thebreakfast.info

Breakfast Babble => The Grand Scheme Of Things => Topic started by: leith on September 02, 2006, 07:16:39 pm


Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: leith on September 12, 2006, 04:15:33 pm
Quote from: Me!
just saw it for the first time in publications, I apologize for not checking the Crescendo site everyday, my humblest apologies to obviously the grand master of the internet

It\'s alright. Not everyone can be as on top of Breakfast Publicity as me.
You\'re forgiven.























Now that\'s sum **** I typed right there. :lol:
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: Me! on September 12, 2006, 03:48:02 pm
Quote from: Todd
Play nice now children!!!
sorry I forgot the: ;)
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: Todd on September 12, 2006, 03:39:44 pm
Play nice now children!!!
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: Me! on September 12, 2006, 03:32:40 pm
just saw it for the first time in publications, I apologize for not checking the Crescendo site everyday, my humblest apologies to obviously the grand master of the internet
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: leith on September 12, 2006, 03:30:12 pm
Quote from: Me!
(https://thebreakfast.info/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg76.imageshack.us%2Fimg76%2F5639%2Fartist250xs7.jpg&hash=d816d8f41bc2745b2834e9d6741924d7bb7a3c15)
here you go Leith, a new photo.
uh yeah thanx.
The b&w image was put up on Crescendo (along w/ an updated Bio) last week.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: Me! on September 12, 2006, 03:12:35 pm
(https://thebreakfast.info/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg76.imageshack.us%2Fimg76%2F5639%2Fartist250xs7.jpg&hash=d816d8f41bc2745b2834e9d6741924d7bb7a3c15)
here you go Leith, a new photo.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: obsession600 on September 06, 2006, 10:37:44 pm
Well done Leith! Big thumbs up to Alex for the well thought-out reply. I\'m glad to hear about the big booking plans especially the fact that they are going to try to cultivate the midwest. It seems they are making headway there and seems a logical extension of their Northeast touring.

Quote from: DocEllis70
Quick Question, and dont want to start a new thread, but why is there no mention of the Breakfast in the latest Relix which outlined 10000 Lakes Festival when they apparently played in front of a few thousand people?
Relix is clueless. Treat it like Playboy, ogle the pictures and skip the text.;)
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: kyndkate on September 06, 2006, 10:37:34 pm
Quote from: leith
We are also finalizing Northeast dates for November, a 10 day run to the midwest in early December and outlining next Jan 2007 tour plans. Our market is really growing in the Chicago/Minn. are so we need to keep humping it back there to build it.

:banana: :disco:
That\'s what I\'m talkin\' bout!!! Give me flyers and phone numbers, I\'m on it.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: DocEllis70 on September 06, 2006, 08:31:58 pm
Quick Question, and dont want to start a new thread, but why is there no mention of the Breakfast in the latest Relix which outlined 10000 Lakes Festival when they apparently played in front of a few thousand people?
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: leith on September 06, 2006, 06:49:36 pm
Well here is some good news. I feel alot better about things and I think you all may also.

Following is my email and Alex\'s response.

Hello Alex,
My name is Leith DuVall. I am an ardent fan of The Breakfast and want to first thank you for helping get the band
get booked in better venues of late.

 It has come to the attention of the Breakfast fan community that their Bio and Band Pic needs updating on the Crescendo site.
Jordan G. has not been in the band for 2 months as of tomorrow. They still have a quartet pic and the Bio does not reflect this band change.
Also the recordings link on the website could use links to The Breakfast also as they have hundreds of live shows
available for free on Live Music Archive.
If you could find the time to see that someone gets these things done, we as a Community and I am sure the band as well would be very appreciative.
Thank You for your time,
Leith DuVall




Leith,
 
How\'s it going?  Firstly, I want to thank all, of you on .info for the major support and love you give the band.  They are truly worth it and they couldn\'t ask for a better bunch of people to spread the word to the unintiated about them.
 
The band and I don\'t normally post on there because it is a fan community and we like to keep it that way.  Unless there is a press release or official news, it\'s best to let the fans keep it rockin\' and rolling.  By the way, you will see a press release at all the usual web sites in the next couple of days about the new album and tour.
 
Now to your issues, we are all well aware that the old photo is on there.  I talk to Tim and Ron usually six times a day and to Crescendo as well.  We did send a new photo to Crescendo a few weeks ago, but it was formatted in an odd size that made it impossible to upload, so it didn\'t work.  The band is scheduled for a new photo shoot next week and at that time all will be taken care of.  That also includes an updated bio making mention of the band as a trio and the new album.
 
Right now we are wrapping up two or three holes in the tour that should be filled by the end of the week.  We are also finalizing Northeast dates for November, a 10 day run to the midwest in early December and outlining next Jan 2007 tour plans. Our market is really growing in the Chicago/Minn. are so we need to keep humping it back there to build it.  We\'re also really looking forward to the first show in Vancouver and also playing Fais Do-Do which is a great room although the area is a little dicey but not as bad as it was a few years ago.  We are also gearing up for the album release and a whole bunch of other things into next year.  It\'s been a 24/7 time around the band lately, so sometimes things require a little patience.  These matters are being addressed and I totally appreciate the passion that you have for the band.  It\'s what makes it all worth while.
 
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me anytime.
 
All the Best,

Alex




:brocban:
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: sallyalli on September 06, 2006, 04:39:37 pm
Quote from: leith
Quote from: sallyalli
oh god...its awesome you guys care, but let the band take care of it how they wish to. Im sure they will do what they think is best...no?

No Alli. I think if any of them knew that this stuff was not being taken care of they would ask someone to take care of it. They are savvy enough to know that this stuff needs to be done but they as they should be are busier making music and dealing w/ being a trio.

That is why I asked in my initial post if the band was even aware of this stuff.

They have obviously put their trust in Crescendo to book them but Crescendo is dropping the ball in some areas.

The main thing is that one can put in an offer for the band on the site. If you had only heard some hype about The Breakfast and go to the site to book them you will be under the impression you are getting a quartet.

This can cause problems for all involved and does not put the band in a good light.


much better said the second time around...i agree with you. just seems there is always a lot o\' bitchin going on on this site and not a lot of doin. its good you are tryin to make something happen.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: Jim Cobb on September 06, 2006, 01:40:31 pm
i went to see my friends from LA play on monday night.  these guys are playing shows every day and are booked till may.  it takes a commitment to make the band your life.  if you want to succeed to need to pull out all the stops.  it\'s a huge risk, so i can see where one would want to play solo acoustic gigs to be sure some money will come in and other similar things.  i dont know who\'s at fault here.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: Gfunk on September 06, 2006, 12:40:28 pm
I think touring is definately the first step, but if these shows are not promoted, then it is kinda pointless. I definately agree with obsession that now that Jordan is gone there should be nothing holding them back from playing shows 4 nights a week. even if it is just in CT or the northeast. they need to be more of a fulltime band.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: obsession600 on September 03, 2006, 08:33:35 pm
Quote from: Drew_Kingsley
As a complete outsider to the situation, here is my belief:

The Breakfast is caught in a revolving door situation with its management.  The band needs to bring Crescendo Artists more acclaim (and $$$, of course) to become more of a priority for the agency.  Likewise, Crescendo needs to make the Breakfast more of a priority for the band to garner more acclaim/moolah/whatever.

This may not be the exact/only/absolute reason for the apparent communication breakdown between band and management, but I\'m sure it is a factor.

It\'s no wonder that most bands don\'t make it any further than this (actually, most bands don\'t even make it this far, but I\'m sure you all catch my drift).
After a couple of years of scratching my head I arrived at the same conclusion.

The band promotes itself by playing to people. They never fail to make new fans when they play gigs. I hoped that if some good could come of Jordan\'s exit it would be the band playing 4 or more shows a week and expanding the fan base. Sadly, it feels like they are playing fewer shows now. The calendar is filled at the end of September and for most of October with the national tour but after that the dates dry up.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: kindm's on September 03, 2006, 08:13:19 pm
Quote from: leith
Well the title of the thread is How can WE get .......

So the name listed as Management is Alex Defelice.

The email listed is adefelice@mindspring.com.

Maybe a few nicely written reminders to him via email will help.
Maybe he does not realize that these things need attention.

If the band is going to make it they can not rely on the fanbase to keep up the type of efforts we have over the years.
They really need a strong management team and it needs to start now.

Vic wants us to think expressing our complaints anywhere but here will hurt the band and that is simply not true.
Write a polite email or letter expressing your love for this band and any complaints you may have about how they are percieved due to their publicity on Crescendo\'s site.
Any management that actually cares for the band they manage WILL respond  to this type of correspondence.

Quote from: kindm\'s
I will take the position of devils advocate:

Perhaps the booking agent has had reason to take things slow/ place the bfast on back burner. I was under the impression that a major reason for Jordan leaving the band was do to the fact that the other members could not get Jordan to commit to gig dates. That his personal schedule ie. work etc etc kept dates up in the air. I for one would find that difficult to work with if I was a BOOKING AGENT.

I am in no way blaming Jordan for any of this he made decisions based on what he thought was best for him and his family ( I can certainly sympathize and understand that). However I think it would be very naive to think that inner "turmoil" of the band ddint have anything to do with the situation they find themselves in at this point.

That doesn\'t explain away what appears to be long list of questionable decisions made by the band just another perspective that doesn\'t seem to be  evident in this thread

It takes very little time to update a band bio( it can and should have been emailed in to Crescendo awhile ago), put in a new pic (hell they have a 4 box pic that they can just cut Jordan out of!)

Jordan leaving should have in no way been an impediment in getting these basic things done. It has been how long since his last show?
There really is no excuse for this .

I agree with many if not all of your points was simply trying to raise an opposing viewpoint. But we have no idea if the booking agent has failed t hold p their end of the arrangement or if input from the band side is where the sluggishness lies. It is all simpy speculation on the part of the fanbase for the most part.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: Drew_Kingsley on September 03, 2006, 06:28:33 pm
As a complete outsider to the situation, here is my belief:

The Breakfast is caught in a revolving door situation with its management.  The band needs to bring Crescendo Artists more acclaim (and $$$, of course) to become more of a priority for the agency.  Likewise, Crescendo needs to make the Breakfast more of a priority for the band to garner more acclaim/moolah/whatever.

This may not be the exact/only/absolute reason for the apparent communication breakdown between band and management, but I\'m sure it is a factor.

It\'s no wonder that most bands don\'t make it any further than this (actually, most bands don\'t even make it this far, but I\'m sure you all catch my drift).
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: kyndkate on September 03, 2006, 06:09:16 pm
I\'ve spoken to both Tim and Spacey about this is recent months. The guys are members of the Home Grown Music Network, which is an excellent resource they never seem to use. At least whenever a Home Grown band is in MY town, I always get in touch with Chris Robie and put up a few flyers in key areas, or if I have time I talk to local radio stations and get in touch with the venue. You have to get INVITED to be a member of the HGMN, so obviously they were doing something right when they got the invitation. However, you have to want to use it in order for it to work.

There are so many forms of promotion out there that are not being utilized, and it kills me. There seems to be a serious lack of communication between the band and the management team, whoever that may be. If they want to stop playing Midwest gigs for 30 people, more than one person needs to hike up their britches and put a little extra elbow grease into it. I\'m not blaming any single person here, but I am disappointed about how some things are being done. Granted I don\'t know all of the inner workings, but I\'ve heard enough to know that it\'s time for some changes.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: leith on September 03, 2006, 04:56:31 pm
Well the title of the thread is How can WE get .......

So the name listed as Management is Alex Defelice.

The email listed is adefelice@mindspring.com.

Maybe a few nicely written reminders to him via email will help.
Maybe he does not realize that these things need attention.

If the band is going to make it they can not rely on the fanbase to keep up the type of efforts we have over the years.
They really need a strong management team and it needs to start now.

Vic wants us to think expressing our complaints anywhere but here will hurt the band and that is simply not true.
Write a polite email or letter expressing your love for this band and any complaints you may have about how they are percieved due to their publicity on Crescendo\'s site.
Any management that actually cares for the band they manage WILL respond  to this type of correspondence.

Quote from: kindm\'s
I will take the position of devils advocate:

Perhaps the booking agent has had reason to take things slow/ place the bfast on back burner. I was under the impression that a major reason for Jordan leaving the band was do to the fact that the other members could not get Jordan to commit to gig dates. That his personal schedule ie. work etc etc kept dates up in the air. I for one would find that difficult to work with if I was a BOOKING AGENT.

I am in no way blaming Jordan for any of this he made decisions based on what he thought was best for him and his family ( I can certainly sympathize and understand that). However I think it would be very naive to think that inner "turmoil" of the band ddint have anything to do with the situation they find themselves in at this point.

That doesn\'t explain away what appears to be long list of questionable decisions made by the band just another perspective that doesn\'t seem to be  evident in this thread

It takes very little time to update a band bio( it can and should have been emailed in to Crescendo awhile ago), put in a new pic (hell they have a 4 box pic that they can just cut Jordan out of!)

Jordan leaving should have in no way been an impediment in getting these basic things done. It has been how long since his last show?
There really is no excuse for this .
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: kindm's on September 03, 2006, 04:43:11 pm
I will take the position of devils advocate:

Perhaps the booking agent has had reason to take things slow/ place the bfast on back burner. I was under the impression that a major reason for Jordan leaving the band was do to the fact that the other members could not get Jordan to commit to gig dates. That his personal schedule ie. work etc etc kept dates up in the air. I for one would find that difficult to work with if I was a BOOKING AGENT.

I am in no way blaming Jordan for any of this he made decisions based on what he thought was best for him and his family ( I can certainly sympathize and understand that). However I think it would be very naive to think that inner "turmoil" of the band ddint have anything to do with the situation they find themselves in at this point.

That doesn\'t explain away what appears to be long list of questionable decisions made by the band just another perspective that doesn\'t seem to be  evident in this thread
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: Rujah on September 03, 2006, 03:45:11 pm
i have always pondered this myself. all of you make valid points and someone should definitely be doing something about this. it is kind of sad in a way that they have never been invited to perform at Bonnaroo. Either way the band bio needs to be updating along with some .info on the new album and the tour to support. I mean the breakfast seem to be working their asses off to try and make it and when their management isn\'t behind them 100% it can be sort of difficult.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: Ant-Man on September 03, 2006, 02:34:06 pm
great point leith, i\'m also for your points because they are more objective in some ways.

I like to see stuff like this brought to the table, lets not sugar coat things.

In that case I\'m waiting for something to come from management in their own defense.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: Wolfman on September 03, 2006, 12:44:12 pm
Quote from: derickw
Fan run sites are the only links around that are updated and I think those are the main links to the fans, but the band site and the management site are more for promoters and booking agents and that reflects on the management and there confidence in the band.

That\'s an interesting point.  Fans are in here or on jambase or .net. or myspace.  Those sites are updated frequently because Dave Peck and Tim and Spacey handle all of those updates.  Somehow Dave and Spacey, who don\'t get paid, manage to update their sites daily, but the promoter who gets half the band\'s gig money hasn\'t updated anything in months.  It\'s the other promoters and club managers and other bands that go to the Crescendo site.  If their website is any reflection of their attitude towards The Breakfast (which of course it is) then it makes it look like The Breakfast is a band to avoid working with.  Hey Crescendo I think I\'ve confirmed that The Breakfast is the only band in America that is 0-for-5 getting into Bonnaroo.  Someone come up with one other band that has tried every year and never gotten in.  Crescendo et al will be quick to point out their scattered successes, which they still deserve credit for, but if there\'s one word to sum up their work it\'s "underachievment."  

So per usual the fans are doing way more than the management to help the band.  This isn\'t a news flash.  It\'s always been that way.  Scroll down the list of the top 30 .info posters and you have a list of people who have done more to help the band than anyone on the payroll ever did.  This band owes their existence and the majority of their success to their own hard work and to the fans.  They succeed despite the management.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: derickw on September 03, 2006, 12:03:27 pm
I still do whatever I can to help out. I take my time to create flyers and posters but I never know if anyone is even getting them to pass out....

I agree with the updating issues, but who is going to do it. Do those guys at Crescendo really know what’s going on? Who is ultimately responsible for all this? Fan run sites are the only links around that are updated and I think those are the main links to the fans, but the band site and the management site are more for promoters and booking agents and that reflects on the management and there confidence in the band.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: FreeSpirit on September 03, 2006, 09:07:41 am
(https://thebreakfast.info/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crankfire.com%2Fimages%2Favatars%2Fstfudonnie.jpg&hash=9e04da876278c10708458cef5913101afb449499)
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: Gfunk on September 03, 2006, 12:24:36 am
^truth
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: leith on September 02, 2006, 11:39:48 pm
Quote from: sallyalli
oh god...its awesome you guys care, but let the band take care of it how they wish to. Im sure they will do what they think is best...no?

No Alli. I think if any of them knew that this stuff was not being taken care of they would ask someone to take care of it. They are savvy enough to know that this stuff needs to be done but they as they should be are busier making music and dealing w/ being a trio.

That is why I asked in my initial post if the band was even aware of this stuff.

They have obviously put their trust in Crescendo to book them but Crescendo is dropping the ball in some areas.

The main thing is that one can put in an offer for the band on the site. If you had only heard some hype about The Breakfast and go to the site to book them you will be under the impression you are getting a quartet.

This can cause problems for all involved and does not put the band in a good light.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: sallyalli on September 02, 2006, 11:10:46 pm
oh god...its awesome you guys care, but let the band take care of it how they wish to. Im sure they will do what they think is best...no?
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: leith on September 02, 2006, 09:07:13 pm
Quote from: princesscaspian
oh leith... we all could not agree more.

and it seems you and i and spacey are the only ones who actually make any noise about it. i\'ve had so many discussions with fans (outside of .info) about how they are not marketed correctly, how the management is pretty much invisible, the press kit isn\'t updated, blah blah blah... but when it comes time to say something on the boards nobody wants to "ruffle any feathers".... so honestly, their apathy has rubbed off on me, and i just dont care anymore. i dont drive far away to see shows anymore, i dont promote them on the uconn campus, or invite people to join their group on uconn\'s "facebook".... i just do nothing, cuz thats what everyone else seems happy doing.

in this thread:
http://www.thebreakfast.info/forum/showthread.php?t=7132

i inquire as to why the press kit hasn\'t been updated in 2 years.... and SHOCK! no response.


furthermore, in this thread:
http://www.thebreakfast.info/forum/showthread.php?t=7621

i inquire as the the role of the management, and vic steffens eloqently tells me to "shut up"... at this point i sent him a private message trying to gain some insight into what the management actually was doing to help the band, and, surprise surprise... i got no response. real shocker there....

call it a cop-out, flame away, whatever. i just dont care to have this fight anymore....
This post makes me sad.

It is for this type of post I keep plugging away over management issues.

When one of the band\'s most ardent supporters decides it\'s not worth the effort anymore you gotta wonder about those fans that are not as **** and if they will bother to promote the band.

Esp. in this time of transition losing fan support or interest due to the band itself is one thing but to lose fan support over things like this that management can easily take care of is ridiculous.

We all know this bands best publicity is word of mouth. If the # of mouths to spread the word decreases....

Does anyone actually manage this band that can make things happen?

As far as I know Vic Steffens is the producer of their albums. It seems he is acting as an interim manager also.

If he is acting as an interim manager than he really should address these issues and he should be held accountable.

Ignoring valid fan concerns does no one any good.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: princesscaspian on September 02, 2006, 07:56:09 pm
oh leith... we all could not agree more.

and it seems you and i and spacey are the only ones who actually make any noise about it. i\'ve had so many discussions with fans (outside of .info) about how they are not marketed correctly, how the management is pretty much invisible, the press kit isn\'t updated, blah blah blah... but when it comes time to say something on the boards nobody wants to "ruffle any feathers".... so honestly, their apathy has rubbed off on me, and i just dont care anymore. i dont drive far away to see shows anymore, i dont promote them on the uconn campus, or invite people to join their group on uconn\'s "facebook".... i just do nothing, cuz thats what everyone else seems happy doing.

in this thread:
http://www.thebreakfast.info/forum/showthread.php?t=7132

i inquire as to why the press kit hasn\'t been updated in 2 years.... and SHOCK! no response.


furthermore, in this thread:
http://www.thebreakfast.info/forum/showthread.php?t=7621

i inquire as the the role of the management, and vic steffens eloqently tells me to "shut up"... at this point i sent him a private message trying to gain some insight into what the management actually was doing to help the band, and, surprise surprise... i got no response. real shocker there....

call it a cop-out, flame away, whatever. i just dont care to have this fight anymore....
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: skalnbyc on September 02, 2006, 07:39:11 pm
I have also been wondering the same.  The Crescendo site never pimps The Breakfast, and prefers to stream tracks by Shawn Camps & New Orleans Social Club (wait.who??).

Before those who view everything Breakfast through rose-colored glasses proceed to jump down Leith\'s throat, keep in mind it\'s important for every organization to discover it\'s strengths and weaknesses.

I hope Crescendo, who supposedly has major pull out west, tries to pair the band with some bands of significance on the next tour (a la the Breakfast-Moe pairing).  

Hey, whatever happened to the Breakfast-New Monsoon tour?
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: Spacey on September 02, 2006, 07:20:46 pm
100% behind you.

The little things make the difference. I have been saying for a while now that not only does the band need a new press package but they also need to have the band bio updated.

With the release of the new album and a tour to support the album you would think that there would be more buzz about the new album. Make people want it and they will buy it.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Title: How do we get Crescendo Artists to care about The Breakfast?
Post by: leith on September 02, 2006, 07:16:39 pm
Not only is the bio OLD but the band photo still shows Jordan!

Click on the recordings link and there is no promo for The Breakfast nothing!

Under Availability they are listed as generally available though they have a tour coming up that even takes them to Canada.

Tour dates can often be found on Jambase before the Crescendo site.

What is the deal?

These are not things that take alot of effort to do or even keep track of.

IS anyone else wondering what can be done about this?

Does the band even know they have a booking agency that treats their image like this?
:sigh: