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Getting old is depressing


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Its also become a thing to broadcast your set with Facebook live. If they wont come to your show maybe theyll iPad in if you advertise the shit out of date and time. You can do it from a venue or from your home studio and they can couch potato it from the back deck with a cooler of full of their favorite lager.

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I blame it on the internet. It's huge factor for people not going out or doing anything social nowadays. I'm sure of it.

 

And social media. Nobody decides on anything until they collect opinions on Facebook.

 

Thus, one needs a 'promoter ' on social media to make up stuff

 

For example: " where can I find the best death metal band in my town " ?

 

My guitarist get's caught up in Facebook likes and whose "attending" our shows. I care about who is through the door. It doesn't meant shit to me.

 

"Danny, ci manchi a tutti. La E-Street Band non e' la stessa senza di te. Riposa in pace, fratello"

 

 

noblevibes.com

 

 

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We were recently having a hard time finding a guitar player for our classic rock band and when I expressed this problem to a prospective guitarist he aptly said, There are fewer and fewer people around playing this music to fewer and fewer people who want to hear it!

 

On a more positive note, I was recently chatting with our (excellent) drummer about getting older and playing out and he said, Well, I may no longer be young, skinny, or good-looking, but I can nail this stuff.

"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."

- George Bernard Shaw

 

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Two observations:

 

1. When people get older (doesn't matter if they're friends, fans, or what) they go out less and less.

 

2. When older people do go out, all they want to hear is SOS (same ol' sh*t).

 

It's just a fact of life that I've had to accept - and adjust to in my own weird way.

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Specifically related to getting people to gigs.... Now here I am at 48 for the first time doing original music ...
You are but a child. I'm 74 and playing in 2 bands and in the house band in a weekly jam. The band I just joined is originals in a country rock/Americana vein. They are 10-15 years younger than me but well over 48. They have lots of gigs. They put on a fun show. The other band I've had for 17 years and does blues rock R&B soul classics. I get a few friends out for most shows, but both bands tend to play venues that already have some of a crowd. But I agree, it's depressing to send emails to a 200-person list and post events on Facebook and see 3 of your friends at the gig. But all 3 of my playing situations have regulars that come to the gigs. I don't know the answer. All I can say is keep doing what you do. That's all that you can do.

 

These are only my opinions, not supported by any actual knowledge, experience, or expertise.
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Specifically related to getting people to gigs.... Now here I am at 48 for the first time doing original music ...
You are but a child. I'm 74 and playing in 2 bands and in the house band in a weekly jam. The band I just joined is originals in a country rock/Americana vein. They are 10-15 years younger than me but well over 48. They have lots of gigs. They put on a fun show. The other band I've had for 17 years and does blues rock R&B soul classics. I get a few friends out for most shows, but both bands tend to play venues that already have some of a crowd. But I agree, it's depressing to send emails to a 200-person list and post events on Facebook and see 3 of your friends at the gig. But all 3 of my playing situations have regulars that come to the gigs. I don't know the answer. All I can say is keep doing what you do. That's all that you can do.

 

I send out a shameless plug email to around 150 people and maybe two or three actually show. But, when I run across people they often tell me to keep sending them. Go figure.

 

Ive taken it upon myself to boost the bands Facebook posts for gigs. It generally gets a lot of engagement but I dont know as it makes that much difference.

 

But Im as guilty as my friends. I dont get out to support their gigs very often either.

 

aka âmisterdregsâ

 

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Playing original music has always been a hard (but worthwhile) row to hoe.

 

As a young man I spent many years of playing to a bar manager, girlfriends and a small smattering of mates.

 

These days I feel its even trickier to get people out as there are so many entertainment options at their fingertips thanks to the connectivity of the digital age.

 

Its also probably fair to say that prog metal is something of a niche pursuit, which is not to devalue it.

 

Assume youre doing this because youre passionate Dan, so stick with it if it makes you happy, your mates can please themselves.

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Playing original music has always been a hard (but worthwhile) row to hoe.

 

As a young man I spent many years of playing to a bar manager, girlfriends and a small smattering of mates.

 

These days I feel its even trickier to get people out as there are so many entertainment options at their fingertips thanks to the connectivity of the digital age.

 

Its also probably fair to say that prog metal is something of a niche pursuit, which is not to devalue it.

 

Assume youre doing this because youre passionate Dan, so stick with it if it makes you happy, your mates can please themselves.

 

I am adamant about recording original material. Its good for the soul and what I want to be remembered for.

 

anyway, every urban metropolis is somewhat different here in the states, from my observation.

 

I have a lead singer acquaintance who fronts a metal band in the SF Bay Area/San Jose. They land few gigs here.

 

They go on concert tours to LA and London. They have to travel for any decent recognition and to promote an album.

Their record label lines up the dates but the band forks over all the up front money. They hope to break even

with ticket sales. Its a crap shoot.

Why fit in, when you were born to stand out ?

My Soundcloud with many originals:

[70's Songwriter]

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I have a lead singer acquaintance who fronts a metal band in the SF Bay Area/San Jose. They land few gigs here.

 

They go on concert tours to LA and London. They have to travel for any decent recognition and to promote an album.

This is also true. It's even Biblical. No prophet is accepted in his own country. Luke 4:24.

 

These are only my opinions, not supported by any actual knowledge, experience, or expertise.
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Is writing and recording originals in your garage/studio an option? Apparently a lot of people grow a decent fan base online first, and then take their success to local clubs...or even go on tour.
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You dont find complaints from venue owners on low attendance? Is there pay? A cover charge?

 

 

People come out, just not any of MY friends or family.

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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I run the local chapter of the Maryland alumni association here in Houston. We are told there are over a thousand Maryland alumni here. We try to have all kinds of events at different locations and times, yet we are often lucky to get a handful of people to show up. Most of them are the same ones.

 

Its not just music. Its not just age. Some of these alums are recent grads, others have been here for decades.

"I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck

 

"The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI

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Show went great. I DID have one really good friend show up. Gave him 4 tickets and he came out by himself and waited for me while we struck the stage for the next band. Had a great time with him. One good friend is more than enough.

Dan

 

Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth.

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We try to have all kinds of events at different locations and times, yet we are often lucky to get a handful of people to show up.

National associations with local chapters have similar issues and this problem started more than 10 years ago. It's a demographic thing. Younger professionals do not see the need to "be there" in person. They'd rather be virtual and participate online.

 

Faith Popcorn predicted this social shift in her 1991, "The Popcorn Report" book, she referred to this future behavior as cocooning, whereas folks would stay inside rather than go out.

Steve Coscia

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We try to have all kinds of events at different locations and times, yet we are often lucky to get a handful of people to show up.

National associations with local chapters have similar issues and this problem started more than 10 years ago. It's a demographic thing. Younger professionals do not see the need to "be there" in person. They'd rather be virtual and participate online.

 

Faith Popcorn predicted this social shift in her 1991, "The Popcorn Report" book, she referred to this future behavior as cocooning, whereas folks would stay inside rather than go out.

The funny thing is, some of the active ones are young millennials. They're looking to make connections in the town they are new to.

"I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck

 

"The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI

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I am adamant about recording original material. Its good for the soul and what I want to be remembered for.

 

anyway, every urban metropolis is somewhat different here in the states, from my observation.

 

I have a lead singer acquaintance who fronts a metal band in the SF Bay Area/San Jose. They land few gigs here.

 

They go on concert tours to LA and London. They have to travel for any decent recognition and to promote an album.

Their record label lines up the dates but the band forks over all the up front money. They hope to break even

with ticket sales. Its a crap shoot.

 

I bought a MIDI controller from a local (Seattle) musician, who told me a similar story: his band doesn't gig in Seattle, but Europe -- specifically, Germany. The basic plan is to play enough German gigs to pay for the trip. Making money happens at their day jobs. They play punk music.

 

In the Seattle area, there is one real source of money for bands: playing covers at the casinos (and, to a lesser extent, in bars). There is no money in originals, but there are places who will let you play for free (and of course the ubiquitous tip jar).

 

Supply exceeds demand. With that in mind, I resigned the cover bands and plowed my money toward recording gear. If I perform, I keep it cheap (e.g., mike + acoustic guitar), though I harbor secret plans to invest in a lighting setup for a more dramatic visual presentation. Probably won't happen, though -- that's thousands of dollars for any real impact, and without a name-brand draw, there still won't be any money in it -- or even musicians interested in doing such.

 

It's not the gear, it's the player ... but hey, look -- new gear!

 

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I am adamant about recording original material. Its good for the soul and what I want to be remembered for.

 

anyway, every urban metropolis is somewhat different here in the states, from my observation.

 

I have a lead singer acquaintance who fronts a metal band in the SF Bay Area/San Jose. They land few gigs here.

 

They go on concert tours to LA and London. They have to travel for any decent recognition and to promote an album.

Their record label lines up the dates but the band forks over all the up front money. They hope to break even

with ticket sales. Its a crap shoot.

 

I bought a MIDI controller from a local (Seattle) musician, who told me a similar story: his band doesn't gig in Seattle, but Europe -- specifically, Germany. The basic plan is to play enough German gigs to pay for the trip. Making money happens at their day jobs. They play punk music.

 

In the Seattle area, there is one real source of money for bands: playing covers at the casinos (and, to a lesser extent, in bars). There is no money in originals, but there are places who will let you play for free (and of course the ubiquitous tip jar).

 

Supply exceeds demand. With that in mind, I resigned the cover bands and plowed my money toward recording gear. If I perform, I keep it cheap (e.g., mike + acoustic guitar), though I harbor secret plans to invest in a lighting setup for a more dramatic visual presentation. Probably won't happen, though -- that's thousands of dollars for any real impact, and without a name-brand draw, there still won't be any money in it -- or even musicians interested in doing such.

 

Yes, the local metal band I referred to is hooked up to a label that has other similar bands. So the metal concerts in LA/London etc feature all 3 or 4 bands. To me, they sound very similar, in that they are heavily influenced by the typical metal bands of the 90's. No keyboards.

 

I agree, I find the venues here, mostly wineries, don't want to give much venue to an original band or even an original 1 band band like myself.

 

At best, I would play for a big loss, sell a dozen CD's. I don't consider there is any financial motivation.

I have had venue owners say, the audience listens too much to the music, and forgets to over indulge in alcohol.

I haven't figured out how to write interesting originals that makes folks drink several bottles of wine.

Why fit in, when you were born to stand out ?

My Soundcloud with many originals:

[70's Songwriter]

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I haven't figured out how to write interesting originals that makes folks drink several bottles of wine.
There's plenty of good covers

Red Red Wine

Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee

Days Of Wine And Roses

Wine Wine Wine

Two More Bottles OF Wine

Spill The Wine

Winelight

and ...

Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down

These are only my opinions, not supported by any actual knowledge, experience, or expertise.
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I haven't figured out how to write interesting originals that makes folks drink several bottles of wine.
There's plenty of good covers

Red Red Wine

Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee

Days Of Wine And Roses

Wine Wine Wine

Two More Bottles OF Wine

Spill The Wine

Winelight

and ...

Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down

 

thats a good list, thanks. eventually, I could see doing a medley of 3 or 4 of these.

Typically, I mess up covers by making electronica or house rhythm versions.

 

I leave doing precise covers to other folks. I am spoiled by doing my own thing, thus some self inflicted expectations.

 

Why fit in, when you were born to stand out ?

My Soundcloud with many originals:

[70's Songwriter]

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I'm 61 and we can still get friends to hear my band Aethellis. We have 3 albums out and we do play originals but mix them in with covers people recognize and like. So the audience (not just our friends btw) are willing to listen to our originals and even dance to them and buy our CDs.

 

Sure we don't get the same size crowds we had in our 20s and fewer friends come out due to family commitments but it's still fun and satisfying.

"The devil take the poets who dare to sing the pleasures of an artist's life." - Gottschalk

 

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Aethellis

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Red Red Wine

 

Cringe-worthy. I can't change the station fast enough. :crazy:

 

Chacun à son goût. Each to his own taste. I think the Neil Diamond original is cringe-worthy although nobody ever heard it. But I always liked the UB40 arrangement. Maybe it's because I was into reggae before it was big in the US. (Was it ever "big"? Probably not.) Listen to the soundtrack of the movie "The Harder They Come." If you find that music cringeworthy, then we are simply on very different wavelengths. One of my all time fave albums. Never get tired of it.

 

 

These are only my opinions, not supported by any actual knowledge, experience, or expertise.
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Tough song in Db. Even for the Reggae musicians that know it say it's deceptive. You have to know what's going on. The bass line is always moving. I had a sub bass player, really good musician not be able to grasp it and the song fell flat. We do it the original way in my band Noble VIbes. My other keyboard player does the rap. She is Jamaican and can get the DJ part down pretty well and I come in with the skank part like the record...it always goes over well.

"Danny, ci manchi a tutti. La E-Street Band non e' la stessa senza di te. Riposa in pace, fratello"

 

 

noblevibes.com

 

 

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I had a sub bass player, really good musician not be able to grasp it and the song fell flat.
Yeah, I think you have to have absorbed the reggae groove feel to get it. It's not like a straight bass line (or other rhythm part) that you can just pick up. The pulse is on the 1 and 3, not the 2 and 4 as it is in a blues/rock backbeat.

 

These are only my opinions, not supported by any actual knowledge, experience, or expertise.
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A recent age-related ego deflator: Between church services, a nice young lady in the worship band was sitting across the table, and said "I bet I can guess what color your hair used to be." Worse yet, she guessed wrong. Ouch! P.S. I suppose this means I need to update my avatar photo.

-Tom Williams

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