RTP-area local music and culture

["l.sward" <armed2tt AT yahoo.com>]

On Jan 7, 12:55 pm, local... AT gmail.com wrote:
> >>>All I do know, and I know I might seem naive, is that those dumpy
>
> little clubs, that aren't real "rock" clubs, have hosted some amazing
> music.
>
> My comments weren't meant to dis the smaller clubs - I love seeing
> bands at The Cave, but only when you can actually see them.  The last
> time I went to 'see' Red Collar, I could only watch them on the video
> monitor because of the size of the crowd.  That's why I personally
> feel that a 'stage' has value - I know I've avoided a few shows at
> smaller rooms because I figured that instead of watching the band I'd
> more likely be watching the backsides of their biggest fans.
>
> Basically, the bigger the venue, the more it cost to appease the
> number of people who can attend.  Just last month I bought a smaller
> PA (for our free-for-all shows) that is the equivalent of what most of
> the other rooms have; however, I also spent three times that amount
> making upgrades to our bigger PA (and easily spend that amount every
> 6-8 weeks on repairs, etc.)
>
> >>>The Thrones....a band that I love to death can't get a show in
>
> this area..except in a dumpy little dive. Joe Preston told me himself
> that his booking agent had the hardest time booking in the area.
>
> It's hard to book Chapel Hill because there are so many local bands
> here.  And many local musicians are in multiple bands.  So, if the
> average musician in this area is in two bands, that's going to make it
> twice as hard for anyone to get a show (not to mention, twice as hard
> to get played on the radio, get written up in the Indy, get people to
> buy your CD, etc.)
>
> Likewise, because of our location (between DC and Atlanta, centrally
> located within NC,) we get tons of touring acts.  I just checked my
> generic booking email address (which is for unsolicited booking
> requests) and 12 bands contacted me over the last three days.  That's
> an average of four bands a day, and we normally only book three a
> night (ie: supply exceeds opportunities) - and again, this is the
> unsolicited emails, not the booking agents and established local acts
> I'm also talking to.  Not every act is going to get a show because of
> basic economics.  And believe me, there are plenty of established acts
> we miss out on because the date is already booked with another act.
> For example, I have some dates in March (pre/post-SXSW) that I have 8
> different touring packages all wanting the same date.  Hopefully some
> of those end up in the triangle, but some of those will likely end up
> in other cities.
>
> >>>The show was packed. Also those places don't charge over $7 to see a 
> >>>show.
>
> I'm getting a little ahead of myself. I guess I'm saying I want to
> support local music,
>
> FYI, ticket prices are a reflection of the cost of the show.  I set my
> ticket prices based on the guarantee of the acts.  And bands set their
> guarantees based on their cost. So, when you go see a show at the
> Cradle, part of your ticket price is to cover those buses outside,
> those roadies running around with flashlights, etc.
>
> As far as local shows, I'm always willing to accept a free show - and
> cover the cost of the show out of the bar, which I assume will do more
> because 'free' normally equals more people.   However, even local
> bands have costs (practice space, equipment, fliers, recording costs,
> etc.) so I also understand when bands want to charge (however, I will
> say that I think bands should play for free until they have a decent
> following - as I always say, cover charges are the biggest deterrent
> for bands to get new fans.)  Even still, it's rare for a locals to
> charge more than $6.
>
> >but I feel I'm paying a premium to do so and I can't afford that premium. 
> >Nuf said.
>
> Right, which brings us back to the original message.  What you view as
> a 'premium', clubs view as cost of doing business as there is pretty
> much a hidden cost to every element of a club.  For you to enjoy that
> beer, clubs have to pay for an ABC license (plus a $4 tax on every
> liquor bottle), for you to not sit in silence between bands, clubs
> have to pay BMI/APSCAP licenses, for you to not freeze/burn up, clubs
> have to pay expensive utility bills (which also helps keep that beer
> cold), and for you to hear the band clearly, clubs have to pay a
> soundguy.  And, most of all, for clubs to get the best talent
> possible, clubs have to pay the artists.
>
> Bottomline: If rock clubs were making a so-called premium, I don't
> think so many would be closing, would they?

Wow....did I get burned or what? I guess what I should have said was
that everything is the way it should be.