Earnings & Income Disclosure

The short version

We do not guarantee earnings of any kind from using Bandmate. Some members find paid work, regular gigs, or a long-term band that leads to years of collaboration. Many members use Bandmate socially or to fill unpaid ensemble slots (worship teams, community theater, pit orchestras, hobby cover bands). Either is fine — the service is designed to support both. Please do not assume that any figure on the site represents an average, median, or likely outcome.

What factors actually drive income

How much a musician earns depends on a long list of variables, most of which have nothing to do with any directory or platform. Some of the biggest ones:

• Local market. A jazz bassist in New York City has a vastly different gig pipeline than a jazz bassist in rural Montana. The same is true for wedding bands, church musicians, and club-cover acts.
• Genre and instrument. Some genres pay more per gig than others; some genres have more gigs available but pay less per gig. Some instruments (drums, upright bass, keys) are in shorter supply and tend to command higher rates.
• Experience and reputation. A player with ten years of steady gigging and a strong local network will get more callbacks than a player who is just starting out. The directory shortens the search but does not substitute for a network.
• Commitment level. A band that rehearses weekly and plays two weekend gigs a month has more demand for a steady bassist than a project that rehearses when inspiration strikes. Make sure the listing's commitment level matches yours before you reach out.
• Pay structure. Some bands split the door evenly. Some pay a flat rate per gig. Some are unpaid but cover rehearsal space. Some are paid in experience and a slice of pizza. Read the listing carefully.

What we will never say on the site

We will never publish a "members earned $X last year" headline. We will never publish a "top earners made $Y" pull-quote. We will never claim that listing on Bandmate will lead to a specific number of gigs, a specific income, or any specific outcome. The directory is a tool for finding each other; what happens after that is between the people who meet.

If a listing mentions a pay rate, gig guarantee, or revenue share, take it as that member's individual statement. We do not verify it, endorse it, or guarantee it. If a listing makes an outrageous promise ("$5,000 a week for any guitarist we recruit"), treat it as a scam report it to abuse@bandmate.co.

Your due diligence

Before accepting a paid arrangement through a Bandmate contact, treat it like any other independent contracting opportunity:

• Verify the other party's identity (a video call, a public performance, a conversation with a mutual contact).
• Use a written agreement for any commitment longer than a single gig, especially if money changes hands before services are rendered.
• Understand the tax implications of gig income in your jurisdiction. Self-employment income is reported on a 1099 in the U.S. and similarly in other countries. Plan accordingly.
• If a project promises equity, royalties, or a percentage of future revenue, get the terms in writing before you invest time.

How this disclosure changes

If our affiliate, advertising, or sponsorship practices change in a way that creates a new conflict of interest between us and our members, we will update this page. The Affiliate Disclosure sets out the rules we follow when we add any new commercial relationships.

Questions about this Earnings & Income Disclosure? Email legal@bandmate.co.