I can fix the local scene with one easy step.
So I've skimmed god knows how many topics here lately all bitching about the scene (or bitching about bitching about the scene), and people throwing out huge ideas to fix things and so on. And the solution is so goddamn simple I'm ashamed of so many people I know for not realising it, even some of my best friends.
I've said it before and I'll say it again- I can guarantee a massive kick start to the scene with one easy step- get out to a goddamn show! It's simple. 99% of people I hear bitching about the lack of scenes are people I DO NOT see going out to watch bands.
It really is that simple. If you arent going to at least one local gig a week, fuck, even a gig each fortnight, shut the fuck up. There is no need for any revolutions, we just need participation.
So heres a challenge- name 10 local bands you have seen this year. If you can list a measly 10 bands you've seen in this whole year, then I consider you to be part of the solution. If you can't, don't bother talking to me about supporting local music. A couple rules though- 1) it doesnt count if you were on the same bill, I mean bands you actually went out specifically to see, and 2) they must have been separate shows (i.e. don't list 4 bands that you saw all in one night)
To put my money where my mouth is....
1. Lebelle
2. The Sea Shall Not Have Them
3. Jackson Dunn
4. Isaac Paddon & The Tides
5. Karl Williams
6. Abby Skye
7. Tim Pitchford
8. The F1-Elevens
9. Servants Of Stone
10. Hang Em High
... and I'm barely scratching the surface of bands I've seen this year here. Shit, I've probably seen more than half of those acts in the last 2 months alone, some multiple times. And as I said, that doesn't include doing shows myself with them.
Let's take it a step further. Which venues have you actually bothered to go to this year? I know there's not many on the coast, so let's go with 5 venues you've been to this year (again, not venues you've played but venues you actually went to so you could see some bands).
My 5 are......
1. The Shark Bar
2. The Hard Rock
3. The Loft
4. Waxy's
5. Brannigans
So I throw this challenge to all the whiners. If you've bitched about the industry/scene/venues etc, step up and prove you aren't the problem. I'm all ears with anyone who is ACTUALLY a part of the scene. Shit, I HATE a lot of things about the GC music scene. But I feel qualified to discuss it cause I'm actually out there taking part in it. I'm out there at every chance I get because I LOVE music. If you love music too, then either this challenge should be easy, or there's a very good chance you're full of shit about supporting the scene.
Prove me wrong.
I've said it before and I'll say it again- I can guarantee a massive kick start to the scene with one easy step- get out to a goddamn show! It's simple. 99% of people I hear bitching about the lack of scenes are people I DO NOT see going out to watch bands.
It really is that simple. If you arent going to at least one local gig a week, fuck, even a gig each fortnight, shut the fuck up. There is no need for any revolutions, we just need participation.
So heres a challenge- name 10 local bands you have seen this year. If you can list a measly 10 bands you've seen in this whole year, then I consider you to be part of the solution. If you can't, don't bother talking to me about supporting local music. A couple rules though- 1) it doesnt count if you were on the same bill, I mean bands you actually went out specifically to see, and 2) they must have been separate shows (i.e. don't list 4 bands that you saw all in one night)
To put my money where my mouth is....
1. Lebelle
2. The Sea Shall Not Have Them
3. Jackson Dunn
4. Isaac Paddon & The Tides
5. Karl Williams
6. Abby Skye
7. Tim Pitchford
8. The F1-Elevens
9. Servants Of Stone
10. Hang Em High
... and I'm barely scratching the surface of bands I've seen this year here. Shit, I've probably seen more than half of those acts in the last 2 months alone, some multiple times. And as I said, that doesn't include doing shows myself with them.
Let's take it a step further. Which venues have you actually bothered to go to this year? I know there's not many on the coast, so let's go with 5 venues you've been to this year (again, not venues you've played but venues you actually went to so you could see some bands).
My 5 are......
1. The Shark Bar
2. The Hard Rock
3. The Loft
4. Waxy's
5. Brannigans
So I throw this challenge to all the whiners. If you've bitched about the industry/scene/venues etc, step up and prove you aren't the problem. I'm all ears with anyone who is ACTUALLY a part of the scene. Shit, I HATE a lot of things about the GC music scene. But I feel qualified to discuss it cause I'm actually out there taking part in it. I'm out there at every chance I get because I LOVE music. If you love music too, then either this challenge should be easy, or there's a very good chance you're full of shit about supporting the scene.
Prove me wrong.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by One Year Later on -
1. LeBelle
2. Burning Brooklyn
3. Letter To Spain
4. Yorke
5. Finabah
6. Enacio
7. Trigger Theory
8. Don't Come Monday
9. City Inspire
10. The Kidney Thieves
that's only ten.
have seen way more and those ten have all been on different nights.
as for venues.
1. The Shark Bar
2. Swell
3. Brannigans
4. The Airport Tavern
5. Rosies
we try to attend a gig a week and that's in between our shows too..
people will go if the bands are good. ie. if the bands are average who will want to rock up???
-
Permalink Reply by David Aurora on -
nice, good to see people who actually do support local bands.
i dont think things are as simple as your last line though. at every gig i attend i see people come to see their mates bands and bugger off after, without having even listened to the other bands. shit, ive even argued with my own mates for coming to my shows and bailing on the other acts. how can they know if the other bands are any good without at least sticking round for a song or two? which leads me to believe its not about the bands being good, theres more to it.
to me this shows people supporting a band they know, NOT the public supporting the local music scene. and theres a distinct difference there. shit, look at how many people you can draw to a show at the convention centre. now, think of the absolute biggest crowd you have seen at a local gig. if you can get a few thousand people to go to a show there, why cant we even get 10% of that number to go see some of their local talent? it cant simply be that no local bands are good, but these people sure as fuck arent interested in finding out from what ive seen
-
Permalink Reply by One Year Later on
-
ha.
you are right.
We don't have an answer to how to fix it.
We will just keep rocking up to gigs and supporting the local scene.
On many occasions we have rocked up to see a band and then like one of the other bands on the night.
it's a hard topic.
-
Permalink Reply by David Aurora on
-
definitely a hard topic man. but yeah, im with you, i fuckin love watching bands so ill just keep going to watch them. i just wish i could convince more people that if they got off their ass and took a chance on some new bands they might really enjoy themselves. and i wish my musician friends would get it too, they cant bitch about the lack of a scene if they arent helping to build one
-
Permalink Reply by Mayan Fox on
-
Firstly, I believe you are absolutely right and it's a point I've noted myself as a reply to another discussion. I love that fire bro. However, the criteria to prove that you are a supporter of the local scene can't be concreted. You disqualify anyone who's got kids, night shift work etc. It's a case by case thing. If you have the ability to get out and see a band every weekend then that's awesome. I wish I could but the simple fact is that I can't. I have 2 kids and another on the way. As a band we've gigged almost 30 times this year. That's a lot of babysitting! The way I support the local scene is by not only being a part of it but also by flogging the hell out of any shows that we're involved in, any shows that bands we dig are in, and getting to our gigs early enough and/or staying on late enough to catch any bands performing before/after us (except for extenuating circumstances we make it a rule to support every band we perform with and to actually be in the front crowd during their set). I also buy merchandise when I can afford it (and often when I can't). I support the GCMIA. I support GC Bands. I write a weekly article for a local mag (top end of the GC - Coomera to Beenleigh) showcasing local acts (without any renumeration). When I CAN I DO get out and support local bands. I can't qualify myself according to your criteria but I am comfortable in myself knowing that I do all that I can to support the local scene.
Some local bands/performers that I've supported this year that haven't been on the same bill as Mayan Fox:
1. Ryan Murphy
2. The Lytic Circle
3. Misdirection
4. Amy Cushway
5. Fairchild Republic
Bands I've come to my gig early/stayed late for to show support:
1. Shoebox
2. Dogtags
3. Damien Robertson
4. Most
5. LeBelle
5 Venues:
1. The Basement
2. Cooly Hotel
3. Hard Rock Cafe
4. Zullaz
5. The Loft
-
Permalink Reply by Baden on -
1.Yorke, Skyway, Headkase
2.Torn Asunder, Dreamscape Measurement, Rekoil
3.Cardboard Castle, The Sea Shall not have them
4.Circle A Venture, 1989, Drawcard
5.Flowers for Lilly, Dan Hannarford
6.Perspectiv, Hazel Eyes the Devil
7.Enacio, One Year Later
8.From Within
9.Nuts Racoons & Dragons
10.Wine Slutz
11.Mayan Fox
12.Dogtags
13.Le Belle
Sorry I got Carried away
-
Permalink Reply by TAORN on -
I think a better solution to this problem is to promote the hell out of a local band festival, 1 every 3 months. Choose a great venue select the most active local bands who are getting out there trying to give it a go & lets support them. Over the 12 months these groups can be spread out to play 1 of 4 festivals. I don't think there will be any problem with all local acts bringing along support to the festival or even contributing to the hype & finances towards a great show. People like festivals & if there is meaning behind it all with supporting the local music scene this may attract others. I would be more than happy as a band member to contribute cash to a show like this & bring everyone I know to support the cause & in return enjoy an awesome show. There should also be merchandise give aways, fundraising & a special pack that includes a double compilation CD of all local talent for every ticket purchased, hand in your ticket and get a free show bag :) cool. Sponsors should include local clubs, pubs & music stores that support our local bands, I'm sure that wouldn't be too hard to get onboard & also throw in a few tattoo artists to setup stalls & have discounted tattoo's or vouches & in return they get to promote their business. If anyone out there has great organisation skills "I do" :) & the right contacts "I Don't" :( lets get off the couch & get to work.
Rock On,
Luke
TAORN
-
Permalink Reply by David Aurora on
-
I don't see why anyone would get behind that if we can't even get people to support small shows though. Not to mention that not all acts suit festivals, and not all people even like attending festivals. I'm not saying it wouldn't be great to set up what you're talking about, but I think occasional festivals are a completely separate thing to a healthy local live scene. It's like a random party here and there in an otherwise mundane place as opposed to a whole lifestyle of live music
-
Permalink Reply by TAORN on
-
Sorry I totally disagree...99.9% of people I know would much rather go out to a festival & see a bunch of bands than attend a small venue to see a couple of bands. And for those people that don't like attending music festivals are most likely not the type to support local acts in a small venue. A random party here and there is not quite what I had in mind for a music festival. To create awareness for local talent you need to attract an audience & I think the best way to do this is to create a music festival which allows the local acts to show their stuff & promote their music. Not only that...other activities that may attract others to come along and check it out eg. art work (paintings, airbrushing, tattooing, photography), Skateboarding, BMX, solo acts (drum solos, guitar solos) & so on. If the audience can walk away with an experience & a sample of what the Gold Coast can offer this is a step closer to creating a healthy lifestyle for live music.
Cheers,
Luke
TAORN
-
Permalink Reply by David Aurora on
-
I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one man. Sydney, Melbourne, and on a smaller scale Brisbane all manage to have a healthy live scene without relying on festivals. The people who go to festivals generally aren't the kind of people who pay for their music or support local bands, at least from the people I know who rave about them. If it takes BMX and tattoo stands to get people to go to a gig, I think that's the final bit of proof required that the GC sucks the big one when it comes to music. I stick by my original argument- if you want a music scene with a pulse, you have to get out there and be part of it. What you're suggesting is great as an overall cultural event, no doubt, but it doesn't create any kind of breeding ground for bands to get experience or build a regular fan base. Again, a quarterly festival is not the same as a living, breathing scene. The GC has dozens of outright fucking phenomenal bands, but most play to empty rooms around here, which also gives venues leverage to royally fuck us all on the money side of things. I really don't see how a few festival gigs a year could change that. But hey, if you tried it and it worked, I'd happily eat those words and congratulate you for doing it
-
Permalink Reply by Keeks on -
I like your ideas Luke/Taorn. I think its a really cool idea... i think lots of gold coasters love the atmosphere of a festival, espec when the weather is nice and involving all those other things encourages them to get out and see bands they may not otherwise have ever heard of.. it may not be a instant solution to the problem, but its a good positive & fun start, and i think something that people of all ages could enjoy.... i can picture it already down at the new broadwater area across from aus fair - they've done it up so nice... :-)
-
Permalink Reply by TAORN on
-
If this was held outside it would require council approval. Or another option is to hire a room at the convention centre & setup two skate ramps on either side of the stage & on each side of the ramps there could be two smaller stages for solo artists eg. guitar solos, drum solos, dancers, pole dancers :) this way there is always something going on & visually attracts the audience. So let's select the 10 finest local acts & round them up for round 1of GCBands fest :)
Luke
TAORN
Top Members
| 1 |
Currumbin RSL |
| 2 |
Flakjacket |
| 3 |
Synchronicity |
| 4 |
eilish ellen |
| 5 |
Bleach* Festival |
| 6 |
Flakjacket |
| 7 |
The Ivory |
| 8 |
MANDALA ORGANIC ARTS |
| 9 |
ROCKKS |
| 10 |
Mayan Fox |
© 2012 Created by Mike.
