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[personal profile] realexplodingcat
Last night was my first out-of-town gig with the band (Silent Muse). We played in Richmond, opening for Ego Likeness. The club/bar Nanci Raygun was a nice location. Promoters and [livejournal.com profile] _sacrosanct_ event organizers, [livejournal.com profile] daq42 and [livejournal.com profile] blackradish were wonderful hosts. I believe I performed well. Mistakes were made and they were creatively covered. It is my job to make you believe I intended to hit that note. Usually, I can pull it off. After the show, I heard as many different opinions on the sound as there were people in the club. So, I have no idea what to believe. I think everyone heard a different show while watching the same one, which is a nifty idea. Unfortunately, there weren't a lot of people, but the intimate crowd was pleasant and eager to enjoy the bands.

The performance, however, is only part of the experience. I'm finding that my time on stage does not contribute to my final opinion of a night as significantly as I had once thought it would. Belonging to a performing band appeals to my innate interest in having an experience outside of the average person. When I see a door that reads "Employees Only" or "Restricted Access" I always want to open that door. I am always intrigued by the process behind-the-scenes, going through the door beyond which the average Joe doesn't go.

I like showing up early at a nightclub or bar while it's still quiet and empty. I like exploring the club, seeking out all the dark corners and any extra spaces (if any) that the average Joe can't go. I enjoy the process of setting up and breaking down the band gear. I look forward to staking out my place on a stage I've never stepped on before, working around other bands' gear and compromising on available space. Soundcheck is always different as we test the system and acoustics of a new space. Also, I enjoy the brief warm-up opportunity soundcheck provides before it is our duty to be live entertainers. I like sharing small-talk with other musicians on the bill, talking shop or just chatting like normal people before or after we do the unusual act of performing for an audience. I'm typically rather shy about initiating conversations, so I also love being in the position where someone in my audience wants to approach me and initiate a chat. I'm always flattered and pleased to respond to any comment or question, talking freely and easily. I like sitting back and watching another band perform, knowing that I'm not only an audience member but also a performer--someone performing a job not everyone has an opportunity to do; being the man behind the curtain not everyone gets to look behind. When all of those aspects of an entire night fall nicely into place, then the 40 to 60 minutes on stage is just a tasty edible garnish on an already complete meal. Oh yeah, and the opportunity for free bar food and drinks is also nice.

For those not reading the journals of the other guys in the band, I should point out that we released an EP. So, for the curious, there is a genuine CD available for $5. Last night's show was sort of a CD release party.

So where do I get it?

Date: 2004-09-08 05:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] flynnk.livejournal.com
So where can I buy said CD?

I want it autographed!

Re: So where do I get it?

Date: 2004-09-08 05:53 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jkatj.livejournal.com
Exactly my question. Where is this cd?

I mean, this guy is all "Look at me and my cd," taunting us. "Haha ha, you can't have it. But it exists for other people to have."

What a jerk.

Re: So where do I get it?

Date: 2004-09-08 02:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] explodingcat.livejournal.com
I am not good at marketing...

Or am I? Perhaps my intention is to taunt you all for awhile, just to get you riled up. Then, I will reveal how to get a CD.

Truthfully, this is a self produced CD and so far we're very informal about distributing it. The band intends to get a pay pal account for online orders. But I'm not certain when that will be operational. In lieu of that, I may be able to borrow Krasota's paypal account.

Re: So where do I get it?

Date: 2004-09-10 07:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] flynnk.livejournal.com
I can paypal Jos $5 if you'll send me the CD, but I want it autographed!

:)

Re: So where do I get it?

Date: 2004-09-10 07:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] flynnk.livejournal.com
I suppose I'll throw in S&H too...

Re: So where do I get it?

Date: 2004-09-11 01:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] explodingcat.livejournal.com
Yes, we'll be asking for S&H, too. We're trying to work out some problems with an email account to be used for band business. Then we're going to post info on ordering. And you will have your autographs :)

Re: So where do I get it?

Date: 2004-09-08 02:42 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] explodingcat.livejournal.com
This is a self produced CD and so far we're very informal about distributing it. The band intends to get a pay pal account for online orders. But I'm not certain when that will be operational. In lieu of that, I may be able to borrow Krasota's paypal account.

Date: 2004-09-08 05:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nothingoth.livejournal.com
Well said man, well said. I can agree with so much of that. Even though I've gotten to go to some of the places you mention before the happening of the band, mainly through knowing people with access, there is something really neat about the access being totally yours and not dependent upon anyone else. And it is interesting, I'm finding, how being on this side of the curtain now can make it easier to talk to some people... and for conversations to be initiated (especially the other bands sharing the stage). It's almost like having a sign above your head now that says "You can talk to me". Too tired to comment further... hope this made sense... o_o

Date: 2004-09-08 02:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] explodingcat.livejournal.com
I really enjoy the "You can talk to me" sign. I respond very well to direct questions, so I always like it when people have something to say to me. Otherwise, I get rather shy about initiating a conversation.

Date: 2004-09-08 12:34 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] silent-muse.livejournal.com
I like how Steve of Ego Likeness kept making references to "back when we were human beings." It's like we were mild-mannered Clark Kents a year ago, and now we've been handed keys to the kingdom and started to explore the world of the Gods. And I think its kinda nice to find that, overall, they're still just as human, just standing behind a curtain and on fifty-foot podiums.

I'll admit that sometimes all the little behind-the-scene details of this whole thing overwhelm me to the point of choking, but that's the way a "brave new world" can be sometimes.

Date: 2004-09-08 02:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] explodingcat.livejournal.com
And I think its kinda nice to find that, overall, they're still just as human, just standing behind a curtain and on fifty-foot podiums.

Yes, that I do really enjoy. I like that the wall between me and performers is now breached. Truthfully, that wall doesn't really exist unless the performer wants it to exist. Some are probably more approachable than others. I would like to be the approachable sort.

Date: 2004-09-08 07:01 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] silent-muse.livejournal.com
As would I, and being the little goof-balls that we are off-stage should facilitate that a bit.

Date: 2004-10-04 04:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] friskykitten64.livejournal.com
I added you on a buddy's recommendation, she said you are funny. She is right. Hope you don't mind?

Date: 2004-10-05 03:47 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] explodingcat.livejournal.com
No problem. Hopefully, I'll post something soon. I just started taking a college class while I'm working full time at the same time. I'm not quite used to being a student again. So, I've been doing a lot of running around and screaming lately, instead of writing.
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