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ivan@stellysee.de
| From | "MTN HIGH" <mtn-high@msn.com> |
| Subject | Re: rant 'n' roll |
| Date | Wed, 16 Jul 2003 13:24:51 +0000 |
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>From: "Kerry Chicoine" <KChicoine@whitehat.com>
>Where are the audiences?
Great posts, folks. Again...I thank those of you who do what you do.
Preface: I'm not in the biz...just a fan with a wallet and a family. Here's
some of my perspective...should you care.
Question:
How well are the Saturday/Sunday afternoon IPO shows "in the park" attended?
Better or worse than the evening shows?
My situation is far different than many of you who live within a reasonable
proximity to a major metropolitan area that MIGHT actually have pop shows to
offer/attend. For me...it's a hefty 2 hour drive over 2 mountain passes to
get to Denver for a show...that is...if *any* shows were to *ever* come to
Denver. (apologies to MCarp for missing his Ft Collins appearance. If it
weren't for neck surgery...I'd of been there) It's definitely a place that
is far enough off the beaten path that many Audities artists just don't stop
in CO.
Kerry's question re "audiences" is a good one. As a 40+ year old family
man... I think it's important to remember that many 30+ pop/powerpop fans
have families...and due to this...the "the show starts at 9...or 10...or
later" DOESN'T work into the daily schedule whatsoever. (we're doing
homework/giving baths, breaking up fights about then, FWIW) Not to take
anything away from anyone who busts their butt in this industry...but if you
think the music biz is rough...try having kids/balancing everyone else's
schedule but your own/having little time for yourself...to play...to
listen...to relax.
Then there's the whole "bar" scene and the "over 21" shows. Chances are I'd
bring my kids if I could...and chances are better that I'll simply stay home
if I can't. Yes..it's great to escape every-so-often and be without the
kiddies...but it's a major hassle to line it all up (at least for us/w no
family to step in as sitters) for a 45 minute set in a bar 2 hours away.
And shouldn't the kids be exposed also? It seems to me that limiting
attendance in any way kills the messenger to an extent. My kids listen to
stuff like the Rosenbergs and have shared the music with their friens who
also LOVE it...but they'll never get a chance to see a band such as this
because the shows all end up being in bars that tell them they can't come
in. IMO, that's a big reason there's only 6 people at the show.
I know this isn't the entire reason the shows aren't well attended...but for
me...it does play into the mix. Any show I attend in Denver that is a "9PM
start time" insures that I'll not hit the bed until 2-3 AM... which
again...makes it very hard to work into daily life for me...and I'm
guessing...for others w/ families/responsibilities that extend far beyond
just making it to the bar to catch some live tunes.
RE buying music/supporting artists: I try...but what I find is that with
MANY of the Indie/DIY releases placed on lists here are nearly impossible to
find/buy. Hopefully Kevins idea of amassing a list w/ links...etc. may help
with this...but I can't tell you how many times I've travelled to THE store
in Denver (Twist) that has the best selection of pop tunes in the city (IMO)
only to be shut down because NONE of the obscure Indie bands touted here are
anywhere to be found in the bins. Yes...i could order from multpile sources
and secure some of these...but to me...1/2 the fun of being a music fan is
going to the disc store and finding those hidden treasures.
Then there's the cost. Some of these homeade CD's are still in the $15
range. It isn't hard (here anyway) to blow through the monthly budget on
CD's at $15 a pop...and I find I have to pass on many discs I might have
bought because of it. It's great that some of you get your tunes for free
and can spread the word to the rest of us paying customers...but
again...with hundreds of releases listed here ...each at $15 a pop...it's
very limiting....and I hate to say it...but I see why folks download tunes
because of the high cost associated with being a "mere fan" who heads to the
disc store on a regular basis with $100 and leaves with only 5-6 discs that
they may be buying "cold" in the first place.
Anyway....I hope I haven't ruffled any feathers here...but the above are a
few reasons that I'm not the disc buying/show attending fiend I once was
when I had nothing else to care/worry about except making it to the bar by
9PM...
I suspect other 30-40 somethings are in a similar boat.
Pat
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