Current Music Realities: And what we can do about it as musicians, club owners, and fans (Part 1)

I hear a lot of complaints and have been guilty of going down the same road myself. All of us connected to music scenes and communities around the country see many of the same things. Here are just a few topics being discussed:

• Impacts of COVID on venues and other aspects of live music scenes
• Current economic realities on businesses and the resulting choices many are having to make in order to stay in business.
• The fact that musicians, in many situations, are still making what the prevailing “wage” was 10 years (or more) ago—and in some cases less.
• Even with what has been traditionally better paying gigs—private parties, corporate events, weddings, etc.—those gigs are becoming harder to come by, even for those of us that use 3^rd party booking sites or agencies.
• For many of us, even touring bands, people have become glorified “t-shirt salespeople” just to make ends meet.
• It is harder to sell our own music other than a handful of CD sales at gigs (when people buy the aforementioned t-shirt)
• Corporate consolidation in radio and other media, along with streaming services paying pennies or nothing, means there are simply less opportunities for new musicians to break, be heard and make a living.
• Gone are the days of “middle class musicians” or others in the industry chain making a living in music. The “industry” has, in many ways, been reduced to a handful of “suits” in offices watching stock values.

For background on some of these things, here are a couple of discussions worth checking out. It is important I think to know the problem, and some of the causes, as we begin to address the situation. You can find a couple of key discussions here and here.

In this first part though I want to focus a bit on things we ALL have some degree of control over. The things I am going to list here I see happening in many music scenes—and across all genres. As mentioned, all of the realities above are true and verifiable, however WE as musicians, club owners and even music fans bear some of the responsibility, and that is really where I think we need to start first—as an inventory in some ways of things that are impediments to change. These are things that we are doing, or not doing, that also are barriers to scene creation, re-building and growth. In part 2 I will list positive actions we can take. But first, a list of challenges and barriers:

Musicians:

• Competition: There is a ton of this happening in many places. It results in undercutting (and thus lowering prevailing pay for players), “backbiting” and put downs of other players and bands.
• Failing to Support others: A music scene is built on mutual support and collaboration. When players don’t get out to support other bands, shows, OR, if they do, they arrive with an attitude of judgement rather than support and an eye to the bigger picture, everyone suffers. While, in some ways, it may be natural for us to watch other players with a critical or even envious eye, but there is a balance. Focusing on the bigger picture may help.
• Irresponsibility: There is a reason sound guys and many club owners are perpetually grumpy and pissed off at us musicians. We can be clueless and unbelievably irresponsible. We leave messes, don’t put things back after using them, trash community gear, or even take cords and other accessories owned by clubs. All of this gives everyone a bad name. It would be one thing if it were a rare occurrence—but it isn’t.
• Laziness: One very valid criticism of many current bands in many scenes is forgetting who the customers are, why they are there, and that, for club owners looking at their bottom line, there are actually other (often cheaper) options out there. WE, whether we like it or not, are in competition with things like karaoke machines and even (gasp!) the good ol’ jukebox. With that in mind, what can we do to engage our audience and add more excitement to “shows,” or even see what you do as a real SHOW, and not just “another gig?” Remember that one “tune” the club owner wants to hear is the ringing of the cash register (if they still do that). If you are just background music with a singer whose (as an example) face is buried in a tablet or music stand, you have band members who don’t really know the songs, or there is just a general lack of engagement with the customers, then, it COULD be that a juke box, or someone with a Karaoke machine may seem like a better option for that club from a business standpoint.
• Watch Overall Volume, Consider Hiring a Sound Guy and Think about the Club Bottom Line and Customer Experience: There are definite realities and limitations here, however these are things to work on and pay attention to. Being loud for the sake of being loud is not helpful. There is such a thing as “good loud,” and it is, I believe, part of the live music experience, however, there is a limit. Also, think about sound quality as a huge part of your overall show. I have been to many shows where musicians were good, but the sound was “muddy,” dominated by a couple of instruments, etc. This matters. If a club does not provide a sound person, consider hiring one.
• Lack of Understanding of the Bigger Picture: The health of the overall music scene affects everyone in the chain. Historically exciting scenes, built on partnerships and support have had impacts beyond the immediate location. They are like large “petri dishes” where a mixing of players, fans and other involved parties can create magic. I think of the London scene in the 60s that brought about the “British Invasion,” The Seattle scene in the 80s that birthed the “Grunge movement” and others. These were player created movements, but built on collaboration, mutual support and engagement.  That energy spreads like wildfire with long ranging effects once it reaches its peak, and we all know the results. Your local scene need not reach that level to be effective. I have seen, or know stories of, legendary local time periods of incredible musical energy. All of these situations have things in common. We will list them and talk more about this in Part 2.
• Not Understanding That Gigs Are Business Partnerships: it is vital to see each show this way—as a partnership. Both clubs and players need to see it that way. What are the things each can do to ensure success?
• Lack of Promotion: Bands are notorious for missing opportunities to promote shows on social media or other methods. What creative ways can you produce to promote your band, show and the club hosting the event? We will talk about a few of those things and some resources and ideas in future posts.
• “Nostalgia,” Rumors, Conspiracy Theories: all of these things are related. It may be normal to pine for the “good ol’ days.” We all do it. However, at its worst, this nostalgia can give way to blame games, rumors or outright conspiracy theories about sources of the problem(s). Fingers are pointed, rumors generated, etc., and often, in many struggling scenes, all of that can be aimed towards those that are experimenting, building the big picture, or trying to make change in a positive way. Divisive factors like jealousy, competition and an apparent need for drama, “turf protection” and/or self-promotion are destructive forces for music scenes. As an example, in my community, I have been told about competition, suspicion, blame and a bit of overt hostility between “downtown bands” primarily playing original music, and “cover bands,” who tend to play smaller clubs in surrounding communities. For some caught in the middle, this can lead to a number of issues, and really benefits nobody. Related “turf wars” and the establishment of self-designated “gatekeepers” can also lead to players and fans taking sides, etc. None of this benefits the big picture either. We will address some of this in future posts.

Club Owners:

• Not Understanding What it Takes to Become A Respected Music Club: Becoming an established and recognized music club takes time and investment. Simply putting a guy with a guitar, or even a band, in a corner every once in a while, isn’t enough to build the brand. It takes time to build relationships, get people in the habit (key) of coming to your club, an investment in consistent quality, and (more importantly) creativity.
• Hiring the Same Bands or Musicians Because It is Easy: One of the things that will break people’s habit of coming to your club is boredom over the “same ol, same ol.” Build relationships and connections, rotate bands, urge bands to invite in other players to jam occasionally, host jams and open mics and think about the bigger picture and community. All of these things build together.
• Hiring the cheapest bands, rather than the best bands: This is just another part of what was mentioned above. I have seen thriving clubs that drew people from distances every show, suddenly begin to decline because a club decided to find cheaper acts to fill their calendar. One bad band can have a huge impact in the long term on customer loyalty. The habit, once established, can be easily broken.
• Not Understanding That Gigs Are Business Partnerships…or Should Be: This was mentioned above with an eye towards things musicians can do, but also clubs can play a part. Food and drink specials on gig nights, contests, etc. are all creative ways to involve everyone in building the bottom line for all. We will add some other specifics in future posts.
• Work with Bands on Reasonable Volume Expectations, But Don’t Expect that a Full Band (especially with drums) Can Play at Levels that Allow Customer Conversation: You can’t have both things at once. Consider alternative spaces where customers can converse (if that’s possible), rather than making unreasonable requests for bands to play at “conversation level” volumes.
• Address Your “Room” and the Realities of Live Music: Consider treating walls and ceilings to absorb sound in areas where live music occurs—especially in large rooms with hard walls that create “echoes,” etc. This may take some work and, if you are really serious, hire a sound professional to assist. This goes a LONG way towards helping everyone have a positive musical experience.
• Lack of Understanding of the Bigger Picture: Vibrant music scenes have active involvement of everyone—including club owners.
• Lack of Promotion: Just putting a sign in front of your business saying “live music tonight” is not enough to engage and connect with music fans. It was mentioned above that promotion is also a responsibility for bands. Part of that big picture connection is seeing the need for creative promotion on the part of club owners as well.
• Lack of Prep for Bands (space, power, etc.): I have played many places where musicians arrive well in advance, doing the responsible thing of giving adequate time for set up, sound check, etc. before a show, only to be forced to wait for spaces to be cleared and maybe even food customers to finish eating in the area where a band is supposed to set up. This creates difficulty and unnecessary stress. In other situations, bands are asked to set up in places without adequate shelter or power. Being a music club requires that all of these things need to be considered in advance. This is part of the partnership really.

Fans:

It may seem odd to focus on music fans as well, but, in many ways, you all are THE customer, but also a major part of music scene success. YOU are also one main reasons scenes exist in the first place. Where do you put your money, support and connections and how can you be more involved in the overall process? Here are a handful of things to consider:

• Tip, buy band “merch,” pay covers (when asked), take part in contests or other events put on by bands, clubs, musicians or other clubs or societies supporting the music.
• Be involved in that Big Picture: Join those clubs and organizations that support your favorite genres and bands, patronize clubs that support live music and find ways to connect potential players, partners and clubs.
• Also, be an advocate for live music. Request it, alert radio or other social media channels and platforms about upcoming shows and events, share events and band websites on social media, and bring friends. This is how things grow.

Also note:

• Continuous requests of just your favorite songs is often irritating to musicians: While there may be a time and place for things like this—or at least up to a point—repeated requests for songs that are (as one example) obviously different from the music bands are playing just because it is YOUR favorite, shows a lack of respect and awareness. Musicians try hard to accommodate many things, but often these kinds of requests can be a huge distraction. Consider going to shows for the experience, relationships and the power of that moment when everyone is on that same page and the energy is high (something that really only happens at live shows). These high points can be missed if it becomes about you and your need to have the band simply be your “personal jukebox.”
• Also, bands have volume: Most bands have drums and other instruments and voices need to be heard over those drums to create a decent musical mix. Good bands spend time focused on that mix and getting the best sound possible, but the reality of live music is that it is likely that you may NOT be able to have that side conversation with your friends in the area where the band is playing—and that’s all right. Consider bringing hearing protection, go with the flow, dance, sing (if those are you things), and be a part of that show. Bugging a band about volume is not helpful and is much like repeated requests for YOUR music. Come prepared.

REMEMBER: Live music, at it’s best, is powerful and life changing in ways that other options mentioned above simply aren’t. Music heals on so many levels and the synergy between musicians, fans and venues is the stew that make this all come alive. Everyone needs to spread this gospel. It matters!

In part 2 we will examine some positive ideas and solutions related to all of the things listed above.

Play on!

For in-person or virtual lessons, coaching and mentoring with Mark, contact him at: imwiththebandmz@gmail.com and visit his website at: www.im-with-the-band.org. Also connect here for information and involvement with the Eau Claire Blues Jam and the new educational and live music promotion non-profit The Eau Claire Blues Summit. See you at the show!

Mark Zanoni