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Is total anonymity good for interaction?

E

edpal

Inactive
Oct 3, 2007
1,955
1,441
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#1
Lately it seems I bump into more and more people with claims of decades of pro experience, but they don't have any links to music they're in, no link to even a crummy webpage on a free host in their profile. Nothing. To me it seems like the equivalent of not having voice-mail or an answering machine on your phone. I know it's the 'NEt and lots of people are just spinning and trolling. I'm thinking that diminishes the value of the 'Net. I realize this thought applies to about 90% here so I might get flamed big time.
Is it messed up for me to wonder "who are you, really?"
What do you think?
 
#4
edpal said:
Lately it seems I bump into more and more people with claims of decades of pro experience, but they don't have any links to music they're in, no link to even a crummy webpage on a free host in their profile. Nothing. To me it seems like the equivalent of not having voice-mail or an answering machine on your phone. I know it's the 'NEt and lots of people are just spinning and trolling. I'm thinking that diminishes the value of the 'Net. I realize this thought applies to about 90% here so I might get flamed big time.
Is it messed up for me to wonder "who are you, really?"
What do you think?
Click to expand...

Honestly, until some of my more recent bands I've never had real material to show people. Didn't mean I didn't have experience or ability; I just never found myself in situations that would allow me to record, develop a web page, etc... That said, I'm only 23, so I guess there might be some leeway with that. It's not like I'm claiming decades of experience lol.
 
#5
jmattbassplaya said:
Honestly, until some of my more recent bands I've never had real material to show people. Didn't mean I didn't have experience or ability; I just never found myself in situations that would allow me to record, develop a web page, etc... That said, I'm only 23, so I guess there might be some leeway with that. It's not like I'm claiming decades of experience lol.
Click to expand...

For the last 6 years or so Ive been in bands with a slight web presence. Enough so that when someone asks me what my playing sounds like I can direct them there and say thats me on bass. I dont know if those old sites are around anymore. I could point them to my last band, probably. I dont have demos of me playing bass or anything like that online, though.
 
#6
Decades of experience and millions of record sales, don't equate to valuable contributions. I have a pretty good rule about sniffing out BS: Don't trust anyone that says "trust me".
Having worked with allot of day laborers in the past I heard some great tales about "how good they were at what they used to do." People have always been full of it. On the internet it is just easier to hear more of them. So who cares if half of the people claim to be platinum recording artists? You can always ignore them.
 
#7
For one thing, there is no such thing as a sure thing. The proof is only in the pudding. There are many ways to claim truthfully that you have a ton of experience and not be a good fit with some players, good at every kind of music, or in control of your game.

I'm a relative newcomer to a large group of established players in my area, because I haven't been doing this my entire life, and it's not the only thing I've ever done. My circle continues to grow. When I audition, I invariably land the gig, and when that gig is over (because they all end), I invariably have made friends who will either recommend me or call me again. By now I know lots of people who know other people. And there are many fine local players whom I respect who think I'm pretty peachy.

That's all I got. There is little for me to gain from having a website. I'm too old to be a star. But I don't promise anything I can't deliver. No website could ever guarantee that.

I've been bitten by this thing too—bands that talked all the right talk and looked good from a distance and ultimately couldn't get out of their own shadow.

Hey. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Every successful career can be traced back to one fateful handshake. It's not easy finding that person—if you're even looking.
 
#8
jmattbassplaya said:
Honestly, until some of my more recent bands I've never had real material to show people. Didn't mean I didn't have experience or ability; I just never found myself in situations that would allow me to record, develop a web page, etc... That said, I'm only 23, so I guess there might be some leeway with that. It's not like I'm claiming decades of experience lol.
Click to expand...
A your age it's totally understandable. I guess I'm more concerned when someone claims years of session work, touring,etc. but then totally hides who they are. Basically I like to know if I am swimming with sharks or just dancing with the trolls.
 
#9
Edward G. said:
For one thing, there is no such thing as a sure thing. The proof is only in the pudding. There are many ways to claim truthfully that you have a ton of experience and not be a good fit with some players, good at every kind of music, or in control of your game.

I'm a relative newcomer to a large group of established players in my area, because I haven't been doing this my entire life, and it's not the only thing I've ever done. My circle continues to grow. When I audition, I invariably land the gig, and when that gig is over (because they all end), I invariably have made friends who will either recommend me or call me again. By now I know lots of people who know other people. And there are many fine local players whom I respect who think I'm pretty peachy.

That's all I got. There is little for me to gain from having a website. I'm too old to be a star. But I don't promise anything I can't deliver. No website could ever guarantee that.

I've been bitten by this thing too—bands that talked all the right talk and looked good from a distance and ultimately couldn't get out of their own shadow.

Hey. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Every successful career can be traced back to one fateful handshake. It's not easy finding that person—if you're even looking.
Click to expand...

Been there. All so very true. Was just pondering this issue, hence posting in OT.
 
#12
I'm just a bedroom player/hobbyist, but when I have contacted people with a link to my yt page the response I generally get is they think I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread. I can assure you I'm not. The videos came out decent because I put some time and effort into learning the songs note for note. But that's what it is, transcription, memorization and regurgitation. Connecting the dots.

I can't just step into a situation and play like that. I'd like to, and I'm getting closer to that goal all the time, but that's the impression the videos give to people. I try to explain that when people express interest in getting together to play, but it seems to go totally in one ear and out the other. Point being, it's the internet, don't base too many expectations on it.
 
#15
I actually do have decades (or at least 2 1/2 decades) of experience, but other than one music video with an up and coming Nashville singer......


..... and what's left of one web site from a band that hasn't been together for 3+ years (and I actually left the band 6 years ago) there is no "E footprint" of me to be found. The bands I played with were regional to the Mid-Atlantic states. At one point I was actually playing in 5 bands. But I can't even find anything left of them when Googling. So, I guess it is possible for someone to have played a BUNCH of gigs and not have a whole lot of evidence on the web. I was doing some figuring on this the other night while hanging out with some musician buddies. They were laughing about how many bands I have played in. By our estimate, I have done somewhere around 4,000 shows. I'm on one CD that sold a few thousand copies, that music video, and a LOT of home videos and photo collections. That's about the musical legacy I will leave behind after all that travel and gigging.

So, I guess I agree and disagree with you at the same time. No, there's no way to tell with some people. However, no digital trail doesn't always mean no actual experience.
 
#16
two fingers said:
So, I guess I agree and disagree with you at the same time. No, there's no way to tell with some people. However, no digital trail doesn't always mean no actual experience.
Click to expand...
This is all very true. I guess I'm just irritated by the unknowns (like me) that frontload their arguments with "once you've done as much as me". The few "name" people I've met don't play that at all. I guess some people know their stuff and some people have to remind themselves they're stuff.

I'm not that surprised at older cats (I'm 53) not having a big digital footprint or any, it's not been a big part of their overall life. Last band I was in all the guys were over 50 and I was the only one who could consistently send an email attachment.:)
 
#17
One of my pet beefs is people who I call "long on overture, short on resume". I guess I have lived long enough I can tell the difference w/o too much problem. On the other hand, facts and logic stand on their own regardless of the source, so, there's lots to learn.
 
#18
maybe you guys should start an "exclusive old pro's club" for those who have "been around a bit"
there could be team jackets and and a secret handshake. Seriously, why even worry about such things.
Enjoy your own accomplishments and take the internet forums for what they are.
 

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