Explain house gigs

[J. Dan]

A while ago, there was a keyboard magazine article on house gigs. I assumed it was going to be playing the same venue all the time, i.e. the "house band", and was surprised to see they meant literally playing houses. I mean I played parties in previous bands, but my current band would be way too expensive for that sort of thing. But now I hear a bunch of you guys talking about house gigs and even making a living doing it. Am I missing something? I guess I can see if it's just having one guy play piano for a cocktail party or something, but I can't imagine there is enough of that sort of thing going on often enough to keep someone busy. Am I wrong?

[Sven Golly]

Of course it depends entirely on the location, but there are various networking groups that bring together suitable hosts with suitable artists (singles, duos, trios, and sometimes larger).

 

Up here in the Toronto area, the deal is that the host invites a number of guests who pay a 'donation' to attend the event. The money collected goes entirely to the entertainment, and the host gets to show off their home, and brag that they have live music at their gathering, etc, etc, etc.

 

If it works well, events are evening affairs that occur throughout the week, so an artist can theoretically do a small 'tour' of a city with 4 or 5 shows in a row.

 

That's the theory at least; I'm waiting for my kick at that particular can here in my neck of the woods. When/if it happens, I'll be sure to post my experiences here.

[mynameisdanno]

You'll find a lot more info on these types of shows if you search for "house concert". A lot of independent folk artists / singer-songwriters tour pretty extensively on these kinds of shows, usually traveling by car as an acoustic duo or trio. Obviously house concerts lend themselves to acoustic music. You don't run into a lot of keyboard players in that scene, and most of the ones you find are usually playing accordion.

 

That's just my experience with the house concert scene in middle America. Might be a different animal entirely in other parts of the country.

[ProfD]

Some types of music don't work well in clubs and bars. Also, folks are tired of dealing with the logistics that come with going to establishments. As a result, they are hosting gigs in their homes.

 

I believe artists and musicians will go in this direction. They will grow underground and resurface as the demand for their music increases. Similar to the jamband scene.

[kanker.]

You'll find a lot more info on these types of shows if you search for "house concert". A lot of independent folk artists / singer-songwriters tour pretty extensively on these kinds of shows, usually traveling by car as an acoustic duo or trio. Obviously house concerts lend themselves to acoustic music. You don't run into a lot of keyboard players in that scene, and most of the ones you find are usually playing accordion.

 

That's just my experience with the house concert scene in middle America. Might be a different animal entirely in other parts of the country.

Yeah, house concert would be what they were talking about. if someone said house gig to me, I'd expect it to be a steady at a restaurant, bar, club, etc....

[Sven Golly]

Just add: as folks above have mentioned, this is almost exclusively the domain of the singer/songwriter crowd, not something cover artists do.

[J. Dan]

Never heard of it around here, and I know plenty of original/acoustic artists. I searched the local craigslist for "house concert" and got zero results. I suspect there's just nothing like that around here.

 

From the sound of it, it's more designed as a way to network and get your name out there than as a way to earn a living?

[kanker.]

Never heard of it around here, and I know plenty of original/acoustic artists. I searched the local craigslist for "house concert" and got zero results. I suspect there's just nothing like that around here.

 

From the sound of it, it's more designed as a way to network and get your name out there than as a way to earn a living?

A lot of house concerts are invitation only. Say 40-50 folks with a $20 a head donation - I'd call that making a living...

[timwat]

There's a regular scene out here in the Bay Area of house concerts. Once I got on the email list (I think accidentally) I could never get off. Almost all were up in Marin and Napa counties, singer/songwriter types in large living rooms. There was online ticketing set up, and I think one network I finally got off of was working together with KFOG, a popular rock station here. A drummer I know also hosts a series of these every year in his house in Marin. Mostly avant-garde jazz things with artists he's met over the years.

[Joe Muscara]

I have a recording of one Billy Payne did a few years back. He not only played and sang, but he read some of his poetry (including a piece that later became part of a Feat song) and talked about things like band history, songwriting, etc. Clearly keyboard players can do this just as well as other musicians. It probably depends on the space available among other things.

 

Oh, search for Russ and Julie's house concerts. I'm pretty sure that's the one Billy did.

[richwhite9]

Remember this....

 

>> On January 2, 1995, Notes From the Edge published a friendly little letter from Patrick Moraz that basically said, "If you're willing to book me yourself, I'm willing to play!" At a price of $800 many people thought the letter could only be a hoax. However, over 100 people from 30 states and Canada took it upon them- selves to call me, Patrick's manager, and find out the truth for themselves. The response was wonderful. In some cases Patrick will actually be playing in people's living rooms. Others have chosen some wonderful concert situations for Patrick including churches, college recital halls, museums, recording studios, etc. Although we billed this as a piano solo tour, some hosts are placing additional temptations in Patrick's way such as harpsichords, church pipe organs, percussion instruments, etc.

 

 

http://www.iankitching.me.uk/music/moraz-tour.html

[MAJUSCULE]

Just add: as folks above have mentioned, this is almost exclusively the domain of the singer/songwriter crowd, not something cover artists do.

 

Punks prefer playing basements over any other venue. Anywhere between 20 and 100 people, usually by suggested donation of around $5. The money will either be split, or will be for the benifit of whatever touring band(s) playing. These are usually at punk houses. It gets real loud. I mean real loud, not to mention sweaty.

[Joe P]

Doesn't Forumite wdl do this type of deal?

[Joe Muscara]

Here's the link to the site for Russ and Julie's.

 

http://www.houseconcerts.us/

 

And here is a site with instructions and Houston info.

 

http://www.houseconcert.us/

 

P.S. My bad for calling them "house gigs" in the other thread. I didn't realize I had forgotten the correct name and gotten it wrong.

[Sven Golly]

A lot of house concerts are invitation only. Say 40-50 folks with a $20 a head donation - I'd call that making a living...

 

This.

[Sven Golly]

Just add: as folks above have mentioned, this is almost exclusively the domain of the singer/songwriter crowd, not something cover artists do.

 

Punks prefer playing basements over any other venue. Anywhere between 20 and 100 people, usually by suggested donation of around $5. The money will either be split, or will be for the benifit of whatever touring band(s) playing. These are usually at punk houses. It gets real loud. I mean real loud, not to mention sweaty.

 

Yes, but the money goes directly towards repair/replacement of the trashed gear. We're talking about musicians who are trying to earn a living, not impress their friends and piss of their parents.

 

Not that there's anything wrong with the latter, it's just O.T. for this thread.

[Jazz+]

I get around a total of 20 cocktail parties, holiday parties and birthday parties that hire me for solo piano each year, about half or more are in private homes. I get at least $150-200 the first hour and $100 each additional hour with a 2 1/2 hour minimum. Also add to that about 25 corporate parties, wedding ceremonies, and wedding receptions. Also, 16 private students at $60 per hour. This pays some bills.

[Joe Muscara]

"This pays some bills"? At least! I hope you were being facetious. That's a good living, my man.

 

Edit: My statement above now looks a little silly since he removed the total amount he makes from music that I referred to. However, I understand why he removed the total as well as the other info.

 

[Bosendorphen]

Remember this....

 

>> On January 2, 1995, Notes From the Edge published a friendly little letter from Patrick Moraz that basically said, "If you're willing to book me yourself, I'm willing to play!" At a price of $800 many people thought the letter could only be a hoax. However, over 100 people from 30 states and Canada took it upon them- selves to call me, Patrick's manager, and find out the truth for themselves. The response was wonderful. In some cases Patrick will actually be playing in people's living rooms.

 

And John Payne and Geoff Downes did a "living room" tour doing Asia material as well back in the early 2000s I believe.

[Meisenhower]

There has been a trend in some circles of very wealthy patrons of musical arts who will open their rather "expansive" homes up for private concerts.

 

I happen to know of at least three people, in different parts of the country who have these "house concerts" (more like mansions concerts to be accurate). One actually has an 80 seat, "night club" in their home, complete with club style PA, stage, lights, grand piano AND B3. They charge $40 a head and it includes some light food, and beer and wine is served.

 

This concept really harkens back to early chamber music in the Baroque period being performed in the homes of the nobility.

 

I've played one of these "house concerts" with my quartet and it was one of the most engaging and satisfying performances I've done in a while!

[DanS]

I do this thing at my place every year or so which I like to refer to as Electric Wine & Acoustic Cheese©.

I invite my band & other musicians over and we drink a lot of wine, eat a lot of cheese, and then make a lot of noise on our instruments.

To think I could be charging money for this!

[CrimsonianKing]

I think i did that once or twice, the guy throws a party and pays a band to play at his house, it felt more like a rehearsal to me but nice nonetheless, people were dancing and having fun.

[Michelle ggurl]

There has been a trend in some circles of very wealthy patrons of musical arts who will open their rather "expansive" homes up for private concerts.

 

I happen to know of at least three people, in different parts of the country who have these "house concerts" (more like mansions concerts to be accurate). One actually has an 80 seat, "night club" in their home, complete with club style PA, stage, lights, grand piano AND B3. They charge $40 a head and it includes some light food, and beer and wine is served.

 

This concept really harkens back to early chamber music in the Baroque period being performed in the homes of the nobility.

 

I've played one of these "house concerts" with my quartet and it was one of the most engaging and satisfying performances I've done in a while!

 

Yeah, I'd love to get into playing this sort of thing. As long as the music caters to a listening audience, it's a good fit for house concerts, from what I observe. Jazz, bluegrass, singer/songwriter, usually nothing too bombastic, not a "party" band. So that's another differentiator; house concerts are concerts where you sit and listen to music. Parties at houses, where there is a band playing dance music, is a private function where music isn't the main event in quite the same way. So usually the artist has to have something compelling going on to draw for the house concert ... either a name the audience recognizes or something the organizer recognizes that will make a special evening catering to the listening audience, the latter particularly if the organizer has a reputation for putting on good house concerts.

[Theo Verelst]

Mm, I recall as a student in musicians (and fellow students) circles it was kind of normal for some of them to do all kinds of gigs at houses of various types of citizens. I guess around that time (early 90s) some circles weren't agreeing that some of the good ones (sometimes including me) would "small-perform" to drive their oppressive musical-colonian-lifestyle out the window, and wanted the 'house'party' idea for themse3lves and the companies of conservative fools they'd not have problems with.

 

Why wouldn't musicians be free to meet girls/guys in the houses of their acquantances or alternatively to meet in conservatories (is that in us-english also the music university?) and freely in between?

 

I gues it's the same kind of conceptual issue as pllaying a great 70s disco hit on a good stereo while your environment decided in their infinite folly to join the infernal "hip-hop".

 

I for one thing am not planning on ever to give in to the wrong temptations and let all *actual* good times roll anywhere anytime I and/or others would want, and I have no intention of changing that idea even in eternity.

 

Theo

[Michelle ggurl]

Theo, you can do whatever you want. The OP is asking to clarify what a house concert is, and there is a recognized scene in many parts of the US designated by this term. People, complete strangers to the band or sometimes even house host, will seek out and sign up to be on mailing lists regarding house concerts of the ilk that is described here by myself and others. It is a recognized form of alternative venue for intimate performances of listening music.

[GovernorSilver]

I've only been to one house show in which the house fit the "wealthy patron's house" description. Most of the ones I go to are ordinary houses.

 

True, not all house performers are acoustic-only or singer-songwriter types. I've seen acts ranging from sax-and-drums free jazz wailing to power electronics/wall of noise to soft-and-sensitive songsters to loud rock bands of various stripes (punk, shoegaze/dreampop, etc.). The louder ones tend to play in basementts.

 

Artists who have gone this route say they make more money than in clubs because there is no cut going to the club owner, no doorman pocketing his own cut (with or without knowledge of the owner), etc. Also, the artist can sell his/her/their merchandise directly for more income. If a traveling artist shares a bill with local artists, half the time it seems, the local artists willingly give up their share of the "mandatory donations" to the traveling artist, with the expectation that if the local artists travel to the visiting artist's town, they in turn will be the ones getting paid.

[Mizu]

Something like this (see the audience at 2:50)

[video:youtube]

[kanker.]

Mm, I recall as a student in musicians (and fellow students) circles it was kind of normal for some of them to do all kinds of gigs at houses of various types of citizens. I guess around that time (early 90s) some circles weren't agreeing that some of the good ones (sometimes including me) would "small-perform" to drive their oppressive musical-colonian-lifestyle out the window, and wanted the 'house'party' idea for themse3lves and the companies of conservative fools they'd not have problems with.

 

Why wouldn't musicians be free to meet girls/guys in the houses of their acquantances or alternatively to meet in conservatories (is that in us-english also the music university?) and freely in between?

 

I gues it's the same kind of conceptual issue as pllaying a great 70s disco hit on a good stereo while your environment decided in their infinite folly to join the infernal "hip-hop".

 

I for one thing am not planning on ever to give in to the wrong temptations and let all *actual* good times roll anywhere anytime I and/or others would want, and I have no intention of changing that idea even in eternity.

 

Theo

My thoughts exactly.

[Joe Muscara]

My thoughts exactly.

They are? How can you tell?

[MoKen]

I think I need a few brews to catch up with kanker and theo.

 

I'll try again later.

 

Back to the OT, I've hosted a couple of house concerts - both singer/songwriter types. Lots of fun and good music. But you have to do it for the love of the music - there's no money in it for the host. Just a lot of organizing, set up and clean up.