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The Great House Concert Underground Railroad: Where is it?
I am an unsigned artist from Colorado, now living in Nashville. Of every type of venue I've played, the most enjoyable experiences I've had were always in the smaller venues like coffeehouses and especially house concerts. You can't beat the intimacy of those shows; the sense that people are really in a conversation with you, and that you can look around the room into the eyes of every person there.
Since arriving here in Music City (if you hear some dryness in my tone it's because...it's there), I have been struggling to play in the kind of shows that would make sense for someone like me: mostly acoustic, small, low-lit, close, lyric heavy, face-to-face. Now don't get me wrong; you can't swing a dead cat around here without hitting a songwriter and his/her guitar...and you can play an open mic or writers' night every night of the week, for a roomful of other writers who are waiting for you to finish so they can get up and be discovered by the invisible industry goombah in the back of the room...that kind of thing is totally available. I do plenty of it, and have met some great friends in the process. Thank God for the people you meet along the way who keep you from constantly throwing up in your mouth, ya know?
...but when I say "shows" I mean, of course, real shows where people come and stay and listen and salt the tip jar and maybe...buy one of the 600 CD's that you've been using at home as an end table. Real shows.
I am starting this discussion in the interest of gathering/sharing information on house concerts. I am a virtually unknown artist who would love to play more of them. I believe that is where my music fits the best. Those in the know about these things yammer on and on about how you need to know who your audience is. I do. My audience is made up of mopey people between 30 and 103 who listen to the words.
In my opinion (and limited but reliable experience), people like that enjoy house concerts and will even bring a covered dish if you ask them.
I would like to know more (i welcome facts, opinions, insights and PIN numbers) about how to gain traction with the groups and individuals who book this type of show. I have CD's, excellent video, and a sparkling personality as evidenced by this blog (this is a blog, right?). I am on as much social media as I can stand. I have a card. I work all of this faithfully. So far I observe that people who book house concerts tend to go with who they know (which makes sense since it's their house we're coming to)...but are there acceptable ways to introduce oneself to this crowd w/o inspiring a restraining order? Thoughts?
Tags: House, concerts, networks
Views: 57
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joe Gorfinkle on -
I don't know about pin #s but booking contacts would be good, especially in California.
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Permalink Reply by Victoria Woodworth on -
Joke. sorry.
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Permalink Reply by Victoria Woodworth on
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Apparently I need to clarify. I have already been working at building a list of booking contacts, and have been emailing (which is alot like cold calling, one of those most thrilling activities a person can engage in...that's a JOKE too)...in the process of trying to develop those contacts, I have been told repeatedly some version of "We don't know you, therefore it is highly unlikely that we will book you. Have a nice day." It's kind of like when you're 16 and you need a job, but no one will hire you because you have no experience. (Except I'm not 16). My question is, are there other resources available for making ( house concert) contacts besides the obvious front door with the snarling guard dog that eats unsigned artists? A bulletin board or some such invention? Am I asking a question that no one in their right mind is really going to answer? Prrrobably. Discuss!
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Permalink Reply by Roy Peak on -
I would find out which artists play regularly at house concerts, especially ones who seem to hit the same "house" again and again. Then contact who put on the show and see if they're open for another one.
You can also ask around on facebook (I've seen other artists do this): "Hey, anyone interested in having a house concert let me know!" Or: "Hey, I'm traveling through Minnesota next month, anyone interested in hosting a house concert for me on an off day?" Doesn't hurt to try.
http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/ is one place to check out, http://www.houseconcerts.com/main.php is another.
You can also offer to host a house concert for another artist in exchange for them doing the same for you. Doesn't hurt to try. Maybe offer to open up for an artist at a house concert so the host gets to see you in person.
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Permalink Reply by Victoria Woodworth on
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Awesome Roy! Thanks :)
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Permalink Reply by Roy Peak on
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Another thought: Attend a few different house concerts in the hopes of meeting the people that host and introduce yourself. Find the good house concerts compared to the weak ones. I know this takes a lot of time...
I've ran sound at a few house concerts here in Jacksonville but never played any. Some are great, some are so-so. Also some hosts are great to work with; some don't really seem to care, they're just out to make a few bucks.
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Permalink Reply by Victoria Woodworth on
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Roy, thank you so much for your thoughts, and those are some GREAT ideas. I will add them to my toolbox. I am just sending emails out now, trying to assemble some contacts, and it's such a maddeningly slow process I wondered if I was missing some obvious approaches. I hope to have a string of interested folks by the time the weather warms up, then I can actually start planning some trips (we're somewhat partial to warm weather when traveling). Really appreciate your input...
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