Looking at moving to a new city, help please?

Crash907 · #1 12-13-2010, 09:28 PM

Hey guys, I don't post very often, but I figured I'd give this forum a shot to ask around for some thoughts. I've been in the Houston area my entire life, and I'm about to finish my music degree - I think it's just about time for a change.
I know that this area hasn't been hit nearly as hard as many others in terms of jobs, but does anyone have any suggestions for some good cities to go to? Seattle and Nashville have been two places in particular I've been looking towards that seemed to have good music scenes I could get into, but weren't too terribly expensive.
I'm much more of a city boy than anything and I know that every city will have a different feel, but I was hoping that there might be some helpful souls on here who could give me their thoughts!
Thanks in advance!

iamlowsound · #2 12-13-2010, 09:34 PM

If you like Texas, Austin has one of the best music scenes in the US.

lowsound

MJ5150 · #3 12-13-2010, 09:36 PM

I wouldn't want to be looking for a music job in Seattle right now. Granted, I am out of touch with the music scene, but when I drive through areas I remember being packed out years ago, it looks bleak.

The last functioning band I played in was about five years ago, we were a cover band. Back then, we were losing gigs to DJ's. Someone more plugged in than I will come along with hopefully some more current info on the Seattle scene.

-Mike

Deluge Of Sound · #4 12-13-2010, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamlowsound

If you like Texas, Austin has one of the best music scenes in the US.

lowsound

Or at least it's marketed that way to Canadians.

Crash907 · #5 12-13-2010, 09:57 PM

I'm really looking at trying to go somewhere a bit further away. I haven't lived in Austin, but it's somewhere I'm familiar with to a certian degree. Might give it a chance, though, who knows. I'm not looking for music jobs in particular, just somewhere with a music scene big enough I can go out and play for fun, and hopefully get some decent crowds.

Linas · #6 12-13-2010, 09:58 PM

What kind of music do you/are you looking to play?

Tasteebass · #7 12-13-2010, 10:38 PM

Seattle. The clubs and bands are there, you just gotta find em. The Stranger is a weekly happenings paper in Seattle. Always lists plenty of shows every night. Great city, I moved back to the Bay Area for work, but was there for 2 years and loved it.

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Music

Tasteebass · #8 12-13-2010, 10:41 PM

Lived a block from the crocodile. All the big Seattle bands played there. They shut down for a bit but have since reopened.

http://thecrocodile.com/index.html

Crash907 · #9 12-14-2010, 01:07 AM

I play both upright and electric, but as far as styles go, I'm really leaning towards having a rock band for fun. preferably something more rock based, though I have been quite enjoying the more folky tendencies of stuff like Mumford and Sons. I've played quite a bit of blues and country, musicals, reggae, jazz (though I would hardly say it's my specialty), and I'm at the point where I really just enjoy playing gigs with good crowds. I've done a decent share of work for my age and can hardly say I mind it.
If I get paid for it, great; with a band where I'm playing other people's music and acting as a sideman, I expect that, and treat it as a job accordingly. I am, however, looking more towards a scene for original music, if I can get it. (I'm really not as picky as this makes it sound.)