Anybody else having trouble getting booked?

When I first moved to Austin back in 2021, I didn’t have any trouble getting booked to play gigs. It was usually at smaller venues, but I played Saxon Pub during SXSW and used to have some regular spots I got booked at a lot.

Ever since about 2023, I’ve really struggled to land any consistent gigs, and more often than not, I get no response when I reach out to different places asking to play. If I do get a response it’s usually something like “we’re booked out for a while.” I used to play at least a show a month, and now I might get to play 2 or 3 times a year.

Artist friends I’ve talked to all seem surprised that I’m having trouble getting booked, because they aren’t having the same bad luck I am.

Anyone else feeling this struggle, and does anyone have any advice on what I can do to break back into the local music scene?

We are a Dallas band trying to get down in the central TX area. Band is name Arenales Alternative rock band. Anyone help us out for some November gig?

Don’t respond to this posting with a bunch of nonsense bullshit about what you’ve done and who you’ve done it with. If you respond, leave your contact information and when you’re available to let the music happen. Otherwise, fuck off.

Hey Austin creatives!! :) I know this is for musicians but I am wanting to find a videographer who knows how to make music videos so I thought this would be the perfect space to connect.

I just moved to the Austin area and I’m really excited to connect with other artists out here!

I’m a Chicana indie/alternative pop artist currently working on releasing new music, and I’m looking for a videographer who loves getting creative as much as I do!

I LOVE artsy visuals, unconventional concepts, cinematic shots, and anything that feels a little dreamy, experimental, or outside the box. I’m really passionate about the storytelling behind my music, and I’d love to find someone who gets excited about bringing those stories to life visually.

I’m not looking for cookie-cutter music videos. I want to make ART!! Something that makes people feel something.

I’d also love to build genuine connections with other creatives in the city. I’m new here, so finding my artistic community is a big part of this, too!

If you’re a videographer (or know someone), please drop your Instagram, portfolio, or previous work! I’d love to see what you’re creating.

Guitar/vocal & drummer here.

Looking for a bass player to help bring that low end to our sound.

Original music only with plenty of material to show for.

This is just an example of an improvised jam we had recently.

Your creativity is needed so any material we share is your canvas.
Thanks

Terra Cognita is an Austin band playing dark indie rock with industrial and post-punk edges. We’re looking for a bassist to join an active working band. We are playing out regularly, releasing music, and booking more shows.

Some Credentials:

• Played the closing Sunday slot at Northern Nights & Dirty Bird Campout within our first year as a band
• 1,200-person Contemporary Austin headline
• Two sold-out 150-cap debut headlines
• 10 SXSW 2025 sets alongside Revenge Wife
• 6,500+ monthly listeners on Spotify, with a new single out roughly every month this year

What’s ahead:

• Several out-of-state runs being lined up for next year
• A steady calendar of good local shows
• Happy to share specifics on inquiry
• Paid: guaranteed minimum for every show you play, plus travel and lodging covered on the road

Who we’re looking for:

• Solid, reliable player who locks in with drums and serves the song
• Comfortable with dark, textural, groove-driven material (think Radiohead, Leisure, Interpol, The Mars Volta). We're not playing jazz here but the lines are a bit more advanced. Bass is arguably the most important instrument in our music. A proficient - advanced player with an obsession for fx and tone is ideal. If you're able and willing to do anything else (synth, percussion, etc.), that's a plus!
• Available for regular rehearsals at our private studio in South Austin (Menchaca / Ben White area) and open to travel for tours
• Have access to your own gear and transportation
• Professional: shows up prepared, on time, and communicates
• Experienced and comfortable on stage
• Easy to get along with. We spend a lot of time together in vans, rehearsals, and show days, so good hang matters
• BIPOC, Women and LGBTQ+ players highly encouraged to reach out

Vibe-Check:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4QYmUyCxGV3heecD8zxwQd
• Website: https://terracognitamusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terra_cognita_music/

If it sounds like a fit and a project you would be excited about, DM me with a bit about yourself and a link to something you’ve played on (video, recording, or a band you’ve been in). We're looking for someone passionate about this kind of music and ready to get after it. Cheers y'all

Hey there I’m a 35 year old black male that’s always had a great voice but truthfully only started singing publicly about a year ago. Don’t know why it’s taken so long to bring it outside of my shower/bedroom but singing is one of the few things that truly brings me peace. Not too sure what I’m actually looking for but I do know I need to Sing! I’ve ignored my calling for long enough. More then willing to showcase my skills for whoever may be interested, but feel free to shoot me a message if you could find some use for me.

29 yo female vocalist songwriter, can play beginner intermediate keys. looking to start a band - I want to actually write some music and get out there and play shows eventually. inspired by beach house, big thief, slow pulp, fazerdaze, balance and composure, fog lake, slowdive, lots more. I'll be new to performing live but have DIY recorded tons of my own stuff. If you're interested and have the time to dedicate, please hit me up

My band is looking for another member! We’re really looking for someone who can do multiple things. We move around a lot, so sometimes you might want to be able to pick up the bass, and sometimes you might be working with synths or samplers(we have equipment we can provide). We practice on Thursdays in a private space in north Austin. We’ve had some moderate success with getting a couple singles played on local radio this year, and we’re hoping to do a lot more in the next year. We’ve got a lot of new music written already. We’re trying to go in a more sparse and experimental direction, really into Fontaines D.C., Arab Strap, Massive Attack, early Gorillaz. If that sounds cool, let us know!

https://thepanicofficeatx.bandcamp.com

I like producing and writing things in the vein of Armand Hammer, Ka, Theravada, or Navy Blue. If you're interested Let me know. If not but you know a good place to look let me know too! Thanks 🎵👍

Yo i play guitar in FTS. Seeing if anyone in the austin area can shred on the kit, wants to join a tech/death metal band with live experience and doesnt mind playing to a click. Band name is Forced to Surface.

Hey everyone! My name is Marcus, and I’m a musician and app developer based in Fort Worth. I recently launched EventBid, a new booking platform, and I’m looking for performers to sign up.
It’s completely free for performers, with 0% commission on bookings. Organizers pay a 10% booking fee.
I’m actively working on promoting the platform and bringing in gigs for performers. If you’re interested, check it out!

Http://eventbid.app

Music from Spirals, Wild Wren, Rival Waves, and Noelle Grey & the Imaginary Band

After working live-production gigs at Monk's Jazz Club and Baller TV as a TD plus Moody Center, the Paramount, and COTA as a stagehand I've decided to branch out on my own and start building something independently.

Most of my livestream experience has been around jazz, but I'd love to work with more of Austin's local music scene. Indie bands, singer-songwriters, small venues, and artists who want to share their performances with a bigger audience.

I'm in the early stages of building my freelance operation, so I'm keeping things lean and working with artists to find solutions that fit their needs and budgets. You don't need to be playing a stadium or selling out a big venue to deserve quality live video.

Whether you're looking for a livestream, performance footage, or a way to help people discover your music online, I'd love to talk about what we can make work.

If professional production has felt out of reach for you or your band, feel free to reach out. I'm looking to build relationships with local artists and grow alongside the Austin music community.

Drop your music or send me a DM , I'd love to see what you're working on!

Posted an example of FORMER work setup and get an idea.

Seeking vocalist for blues-psychedelic-folk rock project. Age 20-35. Seeking someone with the grit and soul of Ann Wilson or Stevie Nicks. Message if interested.

Hi. I'm Jude (drummer) and Todd is our singer/guitarist. We are putting together a new heavy project in Austin.

We are looking for a bass player who can move mountains and a second guitarist to add weight and flavor. The ability to do backup/harmony vocals is a huge plus. You should have solid, appropriately loud gear and ideally have been around the block with live shows, touring, recording, etc. The goal of the project is to play shows ASAP. It doesn't matter if the name of the project eventually changes.

If you're into the demos, shoot us some examples of your playing. Cheers!

[toddrobert73@gmail.com](mailto:toddrobert73@gmail.com) and/or [soundresearch@icloud.com](mailto:soundresearch@icloud.com)

Hi we are Things That Swim.

We are looking for a long term bass player.

Audition includes learning this song of ours https://youtu.be/b1kuJALYAVs?is=ut81UxpCUwZ03mUH

You can find us on IG.

Dm for more info :)

Hi,

Dad here looking to play once a week with a songwriter or possibly chill jazz band. I'm a singer/songwriter bassist first and I want to play simple drums. I don't want to do anything crazy technical, my timing is good and I play for the song. Seeing what's out here. I can help with songwriting or covers are fine. Let me know thanks.

25, male been trying to start a metal band for a long time now. Need serious people who love music

Hi r/AustinMusicians,

This is Paige, the vocalist for a local post hardcore project called Calfcain, as well as its main songwriter and producer.

We debuted our first single “Bloodshot” in July, and are set to record our next two singles.

I wanted to put a call out to see if there are any musicians in Austin with a shared influence who would be interested in being part of the project.

Our main influences are Thrice, Emery, and Hrvrd.

All musicians are welcome, as well as musicians who work in strings, woodwinds, brass, and orchestral percussion.

Please drop a comment below if this interests you, we are always looking for musicians with a similar sound!

Bonus points if you’re an emo with a marching band or theater background…

I just finished recording my second EP, the problem is I played all the stuff myself and I don't have a way to play it live. I'd love to put a band together. I'm not interested in having people just play the recorded parts though, your creative input is highly encouraged!

Influences include Spoon, Wilco, Radiohead, Beatles, TMBG, Beck, Flaming Lips... you get the idea

I'd probably want to be on bass or guitar so looking for the rest of the pieces.

If you want to hear: https://www.animalsintrees.com links to all the various streamers are on here.

I live in the south Austin area around Saint Elmo, got a rehearsal spot in my home.

Cheers!

Hey everyone!

I'm Tino, the guitarist, songwriter, and producer behind Ghost Villain, an Austin-based alternative rock/dark pop project.

We've released our debut EP, picked up some international radio airplay, and have been actively working on booking more shows around Austin.

I'm looking to connect with vocalists interested in collaborating on new original music.

I can handle the songwriting, arrangements, instrumentation, recording, and production using Logic Pro, so I'm mainly looking for someone who can bring strong vocals and their own personality to the music.

I'm absolutely open to creative collaborations, songwriting contributions, and new ideas, but none of that is required. What matters most is finding someone who's enthusiastic, willing to contribute, and motivated to help move the project forward.

I've also got new material written and ready to go, so if you check out our existing releases on Spotify or other streaming platforms and dig the sound, we can potentially get started on something right away.

If you're working on your own original material, I'm open to collaborating on that as well. I enjoy building arrangements, developing song ideas, adding instrumentation, and helping turn demos into finished tracks.

Ideally, I'd love to work with people who are also motivated to get the music heard. Whether that's performing live, networking with other local musicians, connecting with venues, or helping promote releases, I'd like this to feel like a collaborative effort.

I'm open to different vocal styles, male or female singers, and potentially working with multiple vocalists on different tracks rather than having one permanent lineup.

I'm based in North Austin and would prefer connecting with musicians in that area or nearby, but I'm flexible for the right fit.

The music falls somewhere between alternative rock, indie rock, dark pop, atmospheric guitars, and some heavier influences.

Music & Press

🎧 Spotify:

Ghost Villain on Spotify⁠ and all platforms

📰 Recent Review:

Tunepical – Ghost Villain, The Door⁠�

📱 Instagram: @ghostvillainatx

If you're interested, send me a DM with some examples of your vocals and a little about what you're looking to accomplish musically.

Would love to connect with other motivated musicians in Austin!

👻 Ghost Villain