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New band vs. seemingly EVERYTHING

B

Babaghanoush

Jan 21, 2011
132
6
Ohio, USA
#1
I don't want this thread to drag anyone down into a black hole of depression but the reality of starting a band right now seems really dark to me.

I've formed this opinion while brainstorming with a long time drummer friend of mine about putting together a new group. We both have been out of action for a number of years but each are in a good place life wise (read "Finally grown up enough") to put together a quality product. We've been checking out our local scene and it's honestly down right depressing. Cover bands are undercutting each other for jobs. CL couldn't be more packed with gear for sale. Originals bands are practically none existent and there are less venues paying everyday. I know it's the economy stupid and this isn't news to anyone but it's really daunting when thinking about a new project.

So here's a couple of crystal ball type questions aimed at helping me sort it out.

1) If you were currently not playing in a band would you be more likely to:
A) Start a new band from scratch?
B) Join an existing band?
C) Slap yourself for thinking such nonsense?

2) Would you:
A) Play whatever was necessary to have the best chance of making some $$$?
B) Play what you like & like what you play knowing you're most likely not going to add jack squat to the bank?

Thanks in advance to any insights offered.
 
#3
Don't know about covers scene... but the originals scene is ALWays gonna be poop-ey. You have to make your own scene and that involves a lot of work and A LOT of meeting people.

You say you're at the level where you're mature enough to approach a band in a good light, so None of those questions really should matter to you

So you're not sure what your goal is yet? but you're driven to make something happen?
 
#4
Drop-the-One said:
You say you're at the level where you're mature enough to approach a band in a good light, so None of those questions really should matter.
Click to expand...

Actually they matter to me a great deal which makes me quite interested in how others would view some of these hurdles considering the current economic climate.

Drop-the-One said:
So you're not sure what your goal is yet?
Click to expand...

I never said that I don't have goals but you're right if you think I'm being a bit purposely vauge. No need to clutter hypothetical questions with all the specifics of my situation. I'm really interested in how others who would put themselves into the given situation would approach this decision.
 
#5
I'm in a similar situation. I'm in a start-up blues band. We play a monthly gig for tips. The harp player and I play for free, and the money we raise is split between the lead guitar player/primary singer and the drummer. We're both retired, and have the resources to play just for fun and future prospects.

If you want or need to earn extra money, try to join an existing band. If the money, if any, is secondary, a new band might be a better fit for you. Building a band is more fun, but it's also a lot of work if you want it to generate meaningful sums of money.
 
#6
Sadly, original music must (nearly) always be made for love rather than a fat wallet/handbag.

If the music is fulfilling then it will be worth it. My rule is that if the gigs can support the 'habit' then I'm in. ("Habit" = strings + rehearsal space + dinner at the venue. I'll play for free but I'd rather not be in the hole!)
 
#7
I understand a little bit about what you are talking about, although I disagree about today being different than yesterday.

To put things in perspective, I play in a psychedelic/progressive rock band which has been long "out of style" since the 70's. I met my bandmates through Craigslist in November where I found that not only did we have the same influences, but we all wanted to write original music with these influences.

We just played our first show (while I've been in the band) this past Thursday and the few things I discovered about doing this style gig:

1. Someone mentioned that our band's music may be liked by others, but he prefers music you can dance to.

2. Many people are not likely to attend the next show unless there's no cover, which means promoting our shows will be crucial.

3. The audience would like a cover ("Play freebird!!!") once in a while to keep them tuned in since they know some of the music you play.

4. With today's popular music (hip-hop, metal, modern rock, etc.), it's hard to revive a long dead drug-induced era.

On a positive note, since being an original band playing psychedelic music, we feel like we have a lot of potential, because our band has lots of talent and we did meet a few people who actually dig our music.

I don't know what style music you want to play, but last I checked, if you want to make boatloads of money, hire a DJ and learn to rap and use auto-tune. And since most people on this forum probably wouldn't be willing to go to such an extreme, my best recommendation is playing what tastes of music you like; whether that is playing covers, original, mixes, or nothing at all. There's no guarantee for making money in the music business and it's all hit-or-miss. This last show I made $25 and was much higher than I thought I'd get.

Best of luck with your choices, but just remember to have fun!
 
#8
Baba, great questions-I started playing out in the SW FL music scene about 18 months ago after moving down here from the Northeast. I had been playing in relative obscurity for many years (in a small church), and was ready to "spread my wings," so to speak. I am "one of those" musicians that really needs a stage, so I worked hard to join an existing band, not wanting to do a start-up that may take months to actually see a real gig.
I ended up joining a motown band in fall 2009, having never been exposed to the music, but just being excited to join a working band. Learned a lot, and played a lot before the band imploded a few months later.

I then sat in depression for a couple of months before finally succumbing to peer pressure and participating in some local open jams.
This eventually secured me a gig with a classic rock band for 6 months, which was great fun but ultimately too many gigs at the diviest bars in SW FL (and too many gigs for my tastes-15-20 a month, often on week nights-not good with my day job, lol), and also was getting pretty bored with the music.
So I quit right before Thanksgiving and decided to freelance for a few months.
I've played about 8-10 gigs in the last 3 months (a little light for sure), and just got hooked up with an originals/cover band with lots of connections.
Had our first gig last Friday night, and had a great time (with a great audience), doing 75% covers and 25% originals in a 4 hour show.
I do feel like I've finally found the right group (already established, focus on originals while also providing enough covers to guarantee regular gigs).

Long story short-while I've always had somewhat of an inkling to do my own thing, my desire to play on stage with great people has out-weighed the need to do my own startup.

Don't know if that helped at all, but thanks for the opportunity to share. :)

-Dan
 
#10
1. I'll do either A or B. It depends on the players I have available, and the strength of the idea for starting a band. I find I'm better at starting a band, than joining one, but I'm open to either. C is not an option.

2. I try to find an intersect between A and B. Just because you make money doesn't mean that you have to hate the music.

I find that music is a business that is suited for optimists and rewards those willing to take a risk. If you don't believe in what you are doing and it's significance, then you will fail. If you aren't willing to take risks and possibly fall flat on your face, then you aren't going to go very far.
 
#11
If I were in your shoes, I would join a band and play whatever the heck they're playing, as long as they're gigging and making money. After a few months, you'll be a little richer for your efforts, know more people, know where the gigs are, and you can make a better decision about starting your own band.
 
#12
Babaghanoush said:
...
So here's a couple of crystal ball type questions aimed at helping me sort it out.

1) If you were currently not playing in a band would you be more likely to:
A) Start a new band from scratch?
B) Join an existing band?
C) Slap yourself for thinking such nonsense?
Click to expand...

'A' would be ideal, assuming it was "good enough" & a good match. Multiple instances of 'A' are possible depending on the viability & commitment required by each, & increase the odds of any one being successful.

'B', in the absence of any reasonable 'A's.

'C', no way.
Babaghanoush said:
2) Would you:
A) Play whatever was necessary to have the best chance of making some $$$?
B) Play what you like & like what you play knowing you're most likely not going to add jack squat to the bank?

Thanks in advance to any insights offered.
Click to expand...

The 2 options don't have to be mutually-exclusive. There's enough "good" (according to my definition) material available that there's no need to play to empty rooms to have fun. Quite the opposite; for me, at least, I really get off on positive audience feedback.
 
#14
Thanks for all the responses so far.

What I'm consistently taking away from them is that most people would play what you like because there really isn't enough financial up side to do otherwise. Music for fun OR profit right now, not fun and profit for the most part.

This is mostly what I was thinking and was really curious about how others feel. I am surprised that no one else thinks it's currently as bad as it's ever been. This gives me some hope. Thanks.
 
#15
1) option A

2) option B

For me, it's never been about the money, and I've always played in bands that focused on original music but also did at least a few covers. I have spent way more $$$ on music/recording gear than the cumulative income generated from music, but a large degree of creative freedom is important to me. It helps to have good income from a separate career, so that I'm not slaving myself to playing the same beaten-to-death-cover-songs several nights a week in order to make living wage. The downside to my situation is that it's been difficult to keep a band going steady because bandmates are too busy working real jobs or dealing with family stuff and unable to practice or rehearse each week. I've been working on a surround sound solo album for three years on and off, so I focus on that when between bands or when a band is on hiatus.
 
#17
Babaghanoush said:
Thanks for all the responses so far.

What I'm consistently taking away from them is that most people would play what you like because there really isn't enough financial up side to do otherwise. Music for fun OR profit right now, not fun and profit for the most part.
Click to expand...

You got the right idea.

If you can play the music you love AND make money, then you have to embrace that as "big time success". If you can do that playing covers, then the finish line is very close. If you can do that playing originals, then you're a rock star. :bassist:
 

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