Do you support your local music community?

[dbsfgyd1]

"If you don't go to my show, don't expect me to go to yours.....and that's the way it is"

This was said to me the other day from a local guitarist when we were talking about another local band

The local metal scene here is a pretty tight group, and I've always been an advocate of supporting my locals. For me it's a way of getting out of the house, having some fun and talking shop.

Being an active part of the community for me is a very positive social activity that has actually served me pretty well.

But, I hear where he's coming from.........

Thoughts?

In general I don’t find watching other bands enjoyable, instructive, and pretty much find it exhausting. I always go into hyper-analytic mode breaking down the collective logic of the ensemble, the overall talent, and if any of that is lacking, it sticks with me for days.

My wife has been on me for 40 some years, “Can’t you just listen to a song and enjoy it?” . Frankly, I don’t think I can.

 

[mark roberts]

"If you don't go to my show, don't expect me to go to yours.....and that's the way it is"

This was said to me the other day from a local guitarist when we were talking about another local band

The local metal scene here is a pretty tight group, and I've always been an advocate of supporting my locals. For me it's a way of getting out of the house, having some fun and talking shop.

Being an active part of the community for me is a very positive social activity that has actually served me pretty well.

But, I hear where he's coming from.........

Thoughts?

Though the equation seems reasonable, with humans, tit for tat rarely exists in a capitalistic, narcissistic society. There are folks that will do such things. Temporary is the operative, since most groups end up being temporary.

 

[interp]

I live in a town that has a small fairly tight knit music community. There are not enough live music venues to properly support even this small community, so I try my best to get out and see my friends play whenever I can. Also we have two or three regular open mic nights in the area and I go to as many as possible, even though they can be heaven or hell.

 

[TheReceder]

When I was young I learned that musicians don't have to dance to get girls. I don't dance... If I hit the bar scene, I'd eventually have to dance...If I did... odds are good I'd scare off the people that come to see my bands.

Better to stay home and practice, than risk having fans wonder how can he possibly keep time on stage and dance like that.

 

[TIMD]

I love music so off course I catch local bands. I don’t catch as many shows as I used to but I still support my friends bands.

Its always good to see friends from other bands in your area come out to your show. I always thank them and buy them a beer if I have the cash.

Networking is also part of playing music.

 

[avvie]

My deal is simple:
I am a recovering alcoholic and cannot sit in a bar. If I am in a band, the bar is a work environment in which I arrive, set up, do my job, strike the stage and leave.

 

[Ekulati]

IMO it doesn't matter if "you" or we musicians support local music. The litmus test for success is getting a majority of your audience who are NOT friends, relatives, or other musicians.

 

[Medicine Man]

Most weekend nights I'm gigging, but if we aren't, my front man and I almost always go out and hit up somebody else's gig. It's great to network, and we get to "scope out the competition." It's a great form of market research, especially if you go hit your direct competitors.

 

[3Liter]

Sometimes. I do know a lot of musicians but I can only make it out so much. I know some places they depend on butts in seats so I have tried to support there when I can. Sometimes I like to steal ideas from the sets I hear for my band (which doesn't got much). I'm gonna make it a point to get our and see more bands since I just got some cards printed and want to do some networking.

Funny one poster mentioned an open mic. I played one last night. I was like 7th on the list. First guy played, packed and left. Next guy was like 15 and played over tracks his dad ran from the iMac. They promoted their next "gig" at the car show and packed and bolted. There's an open mic scene around here and I was kinda shocked at how shallow these folks were.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I absolutely support local artists. There are some excellent bands around here; solo acts, cover bands, tribute bands, original bands, everything. I'm even buddies with all the sound guys. We all know each other and support each other. Probably one of the reasons I get so many calls for work. You have to. If you wanna be part of something, get out there and meet people.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

I don't go to shows as much as I'd like to, but traffic where I live can mean over an hour to get to a venue that should only be 30 minutes away on most days. Rising costs in parking, etc. also make it difficult. However, I decided to support in another way- by starting a record label. I pay for just about everything, and am 3.5 years into a 5 year mission to get sustainable. The 21st release will be completed soon, 4 of which are vinyl. The money invested is starting to come back as we grow, so it's looking hopeful.One really cool thing about it, my community now consists of over 50 artists from 10 countries. Link is in my signature below. I never expect anyone to come to the shows I play, when they can, it's a treat. They should feel the same way- we all gotta work our butts off. I love sharing bills with other bands. But my goal isn't to play for people I know, it's to play for people I don't know.

 

[mcnach]

"If you don't go to my show, don't expect me to go to yours.....and that's the way it is"

This was said to me the other day from a local guitarist when we were talking about another local band

The local metal scene here is a pretty tight group, and I've always been an advocate of supporting my locals. For me it's a way of getting out of the house, having some fun and talking shop.

Being an active part of the community for me is a very positive social activity that has actually served me pretty well.

But, I hear where he's coming from.........

Thoughts?

Relying on other musicians to be your audience strikes me as an odd model...

I go to watch bands I like, not out of a sense of 'supporting the community'.

 

[AboutSweetSue]

Yes. I go to the shows of people whose music I like. I tip them.

 

[hrodbert696]

Not as much as I would like. I never had much of a partying nightlife habit and staying up late in bars was never really my thing nor my friends'. Since that's where so much of the local music is to be supported, there's a limit to how much naturally fits my lifestyle. But from time to time I do make an effort to get out and catch a friend's band at a show or sometimes just to scope out the scene at a venue.

What bothers me about the proposition from the OP's friend, however, is the notion that going to see a band is some sort of favor or act of charity that should weigh on us as a moral obligation, and that we're shirking that obligation if we don't go to each others' gigs. It's music. It should be entertainment. If it's good and we like it, we'll go of our own free will because it's fun to do and we want to. If you have to guilt trip people into coming to your gigs, you should stop playing out altogether.

 

[Rabidhamster]

If the band members don’t know me well enough to trust me helping load out without watching me, I’m not there to support them.

I’m not offended if someone doesn’t trust me to help, I don’t even need to help. But that’s how I judge if it’s worth it. I won’t go every week, but if my friend asks for support I try to support them even if it’s something I don’t care about.

Would I hand the cover to the person directly in return for nothing? If yes, I’ll consider going to your show. If no, sorry, I’m not your customer.

If I don’t love your band and there’s a moments chance you’ll make my ears ring, I’m out. Sorry not sorry!

Heck I’ve even bailed on shows for favorite national acts that I already had tickets for, just didn’t feel like going to a crowded club when it was time to leave.

 

[bassliner50]

Nah. I'm typically in bed before 9:00 PM when not playing out.

 

[Watchootognbout]

No.
No one plays what I want to hear anymore.

I used to.
The Fusion and Prog Metal musicians that I like used to come around.
I would go see them on a Friday or Saturday.

Now they don't come around that often.
If they do,it's a show on a weekday that I can't stay up late.
I have to work the next day!

 

[bassmanrocke]

I have always believed that I should go and support other acts. I certainly would like them to do the same for me, but I don't ever expect it. I'm always pleasantly surprised when other players come out, but I don't think it's their responsibility. I'm not going to repeatedly go out to watch a band that I don't enjoy, but I'll go watch almost any body once, and if it's good i'lI probably see them again.

 

[gln1955]

IMO it doesn't matter if "you" or we musicians support local music. The litmus test for success is getting a majority of your audience who are NOT friends, relatives, or other musicians.

A scene that depends that much on musicians coming out to see other musicians seems pretty unsustainable.

 

[Spectrum]

If my band is on a bill with yours, I will often stick around to check you out before I bolt. I work a day job and have stuff to take care of so if I have to get up in the morning then sorry.

Going to see my friends' bands? I don't have a lot of friends, I don't use FB or other social media which means I don't have lots of "friends" either, so often I don't know when those bands are playing. I'm not particularly close to lots of musicians anyway as I'm older than most of the people in my "scene", never partake in any of the various substance-based activities, and actually have a real career and a mortgage to take care of. I love the music but keep the subculture stuff at arm's length. But if get invited directly I will definitely make an effort to show up and have fun.

As for the guy in the OP's post, I'd tell that guy to not bother showing up at my gig, then. Nobody's going to lay some kind of lame obligation on me like that. If I watch your band it's because I like you and am having a good time. If I wanted to be forced to stand around wasting time somewhere I don't want to be I'd have stayed in the military.