Hey everybody I hope everyone is as ready for the weekend as I am. Today's blog comes from an interesting discussion I had last night at the Copa Cavana open jam. This will serve as my bitch session for the week and it deals with the pay of musicians.
Now something I have seen through the bands I have played with lately is that payment of the musicians can be very dicey at times. There are many club owners or band leaders who find it fitting to short change a hard working musician. Why is this the case?
Well I think the main thing that can be said is greed. Greed club owners and band leaders want all the money for themselves and they don't give the guys who do a lot of the work a fair shake. Its a shame but its reality. I think a lot of good musicians are left out to dry more times than none.
Now why should musicians get paid what they deserve? Well is it right for a musician to show up to a show that pays the band $600 and he/she only ends up making $50! That in my opinion is ridiculous and I'm sorry to say it has happened to me before. Musicians are paid to not only play but in many cases do a lot of setup and tear down of equipment. That alone should merit a fair piece of the pie.
It honestly pisses a guy off sometimes when he gets short changed on a gig because of someone else's greed. Give everybody a fair cut and you will have a happier band. It may be harder to find those good paying gigs in localized bands now a days but at least express to the bar/club owners that you need to take care of your musicians and then take care of them!
Tell the greedy owners that good music comes at a price. If some sort of deal has to be worked out in order for the band to be adequately taken care of then fine, just make sure it happens. Even though the majority of musicians play for the love of music it is still a profession and you should be paid what you deserve for that profession. Don't make a good musician drive two to three plus hours away just to work his ass off for nothing. It is not right at all.
Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
New Music Thursday: January 27th, 2011
Hey there everybody its time for another installment of New Music Thursday here at Music Reviews by a Musician and for this blog post I would like to review a local Des Moines band. That band is Gimikk.
For some background on Gimikk here is the biography straight off their website:
To read more of the band's bio click here.
Gimikk Promo Picture "For the past six years Gimikk has been rockin' out in Des Moines and the surrounding area, earning its reputation as "The Best Party Band in Des Moines". With their high energy performance and amazing musical skills, topped off by the entertaining and charismatic persona of lead singer, James Brinker, Gimikk is sure to deliver a show unrivaled by any other local act."
The main reason why I was turned onto this band is through an acquaintance with drummer Josh Tilton. Josh is a student currently at Simpson where i also attend. He turned me onto his band one day as he was looking to promote an upcoming campus show through the college radio station, KSTM FM, where I currently work as music director.
Needless to say I was intrigued and always willing to help out a fellow musician so I invited Josh up for an on-air interview to talk about the show and the band. It was during this interview that I got to hear the band's latest album "Travel My Direction."
This album definitely surprised me. From the album's opening powerhouse track Social! From the East Side, Baby! to the title track "Travel My Direction", there are definitely some great finds on this album. The entire band is well put together in my opinion from the vocals to guitars to drums, everything fits into this sort of 80's rock meets today's rock kind of feel.
Two songs I really dug were "Southern Star" and "Eye of The Cougar". Southern Star is probably considered the ballad of the album and it features great acoustic guitars and percussion infused together with great vocals and melody. I really liked that song from first listen and it is a step away from the powerhouse guitars on much of the album.
"Eye of the Cougar" is definitely a full on power monster of riff rock in my opinion. The synopsis of the song is focusing on a cougar out on the town looking for young guys and it provides for a fun and energetic tune to listen to.
In all this album and band is really interesting. Each member brings his talent to the band and it helps to make a very good local band. I am not sure if they will ever make it big but I think the potential is there to do so. I think the biggest drawback to them in today's music world is that they sound almost a little too 80's in my opinion. I think that is a genre that has really died away among young crowds and as much as I'd love to say it will come back, I don't think it ever will.
If Gimikk can stick true to that influence but modernize itself a little more, I think they have a great shot to take the next step. In the mean time to hear more from this band check out their latest album and if you are not doing anything tomorrow night, they are playing a 21 and over show at Des Moines House of Bricks starting at 9 o'clock. If you can check out this interesting local band.
Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS
Photo used from Facebook, all rights are credited to Gimikk
Photo used from Facebook, all rights are credited to Gimikk
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Upcoming Shows You Should Go See in Des Moines
Hey everybody its hump day and I can't wait for the weekend like most people. Going off of yesterday's post I thought it would be wise to post some upcoming shows in Des Moines that people should go see to support their local music and local venues. So here are my top five upcoming shows you should go see.
5)Gimikk- This Friday at the House of Bricks in Des Moines, 9 pm.
Now I haven't had the privilege of seeing these guys live in person yet but I've heard great reviews and if their latest CD "Travel My Direction" is any indication, this is a great local band you cannot miss. Now the show is 21 and over so that may keep some away but in the future if you hear these guys are playing then you should definitely check them out. I know I will.
4)Ryan Bingham- March 6th, Vaudeville Mews, 6 pm.
This show is a little ways off but that should give you plenty of time to set time aside now. Ryan Bingham is one talented artist who has skirted under the radar of many because he is not totally mainstream. But for those who wonder who he is have you scene the movie Crazy Heart that came out last year with Jeff Bridges? Well the hit song Weary Kind was written and performed by Bingham. This is one artist that you have to see for yourself so set aside time on March 6th to go see him.
3)Jonny Lang w/ The Bob Pace Band & MINT- March 25th, 7 Flags Event Center, 8 pm.
This is another show that is on the distant future but sure to be a good one. Tickets are a little high at $30 but you get to see local guitar sensation Bob Pace along with headliner Jonny Lang. Lang is a very great guitar player and musician that many people would love if they have not heard him already. This is one show that fans of guitar would definitely die for.
2)The Nadas 2nd Annual February Des Moines Residency at Vaudeville Mews- Starts February 2nd, 6 pm.
The Nadas will have a month long stay at the Vaudeville Mews starting February 2nd and going every Wednesday until February 23rd. That gives you four chances to see one of Iowa's most well known acts. The Nadas are a very interesting sounding group and the music is truly great to listen to. The shows are all ages and $10 to get in. If you are looking for a treat on a Wednesday night in February then go check out The Nadas, you won't be disappointed.
1)Devon Allman and the Honeytribe at All Play in Des Moines, February 11th at 9 pm.
This band is outstanding featuring the son of Gregg Allman of Allman Borthers fame on guitar and vocals. The band's latest CD Space Age Blues is currently out and is definitely a good listen. This is one artist who I was sad I missed last time he was in Des Moines but not this time. At $10 a ticket you can't go wrong listening to a great blues/rock band like this. Make sure to check them out when they roll through town!
Well that's my top five upcoming shows to go see. Obviously however there are many other great shows and venues to check out in Des Moines so make sure to go out and support your local music scene fellow Iowans.
Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS
5)Gimikk- This Friday at the House of Bricks in Des Moines, 9 pm.
Now I haven't had the privilege of seeing these guys live in person yet but I've heard great reviews and if their latest CD "Travel My Direction" is any indication, this is a great local band you cannot miss. Now the show is 21 and over so that may keep some away but in the future if you hear these guys are playing then you should definitely check them out. I know I will.
4)Ryan Bingham- March 6th, Vaudeville Mews, 6 pm.
This show is a little ways off but that should give you plenty of time to set time aside now. Ryan Bingham is one talented artist who has skirted under the radar of many because he is not totally mainstream. But for those who wonder who he is have you scene the movie Crazy Heart that came out last year with Jeff Bridges? Well the hit song Weary Kind was written and performed by Bingham. This is one artist that you have to see for yourself so set aside time on March 6th to go see him.
3)Jonny Lang w/ The Bob Pace Band & MINT- March 25th, 7 Flags Event Center, 8 pm.
This is another show that is on the distant future but sure to be a good one. Tickets are a little high at $30 but you get to see local guitar sensation Bob Pace along with headliner Jonny Lang. Lang is a very great guitar player and musician that many people would love if they have not heard him already. This is one show that fans of guitar would definitely die for.
2)The Nadas 2nd Annual February Des Moines Residency at Vaudeville Mews- Starts February 2nd, 6 pm.
The Nadas will have a month long stay at the Vaudeville Mews starting February 2nd and going every Wednesday until February 23rd. That gives you four chances to see one of Iowa's most well known acts. The Nadas are a very interesting sounding group and the music is truly great to listen to. The shows are all ages and $10 to get in. If you are looking for a treat on a Wednesday night in February then go check out The Nadas, you won't be disappointed.
1)Devon Allman and the Honeytribe at All Play in Des Moines, February 11th at 9 pm.
This band is outstanding featuring the son of Gregg Allman of Allman Borthers fame on guitar and vocals. The band's latest CD Space Age Blues is currently out and is definitely a good listen. This is one artist who I was sad I missed last time he was in Des Moines but not this time. At $10 a ticket you can't go wrong listening to a great blues/rock band like this. Make sure to check them out when they roll through town!
Well that's my top five upcoming shows to go see. Obviously however there are many other great shows and venues to check out in Des Moines so make sure to go out and support your local music scene fellow Iowans.
Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Support Local Music Before It Is Gone
Hey there everybody sorry for today's post being so late I happened to be treating myself to an afternoon out away from everything.
Anyways today I'd like to share my thoughts on a trend I have seen throughout the past few years in Iowa, the slow decline in live music.
It seems that as each year passes more and more bands are sitting around without work in this state. There are some great bands who get booked up for six month periods and there are other great bands who get few bookings in that six month period. Why is this the case? Why are these good bands sitting around doing nothing?
Well in my opinion there are a few factors. First off nobody has the money to book bands. The way the economy is many bands who mainly book into bars and clubs are being left out in the cold because the owners can't afford the price of live entertainment. That and secondly why book a live band when you can have a disc jockey come in and play anything right? Sorry wrong answer.
Disc jockey's and mainly karaoke have killed a lot of business for local bands. Sure the music scene in Des Moines, Iowa City, and the Quad Cities is pretty good still but even there bands are finding it harder and harder to play out every weekend.
Due to that there are a lot of bands that end up leaving the state if they have dreams bigger than just playing as a garage band the rest of there days. They pack up and head for musically rich cities like Austin, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville; places where they have a better shot of getting noticed. Because lets face it playing even in Des Moines, you will be hard pressed to find a way to something bigger and better.
So what really is the live music scene in Iowa anymore. Is it musicians taking pay cuts just to play in places and get there name out there? Or is numerous acoustic trios playing coffee shops around the state? Or is it numerous open jam sessions inhabited by guys who could be big somewhere else?
Honestly I think it is all of these and I hate to say this but Iowa will most likely never recover from this trend. So faithful Iowa music lovers, enjoy what you still have and support local music any chance you get. Maybe moving away from DJ's and karaoke shows would help too. I'm just saying.
Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS
Photo from Flickr/Creative Commons, Alan Light
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| Downtown Iowa City |
Anyways today I'd like to share my thoughts on a trend I have seen throughout the past few years in Iowa, the slow decline in live music.
It seems that as each year passes more and more bands are sitting around without work in this state. There are some great bands who get booked up for six month periods and there are other great bands who get few bookings in that six month period. Why is this the case? Why are these good bands sitting around doing nothing?
Well in my opinion there are a few factors. First off nobody has the money to book bands. The way the economy is many bands who mainly book into bars and clubs are being left out in the cold because the owners can't afford the price of live entertainment. That and secondly why book a live band when you can have a disc jockey come in and play anything right? Sorry wrong answer.
Disc jockey's and mainly karaoke have killed a lot of business for local bands. Sure the music scene in Des Moines, Iowa City, and the Quad Cities is pretty good still but even there bands are finding it harder and harder to play out every weekend.
Due to that there are a lot of bands that end up leaving the state if they have dreams bigger than just playing as a garage band the rest of there days. They pack up and head for musically rich cities like Austin, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville; places where they have a better shot of getting noticed. Because lets face it playing even in Des Moines, you will be hard pressed to find a way to something bigger and better.
So what really is the live music scene in Iowa anymore. Is it musicians taking pay cuts just to play in places and get there name out there? Or is numerous acoustic trios playing coffee shops around the state? Or is it numerous open jam sessions inhabited by guys who could be big somewhere else?
Honestly I think it is all of these and I hate to say this but Iowa will most likely never recover from this trend. So faithful Iowa music lovers, enjoy what you still have and support local music any chance you get. Maybe moving away from DJ's and karaoke shows would help too. I'm just saying.
Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS
Photo from Flickr/Creative Commons, Alan Light
Monday, January 24, 2011
Stevie Ray Vaughan: Never Another Like Him
Hey everybody I'm back for my third week of blogging on Music Reviews by a Musician and I've decided to start off the week with something special to me.
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| Stevie Ray Vaughan |
From his debut album "Texas Flood" until his untimely death in a helicopter crash on August 27, 1990 in Alpine Valley, Wisconsin; SRV completely turned the world of guitar and blues music on its ear and made people stop and listen to his music when they heard it.
His fiery Texas style guitar playing combined with elements of R&B, jazz, early blues pioneers, and influence from other artists like T-Bone Walker, Otis Rush, Lightning Hopkins, and most notably Jimi Hendrix on top of countless others became a centerpiece for a remarkable career.
From early hits on songs like Pride and Joy, Texas Flood, Voodoo Chile, and Love Struck Baby to later hits such as Couldn't Stand the Weather, Crossfire, Tightrope, and The House is Rockin, SRV turned on a whole new generation of guitar players to the blues. And his effect is still being felt today some 20 years after his death.
Countless young artists are doing their best to pick up where SRV left off after his passing and keep the blues alive. Guys like Joe Bonamassa, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Tyler Bryant, Jonny Lang, and even John Mayer all have elements of SRV's playing infused into their playing styles and they are all doing their part to keep alive a type of music that is slowly dying away amidst the mainstream music today.
But even then no matter how hard these guys try there is no way to duplicate or match what SRV did and still does today. He was a phenomenal talent that will never, ever be matched in my opinion. He is simply an amazing talent and the odds of someone like him coming along in the future are very small. If I were a betting man I would not put money on that. That is why I feel that there will never be another like him.
Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JASImage coutesy of Joe Bielawa, Creative Commons/Flickr
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