OK, I wanna play too. I've waited a day to see the direction the thread took: Mic Rowe...isn't he the guy who opened for Tiny Johnson and Shrinkage?
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Litmus Test...can you READ? (Need networking help)
- Thread starter KevInDaBassment
- Start date
My not so humble opinion/advice to the OP (or anybody with a specific enough concept and set of requirements, restrictions, etc. etc. like this (it's focus, really, which is a good thing ultimately) is don't form a "band". Make it your own thing(it can look like a band of course), and focus on the writing and recording. Hire players as you need them, pay them so it's a done deal. If a writing collaboration happens on a tune then treat it appropriately. Be really clear about all that stuff. Don't even worry about gigging until you've got the recordings and the whole package together. Focus on an ep first and get that done. Then web presence. Then while you're hustling to get your music licensed (film, TV, advertising) you can start to gig out. All the while writing and recording, constantly.
Signed,
Mr. Self-Admitted Control Freak
Signed,
Mr. Self-Admitted Control Freak
lol, I'm sure that's the case in many ads
The music scene here, from what I've experienced, isn't quite as "progressive" as it may be in some other areas of the country. I've had band replies where women brought that up in their reply "I'm a chick, hope that's ok" as if I'm going to go "No, your lack of a Y chromosome means you are barred from joining this band!". If I came off as such a control freak, perhaps they would think I was strict on something such as that? Not granting anyone "permission", just getting something out in the open so it's done and dealt with. But yeah, I should totally be crucified for even mentioning such a thing
lol, I'm sure that's the case in many ads
The music scene here, from what I've experienced, isn't quite as "progressive" as it may be in some other areas of the country. I've had band replies where women brought that up in their reply "I'm a chick, hope that's ok" as if I'm going to go "No, your lack of a Y chromosome means you are barred from joining this band!". If I came off as such a control freak, perhaps they would think I was strict on something such as that? Not granting anyone "permission", just getting something out in the open so it's done and dealt with. But yeah, I should totally be crucified for even mentioning such a thing
No one's crucifying you. I don't think the control freak thing is from any unreasonable demands in the ad or anything, and I'm not saying you are one. It's more that a person might ask, "Who is this guy who thinks he needs to spell everything out in so much detail?" Some people might imagine a control freak if they start asking that question.
Yeah, and I'm the bassist for Dale, our guitarist, in case anyone gives a crap.
Ahh yes, because nobody on here talks about the bands they are in right? People would never do anything to bring attention to or promote bands they are in either. God forbid they post a link to their music too
Also struggling to find that part where I said everyone knows who he is and I'll give out VIP passes to those who compliment my amp rig. Let me know when you find that, I'm still searching for it
CCM has a habit of absorbing some of the pop genres these days, I had another friend that said the same thing you did (sounds like CCM). Ugghhh, makes me want to switch things up. I've had some people suggest I try to hop into that category saying I could go places with it. For reasons that will probably violate policy on here, let me just say "I've been there before" and "No thanks, not for me." Michael Rowe is independent and I just play bass and write bass tracks for him, doesn't bother me as much since I don't do much outside of that.
Whose Michael?
haha.. I"m joking ..
but hey who cares who Michael is because you are Plucky the Bassist!! the guy who writes some the most fantastic funny hilarious outrageous humorous postings on Talkbass...
any more of those stories soon??
I'm diggin' the EpicMic stuff..
haha.. I"m joking ..
but hey who cares who Michael is because you are Plucky the Bassist!! the guy who writes some the most fantastic funny hilarious outrageous humorous postings on Talkbass...
any more of those stories soon??
I'm diggin' the EpicMic stuff..
I would stick with the project; there's enough to work with. From what I can tell, the immediate challenge boils down to finding writing partners who will advance the concept along a pretty well defined path (i.e., It's not necessarily a "band" at this point). Craigslist may not get you there, but it's definitely an angle to try.
Heck, these guys didn't even have the Internet, and they lived in New freaking Zealand.
Heck, these guys didn't even have the Internet, and they lived in New freaking Zealand.
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Dang right I would, puts me out of a job!!
I plan on playing bass for this project
Yeah, guess that was a bit of a silly question wasn't it?
Probably the best solution for band leaders who wish to dictate age, appearance, sound, and gear.
There's also the problem of saying things like you play "chord tones" and are so amazed a "jazz student" contacted you and likes what you're doing.
Here's the thing...there's a certain credibility issue that can come up when somebody is so into controlling each aspect of what they're doing yet look like they're lacking in some of the basic education and experience that the players who match your hiring criteria may be expecting. I have no objection to taking direction from somebody who really knows their stuff - or is at least showing a little humility when they ask. But I have small patience with somebody who wants to be in charge and isn't qualified to do so. And creativity isn't enough to qualify somebody to run a band or project. Be the chief songwriter? Sure. But project leader? No.
When you come on as strong as you seem (to me at least) I'm expecting somebody with some serious musical experience and expertise. I've run into far to many people with lofty goals and ideas - and maybe even some band and/or recording experience - who are still fundamentally clueless about a lot of things an experienced musician takes for granted - and expects in a project or band leader. Otherwise, you often find yourself tap dancing around somebody's lack of knowledge and insecurities, while doing the ego-boo routine. Possibly ok if you're drawing a regular paycheck for your efforts. But far from something most good player will want to get hooked up with if it's a joint venture. Because many of us have see far too many such projects go sideways or just crash and burn.
So it's something to think about. Most players want to work with people better - or at least as proficient and as knowledgeable - as they are. People who hook up with somebody with less background enjoy mentoring. But many also have an unfortunate habit of eventually taking over and taking the less experienced guy for a ride or to the cleaners.
So be careful what you're asking for. It can be pretty cutthroat out there. And I've seen more than a few less experienced people start fairly successful bands or projects, only to have the rug pulled put from under them if they weren't cutting it.
Luck!
And for a writer with a strong sense of what they want to do and how they want to sound, it's the shortest distance to at least seeing if you have something there that's going to a) achieve musically what you envision, and b) maybe even be marketable. If some musical partnerships develop organically out of that process then that's great, but you don't want to waste time waiting for those to appear.
I had to hide all that stuff that happened because the fame was becoming too much to bear. The bad part is I got too much momentum in this thread, now I just got emails from Eric Johnson, Mike Portnoy, and Herman Li all saying they have suddenly becoming fans of Indie music that sounds like a lame Smiths ripoff. Oh great...just got an email from the Trump and Hilary campaign...they both want new campaign songs *eye roll*
Anybody wanna take that campaign song gig? I'm gonna go drive that Maserati that Bill Gates gave me for my birthday.
Well when Carol Kaye used the term "Chord Tones", I took it as a credible source. I'm not looking to debate, but if your basis for in essence saying I'm musically illiterate is that and saying I was surprised a jazz student liked my music and was interested in hopping on...I'd say you're being a little presumptuous and rude.
Likewise I can cite that I've seen many situations where I left a lot of room for flexibility and it too crashed and burned. Lack of direction can be just as destructive as having a strong direction, at least I have a plan and put effort in. Everyone has their own history, but do you enjoy getting together with a bunch of people who butcher things beyond recognition and don't make any kind of cohesive sound? I'm all for blending things to make something unique, but more often than not things become a mess if there isn't SOME direction. That's really all I'm trying to do, have A path to go down and I've put forward that I did more than just have an idea and ask people to show up and make things up for me.
Much appreciated. The music is written/kept simple for a reason, it doesn't take long for others to pick up and the average listener wants to enjoy a whole song and not just a riff or bassline. I don't consider myself to "know" theory or anything in that regard, however I don't run into many people on Craigslist who do either. I am in the process of trying to grow and understand theory better, but working a dayjob slows you down. At any rate though, I don't particularly have a high opinion of myself outside of "I put in effort". Probably not enough to go anywhere, but better to try and fail than never try at all.
yeah.. and out of curiosity and do you plan on focusing to making money with this or just for fun?
I assume both of course but maybe you don't care about the money part so much.. that way you can be as demanding as you want..
I assume both of course but maybe you don't care about the money part so much.. that way you can be as demanding as you want..
@Plucky The Bassist - please don't interpret my earlier comment as a criticism. I'm just offering my own impressions based on my personal experiences. None of it is meant to be taken as a personal knock on you. If the shoe fits, so be it. If not, don't worry about it. You don't need to justify yourself. Take from whatever I post that fits your needs and situation and feel free to ignore the rest. I don't pretend to have all the answers. And I certainly won't be offended if you think "yeah-yeah."
I'm still learning too.
I'm still learning too.
A couple since the jazz guy, got a prospect vocalist who sounds a lot like Morrissey. He's got some good stuff too, we're discussing lyrics and vocal melodies currently.
Fair question. I don't expect/want to strike it rich, honestly, I'd be happy to live in a modest 3/2 with a 2-car garage and drive a Toyota Rav4 the rest of my life. I really just want to make a living playing original music. I've wanted to be a musician since I was a 6 year old (no joke, used to draw my own album covers as a kid lol). Didn't learn to play until I was about 16, but wanted to make music that made people feel the way I do about music I like...like it connects with you and takes you back to fond or intense memories.
For me, it's really as simple as that. I realize I need to make a living, but I can only spend my time making music if I do it for a living. I wish I could vomit out hits like Prince did, but I'm just not that talented. I do have ideas I've seen grow and take shape, it's a great feeling to see things develop like that. For me the epitome is playing it live and professionally recording it too. I'm not looking for admiration or fame, but I do want to do for other people what my favorite music does for me. I'd explode with excitement to see other people excited by or enthusiastic about music I play...it's really about sharing that feeling and the satisfaction of knowing you brought that feeling to someone else.
Probably sounds pretentious, but it's how I feel. Without money to pay people, or already being famous, I realize this dream is nigh impossible these days.
@Plucky The Bassist - please don't interpret my earlier comment as a criticism. I'm just offering my own impressions based on my personal experiences. None of it is meant to be taken as a personal knock on you. If the shoe fits, so be it. If not, don't worry about it. You don't need to justify yourself. Take from whatever I post that fits your needs and situation and feel free to ignore the rest. I don't pretend to have all the answers. And I certainly won't be offended if you think "yeah-yeah."
I'm still learning too.
It's cool, no biggie. Easy for me to carried away in here lol
