[atlantaprog] Re: Radio

WOW...I think Greg has said it all...I mean..this is what I meant in my earlier 
post about the longer sets.  I mentioned Farpoint in that post and they are 
developing a very nice following now due to them doing covers and playing 
longer sets.  I agree about the people being able to come for one set or the 
other then!  I just think that so could work!  

I really hate to see this become a thing with just Greg and I into it...I know 
I'd love to hear more feedback!  I know I myself left the Somber for an hour 
the other night between bands it was so boring!  A lot of people might not have 
come back...some didn't!  The band Stranger was there, went on after Sean T's 
Kansas cover band and before Mindworm, they were a bit funky, but I liked them! 
 These were some young guys in a yellow short bus from the DC area that had a 
couple weeks off and just jumped into their bus and started touring...gotta 
give them some credit for daring to do it!  Greg added them to his playlist 
btw.  Anyway...they sat through Sean's band and LOVED it and sat through most 
of MW's set also...it was so late though.  Anyway....I think the longer sets 
sounds so nice...even if you have two bands a night, until I got down south I 
had never heard of this 4-7 bands a night deal!  Is there just so many bands in 
the Atlanta area that they have to squeeze them in?  I guess I just don't get 
that part of it.  

well...enough of my venting.
wish I could make it to the LO gig!  I can't do the midweek stuff though!  The 
2 hour drive is too much...weekends I will try my best guys!  Good luck!  

PEACE
Beth
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Greg Stafford 
  To: atlantaprog@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2003 12:46 PM
  Subject: [atlantaprog] Re: Radio



  About 10 years ago I did sound in Cincinnati for a band called Trilogy.
  The original lineup consisted of two acoustic guitar players and a bass
  player. All of them would sing in harmony and play classic rock. It was
  a great little show they had going. Well they added a drummer to the mix
  as the bass player decided to quit the band and the new members came
  into the band. With the drums they could not do more songs which were
  great too. Mind you all of the songs played were covers. 

  The average day of show we'd all show up around 7PM unload, setup and do
  sound check. We'd be done and ready to go by 8 or 8:30PM 
  We'd sit at the bar and just chill for a bit until 9PM. At 9PM we begin
  our evening. It started off slow being so early, but being the first set
  there were people there that wanted to hear certain songs so they made
  an effort to arrive early. They'd do the first set and take a break,
  we'd talk about how it sounded and if changes needed to be made if any
  to the monitors. The break would last 15 minutes and they'd start the
  second set. By this time the place was packed and we were having a
  blast. An hour or so later we'd break for 15 minutes again and start the
  last set. The last set usually end around 30 minutes before the bar had
  to stop serving alcohol. A few people would hang out for a bit talking
  to us all as we began to pack up. 

  This was an average night when the band would play. The reason for
  telling this story is that the music they played was geared to the older
  audience, the audience that grew up with the songs of the 60's, 70's.
  They added a few from the 80's, but mostly old songs. Of course during
  each of the sets they'd play songs they wrote as well. Looking back I
  remember seeing not only the older crowd they were aiming for, but also
  the younger crowd. Both would enjoy the music as the crowd is always
  ever changing. 

  I look at those days and think back to the venues they played and how
  different I see things here in Atlanta. There's not one bar/restaurant
  that people go to so they can enjoy music and food. There's not a place
  that is known for their music to draw a crowd. So here the bands are
  attempting to draw their own crowd. With that said how can one draw a
  crowd of the older generation by setting up a show starting at midnight?
  Many different generations enjoy the progressive rock music and by
  playing the 3 set nights you could have some come out early to see the
  early set and leave and have the younger crowd come in later to see the
  other set(s). 

  As John pointed out by doing these small shows starting late you can
  pull fans of other bands to yours. Sure that's great, but how many have
  stuck through listening to the entire set? From what I've seen they hang
  out for a couple songs and split. Mind you there are some that stay and
  support the band, but I'm not talking bands on ARIA. 

  Imagine the type of venue were people are sitting at tables ready to be
  absorbed by whatever music is played on stage, but each hour the music
  stops for 30-45 minutes while another band sets up. Interest is lost in
  5 minutes and their ready to hit the next place playing music unless
  they came out to see your band or the other factor could be it's too
  late to make it to another bar. Sure then you'd have an audience that
  would stay, but who wants to sit through tear down/setup/sound check? 

  So how do you fix it? Well to be honest in Cincinnati I could tell you
  which venues to go to, but my data is now tainted since I've been here 5
  years now. I suggest two things. 

  First I would be to setup shows were you play all night. 3 sets and IF
  you have to do a few covers so what. Cover tunes help draw crowds and I
  know some of you don't like doing covers, but there are times when you
  have to do something you don't want to do just to get somewhere. Start
  off with covers, move a few songs into the mix slowly each show until
  you have the crowd totally listening to your music. Yes I know, bands
  have made it without doing covers and I'm sure there are some against
  it. For those I suggest trying one or two just to see how it goes. 

  Second I would continue to do the small 1 hour sets with information
  available for the longer/earlier shows. Now you're hitting both
  audiences by touching on people you wouldn't meet normally as well as
  having the crowd for your normal long shows. You might also want to
  include where they can listen to your music, this will not only help
  your band, but will also allow for the other bands to be heard. 

  By doing both your goal with the smaller shows is to draw crowds to the
  longer ones. The smaller ones would be geared to point new fans to the
  bigger shows. Again being a smaller show you may want to include a cover
  just to get their attention. 

  With that said tomorrow night Lord Only is doing such a show. Let's all
  try and stop by to show support. For those having to work, hey the show
  starts early enough you can hang out for a set or two. Those that don't
  can hang out later. The Masquerade isn't a bad place to play. I saw
  Geoff Tate do his solo show there and it was great. I'm going to make an
  effort to be there and I'm sure lurking in the shadows will be The Prog.

  You could always take out an ad in Creative Loafing under the musician's
  section.
  Audience Wanted
  Progressive Rock band seeks audience to enjoy great music and fun. 

  That may sound a bit strange to do such a thing, but rewards are given
  to those that seek out, those that do things against the norm, but you
  all know that, Right? Besides most of the progressive rock listeners are
  musicians wanting to play in that style. So is it REALLY such a bad
  idea?

  So now you have my 6 cents (long email had to add 4 cents). 
  Ok, I've opened the can of worms....next. :)

  Hope to see some of you tomorrow night. :) 

  Greg Stafford
  The Prog Palace - Progressive Rock Radio
  http://theprogpalace.com

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