likely to write a favorable piece for a band who "pays my way?" Readers certainly suggest it. The pressure has been there on occasion, but very, very rarely. It's simply the way the business is run to get exposure for your band. I've had promoters tell me that they feel if they don't comp the press they risk getting bad write-ups - or worse, no coverage at all.
Here's an excellent video from
Adam Gollner, a freelance journalist and musician based in Montreal: http://www.artistshousemusic.org/videos/ethical+concerns+in+music+journalism
It doesn't offer black and white rules because there aren't any to offer. Every journalist makes their own choices based on their style, schedule, writing needs, and available work and talent. I think I could blather on another hour and still not convey this very well, so I think I'm just going to get back to work on my articles and put this post to bed.
Current Music: Toadies - No Deliverance
