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Do You Trust Craigslist Musicians?
- Thread starter Icarus26
- Start date
Not judging by the audition I did yesterday. Or the tens of other bands I've contacted regarding their ads. It seems like no one posting on there actually has their **** together, and a lot of them are flat out liars. Probably a lot like dating on Craigslist 
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I answered two CL adds for a bassist.
The first solicited some crazy reply from a washed out rocker who was more concerned with his light show and gear than anything else.
The second helped me find my current band. All musicians that I'm happy to be working with, and music that I really dig.
so I guess it's a 50/50 from me, but I will agree that sometimes I just like to read the ads for a good laugh.
The first solicited some crazy reply from a washed out rocker who was more concerned with his light show and gear than anything else.
The second helped me find my current band. All musicians that I'm happy to be working with, and music that I really dig.
so I guess it's a 50/50 from me, but I will agree that sometimes I just like to read the ads for a good laugh.
Mostly bad, or at least non-productive.
I had an audition once with a "country" band that was under formation and they had an ad on Craigslist. It seemed like a good prospect. I heard a clip of the singer, but he was singing to a Karoake track. He had a pretty good voice however. They sent me a list of 20 songs they had so far and asked me to learn some of those for the audition. I knew some of them already, but chose a few more to learn. One song I really liked in particular and worked really hard on it because it had a really special bass line that made the song, IMO. I was anxious to show them what I could do on it.
So I show up, and we start off with that song. They couldn't really play it. The chords in the verse went A major to C# minor. The guitarists were going A to Ab instead and it sounded way off. I pointed out that it was C# minor, not Ab, but they still insisted it was Ab (both chords share the Ab/G# note, but sound totally different as I'm sure you know). I said, oh, OK, and just dropped it. I knew from the first song I was wasting my time. These guys weren't country musicians, but rockers trying to play country. And they couldn't hear the difference between an Ab and C# minor.
I've had generally positive experiences (tho many did not pan out) with bands i contacted thru CL. generally searched for original bands doing music I was interested in.
My rule of thumb for CL bands is: if you don't have recordings I can listen to, I won't bother.
Better yet, point me to a myspace page that gives you recordings plus some idea of the band's attitude and work ethic. You can see how often they have gigged, recorded, what venues they associate with, or if they would rather clog their page with useless oddities to show how 'unique' they are.
My rule of thumb for CL bands is: if you don't have recordings I can listen to, I won't bother.
Better yet, point me to a myspace page that gives you recordings plus some idea of the band's attitude and work ethic. You can see how often they have gigged, recorded, what venues they associate with, or if they would rather clog their page with useless oddities to show how 'unique' they are.
I have met and played with two great guitarists and songwriters thru CL. One didnt work out due to him changing direction and wanting the blues power trio we started going to Christian lyrics and message so i left.
The second i work with today and he is a gifted musician. I have also sold gear on there. I know what i am looking for and screen very well and ask alot of questions. I know pretty quick in a phone converstion if i want to even consider meeting the person to play....so far so good.
The second i work with today and he is a gifted musician. I have also sold gear on there. I know what i am looking for and screen very well and ask alot of questions. I know pretty quick in a phone converstion if i want to even consider meeting the person to play....so far so good.
I've found several projects through Craigslist Nashville.
I'm usually VERY descriptive in my wants and preferences. I usually make sure the people are responsive and stay responsive, and also try to set up some kind of casual meeting before going over to their rehearsal space (potential dungeon of dismemberment). First meeting I ALWAYS make sure i've checked all their information, have addresses, phone numbers, validated employment locations, etc etc etc and then make sure my wife has ALL that info prior to me going. Just trying to make sure the things they say and and reality are the same. Honestly, if there's no info out there regarding the person, music history or their abilities and such, I don't really want to get together with them to play.
Call me paranoid but there ARE psycho's out there and if somebody would go whacko I want to make sure that at least my wife has the info as to where I'll be and who it was with.
.
I'm usually VERY descriptive in my wants and preferences. I usually make sure the people are responsive and stay responsive, and also try to set up some kind of casual meeting before going over to their rehearsal space (potential dungeon of dismemberment). First meeting I ALWAYS make sure i've checked all their information, have addresses, phone numbers, validated employment locations, etc etc etc and then make sure my wife has ALL that info prior to me going. Just trying to make sure the things they say and and reality are the same. Honestly, if there's no info out there regarding the person, music history or their abilities and such, I don't really want to get together with them to play.
Call me paranoid but there ARE psycho's out there and if somebody would go whacko I want to make sure that at least my wife has the info as to where I'll be and who it was with.
.
True.
My synopsis: I trust my judgement more then I trust the average craigslist poster. I spend a bit of time corresponding to the prospective band or band member. I can usually get a pretty good idea as to whether or not things will work out.
I trust word of mouth and previous associations more, but I've also found some really good bands and players through craigslist. However, I've had to sort through tons and tons of musicians and bands before actually meeting them. Then, it's more often then not that it doesn't work out.
Sure you can trust CL musicians! Most of us are hardworking, average joe types with a real desire to form a great band!
Look at me, I even have my own dedicated band transportation!
/notserious
Look at me, I even have my own dedicated band transportation!
/notserious
CL is a crapshoot. I met one good band through them a few years back - used to have more luck on Harmony Central and the local alt rag, the San Diego Reader - no mas. CL is pretty much it.
Pity that in SD, the scene is dominated by speed/heavy/goth/death metal. I wonder where these folks get paying gigs (if they gig at all!)?
Pity that in SD, the scene is dominated by speed/heavy/goth/death metal. I wonder where these folks get paying gigs (if they gig at all!)?
I lucked out. My current band formed through craigslist. The singer/rhythm guitarist posted an ad looking for a bass player over two years ago. We instantly clicked and I recruited the drummer from my old band who in turn recruited a lead guitar band from college. We hit the ground running within two months and have steadily been making a name for ourselves in Philadelphia ever since.
I know this is not typical, but there are instances where the right people just find each other through CL.
FYI, my band can be heard at Link Removed
I know this is not typical, but there are instances where the right people just find each other through CL.
FYI, my band can be heard at Link Removed
Be VERY specific in your ad and communication
Age
Expectations
# Practices per week
#Gigs Per Month
Material
Meet with the person - no gear - no playing .. 10 minutes.
I've met a few VERY cool guys.. I've met 95% self-absorbed folks who do not "get it"..
I've learned that the internet has brought out the freaks who want to "Play band" not "Play in a Band".. it automated mediocrity (personality and talent).
Now that being said.. I meet tons of folks on CL.. I nix most of them.
Jam Sessions and open mikes seem to be better options and more efficient (if you can hustle a crowd).
T.
Age
Expectations
# Practices per week
#Gigs Per Month
Material
Meet with the person - no gear - no playing .. 10 minutes.
I've met a few VERY cool guys.. I've met 95% self-absorbed folks who do not "get it"..
I've learned that the internet has brought out the freaks who want to "Play band" not "Play in a Band".. it automated mediocrity (personality and talent).
Now that being said.. I meet tons of folks on CL.. I nix most of them.
Jam Sessions and open mikes seem to be better options and more efficient (if you can hustle a crowd).
T.
+1
I met my drummer on CL (started off just jamming) and then we auditioned guitar players and found a pretty darn good one...So far so good, a little slow finding the 4th member we want.
Throughout the whole process we put up samples and demanded samples from everyone...Our samples showed we weren't trying to hide anything and by demanding samples from people we where going to audition we weeded out a lot of the wannabees and a lot of the people who just wouldn't have fit without having to audition them.
Ps. As a bassist expect your inbox to be flooded.
One of the best sessions I had with Craigs was a quicky jam that didn't go anywhere but its permanently tattooed in my brain. There is no wa I could just go meet people for 10 minutes, I'm not in a small town. I totally agree with the "Play band" thing and I'm always blown away by even guys that seem professional that assume you can just get 3 or 4 guys in a room for the first time and in a week your going to be playing gigs.. delusional expectations.
Yeah, I've had a few experiences with craigslist muso ads.
The Good:
Hooked up with a few bands and made some money. They both ended up breaking up, but that's not unusual.
More good (but didn't go my way):
Had two auditions that didn't go my way, but the bands wer e fine. One was a bad night on my part and the other was that I wasn't what they were looking for (but they were cool about it)
The Ugly:
Hooked up with a band as a sub with potential permanent spot. They turned out to be a complete disaster. This band ended up being the only time I ever left a gig before it was over.
Due to this, I'm extremely cautious about taking gigs from craigslist contacts unless I've had the opportunity to spend a little bit of time with them first (unless it's a one gig only sub). It also reminded me of why bands drinking on stage is a bad idea (them, not me, I don't drink at all).
CL worked out for me last time. Spotted the ad by accident in
November, it was well written and the influences were a match.
We spent an good deal of time on the phone discussing where
the direction was, and it seemed pretty much spot on.
First gig was Jan 9, second was Feb 6th. All worked out well
so far. 1 rehearsal a week and a gig a month. Studio work
coming up. Suits me just perfectly.
Best of all, they put up with what RickC calls my 'Felix
Pappallardiness'.
Link below.
November, it was well written and the influences were a match.
We spent an good deal of time on the phone discussing where
the direction was, and it seemed pretty much spot on.
First gig was Jan 9, second was Feb 6th. All worked out well
so far. 1 rehearsal a week and a gig a month. Studio work
coming up. Suits me just perfectly.
Best of all, they put up with what RickC calls my 'Felix
Pappallardiness'.
Link below.
LOL - we've been having auditions for singers. Craigslist was one of our resources...lets say the auditions have been pitiful to say the least. We've found ONE guy in a mess of almost a dozen auditions now who we're considering...but then again, I guess one is all you need.
