So Caffe Lena is getting renovated this summer. Making a lot of changes due to the cafe agreeing to sell the parking lot to another company.

I love the Caffe Lena. So much history there! It’s an important live music venue for sure as I have played there many many times myself. I used to play there a lot with their Thursday night open mic night and I used to play regular gigs at their Wednesday night “Emerging the Artists” series.

In my honest opinion, I think Lena’s is just fine the way it is. They should leave it right where it is. There is something special and historic about walking up those stairs in Caffe Lena as that was my favorite part of the venue was the stairs. The stairs there were awesome and you would know that too if you’ve been there before yourself. I also think they shouldn’t change the flooring and the roofing ’cause they are taking away the history of the venue if they do that. It’s understandable how the venue needs a renovation since it’s been there since the 60’s and the building is getting old & worn out but if you change it for the better, you are taking away the history the venue once had. The new version of Caffe Lena won’t feel like Caffe Lena anymore. So does that mean they’re gonna get rid of that big wooden door on the front which also has so much history?

I also disagree with the place that it’s about to serve alcohol soon as I like live music more with no alcohol involved.

Yes, that same small stage will still be there but the new version of the place still won’t feel like Caffe Lena.

https://www.gridsaratoga.com/caffe-lena-lot-sold-to-bonacio-construction-historic-cafe-to-undergo-summer-renovation/

I understand that things have to move forward but I respect the history of that venue and it won’t feel like Caffe Lena when they change things around. I hope you guys understand what I’m trying to say. I’m not trying to offend anybody or be mean… I’m being realistic and expressing my opinions on the new changes. I’m actually kind of skeptical on the new changes so I don’t know.

Oh yeah and here’s me performing at the legendary Caffe Lena with me performing a cover of Megadeth’s “Sweating Bullets” so enjoy.

Kev

I think Don Fury Studios would be the perfect studio for me to record in if I were to ever need to record in a real studio someday. Don Fury would be the right guy for me to work with I think and someday I will whenever I can afford it. I heard his rates are pretty cheap and affordable, though.

Most local studios in the Capital District area relies on DAW software but it seems that this guy doesn’t do that stuff much. Like he said in the video above, everything he does is real. Nothing is done digitally. Nothing is edited either.

This guy mostly records punk and hardcore bands but someday I’m gonna work with him. Whenever I want a better sounding acoustic demo, I can go to this guy. I don’t think he recorded acoustic musicians before but he said he was willing to record me. That’s the way I always prefered to record songs is record them live instead of editing them together.

Check out Don Fury studios here:

http://www.donfury.com/

Kev

In the world of local bands and local songwriters there is always this neverending and tiresome debate on whether or not original acts could establish themselves in Smallbany. There is always this lame “Covers vs. Originals” debate in this area. There is a myth going around that cover bands are more recognizable and successful than original acts. From my point of view, if you believe that covers are more recognizable than originals then you are so wrong on that. You are way off.

The way I’m seeing things in the Capital District, original acts has gotten big and successful again. Bands like Eastbound Jesus, Wild Adriatic, The Lucky Jukebox Brigade, the Northern Faces and bands like those are strictly original acts who has established themselves pretty well in this area. Those bands I listed gig all the time and they continue to fill up venues with lots of people.

Don’t listen to the nay sayers and doubters who make ridiculous claims that cover bands are more successful than original acts. To me, I think they’re full of it. In my eyes, original music has gotten big again. Why? Because people are tired of hearing cover bands and they wanna hear something original these days. People enjoy seeing original bands. If bands like EBJ, Wild Adriatic and Lucky Jukebox can get successful and huge with their original music then so can you. There are tons of original bands around here gigging all the time and filling up venues all over if you look around.

If you’re one of those who believes that covers are more successful than originals then chances are, you aren’t being successful with your original music. Maybe it’s because your original music isn’t good enough is why you continue to struggle, ya know? Maybe it’s because your original songs are crap is why nobody is supporting you. You’re just figuring out the sad truth that people won’t support bad music. People only support original bands if their music is good and that’s the way it is. The truth is, you can’t force people to support your music. You gotta learn to let the music speak on it’s own. It’s just wrong to blame other people if they refuse to support your music. If people aren’t supporting your original music then maybe it’s your music that needs some work? Make your songs really good and people will support it. Simple as that really.

In my eyes, the original music scene is successful in this area… I’ve seen it myself. EBJ is proof that original music can get big here again and they play mostly all originals.

If you want to establish yourself as an original act, it can be done. Once again, look at EBJ and Wild Adriatic. It’s just that your music has to be the best as possible if you want to be taken seriously.

Don’t listen to those musicians who constantly bitch about covers being more successful than originals ’cause it’s not true. They’re just being a bunch of crybabies ’cause they know that their originals is not going anywhere.

Kev

Never seen EBJ before and always wanted to hear what they sound like live? EBJ shows are always a blast to go to and after you hear this, you’ll see why. They rock on that stage for sure and they know how to put on a show. Plus, they’re so much fun to dance to. I love going to their shows when I can too.

This track is a medley mix of one of their original songs and a Grateful Dead cover of “Turn on Your Lovelight”.

Enjoy.

Kev

There’s a myth going around that the cover band scene is still dominating your local music scenes. Not really true, really. There’s not a lot of venues, bars & clubs that are featuring live music with cover bands anymore I’m noticing. Why? It’s because “karoake” has become way more popular in bars & clubs than live bands. It’s the “karaoke” scene that is taking over the scene lately. Also, “Trivia” nights has become way popular too. Ya know, “Trivia” nights where people go to answer trivia questions and win prizes. The DJ scene has also gotten bigger.

I’m not a big fan of “karaoke” singing at all to be honest with you. I prefer to sing with a real instrument or with a live band. I never sung lead vocals for a live band before in my life but I’ve always wanted to give it a try and I will.

It’s real sad what the music scene has come to these days. Karaoke, trivia and DJ nights taking over the scene. Not many cares for live bands anymore like they used to. That’s why it’s getting harder and harder to find live music around the Albany area these days. It’s why it’s getting harder to find gigs.

You look at every bar & club downtown, you’ll see “karaoke”, “trivia” and “DJ” nights everywhere. Probably because they make the most money than live bands. That’s all bars & clubs care about is money and how many people they can draw in order to keep their business alive.

Kev

Some of you may ask, will I get myself involved in any contests or music competitions like “Battle of the Bands”, radio station contests, reality TV competitions like “The Voice”, etc. The answer is no. Never. While I appreciate all the positive feedback I get with my music whether it’s originals or covers, I’ll never get myself involved in those competition things. Never been my thing. It’s fine if other bands & musicians wanna get into that shit but that stuff is not for me.

You don’t need to prove that your music is good by winning competitions. You’ve got nothing to prove anyway. Just play your music and enjoy it. That’s all you gotta do. Those that enter these contests and competitions to win prizes and big opportunities are just desperate for more fame and more attention.

You win with your music by winning people over to support you. You already are “winning” by not getting yourself involved in music competitions. Just by making your music and playing your gigs. That’s all you gotta do. Too many bands these days have been getting themselves into these competitions and they want you to vote for them and stuff. Never been my thing. I don’t take myself that serious ’cause I just want to play my music and that’s it.

On top of that, most of these local band competitions and contests are nothing but scams and a big cash grab by promoters.

I don’t think you’ll ever see me on “The Voice”, “America’s Got Talent” or a local Battle of the Bands thing. I don’t want to get known for that crap. I show off my musical talent by the power of the internet. Youtube is pretty much all I need, thank you.

Kev