129 E Hopkins St. San Marcos, TX 78666
A NOTE ON GETTING BOOKED AT THE PORCH
We are an independent venue and I am one person - there is one of me and 100s of you. It is impossible to respond to everybody that would like to play here. If you are a right fit for The Porch, I will email you to discuss dates. It might take me as long as 2-4 weeks to circle back to you, depending on date availability. I book 2-3 months out. Be patient. Please don't spam my inbox.
I do not book via social media. If you message me I will send you the email address. This is for my sanity.
Thank you for your interest in playing The Porch in San Marcos, TX!
Sam Strahan, owner
GETTING BOOKED
Booking email: theporchonhopkins@gmail.com.
When emailing about a potential show try to include:
1. Your name and/or your band name.
2. Link to your website and/or social media.
3. Link to recorded music.
4. Link to a live performance if possible *this is my preferred ways to check out new bands.
5. A brief (2-3 sentences please I beg you) description of your music and or bio.
6. What dates you are looking to book.
7. Your set length(s).
8. You desired guarantee and/or door deal.
Including this information will save us both a lot of time. It is greatly appreciated if you keep your booking requests in the same email chain so I don't assume you're reaching out to me for the first time.
ONCE BOOKED: PROMOTING THE SHOW
Help us make your show a success. We are still a new venue and it is important to get the word out about your show so we all help foster a strong community of live music supporters.
We are a KTSW underwriter! Connect with the station and ask them to play your music or to perform a live set in the days leading up to your show. *NOTE: the station is not required to play music of The Porch performing artists simply because we're an underwriter*
Make a Facebook event and add The Porch as a host. Invite your friends. Invite your parents, bosses, dogs, etc. Because there is so much programming on a weekly basis, I cannot create individual Facebook events for every show. Please help me out and invite your friends so we can get more traction than simply listing them on our pages.
Share your event with San Marcos local Facebook groups.
Create a show poster and bring it to the bar to hang up (10 copies MAX).
Share your show details with local / regional press outlets. I send out weekly email blasts and monthly newsletters to all of my industry contacts, but you should, too!
Here is a good starting point for calendar listings and press:
101X, community@krox.com
AMFM Magazine, christine@amfmstudios.com
Austin Chronicle, clubs@austinchronicle.com
Austin360 Music Source, musicsource@statesman.com
do512, cm@do512.com
Downtown San Marcos Association, info@downtownsanmarcos.org
KTSW 89.9, ktswpromotions@txstate.edu
KUTX, music@kut.org
KXAN, desk@kxan.com
KZSM, kzsmsanmarcos@gmail.com
San Marcos Daily Record Music Listings, agonzales@sanmarcosrecord.com
Spectrum/Time Warner News, txnewsdesk@charter.com
Texas State University Star, universitystar@txstate.edu
Visit San Marcos, cvb@sanmarcostx.gov
San Marcos responds really well to handbills and posters around town. Hit up coffee shops, vintage stores, the library, etc. Community listings of supportive businesses coming soon!
Talk about your show on social media and tag us @theporchsmtx. We will retweet, like, post to stories, etc. The more active you are the better.
Email poster graphics so we can help you promote through our platforms.
PRODUCTION SPECS
Not all shows at The Porch are full production events. Often if you are booked for a weekday performance you will be required to run your own sound. For all other performances, we work with Headwater Audio.
We provide the following backline / equipment for your use. If you need additional equipment you must connect with me or Headwater BEFORE YOUR SHOW:
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Allen & Heath ZED 10FX board (does not apply for full production nights)
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Shure microphones (3)
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Shure kick drum mic (1)
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Mic stands (3)
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Drum mic stand (1)
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DIs (3)
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XLRS (10)
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Monitors (2)
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Drum wedge (1)
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Drum throne
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House drum kit *YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN CYMBALS, SNARE & KICK PEDAL* DO NOT MOVE THE HOUSE DRUM KIT.
LOAD IN / LOAD OUT
Load in at least one hr prior to your set. Load in/out through one of the front entrances to The Porch on Hopkins. DO NOT LOAD IN/OUT THROUGH THE TAPROOM DINING ROOM. You may unload in Kissing Alley -- don't block the sidewalk with your vehicle.
When loading in, place gear along the back wall of The Porch, stage left by the subwoofer/speaker tower/jukebox.
When you prepare to load out, please tidy up after your set and throw away your empties, return shot glasses to the bar, etc. Help us keep the stage neat for everyone performing after you.
PARKING
Street parking hours and fees apply and are marked by city signage. Most downtown street parking is free after 6pm on weekends and all day on Saturday and Sunday.
Parking in the Taproom lot is limited to the east side of the lot, in the spots marked "Taproom Parking Only", numbered TR#06-TR#15. All other parking is private during weekday business hours. It is *usually* okay to park on the west side of the lot on evenings after 8pm and on weekends, but we don't rent those spots -- park at your own risk. The Porch and The Taproom are not responsible for damage to your vehicle or if your vehicle is towed. Please see attached map of parking available. Map of Hutchinson Lot Leases