Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

That's a big problem with music in general these days. It's NOT about the music, it's about the "image." If you're too old, too heavy, too thin, NOT photogenic, then it doesn't matter how well you play. Ever since MTV, image trumps musical substance. I feel sorry for anybody who is turned off by appearance and thus doesn't give the music a listen to. It's B.S. What you need to do is find people like yourself. Put some ads on Craig's or Backpage.com. Explain your sentiments you posted here. I guarantee there's others in your area who feel the same way. You'll find people but you have to weed out the superficial "plastic" musical non-entities. Too bad you don't live in the K.C. area, although to a degree we have that problem here as well.

Freak-show ... there is your answer right there man.

Colorado has great beauty ... but there is not enough money on the planet for me to live in Denver.

No offense meant bro ... just too many people and too much traffic.

I'd go postal in the first week.

Sweet ... a Texan

I fell in love with Colorado on some Elk hunting trips I was privileged to make with family.
Wanted to move up there myself ...
The elders of my extended family need me here.

Best wishes with your musical endeavors listening to the tunes on your profile now.
Live ?
I like!

Bluesman, your not alone brother. I think it's like that in a lot of places these days. I laugh at those same laundry lists like no ego's, no flakes etc. from people advertising on Craigslist for musicians. Hell, my flakey ego is my best feature. No wonder they can't find anyone. Personally I don't want to play with a bunch of prima donna's like that.

SSDD, NJ sux ballz as well. It's getting to be the same all over.

"It's better to have a pack of novice, devoted, decent, well-meaning kids to play with than a bunch of mean, cretinous older types that want to dominate and extract special crap because they think they are entitled to it."

I've been inconvenienced from guys who say they want to play live...blah blah...and then never are able to practice because they have families and wives that hold them back. Well, that's just fine. I respect that they have these obligations...just don't give me your fantasy that goes against reality. There's no need to hold me back.

I came to this town 30 years ago as a full-time musician and things weren't really that bad...wouldn't want to do that now, though....

Frankly, I've found this town to be a rather difficult quality people who possess a few of what I consider essential characteristics: (JMHO)

a) great musical talent AND

b) not already working with another project, thus not enough time or resources to commit to another project.

Yes, it is difficult to find quality people. I have some friends that are absolutely number one in talent and personality. Unfortunately, they're still working in the groups they were in when I met them. Then, of course, there are the issues of:

c) agreeing on what constitutes 'quality' material, especially original material. By that I mean that so much of the original material that people bring to the table is, well...poor. But it's "their baby", crappy or not. I'd rather do cover material than BAD original, as if simply being 'original' is the Holy Grail of musical creativity.

d) geographical location. Yes, with time being the scarce commodity it is and Denver metro being as large as it is, a 50 minute commute EACH WAY can hinder getting together with people that otherwise might be a good match.

e) personal values that are just plain goofy. Oh man, don't get me started on that one. A, B, and C relate to this. Narrow-mindedness, myopia, or just plain ignorance with regards to having exposure or ability to play in more than just one genre' of music... Musicians often (mistakenly) pride themselves on their ability, yet have a limited musical 'vocabulary' or toolbox with which to draw on... Self-esteem so high that they have a false estimation of their own skills, or judge themselves so subjectively that they stay the same 30 years later..."Yeah, man...I've been playing for 22 years..."....when it's more like 2 years times 11...and I won't even get into the realm of individual political, social, or economic views...which are usually something that can be overlooked if the other attributes are there, but....it can be difficult to work with someone who's world-view is effin' crazy, by any logical analysis.

f) and of course, my own worst failing, not being tolerant of the weaknesses of others when I should be looking in the mirror myself. It's not enough to be talented, have a great musical vocabulary, a great ear, etc. Which reminds me that I have to work on the 'personal skills' on a daily basis. The personality factor has a lot to do with whether a project is worth it from a cost/benefit analysis.

Yes...this town is a tough one to find projects to work with on a long-term basis....

That's another thing I don't get. Why is it that so many people tend to shy away because they find the music too challenging? Anybody I've seen who's ever wanted to get something down, will eventually do it...simply because they have the desire. Another thing I don't get are all these guys who won't give people the time of day because they think they're too good. These two opposites are pretty much the norm in CA. The worst and latest trendy epidemic are the flakes. You would not believe how flaky these people are.