In this column , I spend a lot of time giving advice to musicians and bands , and a lot of time highlighting what I think is right or wrong with the music industry , or at least my little corner of it , and I spend a lot of time shouting at the rain , because on some days , I ’ m just a maniac . Today , though , I have a question . I run ( and have run ) many shows and showcases over the years because I like to do that . I ’ m also pretty good at it ( I think ) and if I ’ m building something that my band and I are going to be a part of , I ’ m going to do all I can to make it a success . And fun . I ’ ve also played about 100 festivals , conferences and “ showcases ” and have seen the “ wrong ” way to do things , so I try to not do that wherever possible . That all being said , I really do run into situations all the time where I ’ ll put something together , that is demonstrably good for the bands that opt to be a part of it , and yet … so many bands don ’ t “ opt ”.
And I understand the basics . Sometimes logistics is a problem . Getting an entire band and its equipment to a location all at the same time is its own art form . Sometimes it ’ s scheduling . Obviously playing just before a big show that you really need to draw for is probably frowned upon . Sometimes the gig just isn ’ t worth it . Any band that ’ s done any real work knows that one . You make the best of it , and build from it , but yeah . There are some places I just feel compelled to never play again . But , there aren ’ t many .
So here ’ s the deal I run an unplugged showcase every other month . It ’ s on a weeknight between 7:30 and 11 . It ’ s centrally located and it ALWAYS runs on time . You only need to bring your acoustic – whatever – but all the other gear you could possibly need is there . There are no tickets to sell and there is no minimum draw requirement . It ’ s also a pay gig . Obviously the amount depends on “ how it goes ”, but if you show up , and you play and you “ add ” to the evening … there ’ s at least few bucks in it for you . All the monies get split between the bands , so there ’ s no middle-man “ fees ” or “ cuts ”. There are also ALWAYS people there . It ’ s a long-running series - a few years now - and people come to just hang out with friends , laugh , and hear some local area bands . It ’ also really good for low-key networking with other bands . And there are a dozen other things really cool about it , but I ’ d hope you get the point by now . For me , it ’ s a sweet-sounding gig . And no , I probably wouldn ’ t do it every time , but I would try and do it often enough . And yet , I can ’ t seem to get people ( outside of my most core group of bands / friends ) to do it . And I don ’ t know why .... So … hit me .
Build it ... and they still won ’ t come
By DJ Pearlman
DJ Pearlman is the writer / singer / guitarist for the hard rock band , REVEL 9 . He has a weekly radio show based on music he ’ s collected on his iPod called the Hard Rock Lunch Box where he discusses his life and dealings in and around the scene . It airs Thursdays from NooN to 2PM EST
In this column , I spend a lot of time giving advice to musicians and bands , and a lot of time highlighting what I think is right or wrong with the music industry , or at least my little corner of it , and I spend a lot of time shouting at the rain , because on some days , I ’ m just a maniac . Today , though , I have a question . I run ( and have run ) many shows and showcases over the years because I like to do that . I ’ m also pretty good at it ( I think ) and if I ’ m building something that my band and I are going to be a part of , I ’ m going to do all I can to make it a success . And fun . I ’ ve also played about 100 festivals , conferences and “ showcases ” and have seen the “ wrong ” way to do things , so I try to not do that wherever possible . That all being said , I really do run into situations all the time where I ’ ll put something together , that is demonstrably good for the bands that opt to be a part of it , and yet … so many bands don ’ t “ opt ”.
And I understand the basics . Sometimes logistics is a problem . Getting an entire band and its equipment to a location all at the same time is its own art form . Sometimes it ’ s scheduling . Obviously playing just before a big show that you really need to draw for is probably frowned upon . Sometimes the gig just isn ’ t worth it . Any band that ’ s done any real work knows that one . You make the best of it , and build from it , but yeah . There are some places I just feel compelled to never play again . But , there aren ’ t many .
So here ’ s the deal I run an unplugged showcase every other month . It ’ s on a weeknight between 7:30 and 11 . It ’ s centrally located and it ALWAYS runs on time . You only need to bring your acoustic – whatever – but all the other gear you could possibly need is there . There are no tickets to sell and there is no minimum draw requirement . It ’ s also a pay gig . Obviously the amount depends on “ how it goes ”, but if you show up , and you play and you “ add ” to the evening … there ’ s at least few bucks in it for you . All the monies get split between the bands , so there ’ s no middle-man “ fees ” or “ cuts ”. There are also ALWAYS people there . It ’ s a long-running series - a few years now - and people come to just hang out with friends , laugh , and hear some local area bands . It ’ also really good for low-key networking with other bands . And there are a dozen other things really cool about it , but I ’ d hope you get the point by now . For me , it ’ s a sweet-sounding gig . And no , I probably wouldn ’ t do it every time , but I would try and do it often enough . And yet , I can ’ t seem to get people ( outside of my most core group of bands / friends ) to do it . And I don ’ t know why .... So … hit me .
PS : I have a long history of taking suggestions really well and running with them . So yeah , I ’ m serious . What ’ s the problem here and what could make it more attractive to the average local band ? And is it even worth doing ?
Page 25