It's the most wonderful time of the year! Like blind-group dating for band people.
Hey everyone, Rob from bandNada and Econolodge here. It’s almost a new year again, which means that Band Lottery 2026 sign-ups are now open.
Band Lotto 2K26 will take place Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 - starting the day at 11 am at the East Williamsburg Econlodge and ending with performances at The Gutter in Greenpoint around 8 pm.
This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to become more involved in the local music scene, as well as people who just want to make new friends and stretch themselves creatively.
You can sign up here, or read on to learn more about the event and why we look forward to it each year.
What is Band Lottery?
Band Lottery
[band lot-uh-ree]
noun
plural band lotteries
"An annual event in which participants are randomly selected and separated into musical groups with the mission of writing 3 songs and performing them in under 24 hours."
The above is Webster's definition of Band Lottery (no need to look it up - I copied and pasted it perfectly using keyboard shortcuts). But if I had to explain it to fellow simpletons, it’s basically a one-day event where you are put in a band with (most likely) strangers and made to write and perform 3 songs with them.
Why do Band Lottery?
Band Lottery is a great way to meet new people and stretch yourself creatively. Katie Ortiz of Debbie Dopamine, who we interviewed earlier this year, is a five-time Band Lottery veteran who keeps coming back for those reasons exactly.
“Band Lotto is the best exercise in ‘yes, and’-ing. When I’m writing on my own, it has to be good enough to be worth the time and energy to write it, workshop it, and teach it to my bandmates. Band Lotto gets rid of all of that. There are time constraints, new people and dynamics at play, and there may not be traditional instrumentation. You don’t have to write and rehearse the greatest 15 minute set - you just have to be able to get through a 15 minute set... [Afterwards] I love getting to follow these people’s journeys after our one-day collaboration. If you’re new to the scene, it’s a surefire way to make connections quickly.”
The challenge of creating music with new people under these restraints is one that teaches you how to adapt to uncomfortable situations and work different musical muscles than you might be used to. And what Ortiz said about non-traditional instrumentation is true - I played drums my first year, and I am a guitarist through and through. Similarly, Dani Hilzenrath of Wildcard noted to me that “it’s the one day of the year I get to front a punk band with an accordion.” Damn.
Who Can Do Band Lottery?
Anyone who plays music can do this. You don’t have to be a prodigy, and you definitely don’t have to be in a band. Take Shane Wax, for instance. Shane is an avid showgoer who will be the first to tell you he is not in a band (His Instagram handle is @shaneseesshows, and his name on the platform is “Shane, but I’m not in the band.”). However, he says Band Lottery is a chance for him to be on the other side of that band-audience dynamic. “A part of me has always wanted to be in a band. Before Band Lotto, I had never played guitar in a group with other musicians. Each time I've participated, my confidence has continued to grow, and last year, I even played bass for the first time!”
We especially encourage people who aren’t playing music with others yet to do this. Again, it’s a great way to meet potential artistic partners and integrate yourself into the local music scene. Don’t bring expectations, just your instrument (this can be your voice if you’re a singer), a positive attitude, and go into it open-minded.
How Does The Day Go?
A typical Band Lottery goes something like this:
11 am: Participants gather at The East Williamsburg Econolodge (1 Meadow St in Brooklyn). Jon F Daily (my tall boss who runs the lodge as well as bandNada) usually provides coffee.
11:30 am: A group of leaders is selected based on the criteria of having access to a practice space. The leaders pick names out of a hat and randomly select their band members. When all the names have been picked, the new groups discuss what instrument each member will be playing and disperse to their practice spaces.
Over the next 7 or so hours, each group will write and practice three songs. We also recommend you come up with a band name at this time and get yourselves some lunch.
8 pm: Show up at the Gutter. Submit your band name to the people in charge, and they’ll tell you when you’re playing. Mingle, watch the bands, and invite your friends.
- Don’t worry, they have a backline (amps, drums, mics).
12 am: Band Lotto is over. Time to party. Or sleep.
What Happens To The Bands and the Music They Make?
Great question. Generally, the bands only last for a day, so last year we started doing Band Lottery compilations to document some of the tunes. You can hear the 2025 Band Lotto Comp here.
That said, there are bands that choose to record afterwards, though. Occasionally, it works out in the long term. Bands like Catty and Phantom Signals are examples of this. “I was working on my own project and hoping to form it into a real band,” says Melody Henry, frontwoman for Phantom Signals. “After [our Band Lottery band] played, I really liked the energy Mike Petzinger, our bassist, and Joey Russo, our former guitarist, brought to writing at band lotto. So maybe 24 hours after, I texted both of them and sent them two of the songs I had put out, and they said they were in.” Phantom Signals went on to put out two releases with that lineup.
Still, don’t go into it expecting something like that. The purpose is not to start a band that lasts or create the world’s greatest art, but to further the community and bring some joy to each other's lives through this exercise. It’s getting you to know your scene neighbors and hopefully learn some new creative tools as well. And at the end of the day, it’s all about community. “I love band lottery because it’s the most community-centric event I’ve ever been a part of in the NYC music world,” says Jon F Daily. “It’s an ego-free day that is completely about community, creativity, and having fun.”
So What Now?
If you’re intrigued, sign up here. Spots are limited, so get on that shit now.
Where:
The East Williamsburg Econolodge @ 11 am
1 Meadow St, Brooklyn, NY
What to Bring:
Your instrument of choice (it could be your voice, too), and anything you need to make it through the day (water, medication, etc.)
What to Expect:
The best way to go into this is with no expectations. Just be ready to do the work in front of you to compose something good and get through that 15-minute set.
