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