Members SpeedKing Posted May 10, 2005 Members Share Posted May 10, 2005 Just a fun discussion question for you guys. Say you're in a rock band in the midwest, and you want to take your band a little more seriously and take it up a notch. The most popular place in the world seems to be located in Southern California, specifically in the LA area. Do you think it would be worth the move (the entire band) and why? Experienced members, please chip in! It just can't be a coincidence that so many *known* rock bands hail from this area..and most aren't native to it. What are your thoughts? Recent bands that hail from Southern California, but aren't necessarily from here (and not all are recent, but they've had recent hits): MetallicaGreen DayWeezerLinkin ParkNo DoubtKornMaroon 5IncubusRed Hot Chili PeppersGuns N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members _Sean001 Posted May 10, 2005 Members Share Posted May 10, 2005 uh.. alot of the major labels are in california.. california is also like the media capital of the world... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pedalpat Posted May 10, 2005 Members Share Posted May 10, 2005 bring lots of money - it ain't cheap living in southern california. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Guit Fiddle Posted May 10, 2005 Members Share Posted May 10, 2005 Every band I know who has moved to LA to try and forge ahead in the music scene over the years (many of them good friends) has split up after a few months and returned home. We're talking about very good bands too, that had been together for years. It's dog-eat-dog out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cantdrive55 Posted May 10, 2005 Members Share Posted May 10, 2005 Originally posted by pedalpat bring lots of money - it ain't cheap living in southern california. Yep. And better hope you bring lots of good luck, in addition to all the other bands who also had the same idea as you, you've got all the local bands too. Lately the whole band scene has seemed pretty dead around here...lots of bands, no crowds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members catalinagooseV2 Posted May 10, 2005 Members Share Posted May 10, 2005 How many in your band? If you have more than three members, there isn't anymore room here. We have the equivalent of about three loaded 747s full of illegal immigrants unloading here everyday and it's getting pretty crowded. Also, I hope you guys are rich. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Panopticon Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 Dont do it. Do you know how many bands there are in the LA area that arent progressing towards {censored}? Not to mention LA is the most plastic place in the United States as far as people go. Yeah, and plan on making a {censored}load of money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ExtraGum Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 Most of the bands you mentioned suck. I'd rather move to Austin or Nashville. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Panopticon Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 Originally posted by ExtraGum Most of the bands you mentioned suck.I'd rather move to Austin or Nashville. The scene here is terrible compared to what it was 2-3 years ago. Nashville is a run down, hopeless place to be now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ExtraGum Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 Don't worry, I'm not actually gonna do it. I'm all about hometown pride. If you're going fail in the music biz, you might as well stay close to mom's basement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Fill Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 I don't think it's really necessary to pack up and move to LA or New York. It seems to me if you make enough noise in the big metropolitan area in your home state and get noticed by the local media, you'll eventually show up on the radar of the bigwigs in New York and LA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members OldFenderGuy Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 Originally posted by SpeedKing Just a fun discussion question for you guys. Say you're in a rock band in the midwest, and you want to take your band a little more seriously and take it up a notch. The most popular place in the world seems to be located in Southern California, specifically in the LA area. Are you currently in an active band or just asking this as a general question?Reason that I ask is because I checked your profile, and noticed there wasn't any link to your bands WebSite.Not all bands come from California, and by just moving from one location to another is no guarantee that you will get more exposure or advance your career any quicker.You should do a lot of promotion, and try to "get the word out" when it comes to your band. One of the easiest ways is to set up a good website, not something just thrown together. Get as much exposure as possible, get as many demo's sent out as possible, and maybe good things will happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members xStonr Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 If the band is successful in the Mid West, I wouldn't move. It's better to be a big fish in the small pond rather than a little fish in the big pond. Also, if the band is that good, they will find you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jjpistols Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 Originally posted by ExtraGum Don't worry, I'm not actually gonna do it. I'm all about hometown pride. If you're going fail in the music biz, you might as well stay close to mom's basement. brilliant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kwsher Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 yep, crowded cities, vacant wallets out here! For a fine example of promoting one's band check out www.carybrothers.com. Whether you're into his music or not, he produced his first CD out of his house--all grass roots effort and a great job getting the word out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GretschGuy Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 Yes you should. 1- You're only young once 2- Even if things don't go like you want it'll be a heck of an experience 3- You will never look back and say you should have done it 4- maybe you'll get lucky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chiro972 Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 My brother's out there. His band is getting some air time and opening for some pretty big names, but they are still just one small fish in a big pond. Here's their site:tall music Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SpeedKing Posted May 11, 2005 Author Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 It's a theoretical question for aspiring musicians out there. I already live here, and I'm signed with Universal..I just ask because I want to know your thoughts on the "head west" move that so many bands attempt to achieve success. I just bring it up for discussion's sake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members No Soul Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 Its a terrible idea. If you want to get discovered why go to the most congested place possible where you will more competition than you could believe! Stay in the middle of nowhere, develope a cult following, then start dancing arround the country. Not to mention LA sucks (this is a scientific fact) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mockingbich Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 Originally posted by No Soul Its a terrible idea. If you want to get discovered why go to the most congested place possible where you will more competition than you could believe! Stay in the middle of nowhere, develope a cult following, then start dancing arround the country. Not to mention LA sucks (this is a scientific fact) Good advice... the days of moving to a big city to be a star are just about over. The internet has changed everything so TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT YOu don't need to get signed.... YOu can record yourself in your garage, promote on the net, and then set up your own tours... Touring will get you to meet other bands just like you would do in a big city....If you're any good you can distribute your own material and will eventually get picked up by a major label Plus you guys in the Midwest don't really know what's happening on the west coast. Spanish is now the Freakin official language. The southwest US is starting to look like a foreign country because of all the damn illegal aliens. I said ILLEGAL aliens, not immigrants.. there is a difference one more thing... LA is an absolute Sh*thole unless you're a millionaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SpeedKing Posted May 11, 2005 Author Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 I do understand the concept of it being better to be a big fish in a little pond, however, how many bands do you know of, that are commercially succesful (such as the ones I listed) that's home base was from a rural area in the midwest, or really even big cities (Chicago, etc.) Not quite as many as California and NY, right? This surely isn't coincidence is what I'm trying to discuss. I guess I can't really think of many bands that came from somewhere like Chicago (Chevelle and Disturbed come to mind), but surely many people could list a laundry list that came from California and such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jerry_picker Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 Originally posted by catalinagoose How many in your band? If you have more than three members, there isn't anymore room here. We have the equivalent of about three loaded 747s full of illegal immigrants unloading here everyday and it's getting pretty crowded. Also, I hope you guys are rich. I'm here. I got mine.SHUT THE DAMN GATES!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jerry_picker Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 Sure lots of bands made it in SoCal. So what? There is a huge population base out here, and the local talent that claws its way to the top is significant in number but perhaps NOT in proportion to the total population. I'd think that smaller towns (especially university towns)experiencing a housing or employment boom might be a better bet...more disposable income per capita and less competition among top notch acts. Study the music histories of Akron, Ohio or Athens, Georgia to see what can happen with the right chemistry. For aspiring musicians, LA is like the song says, "Nashville with a tan..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rocknrao Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 I would imagine the only good reason to move there is because that's where all the decision makers in the entertainment industry work. Well...there and NYC. If you're serious about commercial success, then why not give it a try? At the very least the weather's nice down there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jerry_picker Posted May 11, 2005 Members Share Posted May 11, 2005 Originally posted by rocknrao I would imagine the only good reason to move there is because that's where all the decision makers in the entertainment industry work. Well...there and NYC. If you're serious about commercial success, then why not give it a try? At the very least the weather's nice down there. Oh...right .Steer them away from the Bay Area . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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