I don’t know why musicians rail against other musicians for doing covers. Musicians who do cover songs get knocked on all the time. If you’re an all original songwriter knocking other musicians then chances are you don’t have any talent. I think cover songs are pretty important to do, whether you want to admit it or not. I always thought it was important to do both covers & original songs. I’ve always done both for many years.

I think bands and acoustic acts who do cover songs deserve more respect for sure ’cause I think it’s pretty cool to hear different versions of songs you’ve heard before.

There’s nothing wrong with doing covers. I enjoy doing them ’cause they’re fun.

I would like to upload more cover songs to my youtube channel but I don’t enjoy getting 3rd party notices, it’s annoying. I think musicians deserve to perform cover songs for the internet and should have every right to. This would be an idea for my next angry video rant.

I enjoy doing covers ’cause they help you get better musically. They’re just fun to do. You’re not gonna get better musically by playing nothing but originals only, sorry.

I would like to do a lot more cover songs.

I would like to do songs by Kiss, Joni Mitchell, David Bowie, Lana Del Rey, The Allman Bros. and lots more.

I like doing well-known songs that people know and love but I also like to do covers of songs that people never heard before. I just like to do the songs that I love and the ones that inspired me over the years.

I not only cover songs by rock & metal artists, as you have probably noticed… I have covered pop songs too. Like I always say, I enjoy some pop music.

Cover songs are awesome.

Kev

In my opinion, what makes a real musician is someone who knows their shit. Someone who know their music theory well. Someone who has a REALLY good ear and can improvise well. Someone who knows exactly what each note and chord sounds like. If you’re able to play what you hear in your head and can copy songs off of recordings note for note right off the bat without struggling. That’s a real musician right there. That’s the kind of musician I aim to be. As you all know, I’m doing all I can to play a little more professionally.

There are too many musicians out there calling themselves “musicians” when they aren’t really. There are too many who don’t know what they’re doing musically and they’re out there calling themselves “professionals”. There’s a lot of frauds and fakes out there for sure.

My question is, why can’t musicians be realistic with their own talent? I’m always realistic with my own talent. I don’t think I’m the greatest musician in the world right now, I just do it for fun but I would like to become a real musician, though. Trust me, I know a real musician when I see one and there aren’t too many out there. Crazy, I know. Musicians and their delusions of grandeur.

One day I will get there and one day I will surprise people. I’m doing all I can… music theory studying, ear training & improvisation… I’m working on all of that stuff. That’s why I haven’t released any new music lately yet ’cause I’m still teaching myself to become a better musician. An actual musician that is.

I’m trying to get myself prepared so I can one day form a band of my own and that’s my goal. I’m not just rushing for the band thing. Taking my time.

Kev

This has become a big problem in the area lately. Lot of venues and bar gigs are becoming “pay to play” shows lately and it’s pretty sickening. It’s even more sickening that bands would actually go for these “pay to play” scams. Sure, I understand that in order to get gigs, they would do anything it takes just to get your foot  in the door at a venue, bar or a club but “pay to play” is the last thing a band wants to do.

You don’t want to pay to play music at all when you’re the one that should be getting paid, ya know?

How to watch out for “pay to play” schemes? It’s the kind of things where venues give you a bunch of tickets to sell before the show and then you have to give the venue the money you made out of those tickets. They’ll give you a little bit and then they’ll keep their share. That’s pay to play.

Other ways to watch out for “pay to play” is when venues force you to rent the place just to play… that’s “pay to play”.

More info on “pay to play” in these links:

Should You Pay To Play? Here Are The Worst To Best Club Deals In The World

http://neverpaytoplay.com/TIPS/&FAQ.htm

I’m also calling the Capital Region’s, “Move Music Festival” a scam and “pay to play” as well. That festival gets promoted every year and it’s a big time scam that too many bands have falling for. Getting forced to buy these silly wrist bands before the shows is pretty silly. I don’t agree with that festival, I think it’s pretty shady and it needs to go.

Kev

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

The reason that the Capital Region music scene continues to suck is not because of the talent around this area. There are too many talented bands & artists struggling around the scene… it’s just getting harder for local bands & artists to get recognized around here these days.

When I went to that local band festival  in Greenwich on Aug. 1st, I was amazed at how quiet the festival was during the other acts on the lineup. Of course, the headliner acts got the bigger crowd but all the other original acts, the front of the stage was pretty much empty. I kind of had a feeling that most people were gonna go to the show just to see the headlining act alone. Well, the headlining act plays all original stuff but even that band should have gotten a much larger crowd.

I’m not knocking the musicians in this area ’cause there are too many talented people… I’m only knocking the lack of support of original music around here. It sucks but it is what it is.

It’s really hard to get people to support original music around here. Believe me, I’ve tried my very best to get people to support my original music over the years but sadly not many seem to care. Some are willing to care about my music which is nice but not enough. I’m not alone on this ’cause many other original acts go through the same thing.

The only kind of bands that people seem to be into these days are cover bands and country bands. If you play covers or do original country songs that people can dance to then you should do quite well around here.

If you play original music in the Capital Region, you can expect to play in front of a few people at your shows which is why I kind of stopped performing live ’cause it’s pretty pointless just to get out there and play in front of like 4 or 5 people or none at all, ya know?

Cover bands and original country bands have always dominated the scene. They still continue to dominate today.

Of course, the lack of support of original music is nothing new; however, it’s been this way for decades. People refusing to support original music has always been a huge problem. There isn’t much of a music scene around here to begin with.

Some of you may think I’m whining & bitching, trolling and all that stuff but I’m not. I’m just speaking the harsh truth and not afraid of it.

Mostly the bands that gets the most success are bands that play music that people can dance to. A lot of people just want to go out and have a fun time, dance to live music… those are the kind of bands people want to see. If you play metal, punk or regular rock n’ roll… you’re probably not gonna get much of a crowd.

People don’t want to support the bands where you can sit and listen. People want to party, ya know? All the “party” bands people want to support. The “party” bands makes the venues the most money.

It’s ridiculous I know but all I can say is just play music for the love of it. Even if people refuse to support your music, just be proud that those few who decided to support you.

I like performing live but why bother when you pretty much have a dead music scene? There’s nothing here.

Kev

Like I repeatedly stated in the past before, there are way too many musicians lately wanna become stars. They want to get to the next level and try to hopefully establish themselves. Become well known and popular. Play the bigger stages and all. That stuff is great… don’t get me wrong but I’m not worried about any of it. Everybody wants success. Just don’t take it all seriously and just be a musician. That’s all I am pretty much.

Success and maybe even fame with your music just happens out of pure luck mostly. It mostly happens when you least expect it. Don’t expect it to happen and who knows? To me, honestly, I don’t really care. All I wanna do is play the guitar and write songs. I don’t care whether they get a lot of plays or not. I would like to get a lot of plays but I’m okay with just a few people listening to my songs.

Just be who you are, a “musician” ’cause that’s all you are. A lot of bands around here live under the delusion of being “establish” when the truth is they’re just like all of us, a musician.

In my opinion, the “rock star” thing in local music is getting a bit out of hand and kind of silly. Everyone wants to make the big time, it seems. You’re certainly not gonna become a star in Smallbany, HA! You wanna become big and hopefully get signed, you gotta get the hell out of this area. On top of that, the way the music industry is going these days, it’s very hard to get into the music business so you can forget it. Sawyer Fredericks got it easy ’cause of “The Voice” and I hate those reality competition shows.

Just play and enjoy. That’s all ya gotta do. Just make the music for yourself and others… who cares whether you get successful or not ’cause it really doesn’t matter to me.

Kev

Everybody knows that the Albany music scene isn’t as good anymore as it once was. I know I’ve been outspoken about the Capital Region music scene for the past several years or so but I still stand by the things I say. Some would say that the problem with the music scene is how cover bands are taking over and some would say that the area is lacking of venues. While both are pretty much true, they aren’t my problem with the music scene.

My biggest problem with the music scene is all the dishonesty that goes on around here. This area claims to be supportive of all local music but don’t buy into this lie. It’s just a myth. It may look like that this area supports all local bands & artists but the sad reality is this area is actually pretty selective. It’s pretty hard to get yourself noticed around here when you have too many opinionated people about you and your music. I mean, you try to submit your music to popular local music websites hoping for a review of your music and maybe they’ll even promote it for ya but suddenly you get nothing back from them. They ignore you and they refuse to post your stuff when on their websites they make this claim they support all “music artists”. It’s all a bunch of bullshit. I know this ’cause I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to submit my music to local promoters without naming names hoping for a review or a shout-out but I don’t get much of that. They don’t treat me like I’m a professional musician. They treat me like I’m some amatuer or hobbyist, this music scene has always treated me like that but that’s okay. I never saw myself as a professional musician or an amatuer, just a guy that likes to make music like everyone else.

If the reason they neglect my music so much is ’cause they think I “suck”, that’s fine. That’s their prerogative and their opinion. That’s it, their “opinion”. The thing is if they want to say that they’re supportive of “local music”, then they support all of it even if they don’t like it, ya know what I mean? That’s how you build the scene and make it grow. Supporting all local music even if you don’t like it. Even if you don’t like someone’s music, you don’t be vocal about it. You should keep that opinion to yourself.

Another problem I have with this area, is the attitudes of some of the musicians around here. Too much drama, negativity and hate. Too many big-egos for sure. The Albany music scene never changes when it comes to musicians and their horrible attitudes. Musicians are crazy and they can’t be trusted. Some may say, who cares? Just ignore them and play your music. True to that but if I were to ever form my own band someday, I would have to take their attitudes very seriously ’cause I wouldn’t want to have an asshole in my band, ya know what I mean? This music scene isn’t so lovable and wonderful as some would think. I’ve dealt with so much crap with musicians over the years, trust me on that. Not all musicians are nice people. They’re all different for sure. Some are nice and some are not so nice. That’s just the way it is. Some are gonna think they are “legends” in their own minds. They’re gonna think they’re better than you. Too many musicians living in delusional fantasy worlds. Thinking they’re rock stars and all, ya know?

I know this post may offend some but I’m not afraid to tell it like it is.

This is part of the reason why I don’t go out to the music scene too much. Don’t get me wrong… there are still a lot of bands & solo artists that I still support around here, though. There are some great talent around here.

This music scene is pretty crazy. It always has been.

Kev