Touring auditions & markets

[bkeating]

Hey Justin, thanks for making yourself available here on the forum. i love the vibe and knowledge you've brought.

my question/situation is this: i think of myself as a songwriters bass player; i love meldoic pop and playing for the song ect. i've been thinking of moving into one of the markets such as nashville or la in hopes of being exposed to more tour work (my strengths are as a live player) and i was wondering what area might be better. (is nashville more country tour oriented as oppossed to la being more studio work focused ect.) also, are there certain times of the year that are better for getting work? i was thinking about heading out at the start of summer but i wasn't sure if things would be dried up at that point. both markets are vast and unknown to me so any insight offered is much appreciated.

many thanks,

bk

-happy easter to all those celebrating

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Hi,

I think LA is a little more diverse, but Nashville players seem to be busy constantly. I think it's just that here in LA it's very competitive and dense. I'm not sure which city is best for touring vs. recording, I think it must be fairly even in that regard. One good thing about Nashville (besides the obvious plusses of quality of life stuff) is that if you're NOT a legit country player, it can work in your favor. Artists seem to put together players for tours slightly more often in the spring. Only because of summer touring, you know? But it goes both ways. Sometimes it's in the fall for winter tours. Lots of players I know can live anywhere, because it ends up not really mattering much; they just go to whatever city to do production rehearsals, then go back home after a few months of being out. Same thing goes for crew guys. My tech lives in Austin, but most of his clients are in London and LA. Our FOH engineer lives in rural Ireland!

JMJ

 

[Jamolah]

Lots of players I know can live anywhere, because it ends up not really mattering much; they just go to whatever city to do production rehearsals, then go back home after a few months of being out.

JMJ

Do you have any tips for less established players who want to break into touring without having to uproot to a major music centre? I live in the north of England, and the biggest market for musicians in the UK would, I suppose, be London. Is it impossible for me to get established as a professional if the industry is so far away?

Cheers for your advice (not to mention super-duper playing and awesomeness)

JP

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Do you have any tips for less established players who want to break into touring without having to uproot to a major music centre? I live in the north of England, and the biggest market for musicians in the UK would, I suppose, be London. Is it impossible for me to get established as a professional if the industry is so far away?

Cheers for your advice (not to mention super-duper playing and awesomeness)

JP

Thank you JP!

I don't see how you can get on a scene, break in playing with different ensembles on a club level, then get plucked for a national/international tour without being in a city where things are happening. I'll say this again and again: my chops and skills, while unique to me, are eclipsed by so many other bassists. What do I have that they don't? Well, there are a few things, and it's hard for me to analyze, but perhaps to varying degrees:

- A certain parity in taste with a certain group of people
- A deep record collection and lots of reference points
- An earnest and sociable demeanor
- Interest in the person across from me; not interest in myself
- The ability to be very flexible chameleon

That's all I can figure. But I'll tell you that part of the way, a BIG part of the way, that musicians here in LA make it into a larger landscape is to BE ON THE SCENE. You have to show your face. You have to be around, you have to show up at the cool gigs and the occasional cool bar! How the hell does one fall into great bands otherwise? Beats me!

Intrinsically, I hate social networking. And I hate the idea that I have to "be on a scene" in order to stake my claim in the music world. But you know what? At least in my sphere, it matters, big-time. It's probably the 2nd biggest promotional avenue besides your talents existing on their own.

Get out there. Show your face. Do things for free if they are good and deserve the assistance. Do things for the love of it. Be in lots of different scenes and/or bands. I STILL do all of that, even now.

Best,
JMJ

 

[bkeating]

good stuff, thanks so much for taking the time!