So, here's a question for all 2.37 of you that read this thing... Is my music the sort of thing that you'd go out to hear?
Lemmie 'splain. I started to play in coffeehouses last March, and since then I've noticed one trend: nobody shows up. :-D No - that's not totally true. But even the owners of the places have noted that it seems REALLY empty on nights that I play. So, this begs the question - is the type of music I play live the sort of thing that people will take an evening out of their busy lives to come and hear?
My show schedule is getting light again, and I'm just wondering if it's worth the time and effort to fill it up again. Or, should I concentrate on other things. Coffeehouses don't pay to have an artist appear - revenue comes from tips and selling merch - CDs, etc. And, although everything in life isn't about the money, it is a factor.
Or, do I just need to do some major marketing, and give this thing a real go? I'm just not sure if the type of folks who would listen to my music are the type of folks who would come out and hear it at a coffeehouse.
So, anybody want to weigh in on this one? :-D
Random Fluffy Foto!
Writing in bed, and Beka editing by ear. Really. The ear typed some letters. Really.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
I'll weigh in! For us, it's been a matter of distance and busyness. If we were at a coffee shop and someone was performing music, we'd certainly sit and listen and probably linger longer than usual. But we're just not able to carve out time to go to a coffee shop to listen to music. Sad, but true.
That's kind of what I thought. "Thanks for the 411!" (which just happens to be a line from DGL episode 9-10, due to be finished tomorrow sometime by yours truly, and coming to a HisKids.net near you!!!)
It's promotion. It's tougher as a solo artist because you don't have 3 or 4 other people to bring their friends out. I have a tough time with it too because the people I know don't always come out. I expect that. But I always try to get flyers to the venues. I send out emails a couple times a week when I have an event. I hand out flyers to people when I've got a "big" show. Plus, I try to play in as many venues as I can to drum up some "buzz." It's working. Someone asked Lindsay yesterday if she was my wife because she's seen her at my shows. It takes time and effort and a lot of time it seems like the effort doesn't pay off. I'm hoping it will someday!
I think your music is great for a coffeehouse and for the events that you play at like banquets and what not.
True words, bro. Thanks for the insights - I appreciate 'em!!
I love your music, but like Amanda - coffee shops aren't the easiest place to make it to at this point in life. I miss that. Maybe you could convince Arnie's @ Centerpointe to ditch the piano and feature you ;)
I'll echo amanda and jenelle with some additional input. We're just not "go hear people play" kind of people. I have quite a few friends that play various venues, and we just never go. I'd probably go more than my wife, she tends to be a home-body, but I have those tendencies too.
I'm VERY much looking forward to your Christmas album though.
Howdy, friend. I really think people have yet to experience the wonders of whistle music...if they knew what you were playing and how skilled and spirited you are at it, I think more would show up. But as the chaos of our lives increases, so goes the leisure time for sitting and listening to music. So I say, turn off your TV, INTERNET, AND VIDEO GAMES and go listen! I hope to come Friday.
Hugs from here,
Suzie
Post a Comment