General Music Chat

That's great! Sitting on top of the world? Isn't that on the first Dead record? Different tune?

Excellent!

Hope the pay was enough to pay for gas and beer! Discussion on FB last night/this morning about pay in my area. For small bars/clubs, confirmation that band pay is about $200 - and the place expects you to bring in people, they're not relying on 'regulars'. There are a couple of places that do pay substantially more than that, but they only book bands that have a good draw.
Meanwhile, someone was looking for a solo player to take over an afternoon gig at a coffee shop for them on Saturday. "Originals only" (meaning they haven't paid their PRO licenses) - $60 for 2 hours. Really? Thing is that there were multiple people jumping on the chance. When that happens, the pay is never going to go up.

way to go, jook. glad it was good one.

mike...that's always the problem, isn't it? other musicians willing to play (work) for chump change. as long as that continues (and of course it will) we're fighting an uphill battle when we expect fair compensation.

ahhhh, don't get me started. (and you kids get the hell off my lawn!)

I'd do that gig for $30/hr. but you can bet your sweet bippy that I'm taking my time changing tunings and I'm rapping a LOT of musicology between songs!! If they don't ask me back, screw them!!

Thing is - you're talking another hour for set up/breakdown. It's in the middle of a city with lousy parking - probably have to pay $12 to park for the afternoon, too. All of a sudden you're looking at $16/hour. And no PRO royalties to be claimed from your originals, because the venue doesn't have a license.
I was updating my BMI song plays yesterday, and one of the places I've hit multiple times is now 'no longer eligible to list because they have not responded to multiple requests to pay for licensing'.

Ok, one trip with amp, mic stand, mic and mic cable in pockets, guitar case slung over the shoulder. 3 blocks from parking garage. Put everything down, pull out amp powercord "where do I plug in?" "Oh, the outlet's over there" (finger points to opposite wall). "Got an extension cable?" "Sure, here" (hands you a non-grounded 6 ft cord). Did you put a 3way-2way adapter in your pocket? Of course not. Back to the truck to get an extension power strip ...
Plug everything in... crackle crackle.... oh damn, the mic cable is shorting out - must have been when you jammed into your back pocket. Back to he truck for spare cable. Has a 45 minutes passed yet? Time to start playing! When I gig i have spare everything. Mic, cables, mixer, 2nd guitar ...

Yeah, what do they weigh - about 50 lbs? A lot of people these days using Fishman Loudbox combo amps. The Mini sounds pretty chintzy, the Artist and full size ones are better - they work for small places, but you need to get it up in the air to spread the sound out.
I've always preferred a mixer (close at hand) and a speaker on a pole.