Why can't we have a better live music scene?

[KA]

I know....this is a loaded question but we need to have a discussion on it. A long honest overdue discussion.

Everyone loves music. Not everyone ventures out of their immediate neighborhood. With the new prospects that occur. (Yes prospects...not gloom and doom) there is the perfect opportunity for folks to organize affordable gigs right around where they live, in the neighborhoods where the music came from. A win/win situation for everyone.

Should this transcend racism, sexism, ageism and classism? Of course it should. Isn't this the change we must believe in?

I would be really interested in what folks have to say.

Kevin Amos

[Danny Gochnour]

Kevin. Absolutely. Music has transcended race since the '60's. Music is literally black AND white. I think the trouble is not with the musicians who are willing to play for a few bucks in their neighborhoods. It's with the club owners who a) don't want to pay. b) attract THAT type of crowd. All the musicians I know and play with are color blind.
It's the lack of decent places to play. I live in the Beechview/Dormont area and outside of Carhop's who has live bands on Fridays and Saturdays or Senior Frogs who has an acoustic act (Walter Tarantino) on Tuesday's-there's is nowhere to play. Some clubs in Brookline used to try to book bands but because of fights and/or drugs, they quit having live music. What's the answer-man, I don't know. I haven't been able to figure out why people flock to the dance clubs with DJ's and avoid the live music clubs like the plague.

Like I said. As far as I know and what I've been exposed to, music and ALL of my musician friends are color blind. I really don't think racism, ageism or classim is an issue. Am I wrong.

[KA]

Danny...it is about being more than colorblind. It is about making change for the better. If folks want to be segregated and what I call backward well they can keep on keeping on. That is their loss.

If we have musicians tha love the music of other cultures well they should openly embrace getting all folks to check them out. It takes colaboration and education on all fronts.

Do you know the feeling I get when I go to see Black Blues artists and 99.9 percent of the audience is not Black? Many times after stressing that folks should support the artists I came to the conclusion that I needed to educate folks more so that's what I do when I write articles or go on the air. I also expose folks to artists.

In the past when I was at WYEP we provided a fourm for musicians to play live on the air. WRCT still does that.

This issue is not just in this region. It's just about everywhere.. You and I are in agreement but we always work on this. What about everybody else or ar they satisfied the way things are?

[Mike M.]

Well, I addressed some of this under a different forum category, but in a nutshell it's this:

- lack of bands that write GOOD/GREAT songs with catchy HOOKS
- lack of bands that understand PROMOTION
- lack of bands that understand how to cultivate a fan base
- lack of bands that put on an exciting STAGE SHOW
- lack of NETWORKING with other musicians, biz pros and anyone

Those are some ideas...well, back to work!

[KA]

Sorry Mike...I didn't read it yet. I just came on board.

What have you been doing to educate other folks? Do you have workshops going on that help develop awareness and education for musicians and other folks?

Kevin

[Mike M.]

Thanks for asking Kevin, and yes, that is something I will be doing soon. I have done it in the past as well, and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

Just to be clear, I don't mean to insult anyone. Different musicians/bands have different goals, and that's great. But I clearly have seen bands that just don't know what they are doing, although they say that they want to be successful, their actions don't match their words. Again, there IS lots of great talent in this area, but if people aren't promoting the sh#t out of it, who's gonna know about that band or musician?

[Joy Ike]

Mike, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I think many artists forget that most of the work takes place before you get on stage and after you get off.

I just started a website to help singer-songwriters and bands to better promote themselves because of that reason. Feel free to check it out and/or subscribe ya'll.

www.grassrootsy.wordpress.com

[Mike M.]

Hey Joy!

Nice to "talk" with you again! Congrats on the Best award in the City Paper as well - you deserve it!

You'll be seeing me again...I'm starting up some good music stuff soon, MUCH better than before.

Mike

[KA]

Does some of the work by Knntu Repretory or Pittsburgh Playright count as musical theater? I know that some of the plays are music based. While CLO is considered the most "professional", it is NOT the only group in town. I want to see the cultural experience of folks enhanced and I'm quite sure you do as well. But what does that take? Perhaps a fourm that would bring all these folks together? a cross production? I don't know but i'm willling to help make trhis happen.

I believe we have to change folks way of thinking. Isn't that part of what creativity is about?

It's amazing how Pittsburgh want to expound diversity but some limit cultural awareness to a few by not reaching out.

Kevin

[KA]

Good points. I 'm glad you are letting folks know what the deal is. Everyone in the music /entertainment industry has to struggle and it is harder in some places than others.

Right now this conversation is with only 4 people and I KNOW many of you lurking and reading have something to say. Come on folks...let's talk!

Kevin

[Chrissy Dee]

Some observations and conversations...

If we dig deeper, then we have to look at changes in radio and how that has shaped people's taste for the familiar. Radio is not what it use to be and for me, it use to be a place to hear new songs and discover new artists. Today, I don't even own a radio and the few times that I catch bits and pieces is when I'm in a car.

As for popular songs, I think it is quite known that some labels pay to have their songs heard, over and over again. So, does the public like it or is it just the repitition that wins them over.

In regards to a DJ stating that he plays what the people want to hear, I think it is also known that commercial Radio DJs no longer have the freedom they once had to choose, play and turn people on to songs. They are given a format to adhere to and this so called format is supposed to appeal to listeners, but perhaps it is more about pleasing the sponsors and advertisers, shoot, even keeping the lights on.

Why people flock to DJ land? Many reasons:
Many venue owners don't want to pay for a band, ie...they see no $ value in it.

One has only to look at a few of the new clubs and learn that their sound systems only facilitate DJs. I have spoken to a few and suggested nights of live music and DJs, but apparently, that kind of sound system is too expensive and the effort is too much of a hassle.

You don't need to hire a sound man for a DJ.

In the commercial world (zines, commercials, etc...), DJs are promoted as sexy and cool and musicians as fuck ups.

I think people feel live music calls for a more focused listening and attention. Canned music, well, you can dress sexy, be seen, get drunk and get lost in the beat and maybe find a hot person to dance with. It's not so much about playing familiar music, as it may be to play music that makes people want to dance and feel free.

It is interesting how the venues think they are saving money, when you have to pay BMI & AFTA fees for playing canned music, as opposed to not paying a fee for performances of original material.

Frankly, I don't adhere to the making art=unpaid and making money=selling out and while I know of many artists who whine about it, I would hardly say that they like being a "starving artist", it is just a condition that they find themselves in, because not everyone has the ability or capacity to be part business and part artist.Though it would behoove many to learn, but if its not your thang, then hire someone to do it for you.

All in all, it may just be a matter of riding out the mediocre storm, staying true to your craft, hone your craft and be just as creative with the business side of the art, as you would be with making the art.

Whatever you do, don't complain. Empower yourself with a decision on how you are going to approach your art and what success means to you, not what it means to everyone else.

[Mike M.]

"Though it would behoove many to learn, but if its not your thang, then hire someone to do it for you."

** Good comment...I agree with this totally.

"All in all, it may just be a matter of riding out the mediocre storm, staying true to your craft, hone your craft and be just as creative with the business side of the art, as you would be with making the art."

"Whatever you do, don't complain. Empower yourself with a decision on how you are going to approach your art and what success means to you, not what it means to everyone else."

** More good comments....too many complaints about the local scene, and not enough action. Of course you could just move to a different city, but if you do nothing there, you'll be the same as you were here. At least if you really put forth an effort in this town, you could be a big fish in a small pond.

[Derrick Edwards]

At least from where I see it, "the starving artist = a bad business decision maker!"
Too many artist/musicians in this town have this "David vs Goliath" outlook when it comes to dealing with the corporate run music industry. (Them being David and the corporate run music industry being Goliath.) Well, this time Goliath usually wins and I myself want to be working for Goliath! LOL!