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November 18, 2004
Street teams...
Got a burning passion for your favourite band? Can't get enough of their 'inside' news and gossip? Want to get those billposters for your bedroom? Desire mp3's that are specifically for an elite group of fans? Street Teams are not new by any length, although of late their importance has been recognised by the bands that they support (and their labels) and are receiving more attention. A Street Team (ST) is a group of dedicated fans that get involved with the promotion of a band for free. This support comes in the way of stickering, billposting, flyer distribution and management of fan based web sites. Starting out in the US and now more and more starting in Australia, these groups are playing an important part in the awareness of the live music scene in towns and cities across the nation.
It is considered to be of the highest order of 'fanhood' to be a ST'er. You are a diehard supporter of the music and philosophy that the band expounds. Now it seems, that there is reduction of a selflessness surrounding ST's. Intelligent record companies have decided that there is cheaper ways than mass marketing to get 'word' to the people that they need to touch with their promotional message. It is more common now for bands and labels to reward teams by putting on secret gigs, printing small batch clothing, unique versions of songs on mp3, posters, stickers and so on.
Australian bands have a strong ST culture with bands such as MGF and 28 Days amongst others that are appearing on the Australian Street Teams site. At AST, you sign on to a subscription for the bands that you want to support. When a band asks for ST's to help an email call goes out and the members go off to do their duty.
I think that this is a superb way of supporting your band on the local scene and also to promote live 'band' music, moving people back in to bars and clubs for the 'band' not the 'DJ' or jukebox.
Get online and sign up to Australian Street Teams and join them in promoting the Australian music community – just like we endeavour to here at onetonnemusic!
-Mikinoz
Posted by funnelbc at November 18, 2004 10:51 AM
Comments
I think there's a line there somewhere. I think there's nothing at all wrong about promoting your favourite band, or bands that you like, and its even nicer to get some kit from the band as mark of respect. But I would hate to see folks doing a bunch of what is essentially unpaid work and having their trust and respect for a band diminished by demeaning or betlittling work for virtually nothing. I certainly don't want to see anyone get burnt trying to support a band that they love. And I think there's some funny implications when you end up doing it to support an already established and financially sucessful outfit - it takes time and effort to promote and your time is worth money too.
Not trying to wee on the proverbial parade, but always be careful about what kind of work you are getting into and make sure that it's a good thing not just for the band but also you.
Posted by: funnelbc ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.onetonnemusic.com/blog/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 18, 2004 11:09 AM
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