Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Sanders.
Hi Jake, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I fell in love with live music in the summer of 2011 when I went to my first big show in Memphis. (The Devil Wears Prada, We Came as Romans and Miss May I). Since then, I’ve been in a couple of bands which for about 7 years kept me in and out of music venues all over the country. Naturally, that led to planning/ booking shows both for my own bands and local to national touring acts. I left my previous band, Levels, in 2019 when I made the move with my wife Katie to Athens, GA so she could pursue a PHD at the University of Georgia. I was excited to make this move to very music friendly city. The city that produced bands such as REM, B52’s and Widespread Panic. I knew right away I wanted to become involved with the local music scene. However, a pandemic made it very hard to become involved with anything in person. Now, I’ve finally begun finding my place in the music scene here. I started Encap Entertainment to begin booking bands again, and very quickly started setting shows up around Athens. I’ve also been able to continue working with my old bad Levels and recently announced a Southeast US tour that I booked for them so they can continue to grow as a band. I’m excited to provide the Athens community with the same experiences that I’ve had with music over the last 10 years, and hope to bring some amazing bands through this city during my time here.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It took longer than I had anticipated to get involved with the music scene in Athens, mainly because of the pandemic, but now that shows are beginning to return and I’m able to go out and meet some people and speak directly to venue owners and talent buyers, it’s been smooth sailing.
Booking is always interesting because you’re having to look so far ahead to get things set up. Anything can happen between now and the shows I have booked for March 2022, so there is always a little uncertainty, but instead of worrying about what might happen, I like to put my focus into covering all of my bases and promoting the shows to ensure everything goes as planned.
As far as tour booking goes, the biggest struggle is relying on people to respond to emails and messages. I get too eager and maybe a little impatient sometimes waiting for people to respond, but there are plenty of people out there willing to help out so I’ve learned that just because someone doesn’t respond right away doesn’t mean they aren’t interested in booking your show. Staying persistent and following up often is crucial in the booking world. If I’m the 10th offer a talent agent has gotten in a day, they’re probably going to sit on it for a bit before getting back to me, so sometimes is takes that extra nudge a few days later for them to remember.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a talent buyer in Athens, GA and I also am a booking agent for bands that are interested in touring. I am the middle man between bands and venues in my area. If a touring band is routed to come through Athens, GA and they need help setting a show up, I am the person they reach out to.
Once a band contacts me, I reach out to venues in the area and see if they are available to host the show. Once I get a venue locked in, I reach out to local bands around the area to help draw a local crowd out to the show and give the touring band the exposure they’re looking to get by touring.
I would say I’m most proud of the recent tour I booked for my old band Levels. It will be their first tour with their new vocalist, who replaced me when I left the band in 2019, and they will be hitting 11 different cities across the Southeast US in a span of 12 days.
The fact that I’ve been on both sides of the booking process is what might set me apart from others in the field. I spent many years in a band and was usually the band member that did all of the bookings. And on the other side, I’ve been the guy that band members reach out to to get a show booked.
Having the experience from both sides, I know what it takes to properly set up shows and ensure that they are run smoothly. I pride myself on properly managing show to make it as seamless as possible for the bands so all they have to worry about is playing their set.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is to be accommodating. A lot of the people I am putting shows together for are in the middle of touring which means they’re a long way from their home, friends and families. Most are living out of their vans and sleeping in parking lots somewhere between the show they just played and the show they’re playing the next day. If there’s any way I can make their lives easier while out on the road, I’m happy to provide accommodations that meet their needs.
Contact Info:
- Email: encapentertainment@gmail.com
- Instagram: @encapentertainment
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encapentertainment
Image Credits:
Kurt Lunsford
Marlee Hartman
