Live Music Archive

“Live music.” That common saying may contain some truth, but these days the word “live” is having less and less to do with music. For many people, a dj is their form of live music. Despite what dj’s would like to have you believe, musicians make excellent entertainment.

In the first place, people enjoy human performance. Many musicians like great athletes are multi-talented. They will croon on the tenor saxophone right to your soul, then turn around and chunk out a funky rhythm on a Fender Stratocaster. Can a dj play a turntable behind his head or with his teeth? Professional musicians love to sing and groove on just about any style of music from a Frank Sinatra to Outkast. They especially enjoy playing when the audience is responding to their performance.

In the second place, musicians are students of the arts. Musicians do not merely “push buttons.” They’ve had years of practice in their homes, and they do their thing on stage. Unlike dj’s musicians do not try to sing over or add other loud or strange noises to program music. Once a song starts it flows to the end and in the unfortunate event of a power shortage musicians can continue to entertain acoustically until power is restored. Even non-professional musicians usually understand “the show must go on” concept.

Lastly, one of the most attractive features of bands as entertainment is the affinity between them and their audience. Watching a great drummer is never boring because they’re constantly moving…feeling. An animated solo violinist playing an old wooden Stradivarius violin has a much greater chance of reaching into your soul and stirring your emotions than a dj with an array of magnetic speakers and digital amplifiers no matter how great his system sounds. It’s an apple trying to be an orange. It’s the difference between human blood and electricity.

Contrary to popular opinion, bands can be affordable. Just like with a dj, finding a band well in advance and securing them with a low down payment, the price can be negotiated to avoid costly or inadequate entertainment. Bands will even throw in a free cocktail hour or an extra half hour at the end to secure a date! Many bands are now offering “dj time.” This is when the musician hat comes off and the dj hat is put on to play the Techno, House, Hip-Hop, etc…Genres of today. People who have small parties should appreciate these characteristics of bands. However, many people who have large parties opt to have bands because they love the musician personality. In many ways, musicians are the ideal entertainers.

We spent months preparing for the Gemini Soul tour, booking performances in Phoenix, Hollywood, Fresno, Santa Cruz and Orange County. We covered it all: a publicist, advertising, free ticket give-aways, flyers, posters, concert listings, postcards. We tried holding a charity benefit. We tried having an opening band. We tried free promotional concerts at colleges. We tried passing out free admission cards on the street. And still only a scattering of people came to each show.

The people who did show up always raved about the music, as did the doormen, the bartenders, the club managers. “You’re the best band I’ve ever seen play here, and I’ve heard a lot of bands,” was a typical response. So where was everyone?

Live music in the United States is dying. Several decades ago, a band could count on regular club dates. Unknown jazz bands could “do the circuit” and make at least some money. Not anymore. I talked to the manager of a two-thousand seat theater. She said everyone in the industry is talking about how difficult it has become to fill venues, and speculated that people have too many entertainment options at home — the internet, iPods, cable TV, Netflix — that there is less incentive to go out on the town. Fewer people are willing to take a chance on unknown music. As a consequence, many venues can’t afford to pay bands and expect you to play for tips — which is fine to get a career going, but how can you sustain that?

Live music as viable entertainment hangs on in some ways. Me’Shell Ndegeocello, thank goodness, can draw a large crowd on a Monday night to San Francisco’s The Independent. Festivals and cruises still feature performers (although they are increasingly interested in musicians with national reputations - which begs the question, how does one get a national reputation?). But if talented guitarists like Mick Fleetwood (co-founder of one of the most successful bands of all time, Fleetwood Mac) can fill only half of that two-thousand seat venue, and if Yoshi’s resorts to giving away free tickets to Lee Ritenour’s second show, where does that leave us?

Have we become too accustomed to music at the press of a button, day and night, and worse yet, many of us now expect it for free? Radiohead released their latest CD online and asked buyers to choose how much to pay. Only 38% of those who downloaded the CD paid anything. The rest — an unbelievable 62% — felt they should get the album for free! Because of the band’s stature, they still made a considerable amount of money on the sales, but at those percentages, a four-person band selling only 10,000 CDs at an average of $8 apiece would make just $30,400. That amounts to less than $8,000 per person, not including any deduction for production expenses.

I recently discovered a dozen inter-connected English-language websites based in Russia selling my music as well as music by big-name artists, unauthorized, for download for less than $1 per CD. If most musicians can’t make money performing and can’t even make money from CD sales online, how will our culture be able to nurture and sustain the next wave of musicians? Like climate change, we will glibly go about thinking nothing is wrong (or at least many of us will) until it is too late. We will have chopped down the tree that nurtured our music and gave it life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_O’Bergh

Around the pubs and clubs in the UK there are still many bands playing for only a few pounds to demanding audiences who simultaneously request Chuck Berry and the Arctic Monkeys. Keeping all these different people in the audience happy is never easy, but not impossible either. With good stage craft and clever of songs at a particular venue, a good band can make everyone happy.

The organisation of these bands is extraordinary. They must find like minded musicians that are committed. Then they must find somewhere to practice. This is not easy as most cannot do this at home. If you are fortunate to have a house big enough, it is unlikely you can get round the neighbours, as it is so loud! It cannot be turned down as everything must be as loud as the drums. A band usually hires a room to practice, at great cost to themselves.

A band must also spend literally thousands on equipment. PA, lighting, guitars, drums etc.

The next hurdle is transport. For some reason most drummers cannot drive! Cars are usually inadequate as you would need a fleet of about 5 for your gig, very expensive on the fuel, and impractical. Most bands have to hire or buy a van, again at great cost to themselves.
When they have finally rehearsed all there material over weeks or months, they are ready to play live. It is an exciting day, one of wonder, excitement and slight fear. You turn up to the venue to find one man and his dog. And that man is very drunk, wants to be your manager, and giving you all the benefit of his ‘wisdom’ in the music game! The landlord is also drunk, and you cannot work out if he likes you or not.

You get poorly paid, if you get paid at all, and return home usually out of pocket.

However the real rock heroes come back for more. They find the best venues, gain a reputation, and play at some great places. Sure they still have bad gigs, but the good ones make up for it. They make it look so easy, but it is not. One such band can be seen at http://www.thehalfmonty.tk

The Half Monty have had there share of ups and downs. They have been ripped of at gigs, played in the most dodgy venues, and heckled to death. But they are still here, bigger and better than ever having learnt from their early days.

So remember, when you see a local band advertised at a pub or club, go see them and support them. It is not easy for the lads and lasses. Perhaps buy them a beer after the performance if you really enjoyed it. , for these are the true heroes of rock.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Rhodes

Music is a serious subject. Good music has a hardwired direct line to our souls. Music can bypass the analytical aspects of our humanity and dig deep right into the emotional core of our very being. Live music is even more powerful. Live music is the creative expression of the soul made manifest. This is a precious luxury that makes people feel valued and valuable. It makes us feel human. Also, it is fun to dance to.

Here are some really great reasons for booking live acts when you next organise a social event such as a wedding or party.

Live acts are more interesting than recorded music. The truth is that no matter how good a musical recording may be, every time you play it you will hear exactly the same thing. Music is so complex and subtle, that only ever hearing the same version of a song is limiting to the listener. But when a live band play a song, they play it slightly differently each time they perform. The result is tension, excitement and the frisson that the ‘unknown’ creates for the listener. These are more versatile. While these days DJs carry thousands of songs on digital discs, only live musicians can alter the mood in the room, second by second, in response to the audience reaction.

Live music is more inclusive. People can feel much more a part of a live music event than is possible when listening to recorded music. The interactions between band members and audience are far more versatile and inclusive. It is generally better for the economy. Yes, it is. When we buy a CD the money goes to multinational record companies who take their cut. When you hire a local band, the money we spend on them is far more likely to stay in the community.

“Sometimes you might find you get what you need” sang Mick Jagger and while you might want to hear a particular song RIGHT NOW, the band might not know it. This is true, but the band are experienced at finding the right song to play depending on the audience mood and reaction. So let the band lead you from the safe and pedestrian to new pastures of pleasure.

Hiring musicians is an unfamiliar process for many brides and grooms-to-be, but finding the right musicians for your wedding can be a truly enjoyable experience. Choosing wedding musicians gives you the chance to express yourselves as a couple–musically! These seven tips can help make planning your wedding music stress-free and fun.

1. Take a Listen - Make sure you hear what your prospective ceremony musicians sound like before you book them. Most ceremony musicians have sample recordings, and may even invite you to attend a concert or live demonstration. As you listen, imagine the sound at your wedding. Does it create the right atmosphere for your ceremony? Listening thoughtfully will help you find a sound you truly enjoy.
2. Ask Questions - Professional musicians not only have the skills to play beautiful music at your ceremony; they also have experiences to share that can make your special day go more smoothly! The best musicians will happily answer your questions and help make the details “just right” for your special day. Choosing musicians who make you feel comfortable asking for help can take the stress out of planning your wedding music.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Try Something New - String quartets are timeless options for weddings, but there are a variety of combinations of instruments that can create an elegant atmosphere for your ceremony and express your personality at the same time. Today’s brides and grooms are personalizing their wedding music to reflect who they are as a couple. Everything from bagpipes to African drums can lend itself to a memorable and beautiful ceremony. Try listening to several different types of groups to find one that expresses your unique personal style.
4. Style, Style, Style - Just as unique instruments can make for a memorable ceremony, incorporating different musical styles can make your wedding more personalized. Everything from including a favorite pop song to having an entire jazz-themed wedding is fair game! If you are getting married in a church or temple, though, you should double-check with your officiant to make sure nontraditional music is allowed at the location.
5. Get Everything In Writing - Personal touches like special song requests or having the band accompany a vocalist can add beauty and originality to your ceremony. But remember to get these details in writing to avoid confusion down the road. Good musicians solidify your plans in a written contract, and should review the contract with you to make sure you understand all the details.
6. Look Out for Your Musicians - Professional musicians have extensive training and musical expertise, and are passionate about putting their experience to work for you. If you treat your musicians in a considerate and professional manner, you can be assured of an excellent performance! Most musicians will list their specific needs, like adequate performance space and a ten-minute break for each hour of playing, in the written contract. Once you understand what your musicians need, plan these accommodations ahead of time for less stress (and better music!) on your wedding day.
7. Get Two Things Done at Once - Once you have found ceremony musicians, ask them to recommend a band for your reception–they probably know several excellent groups in different styles. If you find yourself equally impressed with two musical groups, consider having one at the rehearsal dinner or reception, and the other for the ceremony.

Even if you have never hired musicians before, using these seven tips can help make the job of finding live music for your wedding much easier. Once you know what to expect when hiring and working with musicians, you and your sweetie can relax and have fun choosing the perfect live music for your wedding day.

Whenever someone feels depressed or tired in life, listening music seems to be the best idea to get out of the state of sadness. The music players are the gadgets that provide one the opportunity to explore the world of music. A number of innovative technologies have been implemented in the modern music devices. These improvisations have largely contributed to the success of the music players worldwide.

The advanced music players are generally known as MP3 Players. A wide variety of styles and sizes of MP3 devices are available in the markets. These devices can store thousands of songs depending on their storage capacity. Basically, we can classify MP3 gadgets into three main types which are given below.

• Hard drive MP3 players: Such types of devices have the highest capacity for storing music. One can find moving parts in such devices. Apple iPod and Sony Walkman NW-HD5 are some of the gadgets that come in this category.

• Micro hard drive MP3 devices: As the name suggests, these types of music players are smaller in size and therefore keep lower capacity. Apple iPod mini comes in the range of such equipments.

• Flash memory MP3 gadgets: These types of players are the lightest in weight and do not have moving parts. These are also called as “portable MP3 gadgets.” Apple iPod Nano is the best example which comes in this category.

A large number of music player manufacturers are producing good quality products and some of the prominent companies in the industry are Sony, Bosh, Apple, Toshiba, etc. These companies have produced some stunning devices which are being acclaimed by the music lovers. Users can find many brands of music players in the markets. Sony MP3 players and Bosh MP3 players are the leading brands which are having beautiful looks and the latest technology. Here are the tips that should be taken care while purchasing an MP3 device.

• Assess your requirements: Before making the purchase decision, one should decide what kind of music player is the most suitable for him or her. For example, if someone wants to purchase it for home use, the hard drive player would be the best choice.

• See the compatibility: Compatibility of a music player is an important factor which should be taken care of. The device should support both the Mac and PC so that Mac users can also enjoy the rocking music.

• Battery capability: Choose the music devices that have long lasting battery back-ups. The rechargeable batteries or the disposable batteries can be the best choices.

• Display screen: Users can find LCD screens in the latest MP3 systems. The colour display helps them to read all the information which is being displayed.

• Connectivity features: The ideal MP3 gadgets should have fast connectivity options such as USB 2.0 and Bluetooth.

• Memory capability: The large storage space helps users to store many songs or CD collections. One can find the music players coming with 256 MB, 512 MB and 1GB storage space.

Sony MP3 players are the good looking gadgets which produce amazing sound quality. Sony NWDB103FB is the popular device that has come into the markets. It has 1 GB memory space, FM tuner, inbuilt USB-plug, etc. Other models also have some or the other unique qualities. Bosh MP3 devices are another brand which have strong presence in the markets. These are known for the huge storage capacity and beautiful designs. The Apple MP3 players are the high-tech devices which are creating a stir into the markets. Apple has produced iPod touch screen devices which are equipped with a huge memory space of 32 GB. It has a 3.5 inch display, Wi-Fi and a long lasting battery life.

Noise is the voice of the chaos gods. In noise all possible sounds are present albeit in a kaleidoscopic non-hierarchy. Noise doesn’t allow our expectations that order will materialize to come to fruition. It trumps us and our plans, leaving us vulnerable, stunned. Don’t let this fool you however, noise is music. From early recordings of DADA and Futurist artists such as Hugo Ball and Luigi Russolo on into Musique Concrete to the sirens and crackles of Public Enemy’s “The Bomb Squad” and up to current aural assaults by SunnO))), noise is music. Noise is also our world. Think of the soundscape you move through each day. All of the alarms and sirens and microwave bleeps and computer blaps and Doppler effects of cars and bits of conversation and jackhammers and helicopters and horns and laughter and static and doors opening and doors closing and insects and birds and ocean waves and bed springs and all of it, all of it. We are adrift in a sea of noise.

Japan is apparently crazy for noise. Since the late 1960’s the Japanese underground has produced some of the scariest, overblown and sublime sounds the world has ever known. Two early purveyors, Keiji Haino and Les Razilles Denudes were simply devastating. Move on a bit to Zeni Geva, Merzbow and Masonna and you’re into some serious schizo territory.

Current purveyors such as Acid Mother’s Temple and Ghost are furthering the range and impact of the eternal noise theatre. What is it about Japan specifically? Could it be the legacy of being the only country ever bombed with nuclear weapons? That certainly seems to have contributed to the stream of atomic monster movies produced over the last 40 years in Japan. Mothra, Gammara and of course Godzilla all seemed to involve variations on the theme of nuclear bombs and accidents. is it the vibrant and heightened drama of Kabuki and Noh Theatres? is it the wildly colorful youth street culture? The full body tattoos of the Japanese Mafia? The religious response to nature so prevalent in Shinto? I guess it’s no one thing in particular. It’s more likely just an accumulation of a rich and colorful heritage combined with some very creative souls.

Oddly enough not all noise is particularly noisy. In fact some of the more interesting uses of noise can be in smaller and quiet sound event.

There is an entire record label called lowercase that explores some of these more tranquil noise events. Other noise can be quite melancholy. Think of the band “The Birthday Party” or even some of Tom Waits on ‘Swordfishtrombones’ or “Heart Attack and Vine”. Noise can be used subtly to convey sadness or strategically to highlight an explosive moment. This is the realm in which we find LSD March and their latest reissued release, “Empty Rubious Red” (aRCHIVE).

As stated above this disc is a reissue of a previously (and microscopically available) independent release. It has a couple additional tracks and some great new art work by Joe DeNardo of the band “Growing”.

Where as some of the aforementioned noise merchants come out of the box swinging, LSD March tends to take a bit more time. Songs start out with odd and quiet tinklings. They sound like springs popping and marbles rolling through a piano. LSD March main man Shinsuke Michishita is a master of restraint. But when things finally let loose, watch out! The music on this disc is actually a nice range. There are quiet and melancholy moments. At times (”As Many A Stars In The Sky” and “Nude and Bizarre”) he drifts into a scorched and parched folk music. The ethereal songs serve as a nice counter-point to the monstrously thundering jams such as “Empty Rubious Red”. LSD March are perhaps not as steeped in pure noise as say The Boredoms. THey are more psychedelic, folksy and drone based. As with many great Japanese bands they are synthesists. This is great music to listen to while starring out at the vast ocean on a clear day from a tall cliff. It represents the quieter and more expansive possibilities of the noise equation.