Nerves before CD Release Party

[Justin V]

I've played a bunch of gigs in the last 3-4 years. Hell, I've lost count. So why am I so nervous about my band's CD release party tonight? I haven't been this tense before a show in as long as I can remember. I'm seriously having issues just keeping my hands from shaking and the show's not for another 18 hours (give or take 30 minutes).

It's my first time putting out an album and going through this routine, so I guess that's most of it. But the band line-up is really good and should have no problem drawing enough people to make enough money against the hall rental to be able to pay the other bands. Our set is really strong and we've practiced it to tightness (there's a new phrase...). We even had a full page spread in the local paper's entertainment insert today (http://www.times-standard.com/entertainment/ci_5917319). Everything is lining up for a great show, so what's with the nerves?

Anybody got advice for making it TO the show tonight?

Thanks.

[Nedmundo]

My band had our EP release party two months ago, and I got nervous before a show for only the second time in the five years since I resumed playing. Then I realized it wasn't going to be that much different from our other shows, so I just took some Motrin, chilled out, and did my usual pre-gig routine apart from a Spinal Tap-worthy interview by a stoned web radio station operator. By the time we hit the stage, all was cool.

It sounds like yours will be a much bigger production, with a larger crowd. (I'm envious!) I haven't been there, but I think the same philosophy applies -- just realize that, musically at least, it's like any other show. As soon as that first note jumps out of the speakers, you'll forget about all the other stuff, and the adrenaline will take over. So just !

[pointbass]

Being nervous sometimes is good, it keeps you from becoming too complacent ...... which eventually leads to boring and tired. Playing out a lot does get to be routine after a while, so I always enjoy it when something different comes along and I get a bit more pumped up .....

Good luck with the gig ....

[stedtale]

Having a stomache full of vomiting butterflies is nothing new, helps to get you pumped and ready. Just take some time to chill before hand and enjoy it.

[Justin V]

Thanks guys. Today's been crazy busy in preparation for the gig, but the show's in site. Wish me luck.

[Joe P]

Originally Posted by Justin V

...Anybody got advice for making it TO the show tonight?

Thanks.

Yup - "TO the show" is the only problem. Half-a-verse into the first song, and it's all-fine.

Joe

[Justin V]

I know it's a little after the fact, but I figured I'd give anyone interested an update on how the show went.

The turn-out was nowhere what we had hoped for. Apparently we picked the one wrong Friday in the summer to do the show. We had a lot of competition from a film fest at one high school, a drama club thing at another hs and a documentary about the 'scene' up here having a screening with new footage inserted and the ensuing after-party.

It kinda sucked in that regard. The other bands all ranged from ok (the one I sat in with) to very good with the quality increasing incrimentally from one band to the next. So that was cool. I did find it kind of funny that the first band had the biggest draw out of the three openers when I had booked them as an after-thought. I know they did the most promo other than us though, so it wasn't that big of a surprise.

Our set went really well even though we were playing to a pretty small crowd (30-ish people). The people who were there had really good energy and sang along to quite a few originals. That's a really rare occurence for us and really cool. The set opened with a blatant Spinal Tap moment. Our drummer had recorded this uber-cheesy intro for us to walk out to (apparently we're the 'root of beligerence. whatever that is) that had us laughing our asses off back-stage. Then our drummer starts counting off the first song and I notice our singer's mic isn't plugged in so I jumped over and started plugging it in while our drummer kept counting on the hat and our momentum went out the door. Then of course my singer plays a half-step off on the first chord of the song just to complete the scene. After that, things went really well with the exception of some feedback issues from a guitar amp. The set was really fun and I'm pretty sure everyone who saw our set bought a CD, which was the entire point.

We still lost money on the show. Mostly because the city we rented the hall from liked to stick us with some really random fees and charges. But it was only about $100 or so after we took CD sales into consideration. I did feel bad about not being able to pay the other bands, though.

All in all a good night and apparently we've been getting a lot of word of mouth promotion from the kids who were there.

So yeah. Sorry about the long post, but I figured I'd give an update. Even if it is kinda late after the fact.

Thanks.

[Joe P]

Originally Posted by Justin V

I know it's a little after the fact, but I figured I'd give anyone interested an update on how the show went...

Cool!

Ahh - that's not so-bad!

Remember the fact: ONE real, live, LIVE gig is worth MANY practices!

Joe