After having problems getting booked, musicians and students Dakota Gartner and Kyran Million started Black Mamba Booking in November 2009. Since then the business has grown steadily, booking big names including alternative rock band the Foo Fighters.

The two City College music majors named their booking agency after Million’s black Ford Taurus station wagon, which carted his band on their first tour. Both Million and Gartner started Black Mamba when getting booked became a problem. When they got booked, it was primarily in presales where they had to “pay to play,” and at the very beginning they did not know anything about the industry.

“At that point it was us setting up shows in Isla Vista,” Gartner said.

Nowadays, Million and Gartner are negotiating with venue owners about promotions and shows. Last semester they worked with Tim Boris, co-founder of New Noise Santa Barbara and instructor of Music 123 “Business of Music.”

They have booked some good artists and some bad ones through Black Mamba since the start, but that’s considered part of the trial and error process: “We have to keep an open mind when it comes to music,” Million said. “You just got to look at how these artists are doing.”

“It’s not about booking your iPod playlist,” Gartner added.

When the Foo Fighters played at Velvet Jones on January 28th they were working along with Tim Boris and New Noise to make it happen. New Noise has a close contact to the band’s guitarist Chris Shiflett who is from Santa Barbara. The band has also been discussing a show to present their new album to fans.

“It was the coolest thing ever because Foo Fighters are definitely legit,” Gartner said.

Both Gartner and Million have a lot of support from family and friends. Even when Gartner was in metal bands during his teenage years, his parents would come to see every one of his shows, despite the fact that they hated metal music.

“They would sit in the metal audience and watch the mosh pit,” he said laughing.

Since they started the songwriting class with John Clark, Chair of the Music department, they have gotten a lot of support and critique from him. That was two years ago.

“I liked them right away,” Clark said. “They are both excellent songwriters and they have a lot of motivation.”

Gartner and Million both say that some of the best advice they have received from Clark is to work really hard and to be willing to accept some disappointments.

“It’s his demeanor … to make things happen for you when you need them to happen,” Million said.

“Or tell you that you suck when you need to be told that you suck,” Gartner added. “That’s why I bring my songs to class.”

The next mission on Black Mamba’s agenda is hosting the City College songwriter concert at Muddy Waters on East Haley Street February 25. It starts at 8 p.m. and the entrance will be $7.

“Friend us on Facebook and become involved,” Million said.

“And go to our shows,” Gartner added.