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ch-scene - Re: Tuesday Indie Rock at the Library and bigger issues

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Subject: RTP-area local music and culture

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  • From: "Glenn Boothe / Local 506" <gboothe2 AT earthlink.net>
  • To: ch-scene AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: Tuesday Indie Rock at the Library and bigger issues
  • Date: 30 Jan 2006 11:17:37 -0800

>>>And while I am guilty of not being as supportve of local music as I should
be/wish I could be, I don't think the constants in our scene should
blame this problems on each other.

I assume this is in regard to my recent comment about local musicians
supporting other artists as much as they play themselves. I just want
to clarify, this wasn't "blame" but an observation that me and my
employees have had (my employees which are mostly musicians
themselves.) Unfortunately, I'm realizing the attendance shortcomings
of this music "scene" (again, hate that word) - and am trying to
navigate around that with my booking, whether it be different genres,
DJ nights and, most recently, cover bands. As someone more famous than
me once said, "I'm just being honest, it's the least I can do."

>>>We need to figure out how to grow the student audience..... or at least
re-acquaint ourselves with them. Glenn has addressed this issue at
506, and tried different promotions. Did any of them work? One issue
that I found hard to believe until recently was that *shock* that the
students have a different "local" scene. The Avett Brothers, who I
happen to like a lot, drew hundreds of people at a student union
show on campus.

Unfortunately, I don't have any answers myself. What I've come to
realize is that the students will come out and see local musicians
their own age: Cities, The Capulets, Sweater Weather et all seem to be
able get the kids out. But this shouldn't really surprise any of us
in our 30's. I mean, the first wave of indie rock and grunge was a
youthful reaction to 'older' music. I remember, when I left for NYC
after graduation in '90, the Cradle held a going away party with Zen
Frisbee and Superchunk performing. At the party were plenty of "older"
people in the scene (Indy writers, record store employees, band
managers, etc.) who had never even heard of Superchunk and they had
just released their second single (you may have heard it, slack mofo.)

So yes, I would say there are different scenes. I mean, how many of
you holding Mogwai tix came to see Explosions in the Sky last year at
506. Probably very few of you (despite their kindred sound.) However,
that Explosions show came close to selling out on a Sunday night,
primarily with college students. More surprising, I would say more
than half of those students were NOT from UNC.

A better example may be Indie Rock Karoake. I have to be honest, when
I first heard the idea of it, I had visions of local musicians coming
out and singing established indie hits. Well, the opposite has
happened. The college students have really embraced IRK, while the
so-called indie rock community really hasn't supported it all that
much. Heck, maybe that's your answer - come to IRK and impress the
kids that way.

Regarding the Avett's, they'd been packing Kings for a year or so
before moving to bigger venues. Not sure of the demographic, but yes,
I too was surprised that a local band I'd never heard was doing so
well. By the time I tried to book them (a year and a half ago) - they
were already asking for a $600 guarantee...so I balked, which was
probably a mistake, but I really don't believe in paying guarantees to
locals (or touring bands, if I can get away with it!)

>If anyone has any ideas for the Library, please respond. And if you
want to play the Library, please email Beth off-list at our email.

When I started the WXYC night at Club Zen in 1990, the idea was to book
one in-town with an NC act not from Chapel Hill. The goal was to
introduce so-called townies to acts they might not know. Maybe the
Library should book one 'younger' student-oriented band, with an older
established act. The cross-breeding could be mutually beneficial.

Another thing, and this is up to the bands, but I think many bands can
do a better job promoting their shows, and thus, themselves. Sending
out emails et al is great because you're reaching your fans, but fliers
also help establish name recognition. People might not come to that
particular show, but people probably don't buy products based on
viewing one commercial either. It takes multiple impressions. It
always bums me out when i mentioned a local band to a local label or
writer or producer or whoever and they've never even heard the name.

A perfect example for me is both Robosapien and Midtown Dickens. I've
never seen either, never been contacted by either and really haven't
heard much beside some online stuff...but I hear their names so much
that if they contacted me, they'd get a show....simply because I
already "know" who they are.

For me at least (and I bet Wetlands is the same,) I check out the
kiosks, the other venues calendars, the indy reviews, etc. If the
first time I'm hearing of your band is when you contact me for a show,
then you're not doing enough to promote yourself. And if you're a
local band and you haven't played the Library or Nightlight or the Cave
(or one of the many other smaller outlets for bands,) then you probably
shouldn't be contacting 506 or Wetlands for a show yet. Not to
mention, the smaller venues allow you to potentially meet and network
with other local bands. So much of my curiosity about a band
(robosapien and midtown dickens especially,) comes from the
word-of-mouth I've heard from other musicians.

Okay, so I digress. But again, the point it, if you don't promote
yourself, then don't be surprised when people don't come out. That's
why booking agents refer to me as a promoter, not a club owner. My
club is only as good as the people I get to come out to it (as was Go!,
need I say more!)...and, unfortunately, from a club perspective, as is
your band. I probably used this one on amch before, but I often say,
it's your demo tape that gets you your first show, but it's the bar
tape that gets you your second show. If people don't come, no matter
how great you are, it's not good business sense to keep having your
band back. Once again, just being honest...

glenn





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