Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

Just wonderin what everone's opinions are on different cities music scene. I don't really get out much here, but plan on moving in a couple months. I want to move somewhere that i can actually be around other musicians. Any input on this would be great.

It really depends on the music that you're doing. As for places with a killer folk scene...er. I'm at a loss :) Seattle? Heh. Maybe Nashville/Memphis, or Austin. Haven't done any of these yet.

Any of the big spots (NYC, LA, Nash/Memphis) are all about having the full package, and getting to know the right people. If you can do that, you win.

Phoenix (AZ in general) = no. Don't do it. It's good for blues/rock cover bands and resort gigs. Everything's too spread out, hard to find dedicated musicians. Anyone who's really serious about making it in "commercial" music (read: label/touring) out here ends up in LA, so might as well skip it.

If you can afford it, save up, throw a bunch of gas in your car, and cruise around. Or find a friend who works for an airline, beg them to get on their buddy pass, and fly around checking out scenes. It'd be well worth it.

My $.02
-johnl

Thanks I like that road trip idea i may just have to do it. I've never even been out of the upper midwest and everything here is just kinda lame.

St. Louis is somewhat close. Reportedly, the scene is pretty sweet (have a buddy from here moving there soon), give it a look, too. Chicago, don't know what that's like these days.

er. Yeah, I'm not too much up on the midwest :)

Chicago's still got a pretty good scene from what my sister tells me. A lot of punk / pop-punk bands, but also some heavy rock / metal too. Also, the home of Washburn guitars (my favorite).

Dallas here is eh. We've got some good local bands, but nobody that seems to quite be making it. Austin's much better.

damn, back when I was playing Dallas it kicked ass.
Phoenix is about as described. There are some of us, including club owners, who are working to fix it but it is a hard, uphill battle.

It sucks when my band can go to Prescott and play in front of 300-400 people thsn return to phoenix and gat 50.

Prescott is about 1/10th the size of phoenix or smaller.

LA seems good , we are planning on doing a mini so-cal tour soon.

Seattle seemed pretty cool last time I was there.

BTW, I was playing in dallas between 1990 and 1994.

st louis is really big on music too....i know rap artists got it made there...

Have to say SF, maybe some San Diego, and some Major cities in Orgon...I know thats odd...other wise here in Fresno, Its all about what you want to hear...most of its kids wanting to play punk or something...Thank why I like to play w older guys so I can avoid all that haha.

Have to say SF, maybe some San Diego, and some Major cities in Orgon...I know thats odd...other wise here in Fresno, Its all about what you want to hear...most of its kids wanting to play punk or something...Thank why I like to play w older guys so I can avoid all that haha.

SF Bay Area, California... It's competitive, but I've heard if you can make it here, you can make it in L.A. And if you can make it in L.A.,...well, give it a thought.