Someone out there may not agree with me.  That's fine.  There are alot of people in Calgary and alot of communities.  Just with the size of Calgary alone a business oreintated artist will pull a min of 50 people out to see them regardless of when and where they play.  Why? Simple look at the steps you should take to grow your fanbase.

1. Get a copy of the city demographics from STATS can - It's free
2. Determine who your fans are - the ones that will pay at least $10.00 to see you or spend a min of $20.00 per person in a bar to see you
3. Go back to the map of city communities and start making a plan to develop five fans from each of the communities in Calgary (once you know how many communities there are times that by 5)
4. Develop a relationship with one venue that doesn't do live music in each of those communities.  It will take some time, plan this well.  You don't want live music venues unless they want you.
5. Start with a free show, don't expect any form of payment.
6. Promote the hell out of your free show
7. Have your free show in that venue - it may take up to three free shows to build up a local community following
8. Make yourself actually working and keep track of your shows (how many people, drinking, not drinking etc)
9. Work towards buidling a value to your art.
10. Once you have built your network of venues you can neogotiate a fee or door charge income from those non-live music venues.  Why because you have already made them money.
11. Finally never have your hand out, that's what booking agents, managers and lawyers are for.  Run the business side and hire the people you need to make things happen.
12. Never demand anything, the sound is always good, the venue is always great as long as you are working your business, all your fans want to see is you