Hobby (amateur) bands with good music?

[Eilif]

A pair of questions for those of you who pursue playing in a band on a hobby level...

What kind of luck have you had finding bands who are doing music as a hobby (i.e. not trying to "make it"), but are doing origional music and doing it well? Have you all found groups of musicicans who are happy with their non-music careers, but want to make and perform good origional music on the side anyway?

I ask because I am in the process of a very peaceful, amicable split (I'm helping them find a new bassist, etc.) with my present band, because they want to make a living at music, and I am quite happy with my job and life, and cannot commit to touring or extended gigging (i.e more than 3 gigs a month). If I do decide to join a band, it would be as a hobby, but I still want to play with good musicians, and make/perform good music.

Can I have my cake and eat it too?

 

[Unrepresented]

That's the situation I'm in.

I can find good musicians with good music if I were willing to tour.

I can find musicians who'll stay local if I'm willing to put up with questionable skill levels.

I can find musicians who can play well and are willing to play local if I'm willing to do covers.

I can find original music with guys who want to keep their day jobs if I'm willing to join up with the over 40 crowd.

So far, I've had the best luck with guys in their early 30's. They'll probably have a mortgage, long term girlfriend/wife, and be stable enough in their careers that they'll probably not want to try risking it all on the road. Obviously they're not going to be quite a pro because of time restraints, but I've still learned something from every situation I've played in.

And if nothing else, just join bands that think they'll go big but never will.

 

[Eilif]

I haven't looked around yet, but that's pretty much what I am worried about. I know very few talented, musicians my age -24- who are settled down, and those I do know don't even have the time for a part-time band.

 

[RicBassGuy]

And if nothing else, just join bands that think they'll go big but never will.

That's fine if you don't mind pursuing music as a hobby. Most of those bands put all of their proceeds into "the band" so they can "make it big", which means you'll be playing for free as a volunteer. The songwriter of the group probably doesn't want to share that capacity, so you'll never see songwriting credits should the band somehow make it. Of course you'll still be expected to work as hard as everyone else in landing gigs and promoting them.

Joining a local organization or community college band may not be so bad. You're still an unpaid volunteer, but everybody shows up for rehearsals with more regularity than a bunch of guys with day jobs and families that can go months at a time without getting together. The music director handles all music selection and gig planning/promoting; you just practice and show up. Since you're a volunteer, you usually have the job as long as you want. In fact, they'll want to keep you so much you'll feel guilty for leaving. I'm in two church choirs and am considering joining a college jazz ensemble.

However, I'd think there's enough musicians in the metropolitan Chicago area that you should be able to find others in the same boat as you. Keep at it, because before you know it you'll be one of those 40-something musicians that can't find anyone to gig with because all the ads are for players under 30.