I agree with Josh. We should have existed long enough to be about to record an EP, so maybe we've played a few gigs already, opened for a few good bands. To even out both of your numbers, I'll put my preference in at four gigs, 'cause that'd give us enough time to be getting the word out. Maybe they should be recording the upcoming weekend and that's why this practice is important? Then a few gigs later, an amazing opportunity suddenly appears for us and that event is where we get picked up.
This is just what I'm pitching. Anything you guys would like to change about it, let me know. Even if you disagree with the whole thing. :P Just a pitch.