Post 2390
- 8 years and 323 days since I started this blog -
Daily Comment
Talking with Frank about the local music scene. How sad it is that the economics of the town and the times create headwinds for local musicians. The town simply doesn't support live music.
At least not at the level that the number and quality of musicians need to create a vibrant music scene.
It is difficult for me to imagine the problem is with the music. I've heard so many good musicians and good bands.
The problem seems to be the local indifference to new music. It is hard to get an audience unless you are established, and it is hard to get established playing original music - music unfamiliar to the audience.
The most successful local bands play covers. DJs outdraw live music bands.
When I was coming up, in the sixties and seventies, clubs were full for almost any band. Successful clubs had loyal, dependable audiences, and didn't rely on the bands to draw a crowd. Live bands were expected by the club's patrons. Of course, bands that could bring in extra people did better, got better bookings, but clubs weren't as reluctant to try something new then, and the bands weren't under pressure to play covers (although there were many that did - cover bands have been around forever, and have always had some measure of popularity).
In black clubs, more than white clubs - and this isn't racist, some bands played both, but the audiences did tend to be self-segregating, although never, in my experience, exclusive or discriminating: Nobody's money was turned away because of race - covers were more acceptable.
That being said, established soul acts with hits were more likely to play gigs in regular (smaller) clubs, too. I was in a soul review that exclusively did covers, and we opened for a lot of acts that had hits on the charts, while never playing a 'big' concert, like the rock stars played.
It's different now. Syracuse could have - should have - a thriving music scene. But it doesn't. Big shows sell out here. There are a small handful of bands that play and enjoy consistently good crowds, but more venues are closing or cutting out live music than are opening to give live music a shot.
The two most recent attempts are meeting with completely different reactions. One is a good room, beautifully decorated, with a small but 'hip' menu and seating for about sixty. Well appointed, well-funded, with an actual stage. This club, even though it is in an industrial neighborhood, caters to a fairly affluent clientele, books more acoustic-oriented music, has excellent sound, and is doing well (443 Social Club and Lounge).
The other club is the Valley Blues House, heir of Rooters Bar, and it started off well, but audiences are declining. It is a smaller club in a bad part of town, and it seems to be squandering its legacy. Recent shows, no matter how good the acts and performances, have been marred. The kitchen is a problem - the last time I was there, the kitchen was putting out food that smelled as if it were fried in rancid oil. The anchor of the bar has always been the Sunday night jam, and it has fallen apart: Last Sunday, there was no house band, and the proceedings were pretty chaotic. The last time I played there for pay, the pay was less than I expected. At least two good bands I know of won't book shows there (in fact, that gig I did for low pay was because one of my favorite bands canceled their show there. I fear for the future of Valley Blues House.
I am still grateful for my opportunities to make music, but it is getting easier and easier to contemplate leaving.
Food and Diet
At least not at the level that the number and quality of musicians need to create a vibrant music scene.
It is difficult for me to imagine the problem is with the music. I've heard so many good musicians and good bands.
The problem seems to be the local indifference to new music. It is hard to get an audience unless you are established, and it is hard to get established playing original music - music unfamiliar to the audience.
The most successful local bands play covers. DJs outdraw live music bands.
When I was coming up, in the sixties and seventies, clubs were full for almost any band. Successful clubs had loyal, dependable audiences, and didn't rely on the bands to draw a crowd. Live bands were expected by the club's patrons. Of course, bands that could bring in extra people did better, got better bookings, but clubs weren't as reluctant to try something new then, and the bands weren't under pressure to play covers (although there were many that did - cover bands have been around forever, and have always had some measure of popularity).
In black clubs, more than white clubs - and this isn't racist, some bands played both, but the audiences did tend to be self-segregating, although never, in my experience, exclusive or discriminating: Nobody's money was turned away because of race - covers were more acceptable.
That being said, established soul acts with hits were more likely to play gigs in regular (smaller) clubs, too. I was in a soul review that exclusively did covers, and we opened for a lot of acts that had hits on the charts, while never playing a 'big' concert, like the rock stars played.
It's different now. Syracuse could have - should have - a thriving music scene. But it doesn't. Big shows sell out here. There are a small handful of bands that play and enjoy consistently good crowds, but more venues are closing or cutting out live music than are opening to give live music a shot.
The two most recent attempts are meeting with completely different reactions. One is a good room, beautifully decorated, with a small but 'hip' menu and seating for about sixty. Well appointed, well-funded, with an actual stage. This club, even though it is in an industrial neighborhood, caters to a fairly affluent clientele, books more acoustic-oriented music, has excellent sound, and is doing well (443 Social Club and Lounge).
The other club is the Valley Blues House, heir of Rooters Bar, and it started off well, but audiences are declining. It is a smaller club in a bad part of town, and it seems to be squandering its legacy. Recent shows, no matter how good the acts and performances, have been marred. The kitchen is a problem - the last time I was there, the kitchen was putting out food that smelled as if it were fried in rancid oil. The anchor of the bar has always been the Sunday night jam, and it has fallen apart: Last Sunday, there was no house band, and the proceedings were pretty chaotic. The last time I played there for pay, the pay was less than I expected. At least two good bands I know of won't book shows there (in fact, that gig I did for low pay was because one of my favorite bands canceled their show there. I fear for the future of Valley Blues House.
I am still grateful for my opportunities to make music, but it is getting easier and easier to contemplate leaving.
Today's Weight: 197.1 lbs.
Previous Weight (11/18/19): 197.3 lbs.
Net Loss/Gain: - 0.2 lbs.
Diet Comment
Food Log
Breakfast
Skipped.
Lunch
8:15pm: Blue-green protein smoothie Plus! with almonds, kefir, large organic egg, chia gel, kale, spinach, blueberries, whey powder (24g protein), coconut oil, hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, moringa leaf powder, fo ti (mushroom powder), cinnamon, turmeric and stevia-inulin blend. Guacamole toast with Ezekiel 4:9 Sesame sprouted grain bread. Also, guacamole toast (with Ezekiel 4:9 Sesame sprouted grain bread and organic avocado spread.
Dinner
1:25am: A Quest bar.
Liquid Intake
Skipped.
Lunch
8:15pm: Blue-green protein smoothie Plus! with almonds, kefir, large organic egg, chia gel, kale, spinach, blueberries, whey powder (24g protein), coconut oil, hemp seeds, hemp protein (7g protein), raw organic cacao powder, moringa leaf powder, fo ti (mushroom powder), cinnamon, turmeric and stevia-inulin blend. Guacamole toast with Ezekiel 4:9 Sesame sprouted grain bread. Also, guacamole toast (with Ezekiel 4:9 Sesame sprouted grain bread and organic avocado spread.
Dinner
1:25am: A Quest bar.
Liquid Intake
Espressos: 2; Coffee: 22 oz.; Water: 48+ oz.; Jameson's Irish whiskey
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