New York - September 13, 2005

So, You Wanna Be a Rock Star

Indie Night School

Your plan to become a rock star has been temporarily derailed because you can’t pick your part.

1. Not lead singer. You’d have to be egomaniacal and (surprisingly) short.

2. Not lead guitar. You’d have to wear really tight pants and be jealous of the singer.

3. Not drummer. You’d always be hidden in back.

4. Not bassist. Because, face it, you’d never get laid.

That leaves you with manager — of your own awesome band!

Now what? Sign up for Indie Night School, a music conference series in which industry pros teach wannabes to become bes. This is school like you always dreamed of: Panels are titled Booking Your Band and Rock Star Label, teachers include managers of  Blonde Redhead and Le Tigre and honchos from Atlantic and Warner Brothers, and classes are held in a bar.

The next session, Entertainment and the Law, is taught by attorneys Richard Grabel (Interpol, Sonic Youth) and Dave Stein (Taking Back Sunday) on September 28. Book early: You’d hate for a rival to sign your band. Plus, this is your chance to schmooze with A&R guys or, at the very least, make out with the booker from Mercury Lounge.

And hey, if it turns out that you have zero management skills, you can always be a groupie.

Indie Night School, Pianos, 158 Ludlow Street at Stanton Street (212-505-3733). Wednesday, September 28, 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $12. R.S.V.P. to tom@theblackspoons.com. For more information, go to theblackspoons.com. Podcasts of past events are available at iconocastic.com.