Music Business Education Panels: Learn how to book your band, promote your music and more! Free!
San Diego’s musicians have a great opportunity to learn some of the ins and outs of the music business on March 30, with the return of Music Thing. Taking place at Park & Market (1100 Market St.), the free, all ages event, organized by the San Diego Music Foundation, will offer two Music Business Education Panels. Kicking off at 11 a.m., the day’s topics will concern two of the biggest questions asked by musicians: How does one book gigs and properly promote them, and information on how to get your music in film and television projects.
“The SDMT panels are specifically designed for benefiting musicians in the San Diego Community that are looking to grow to the next level,” said SDMF Secretary / 91X-FM Loudspeaker co-host, and event moderator, Lou Niles. “These could be established musicians or emerging musicians. This means solo artists, bands, composers, etc.” He notes that the panels do have a target audience. “If you don’t have music that you are releasing and don’t have any recordings then these may be a little advanced for you,” Niles said. “These panels are for artists releasing or who have released music and are gigging or trying to gig around town or beyond.”
How were the days panelists selected? “I reach into my large contact list for a mix of experts in the topics,” Niles said good naturedly. “For our second panel, Songs and Syncs, we will have a producer / composer, a legal expert, and an artist that is licensing songs and possibly crafting syncs.” Amongst the days speakers will be Music Box talent buyer and promoter Joe Rinaldi, and composer / songwriter / producer Josquin Des Pres.
Notably there will be a short demo listening session after the end of the second panel at 1:40. The details: “Five songs will be chosen at random at the end of the 2nd panel. Please submit your demos in person on CD, or call out a Spotify account and song. Songs need to be available online and easily “pulled up” for review. Please submit only one song. Choose your best song.”
Will there be more San Diego Music Thing events? “Yes, ideally, we do at least two SDMT’s a year,” Niles said. “I would like to do one in North County next.”
San Diego Music Thing attendance is FREE but you need to register. Capacity is limited.
For more information:
www.sandiegomusicfoundation.org/sdmt
Tickets:
www.eventbrite.com/e/san-diego-music-thing-2025-tickets-1274865489999
WHEN: March 30, 2025, 11am
WHERE: Downtown San Diego, at Park & Market, located at 1100 Market St.
TICKETS: Registration tickets are required; seating is first come first serve.
To attend the San Diego Music Thing, CLICK HERE
Panel One • 11:15am – Booking and Promoting
You have a release? A single or an E.P. or album, maybe a big show to promote? We will talk about how to book that gig and get the word out. Shows can help promote a release and new releases can give writers a reason to write about your tour dates and shows. What does it take to book shows and the extremely important part of then promoting those shows? What are media writers looking for and how to find a good publicist for today’s markets. How do you promote your releases and your shows? How to promote your single, E.P., or album release, and promote your live events. Posting once on social media is not enough.
Panel Two • Songs and Syncs (to follow panel #1 approx. 12:30pm start)
A conversation about what you need to know to get your work out there; tips and ideas of getting the attention of Music Supervisors, how to build a relationship with regular “soundtrack/ background” or sync work. And maybe more importantly what makes a good song, key elements to songs that get and keep people’s attention.
***This panel will have a limited DEMO Listen section where the experts will give feedback on a limited number of pre-submitted songs.
