Yep, we pretty much don’t have a music scene at all to be honest with you and I’ve been saying that for a long time. No venues to play at these days. Venues come and go. I’ve seen some of the most popular venues close down and some has relocated under a new name.

I can understand why bands & solo acoustic acts around here move out of this area. Why? Simply because they probably realized this area isn’t much of a music scene so they move else where to try to find a better music scene where they can gig a lot. You’re not gonna gig a lot in the Capital District that’s for sure.

Seriously, there are no venues here and sorry… I don’t consider shit hole bar rooms as “venues”. Bars are not venues, in my opinion. A venue is a place that has an actual stage and you don’t see much of that around here. You want to see a “venue” with an actual stage, you gotta go to New York City, Nashville or Los Angeles for that. There isn’t much for live music venues around the Capital District area.

You gotta admit this truth.

Kev

You know what one thing that makes me laugh. One thing that makes me laugh is when people say things like musicians and promoters are so nice & friendly which to me is a load of horseshit. Some people around here can be friendly & down to earth, yes but not all of them. Some people around here can be such douchebags & unprofessional. Too many cliques & too much drama. You get the deal.

One thing to keep in mind when you want to become part of a music scene, any music scene… you’re gonna deal with a lot of huge egos. There are gonna be musicians who are gonna think they are better than you and a lot of attention whores out there. Last thing you wanna do is allow them to think they’re better than you ’cause I never did.

Not all musicians & promoters or even regular music fans are gonna like you, there’s one thing to keep in mind. Last thing you wanna do is to give a shit ’cause I don’t. I know I can be disliked by some but to be honest with you… I kind of actually enjoy it. If people around here are not hating you then you are doing something wrong.

When you want to play music, get your name out there… don’t be a part of anyone’s group and don’t be a part of anyone’s hanger-ons or cliques… just don’t give a shit about anyone but continue to play your music. That’s all you need to do. Stay out of drama in the local music community and ignore everyone. Keep doing your thing. The music is the only thing you should be caring about. I’ve had that attitude for a long while now.

Kev

If you’re a local original artist hoping to get a review or a write-up by the local newspaper, a local music blog or a local music website… don’t expect it to be so easy.

I know I’m a pretty good songwriter. I’m proud of the music I write. I’ve been practicing my musicianship and trying to get better musically. Even though I try to get better, I still seem to get ignored by the local press.

I tried to submit my original music to local blogs and local websites before. Got nothing back from them. Yet, they continue to make reviews and giving shout-outs to many other local artists. Why do I continue to get neglected? Haha… that’s okay though ’cause I’m not worried about it ’cause most of the local press and media is crap to begin with.

The problem that I have with the local press is that many of them claim they are supportive of all local music when I know that’s a lie. They’re actually pretty selective of who they support. Not naming names. They seem to support original bands & artists around here who are already established. The ones that have a big following. You see them promoting the same bands over and over when there are tons of bands out there struggling to get recognized.

If you don’t get any reviews or interviews… who cares. Just continue to do your thing. You don’t need to get any press to do what you love so I don’t know why bands get so obsessed with wanting to get reviewed and all that stuff. You don’t need to get your music reviewed by critics just to prove to your fans that your music can be good. Critics are nothing. They’re not really “critics” anyway ’cause all they do is write “positive reviews” and there’s never really any brutal honesty when it comes to writing reviews on bands.

That’s what a real “critic” is supposed to do is to be honest and realistic about things. That’s what my blog is all about. Everybody wants to keep local music, “positive” and “lovable”… I like to keep things real.

I’m gonna keep these “Why the local music scene continue to suck” as an ongoing series so I hope you’re enjoying them so far. There’s going to be some brutal honesty with these posts so watch out! Wait until you see the next one!

Kev