Amusing Your Muse
by Peter Ezekiel on Apr.02, 2009, under Info, Local Talent, Other, Reviews, Venues
Well friends Spring is in the air and an entire festival season approacheth. The good news is we have a plethora of talent to choose from, the bad news a lack of appropriate venues.
The Tri-City area has been the home of many talented artists and songwriters, however we’ve all had to fight tooth and nail for venues which are accessible and large enough to atleast cover the cost of equipment rentals. Alot of times the shows put on by local artists are put on with money out of their own pockets. This has lead to alot of us dropping the band and picking up acoustics and hitting the local coffee houses and river banks. Now we have the Mayors Celebration of the Arts, Cambridge Folk Music Festival, Rock the Mill and so on. These are all venues which offer musicians the oppurtunity to ply their trade for free. FOR FREE, come on make no wonder we are all so skinny, not even a sandwich, we are an important portion of the Cambridge culture. Without artists and musicians there is no culture, or no representation of said culture. Sure the better known established bands are paid for their time and travel expenses, but what about our local heroes?.
For example let us ponder for a minute last years Fall Fair fiasco involving the ever popular Nazareth. People felt wronged when they showed up to see a band which was not the band and the complication of having to find a vocalist to fit the bill at the last minute who had to read the lyrics as well as sing them. Here’s a stretch, what about hiring a well practised, organised and energetic local band who has dedicated themselves to entertaining their community, who is in touch with what’s happening here at home. They work HERE, live HERE, breath HERE and have an investment HERE in this community.
Scot Ferguson and Manny Charlton from Nazareth at Fall Fair announcing contest winner Photo by Judee Richardson Schofield
I’m talking about the West Memphis Suicides, the Tracenines, the Matt Storches and all the “Usual Suspects”. Don’t tell me that certain music won’t be accepted by all ears, maybe not Cynthia Millers but that’s a whole other story. These are just a few examples of what our community has to offer. I’m not trying to say these well known bands haven’t paid their dues they certainly have, however, nostalgia is yesterday OUR bands are tomorrow and our present from them is their perception of our now. The Cambridge Fall Fair is a great oppurtunity for us to show our appreciation for the time and effort brought forward by these exemplary musicians, to buy their T-shirts, C.D.’S and find out their gig scheduals to help further their careers and maybe in twenty years they can come back HOME to reinstate the geriatric jubilee which is currently lined up for our local Fair, does that seem fair.
So for now friends I’m going to jump in my “Personal Helicopter”, and keep an ear out for “Something You Whisper”.
Keep Amusing Your Muse,
Investigative Journalist,
Peter Ezekiel.
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April 3rd, 2009 on 12:07 pm
Geriatric Jubilee?
I love the way you write, Pete. Who is Cynthia Miller?
April 3rd, 2009 on 8:47 pm
Ah Pete! I’ve known you for just about as long as I can remember, have always been friends and I’ve always respected your musical ‘tenacity’ and desire to express yourself. Nice to see you taking up commentary here too…
Which is why I have to say I’m a little surprised at how far off base you are in your well written – and obviously heart-spoken article. The premise is sound but I’m afraid your frustration is misdirected.
Let’s take a closer look.
You make mention of the myriad of talented local artists who are forced to scrape and scrounge for venues to get themselves heard, with little to no hope of compensation for their efforts. On that I couldn’t agree more – after all, there are thousands of towns like ours with tens of thousands of aspiring artists in many fields – the better part of whom are paddling the same canoe so to speak.
Now who owes them a living? I certainly don’t, although I’m always more than willing to pay my door entry to enjoy a band that I like no matter how known or unknown they may be.
You see where I’m going with this? Is it a club owner’s fault that Bob’s garage band, as good as they are (or think they might be) doesn’t draw crowds? Who’s fault that is ultimately falls on the lap of the artist themselves and those that are able to make a living find a way to do so beyond their art by many other ways from clever methods of self-promotion to having the right attitude and delivery to sell themselves to that venue owner or promoter.
Nobody owes an artist anything and until we, as artists, realize this fact and stop whining about why they can’t do this or that, or make it to the big time, we’re going to keep spinning our wheels.
Running a business is a very good way to learn these hard-won lessons, and despite the utopic ideal of the musical dream, an artist IS a business even if no money is involved.
Secondly, you bring up the ‘fiasco’ of the Cambridge Fall Fair, Dave Hibbs, and the (other/fake/quasi/choose your favourite prefix) Nazareth. Yes, that was a disaster but I think you fail to see that it was a free concert first of all, and secondly that although some were disappointed, well at worst they lost the value of a gate ticket price to see them and some other good entertainment not to mention the rest of the Midway. Are you also aware that the Fair is staffed exclusively by volunteers and any money it manages to make – weather permitting or not – needs to fund the next year’s Fair?
But why don’t they support our wealth of local talent instead of old Has-Been artists?
Personally I’d love to see more great local acts like Trace Nine, West Memphis, etc. but the sad reality is it’s tough drawing the demographic the Fair needs to support itself with original acts no matter how good they are because experience has shown over many years that it doesn’t draw crowds beyond the handful of die-hards. The Fair is a family oriented event and needs to support itself, but despite this Dave Hibbs has gone out of his way year in and out to bring in local bands to open up for the name acts. Sorry but heavy original acts aren’t necessarily the best openers for Trooper, Nazareth or whatever. Just seems to be an unfortunate reality.
As you know, my band has played there a few times but we are a good cover band that plays recognizable tunes and have a decent track record there. Do we deserve it more than the next band? Not necessarily, but we are very easy to deal with and conduct ourselves professionally, so ‘deserve’ has little to do with anything.
So I guess my point is we should direct our efforts to where the real problem lies. It’s not with the bar owners, the equipment rentals, or even the price of beer these days (ok, that one does deserve some looking into!). It’s more likely the people who aren’t interested in going out to our local talent cause if they were, we wouldn’t even be discussing the issue, and perhaps Pop Stars would go off the air for lack of viewers who are out for the evening watching real musicians at real venues.
Don’t get me wrong, it would be great if Trace Nine was hosting the Junos (and don’t be surprised if one day soon they are,) West Memphis Suicide was just finishing their second wildly successful tour of Japan, and LIFT was pulling in $2k a night doing what we do around the circuit.
But if wishes were fishes…
Cheers bro, and keep holding the flame!
Instigating Journalist
Steve Rollins
April 3rd, 2009 on 11:40 pm
Oh, I almost forgot to add that last year alone at the Fall Fair, Dave Hibbs gave 11 local bands and 30 local singers a venue to showcase their talents.
April 4th, 2009 on 7:45 am
Steve, I beg to differ. I’m in complete agreement with Pete on this. I think that WMS and Tracenine proved at the Preston Music Festival they can draw a crowd, and the festivals that Cambridge has, including the fair, are a perfect chance to showcase local talent.WMS packed the Velvet, and I think they would be a great draw for the fair.
I see bands like the Colour Tasters who are completely original yet they seldom get gigs. We need to do more for our local talent, and I think the fall fair would be a great place to showcase the best of the best.
April 4th, 2009 on 1:51 pm
Scott, I think you completely missed the point.
Those are great bands, like I said and have no problem drawing crowds, but the Fair is a different demographic not catering so much to the metal crowd. Families are there with their kids.
It’s not that they wouldn’t do well, but it’s not all about drawing crowds either. You should understand that as well as anyone.
What I don’t get is why you’re blaming the Fair or any venue for that matter when guys like Dave support more local talent than probably anyone else in this town. If you mean specifically the bands you mention then why not just say so instead of going into a long diatribe about how the Fall Fair doesn’t support local talent? That’s the part that confuses me!
What more do we need to do to support local talent? WMS and Trace Nine are doing quite well and have no problem getting gigs and fans, and the bands that aren’t getting gigs, well maybe they should look at some of the things I mentioned to improve their success instead of expecting it handed to them. I’ve had to work to get gigs just like TN and WMS have when there are hundreds of other bands just as good or better out there.
So if this is specifically about promoting the bands you mention then just say so.
April 4th, 2009 on 8:14 pm
Steve, Pete wrote the article, not me.And how many venues in the city do we have that are capable of handling bands of the calibre of T9 or WMS?
April 5th, 2009 on 12:05 pm
I know Scot, but you mention being in complete agreement although I have to admit I’m not entirely sure what his main point was. He touched on a few things though, one of which was that solo musicians are forced to play for free and that something should be done about it, then linking this to a bad circumstance at the Fair and having some local – already successful – bands play there instead.
I guess I missed the point other than a general rant about how tough it is these days for musicians. My take on that is it’s always been tough for musicians for centuries. There’s a form of natural selection in our society that (imperfectly, yes) sifts the weeds from the chaffe and it’s not all about talent. If people don’t want to come out to see an artist perform it’s not a venue’s fault or society’s fault either.
As soon as you (or Pete) brings money into the discussion we’re talking about marketability as well as art otherwise who would complain about playing for free?
There are lots of little festivals and events where folks can play for free to get exposure and the Fair is often one of them as evidenced in many years passed. You probably won’t see Lift opening up for Kiss either but I’m not going to blame the ACC for not letting us. It’s just the reality of our particular marketability.
It’s more than about music no matter where you play, it’s about relationships, networking, and ultimately being able to draw the people in a venue out to see you among a thousand other little things. It’s no wonder bands often need managers and agents to do these things for them!
Anyway it’s obvious your hearts are in the right place and we all wish we could have more venues filled with appreciative fans but ultimately the blame and responsibility lies at our own feet.
Just sayin’.
April 6th, 2009 on 4:45 pm
“…And how many venues in the city do we have that are capable of handling bands of the calibre of T9 or WMS?”
Sorry Scot, I just realized I skipped this part of your reply.
Strictly speaking I’d have to say not nearly enough! But that too is a bit of a loaded question because, well, outside of the larger cities there really isn’t a much higher density of ‘larger staged’ venues per capita anywhere else either.
By suitable venues I’d assume you mean places with decent sized stages that can host a couple hundred people?
I’ll be the first to tell you there is certainly a need for more of these but again we start bumping into the ugly question of profitability. If it was profitable there’d probably be more around like there was 20+ years ago but amongst a crapload of other factors and our area’s rather perplexing apathy towards live music in general, it seems there are a few choices beyond, say, the Velvet Lounge (Levels now?).
Most of these involve all these promoted shows you see advertised on the poles but even these promoters often take substantial personal financial risks to pull them off.
Using Pete’s example of the Fair is only one venue, once a year and hardly a suitable target for angst considering what the Fair does for local culture of all types, music included.
I for one would love to see Trace Nine for example play there, and it may not even be a matter of suitability at all but communication. Hell, me, Dave and Dennis Napper (bassist for T9) go back a lot of years!
Maybe it’s a matter of refocusing this angst on a more suitable target?
Maybe the LocalVibe team could start hosting monthly shows to promote some of our local acts and make a thing of it! Shouldn’t be hard to pull together enough help and sponsors to kick it off while cross promoting through this site and Facebook.
Now get to work!
April 6th, 2009 on 8:56 pm
Not a bad idea
April 6th, 2009 on 10:20 pm
LMAO Steve!! Sorry you are out of the loop, but Ian and I put on an incredible show in February featuring Shawn Mackenzie, the Colour Tasters and Bad Pickle. It was a great time, the videos are posted here. We had a good crowd, and it’s not about the money as much as the show for Ian and I, and now the rest of the staff.
We are putting on more shows, and have been talking to the local bands about sevaral shows over the next month or two…
Yes, we are putting out money where my mouth is…was there anything else?
April 6th, 2009 on 10:27 pm
Furthermore, Jeanatte who is now looking after the Cambridge arts Festival, is going out of her way to land the best bands she can. Considering what the city gives her to work with, she is an angel to the local musicians…are you willing to play there for nothing?
Ian and I know what a band is worth, and are willing to pay.
April 7th, 2009 on 11:30 am
First of all, I’d like to say thanks for reading this article. To write without a response would end a dialogue, and dialogue I believe, is important to our musical community.
The reason I never mentioned Dave Hibbs in the article is that he works hard for this community and 90% of the acts he books are local. None of us owe anybody a living I agree with, however an oppurtunity isn’t a handout.
This was only one obscure message in my rant. Moving ongoing festivals from a popular and well known spot in our core has proven ineffective, and the latest to move Rock The Mill to an out of the way location will, I believe be just as inneffective. The original motivation for our core festivals was not only to showcase local talent but to rejuvenate our floundering core. What of the countless dollars made by our local businesses during these showcases, much less my rant was incited by our musical community not rising up to defend itself. So I agree with Steve, in that, if you want to be successful get involved in your success.
It’s not to uncommon for an original music act to succumb to cover band status, and therein lies my problem. If we want to eat we have to work and we don’t always like the compromises along the way. For those of us who jumped from genre to genre, kept an open mind and played for the sake of playing, there was money, but I’m talking about opportunity.
I have much respect for Dave Hibbs, so don’t get me wrong here. This is less about him and more about the dialogue between all of us and if the aforementioned bands, and others like them don’t get involved, so be it. Some may take up the flag, but we all have to shoulder the load.
Check out some of the previously posted videos on this site, and keep your eyes open for upcoming events. For now I must tune my guitar.
Keep amusing your muse, Peter.
April 7th, 2009 on 3:44 pm
WOW,..passion is the name of the game,…i appreciate all of the use of our name “WEST MEMPHIS SUICIDE”.
We just played a show at 5 Oclocks with 2 out of town bands-and did really well again,..they locked the doors by 11 pm,and were at capacity!!
So i agree with some of what is said,..you (as a band) have to treat it like a business,..and promote your shows -people will come out,..but you have to do more than practice once in a while.
Levels is a good venue,…5 Oclocks is good too (minus the tiki bar in the middle of the floor where another 3 people could fit),..so there are 2 venues to play for any band that wants to put some effort in!!
Also,..on April 18th,the Hespeler Legion-WEST MEMPHIS SUICIDE-Bobnoxious,Saigon Hookers and Seven Years Lost will be showing that if you build it,..they will come!!!
Book halls,…put on your own shows,…take control of your own “career”.
I’m not even sure where my post fits into the above conversation,..but i figured you guys are mentioning WEST MEMPHIS SUICIDE anyway,..so i will add that ..you can get tickets to the “Rock the Monster” show in Hespeler on April 18th @ LUCKY SOULS TATTOO 779 King st in Preston,or MacAulays Music-also in Preston.
So hope to see you all out!!
Thanks guys!!
http://www.myspace.com/westmemphissuicide
April 7th, 2009 on 3:45 pm
* Tiki bar = 30 people,..not 3 people ..oops
April 8th, 2009 on 8:09 am
You sir are a wanton and shameless wh0re of a self-promoter, Barry.
Now that’s what I’m talking about!
Looking forward to that show…
April 8th, 2009 on 1:31 pm
there is great talent in this city….and it will be recognized by someone else, and everything will be grand. the point here is that this town doesn’t give a shit. it’s the true musicians that give a shit. we can do better than a washed up old band like nazareth…that’s the point.
we can also take into consideration that the last few years of rock the mill have shown the numbers of local fans for local music. it is growing, and if we have an attitude that local musicians (creative ones that is) don’t deserve anything…..then the music listener that freaks out after a band plays a song because they love it, shouldn’t be deserved by the band? it was hard reading that steve rollins stuff. original musicians in this town will prevail….and we’ll get this town back to it’s own musicians instead of shitty headliners like trooper or nazareth. we’ve all seen them enough…PERIOD. What about the Constantines? no one talks about them, and they’re on a major label touring with tragically hip and foo fighters, getting juno nominations..but no one in this town even says a damn word about it. (though i am trying my ass off to get them for the Cambridge Arts Festival…Dickson St. June 6th, 2009. well, i tell ya..i can’t wait till all of the dedicated original musicians in this town that care about music and the way it moves people, get picked up by labels from out of towns, and become successful. then when we come back here…will our city even recognize our accomplishments? to get to the point here…we need record labels here. music lovers and promoters.
bands like grand river orchestra, west memphis suicide, extinct or alive, yell the burden, colour tasters, treben’dle, personal helicopter…they bring in people to thier shows!…we must come together, and compile a list of bands that are prosperous, and affiliate them with the label, and local bars. this localvibe is a step closer to having that happen again.
hey barry, how’s it going?
peace all.
April 8th, 2009 on 6:27 pm
The more original musicians who stand togethor, avoid booking agents, who turn us into jukeboxes, and play togethor the better. Yes there is money in becoming cover acts, but, there is alot to be said about those who are underground, playing wherever and whenever they can. I’ve played with a number of fantastic musicians, and whether it was a traditional Blues act or Pop Rock, I was inspired. Yet as Barry Martin once said to me, I’m also inspired by pork chops, lol. Keep talking, keep in touch.
April 8th, 2009 on 7:24 pm
Alright, I have been supporting new music in this town for years. I have to say allot of times I had to rely on local under paid (by me) talent to draw. I had to rely on Lift to sell-out Fiddler’s green for me when I booked Helix. I have had to rely on The Hang, Tracenine, Tudisco,Singlethreat and now West Memphis Suicide! I don’t think people realize how hard it is to put a local band no matter how great they are as a support act for a signed band. You have greedy agents and managers that would rather have one of there own up and coming bands on the bill then one they have no ties too. I have booked everyone from Theory of a Dedman to Quiet Riots whole Ontario tour, with no sponsors or support of any kind. I have used my hard earned money to do this and have lost thousands of dollars off some shows. One thing I have always done is made sure no matter what I had a local support act on the bill. I believe the fair has done a good job at keeping it family oriented and with exception of last year, And have always done a decent job at booking the entertainment. But what I don’t understand is why they never dedicated a night to the younger crowd by booking bands like The Trews, Thornley, Ill Scarlet, The Salads, etc. All of which I have booked in this town and have had sell-out crowds. Maybe then West Memphis Suicide and Tracenine would have a place at the fair. For now you can come see the Rock The Monster show featuring Bobnoxious, West Memphis Suicide, Saigon Hookers and Seven Years Lost at the Hespeler Legion April 18th. You can also watch out for Summer Slam 2009 featuring The Salads, Tracenine, Saigon Hookers and The Stone Angels. Some other shows I am working on for 2009 are Trooper, Social Code, ubiquitous synergy seeker, The Trews and more! Its going to be a good year!
April 8th, 2009 on 7:52 pm
That’s what I’m talkin about, and I love Ill Scarlet, and your motivation. But it’s the attempts such as yours that maintain original talent, and there’s alot out there. Also I’ll be there at the Hespeler show. Keep up the good work.
November 9th, 2010 on 8:48 am
I must apologize for being so late to the dance here. I just stumbled across this thread while searching for something on Google.
The article is well written and makes a few good points, the fall fair incident mentioned was not the best shining moment for any of the people involved. I have played at the fair a few times and can tell you that the people running it (Mr. Hibbs and crew) always treated us very professionally and know what they are doing.
Steve Rollins has a great point about not “blaming” promoters for our career shortcomings, it is a business whether you are a cover band or an original artist.
Barry makes a great point as well, book the hall yourself and promote it yourself. I have done it and it is rewarding. Just make sure you have your s*&t together, do you have lighting, sound system and qualified operators or are you just playing at this? Seriously being a great band isn’t enough you need to be a great business that knows how to sell beer (or whatever the promoter needs to sell.
There aren’t enough venues (there never are), there isn’t enough money (there never is) and with few exceptions there are always some empty chairs.
It truly is a put up or shut up world out there for everyone.
Not trying to be negative here or anything like that, I just know that sitting in your rehearsal hall and wishing that things would change wont get you anywhere.
Peace