RTP-area local music and culture

[kutchma AT hotmail.com]

When Red Collar first started out, we emailed the 506 to play and we
didn't always get a response but one of them said, "Play the Nightlife
a few times, play the Cave, play Blend, build up a crowd and then book
at the 506" which I thought was load of shit because I saw a lot of
other fledgling local people play the 506. So I, like you, assumed
there must be some cabal that determines who plays there or some
secret password I have to know.

But a couple of things really helped me get a better perspective on
'where I'm playing'-the venues as well as the area.  I found out that
this area is a lot different than other cities we've played.  People
don't go to music venues around here to drink and maybe catch a band
regardless who's playing (RIP Joe and Jo's).  Maybe this still happens
at the Cave, I don't know.  Around here, they go to the venues to see
a specific band.  This is different than some cities we've played
where there is a cover and people pay it, but they really don't care
what band is playing-they're there to drink.  And at those venues you
can say, "The venue brings the crowd.  We should get a show there".
But you can't say that about almost any venue around here.  This all
seems obvious to me now but when I first started playing in a band
down here, it wasn't.

I would assume that the 506 does business just like the 40 Watt Club
or The Earl which is why we don't bother even asking to book at either
of these places or any even remotely like them in the region because
they will ignore our emails and truthfully they should ignore them.
I'd imagine places like that get dozens of requests per day, probably
getting at least triple the requests the Cradle.

We now actively look for the places in other towns that only hold 25
or 50 people- the Dain's or Jack Sprat equivalent.  If we can't pack
them, I don't assume that it's the venue's fault people aren't there
to watch us and then look for a bigger place the next time we come
around town.  Even if we could get a show at a bigger venue, it's not
a good idea because we've played shows at venues that hold about what
the 506 does and brought in maybe 30 people which is a great crowd but
30 in a place like the 506, it's not as fun as a place that holds only
25.

Sometimes that headliner suggestion works but I don't know if it
worked for us.  We've opened for some really great local and national
bands that brought a great crowd and sure, we played some fantastic
venues but then we went back to playing to five people again.

It's not until recently that I would've felt comfortable headlining
the 506 and I think we're about on our 200th show or so.  Glenn was
absolutely right when he didn't have us play and I am sincerely
grateful for it.  It was better for the 506 and it was better for me
because I stopped caring so much about where we played.  Glenn, as a
personal apology, every time in the past that I 'oops missed' the
urinal or toilet after dropping off our demo, I'm really really really
really sorry.  Mike put me up to it.

I don't really think that whole business that trunk was talking about
with the half page ad is necessary or good for anyone.  Your money and
time is spent better elsewhere.  My advice is to play Jack Sprat and
Dain's at least once every two months.  Find the other Jack Sprats in
the dozen towns within 4 hours of here.  Do that for six months then
email Glenn.

Jay