Would you hire a player/sub based on their YT video?

Coryplaysdrums said:
I just went through this last summer. I filled in for a band called Halocene on a tour. They had recently separated from their original drummer, but had a tour booked before that came to be, so this was their first fill in position. A friend of mine who was a mutual friend of theirs actually showed them a video of one of my covers on YT. My friend also mentioned I played Warped Tour 2016 for about 40 days, so that covered the "Can they play with a band live?" question. Basically they reached out, and gave me their setlist (20 songs) and asked me to learn 5 songs and film them and send them to them. After I completed that request, that was enough for them to be happy with their choice. So I suppose it's a bit of a mixture of a an actual working resume, having a friend that can vouch for you and the ability to showcase in video auditions.
Click to expand...
That's interesting since Halocene started as a YouTube cover thing before they eventually transitioned into a live band. Congrats on the gig though.
 
No Way Jose said:
The band I'm in still requires an in person audition.
Click to expand...

That's another aspect. Assuming that someone on YT looks & sounds good, should they be hired without an audition (to determine how they interact with the band)?

If you were confident about their playing history - such as a well-known drummer - would that allow them to skip an audition?
 
I got hired for some dep gigs this week off some MP3’s & videos the band found alone.

Only spoken to one of the band via WhatsApp messages so far.

First gig is in May so I expect I’ll get to meet the band for the first time the weeks leading up to it to go through their set in a rehearsal room.

Will be interested to ask them if I was a random find, or based off a recommendation from a mutual…etc as I have no idea currently 🤷🏻‍♂️
 
Chris Whitten said:
Neither. Most times it is personal recommendation only. That's how it works in the Uk anyway, some you know knows a good drummer....and personality is key too.
Click to expand...
This.

YouTube vids hide a lot. Drink/drug problems, lack of transport, punctuality problems, inability to play with a band and for a song.
 
Living Dead Drummer said:
Personally I would want to see them in a video playing live with another band. Videos from home can be corrected with editing, and there's no danger. Make a mistake, do it again. Live is a completely different story.

I say this, however last year I lost out on a high profile gig because when the band asked for videos I sent them live performances of me playing in front of large crowds at the very same venues this act would be hitting on tour. They came back to me asking if I had any "YouTube Covers" and sent me a link to a young girl playing in her bedroom as an example. I said no, I don't really do that kind of thing, and they suggested I should start if I wanted more gigs...

So what do I know?
Click to expand...
Well, if you need to borrow a bedroom to record in, the futon in my studio folds out into a bed...we can throw some sheets on there and make it look like your bedroom. lol

It reminds me of years ago when I was talking to an up-and-coming industrial band who needed a drummer. So I gave them a CD of me being in an industrial band. They said no thanks, they wanted someone who had more swing and less precision. And of course, when I offered to send something in that vein, they declined. It's like wtf? I gave you exactly what your music needs. The band never did go anywhere.
 
Chris Whitten said:
Neither. Most times it is personal recommendation only. That's how it works in the Uk anyway, some you know knows a good drummer....and personality is key too.
Click to expand...
I agree.

But I'd still look them up on YT just to see.

As an employer (nonmusic related) we do a deep dive of the online activity of everyone before they're hired.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top