If you’re a struggling musician who’ve been overlooked & ignored way too much like myself, don’t be bothered by it too much. You do your very best by making music, playing a lot of gigs, and yet you get nothing out of it. No local press, no respect from other bands, etc. You get the deal. What that means, it doesn’t mean that you suck. I’m sure you probably have some talent and your music maybe good. You may have talent in some way.

I’ve always believed that people just don’t want to admit that you are talented. They just want to be like you. Jealousy is a small part of it, for sure.

And just because other bands & musicians are big & successful in their area, have lots of fans and playing gigs all over, that still doesn’t make them any better. Their music can be crap as well.

I’ve always believed that overlooked & underrated musicians who don’t get much recognition are more talented. When I used to gig in the past, that’s why I always looked for musicians who weren’t that successful to share gigs with. I wanted to give them a chance to get them out there playing and give them a chance to be heard. I was willing to share the stage with bands and artists whether they were successful or not.

The not so successful musicians can make good music.

Kev

Some of you wonder why I talk about bands & musicians so much. The unsigned acts is what I’m referring to. Where do my rants come from? I do realize that my rants on local bands maybe kind of harsh sometimes, but the things I say, I mean well.

The rants usually get inspired by social media like facebook or other forums and blogs. A lot of bands would get caught up in the craziest delusions. They can be crazy, I know. I just couldn’t help myself but to use this site to get the truth out. Sometimes my rants even get inspired by going to a local show, which don’t happen much. I don’t go out to local gigs as much as I used to. It’s mostly the online world where I see things.

I try not to do it but sometimes the truth needed to be said. Musicians are crazy man. Each of us live in our own fantasy world in some way or another, that includes me. A lot of musicians want to think they’re so great, talented and pretend to be pros.

On top of all this, I just love music and love talking about it. That’s the main reason why I do it.

Kev

If you want to actually get somewhere and become successful in your music, then you need to leave your egos at the door and stop the hate. When I first started out, I admit that I used to do it and admit it was a big mistake. Wish I never did it, but I’m trying let the past be the past and move forward.

The internet maybe a good tool to come on here and voice your opinions & honesty toward other bands & music artists, but to be honest, it isn’t really a good thing to do. There are musicians in facebook & craigslist still doing these things. The question you need to ask yourself is this, “Do I want to be a good musician or a bad guy?”

This isn’t reality TV or the soap operas, folks. This is the real world. People can see what you write on your keyboards. If you’re going to act like a douchebag on the computer, then that’s how I am going to look at you in person. If you act like a douchebag on the computer, and if you try to act all nice and friendly to me in person, do you think I’m going to be nice to you in return? Hell no. I won’t be afraid to tell you that you’ve been an idiot online lately.

Think how being a douchebag online will ruin your career. Your band members could walk out and quit on ya or you could get fired. The club refuses to book your band ’cause you’ve been an idiot online, you could even get banned from the clubs. You could lose a lot of fans.

If you’re not happy with the way things go for ya in the music world, then just shut your mouth, play your music and keep your opinions to yourself. This has been a learning experience for me, so I’m learning.

I know a lot of bands won’t take this advice, ’cause some of them will continue to act like douchebags, but bad karma will get them in the end, trust me. You have to be a 100% professional in the real world and online. I’m trying the best I can.

Kev

This band from Saratoga Springs called, Probing Digit, just released this interesting video with a song called, “Five Pounds”. I saw them play at Battle of the Bands at SPAC last year and they played this song. This band maybe weird and they may seem hard to get at first, but they’re actually pretty good. I dig this song, “Five Pounds” and the video is funny too. Enjoy.

I like to help plug in other local bands & artists in this site too.

Kev

What is the difference between a rock star wannabe and a true local musician? A rock star wannabe is a band or a musician who pretends to be a rock star when in reality they are a local musician like all of us. A true local musician is someone who acts like one.

I can think of 10 ways how you can tell bands & solo artists can be a true local musician, read on:

• We’re not worried about making money – A true local musician would play gigs for free or even open mics. We don’t care about making cash, we’re in it for the music.
• We’re not worried about how many people shows up at gigs – A true local musician would play for either huge crowds or just to the venue owner only. All those rock star wannabe bands out there would want large crowds at all of their shows. We want big crowds at our shows too but if we don’t get ’em, we’re okay with it.
• We know there is no such thing as a “headliner” or “opening act” – I never acted like a headliner or a open act. I didn’t care what the order of line up was on the gig. I didn’t care if I played last, first or somewhere in the middle. Most bands would want to play last because they live under this delusion that they are a “headliner” act.
• On social networking sites we like to treat our pages more personal – The bands who pretend to be rock stars would make their networking sites professional, they act like they are bigger than the people posting on them. They market themselves to make them look like rock stars. The true local musicians would actually interact with people like they are human beings, by replying to everyone, not treating them like “fans”, treating them like real people.
• We respect most talent – There are no egos with us true local musicians, we respect all talent and supportive of all musicians. We also don’t act like we’re better than other talent.
• We act like professionals – Being nice and friendly to everyone, leaving our egos out the doors. We don’t feud with other bands or venue owners, we’re respectful to everything. Even if it’s something we don’t like, we keep to ourselves and act like a grown up.
• We release music whenever we want to –A lot of rock star wannabe talent would have a strict release day when they’re about to release new songs. We don’t really have to be like that as long as we’re not signed to an actual label or anything. We can release music whenever we want to. Just make the music, record ’em, and get ’em out there asap. You don’t have to force people to wait for new music.
• We’re not worried about getting big opportunities or winning awards or contests – Like I said in another blog post, we shouldn’t have to worry about these silly awards. If you do win these things, it’s not like you’re going to be even bigger after that. You’re still the same local musician. All we should care about is making music for the people who support it.
• We’re not worried about getting signed or becoming famous rock stars – There’s too many bands around here that want to make the big time and take over the world with their music, but not us. This is not what us true local musicians are in it for. We’re in it strictly for the love of playing music, period.
• We’re willing to make music at home, not in expensive studios – A lot of bands would try to find the most expensive studio to record an album. We don’t have to be like that. A lot of us local musicians would be willing to make music at home using shit recording equipment. Using cheap computer software or even a 4 track machine.

This is a post that a lot of bands & musicians out there, don’t want to read. They’ll think I’m crazy, but all the above is the truth. Enjoy!

Kev

… and most of them don’t even want to admit it either.

I understand that bands want to get their music heard and get their stuff out there. I do too, but you really need to get rid of this, “My music is great, listen to it” attitude. The way a lot of bands put themselves out there is crazy, not naming names. A lot of them have to be careful of how they put themselves out there. They’re putting their music out there for the world to hear. If they advertise themselves wrong, they could get themselves screwed down the road. They’re probably already are getting themselves screwed, when they’re not even realizing it.

They need to let the music do the talking. Put it out there and see what happens. Leave your ego out the door and let the people decide if they want to like it or not. That’s how I always did it.

Too many bands strive for publicity and for a bigger fan base.They all want as much local coverage with the press as much as possible, they obsess with interviews and getting on the covers of newspapers. They try to get as much publicity of their music on the internet as much as possible.

They all want to feel like rock stars… the professional interviews, music videos, they call themselves going on “tour”, etc.

Honestly, I don’t need to do all that with my music. I just put it out there and see what happens. I’m proud of the music that I did in the past and I plan on releasing more new songs later this year, hopefully. I never acted like a rock star, over the years. I acted like a local musician enjoying the love of music, that’s all that should matter.

Bands live in this fantasy world that they want to be big. That’s my point that I’m trying to get at. I don’t need to get more publicity as a musician, when all the publicity I can get is right here on my site. I would like more publicity, but if I don’t get it, I’m cool with it. I’ll just continue to do my thing, make music for myself and my true fans who actually support it.

Kev

Loren Weisman said:

How to make it in entertainment quips & tips – Its ok to say no. Would you rather be known as the liar or the honest one? Don’t promise you are going to a show that you arent going to. Don’t tell someone you are going to do something you have no intention to do. Don’t tell some one you will call or be in touch if you have no desire to. Just be honest. I have been told I am harsh and brash for telling someone I will not listen to their demo or I am not going to stay for their set. I am giving the respect of the truth, which in my book is much better than lying and pretending to be nice by making a promise that will never happen. Be real. Be Honest. it will put you a step up in this industry.

This blogger is right on the money again!

There is nothing wrong with being honest in music. As some of you know, I’ve been brutally honest in music over the years. Maybe a little bit too much, lol. Some hate me of my honesty and some love me for it. It’s all good.

Over the years, I wasn’t afraid to call out people that acted unprofessional and I wasn’t afraid to say which bands are crap that I had no interest in. I’ve also been honest with my own talent as well.

There are too many people in the music industry who pretend to be nice when in reality they don’t even like you. Pathetic. I don’t want to be that kind of person. I want to be the real and honest one.

If you don’t like a band’s music and think they suck, don’t be afraid to say it. If they’re acting like ego-maniacs or being assholes, don’t be afraid to say it. If you want to turn down a gig that you don’t agree with, don’t be afraid to turn it down. I’ve turned down gigs, you don’t have to say yes to everything like a lot of bands seemed to be doing out there.

You don’t have to be nice, all the time. Do what’s best for your music and that’s where I come from.

I just found out that Loren Weisman is a guy by the way, not a woman, my bad. It’s just that the name Loren is most popular with women, lol. Keep up the good work, man. Love the blog! A lot of truth on it!

Kev

When bands & musicians get bigger opportunities in their careers, like opening for national acts, winning Battle of the Bands competitions, winning radio station contests, winning songwriting awards, etc. Bands get all that, and soon after, they act like they’re so big and cool. Acting like they’re so popular.

If I got all that stuff with my music, I would act like that stuff means nothing to me. None of that stuff is important to your career. Bands obsess with opportunity too much. They want to get bigger things and move forward.

I do want success with my music, yes, but I’m not gonna have anything to do with Battle of the Bands or any of the stupid contests. No offense to you bands out there, that goes for this kind of stuff. This is never going to be me.

Bands act like winning contests and awards, is a pretty rewarding thing for their careers. It actually means something to them. In my eyes, the most rewarding thing about music, is writing the songs for the people and having the people enjoying it. That should be rewarding.

I would like to open for a national act someday. If I ever got that opportunity, it wouldn’t be a random national act because they’re famous. It would have to be an artist that I like and admire.

I would like to get signed to a small indie label someday, but I won’t go for any random label. When a label asks you to sign with them, you have to be careful. You can’t jump up to any opportunity that is thrown at you. You have to be careful with everything in the music business. If I were to get signed, it would have to be with the right label with careful research.

I would like to release an official album on a real CD someday but I don’t think I’m gonna bother, because nobody’s buying CD’s anymore and people are downloading music off the internet mostly. Therefor, I would try to get my music on Itunes sometime down the road.

As you all can see, I would like to be taken seriously as a good songwriter, instead of treating it in a negative direction. I don’t obsess with opportunity. I’m all about creating the music and making the art. That’s all that should matter.

Kev

Loren Weisman’s blog is starting to become one of my favorite music blogs on the internet.

I know open mic night’s maybe pretty popular in your hometown. The open mics are pretty popular in my area, the Capital District, in Upstate New York. There are open mics all over this area from bars to cafes. I’ve seen some good open mics and seen some bad ones. I’ve seen open mic hosts run the open mic professionally and unprofessionally. I’ve seen a lot of ego clashing with other musicians on open mics too.

How to have a good open mic? Read this blog here, written by Loren Weisman.

Back in the early 90’s, when I was first starting out performing live. I started off playing a bunch of open mics when I was younger. I would pretty much do anything to get actual paying gigs. So I thought performing a bunch of open mics would be a good start. It would be a good start to perform live and help build my confidence up. When I first started performing live, I used to have stage fright. I used to get nervous and scared as hell, in the beginning. Now I’m not scared anymore and have 100% confidence performing in front of an audience.

Open mics are just open mics. They are not “gigs” or actual “shows”, that some musicians mistakenly call them. When I was starting out, I would play just about  any open mic. It didn’t matter if it was a bar or a coffeehouse, and I was underage back then, probably about 18 or 19, I would play at open mics at bars just to get my start.

As I kept playing open mics over the years, I started to get actual paying gigs out of that. That’s what open mics are for.

Open mics are for musicians of all levels, whether you’re an amateur/hobbyist or a professional musician, it doesn’t matter. All musicians are welcome to play at them. They are an opportunity to get musicians together. Meet other musicians, become friends with other musicians and share music with each other just for fun. They are also opportunities to get actual paying gigs and look for musicians to start a band.

I’ve seen open mics where I’ve seen musicians get treated badly ’cause they felt that he/she had no talent. It even happened to me too, sometimes.

An open mic is just an open mic. Musicians today still don’t treat it like one, it’s just that when you run into other professionals on an open mic, they’ll think that they are better than you. Just because you’re a professional doesn’t mean you’re better than others. If you’re a professional, doesn’t make you a perfect musician that you think you are.

I think the amateurs/hobbyists can be just as good. They can put on better performances and they shouldn’t have to get treated badly. I support and treat all talent with respect. Sometimes professional musicians that go to an open treat it like an actual gig, when they need to leave their egos out the door. I’ve seen it happen too.

I haven’t played an open mic or an actual paying gig in a long time though. I do plan on going back to performing live again, once I get a new batch of originals out there.

I love performing live. Performing in front of people can be an amazing feeling. It makes you feel stronger and helps make you a better person.

Kev

This blog by Loren Weisman said:

One of the biggest differences I see in artists that succeed over the artists that fail, is when they are faced with a massive, time taking, pain in the ass task or challenge, the ones that suck it up, drive ahead and get right to work are the ones that seem to achieve over the ones that try to find ten ways to make it easier, simpler or spend more time trying to modify the challenge. The ones that procrastinate, complain, wish things weren’t a certain way, or put energy in to blame, just waste time that could be spent productively moving forward. In the end, they waste time, effort and most lose the end result of the desired success. When you got shit to do, do it. Don’t go on to Facebook or grab a drink and bitch about what has to be done, just do it.

Again, another great point that I agree with. A lot of struggling musicians out there like myself go online and complain about how they aren’t getting success, and like I said, I do it too!

If I want success and more popularity, I got to think of a new plan and a new mission.

1. Try to make my music as best as possible.

2. Promote myself as much as I possibly can.

3. Keep a positive & good attitude, be a professional through everything, no matter what happens.

Yes, I’m planning to get my music going again soon. Been writing some songs and messing around with ideas.

I don’t really need another site to promote my music with ’cause I’m probably just going to use this one.

Kev