While picking up the newest SPM issue every Wednesday, ASU students might take a few seconds to gander at the mangled concrete pillar with fliers promoting everything from parties, concerts or even the best way to make $100,000 just by calling that magical phone number. Some fliers aren’t worth a second glance, but some of those concert fliers were hand stuck by Jared Alan of FauxShow Production Inc.— they deserve some attention.
FauxShow Productions is a local promoting company. “I’m the median between the band and the venue,” says Alan. He pays the venue a booking fee up front. This reserves a night for the band to perform and establishes Alan as the promoter for that show. Then he gets the band to perform there, the company then prints out fliers and posters to advertise for the upcoming shows. Although the process (putting down money before the band has even agreed to play) seems a bit risky, Alan claims he has always found a way to make it work.
Before discovering his true passion, Alan did a few semesters at MCC. Realizing he wanted to pursue a career in the music industry, he decided to enroll in the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences. Since then, Alan has waited a few tables, but mainly made his money DJing at different venues and parties.
The company got started by DJing a dance night at Hollywood Alley on Fridays. The night did really well and Alan realized he had a knack for finding good music. He made a few phone calls and started booking venues. Alan has continued to fund the company by DJing at different dance nights. “I just play music I would want to hear on a dance floor,” says Alan.
Hannah Ellman, interior design senior, says, “I used to go to Glam every Friday night to watch FauxShow play. It was always a great time.” Unfortunately Glam has now closed their venue and FauxShow is forced to find other places to play.
Alan’s company is successful because he treats himself as the gatekeeper of good music. “I book bands I have listened to for a long time or are up and coming,” he says. “I think I have a pretty good taste in music and it’s really broad. I have a diverse range of music.” Alan’s claimed to have book a few favorite bands including Diplo, Menomena and Spank Rock. He doesn’t stick with one type of music but rather wants people to see bands that are talented in every genre.
Alan also admits there are plenty of shows where he loses money. The promoting company only makes a percentage of ticket sales. So, Alan depends on having enough people show up to the shows he promotes.
As far as FauxShow’s future, ASU students can depend on the company to stick around for a while. “With what I do it’s hard to just pick up in leave. I have built a relationship with a lot of the venues, and most artists already have promoters in major cities.”
Since band fliers are floating around at every bar, coffee shop and stoplight, it’s easy for students to not take them very seriously. But FauxShow is a company that is passionate about good music. ASU students can depend on FauxShow Productions Inc. to recommend some good tunes and fund a good time.
Reach the reporter at kahavens@asu.edu.
