Members pogo97 Posted October 24, 2011 Members Share Posted October 24, 2011 That is to say: how do you distinguish yourself from the other players on the circuit? Or do you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sologrrl Posted October 25, 2011 Members Share Posted October 25, 2011 Simple: I'm the only girl doing what 10 guys do. I sing songs they can't achieve range wise and did I mention I have boobs? I also like to play the dude's girl card. I drink, I smoke, I curse (sometimes into the mic depending on the type of bar - ie; dive bar with biker-esque loud mouthed and occasionally rude/offensive men) and I don't apologize for myself. I run my gigs like a business and I don't put up with bull{censored}. I am essentially a guy with boobs when I play and for some reason it's working LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shaster Posted October 25, 2011 Members Share Posted October 25, 2011 I am essentially a guy with boobs when I play and for some reason it's working LOL. Hey if it works for you it might work for..... na, forget it - I love music, but I don't think I'd suffer through surgery to get more gigs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted October 25, 2011 Moderators Share Posted October 25, 2011 do 'moobs' count? As I am starting out, I have been thinking over the 'concept', the presentation, the sales pitch......with the band, we knew how to set ourselves apart: Style, material, professionalism, appearance...we knew the circuit, we knew exactly what was not being done right and we did it. So now I am beginning to look at the solo/duo circuit here (Los Angeles), and wondering is there room for a player like me, with maybe more style than substance, mixing musicality with showmanship...I think so, I just need to make sure the niche I would like to fill a: exists, and b: isn't filled Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sventvkg Posted October 25, 2011 Members Share Posted October 25, 2011 Well, I'm me. No one sounds like me in the least. That's how. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shaster Posted October 25, 2011 Members Share Posted October 25, 2011 do 'moobs' count? As I am starting out, I have been thinking over the 'concept', the presentation, the sales pitch......with the band, we knew how to set ourselves apart: Style, material, professionalism, appearance...we knew the circuit, we knew exactly what was not being done right and we did it. So now I am beginning to look at the solo/duo circuit here (Los Angeles), and wondering is there room for a player like me, with maybe more style than substance, mixing musicality with showmanship...I think so, I just need to make sure the niche I would like to fill a: exists, and b: isn't filled Sometimes all it takes is the right room for the right musician. I knew a guy that had a house gig in a trendy part of town (way, way back). He sang, played guitar and used a drum machine - but that was it, no tracks... It was mostly or all originals, quirky up beat stuff. People loved him there, and he had quite a long stay (maybe a year or so). He eventually left to form his own band. The point being I don't think his solo act would have worked in many other rooms except the one he was in. It was just synchronicity. Or the brand could be external to the music. Twenty years ago, I went to see Steve Lukather play at the Baked Potato - I believe he played there on the odd Sunday. His gimmick, besides being an amazing guitarist, was that at some point in his show he would stop and read from a porno book. It was very surreal but the crowd loved it. They kept calling out, "read from the book". I didn't know what they were talking about until I heard it. Seems like if you've got something a little different, finding a suitable room makes for a successful venture. Of course it's finding the room (and convincing them to book you) that can be tough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Telecruiser Posted October 25, 2011 Members Share Posted October 25, 2011 ..... and did I mention I have boobs? This thread is lousy without pics. I am essentially a guy with boobs .... Now there is a visual that I didn't need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gary Blanchard Posted October 25, 2011 Members Share Posted October 25, 2011 I don't have a "brand" as such. I am simply a folk singer. I don't play pop cover tunes, don't rock out, and will bore some folks silly. If a place wants someone who does original music and traditional music that is somewhat on a non-religious inspirational plane, (and who also plays a banjo), I'm their guy. Did I mention that I don't gig a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sologrrl Posted October 25, 2011 Members Share Posted October 25, 2011 This thread is lousy without pics. Now there is a visual that I didn't need. LOL Soon enough maybe. And Yes, dude with boobs, attitude wise at least. I do most certainly have all working female parts. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted October 25, 2011 Members Share Posted October 25, 2011 Do you mean like this? (OUCH!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members trevcda Posted October 25, 2011 Members Share Posted October 25, 2011 I am essentially a guy with boobs... Except that "a guy with boobs" would have no reason to leave the house! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members HarpNinjaMike Posted October 25, 2011 Members Share Posted October 25, 2011 If you want to see a band interact with the crowd and get them involved in the show, get people drinking, hear a bunch of crazy sounds, and feel good - but don't have the budget volume for a full-blown band, then I am your man, lol. I am trying to target smaller venues that can still have electric performers. I just want to have fun and let each song write itself for the night. I guess I am a modern blues-man, but I cover everything from Katy Perry to Son House...all in my style, though. Maybe like the Black Key (can't be Keys because I am the only one) with harmonica instead of guitar. My pass is that I do a one-man-band with no guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EightString Posted October 25, 2011 Members Share Posted October 25, 2011 It's the voice. I'm not much to look at, but women often audibly gasp when I start singing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fingerpicker Posted October 26, 2011 Members Share Posted October 26, 2011 solo grrl lets team up! The pretty people need to unite! what sets me apart is that im way better lookin than most solo players--and can sing/play journey solo. WITHOUT TRACKS YO!!!! hahahhahahaha dont be mad, just accept it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fingerpicker Posted October 26, 2011 Members Share Posted October 26, 2011 but women often audibly gasp when I start singing post menapause hahahahaha! im just f-ing w ya. just got home from a tuesday gig i guess ya'll sleepin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members EightString Posted October 26, 2011 Members Share Posted October 26, 2011 Don't make me post those gig pics again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fingerpicker Posted October 26, 2011 Members Share Posted October 26, 2011 wow i was tipsy last night! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sologrrl Posted October 26, 2011 Members Share Posted October 26, 2011 solo grrl lets team up! The pretty people need to unite! what sets me apart is that im way better lookin than most solo players--and can sing/play journey solo. WITHOUT TRACKS YO!!!! hahahhahahaha dont be mad, just accept it If this had a "like" button I'd be all up in its {censored}. I play Journey too. The chord progression anyways. I start singing and people forget there's actually a musician present lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MDLMUSIC Posted October 27, 2011 Members Share Posted October 27, 2011 I do a one-man German band on a cheap Yamaha keyboard, complete with German accent, lederhosen, and silly props, like an Elvis wig, beer stein hat, and yodeling pickle. Can't do much more than that to set you apart from the other solo acts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted October 27, 2011 Moderators Share Posted October 27, 2011 yodeling pickle yeah, that would definitely do it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mike McLaughlin Posted October 28, 2011 Members Share Posted October 28, 2011 do 'moobs' count? My brand seems to be that I play naked (life is short... play naked) or play to naked people I have a standing gig every Friday during the season in a Pocono, PA resort going on 5 years (video below). It is a happy hour (5-8pm) gig at a pool bar. In the winter, I reside in Florida, and play twice monthly at another nudist resort. I'm gonna try and break this habit and branch out to textile bars and restaurants, but the only clothed playing I have done has been writers nights, and benefit concerts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rockerdiva Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 Well, I'm me. No one sounds like me in the least. That's how. Yes, that's how. There are an awful lot of good musicians in my area. Fortunately we all have our own unique voices. I'm a pretty good guitarist also, and as a female that helps because some girls do a lot more strumming than anything else. So many people say they picked up guitar so they could accompany themselves while singing. Me, I started singing just to make some sense of the things I wanted to play on the guitar. It was a few years before I really thought of myself as a decent singer, now I am proud of my instrument (my voice). It's not perfect, it may not be the best in the world, but it's not average - and it's all mine. This kind of thinking makes me feel better about aging. Lots of my friends are still performing into their 60's and 70 's and stuff. I am only 47 but I still look ok I guess. I have good stage presence and a decent amount of talent. Whatever abilities I have now, I'll continue to have and hopefully I'll continue to improve and grow - so what if I age? I guess I'll still be the only me. Not comparing myself to her (because she's awesome) but I thought this when we saw Bonnie Raitt a couple of years back. No matter how old she is, she's always gonna be Bonnie, you know? She's 60+ and she looks good on stage. Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, they still look like they belong on stage. No fat jokes about Ann please! Actually she probably has better self esteem than I do. If I got kind of fat AND was 60 I might have trouble getting the nerve to step up there... So maybe I have to keep myself in shape for my head to be right. As long as I don't start looking like granny or Aunt Bee up there I'll be able to do this. Tell you what, Bonnie Raitt was looking just fine in her jeans at age 60. Sorry I didn't mean to turn this thread to an "age" related thing ... I must be worried about it Well in this business I guess you can't help it. Actually musicians have it a little better than athletes, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Gary Blanchard Posted October 31, 2011 Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 Sadly, I think age counts more against females than males. It shouldn't be that way, but it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members pogo97 Posted October 31, 2011 Author Members Share Posted October 31, 2011 My musical partner is a great singer and musical comedy actress. She started playing with big bands at 15 in the early sixties and has been in the business ever since. At her 'peak' she had her own Canadian network television variety show. At 65 (and still looking great) she's just getting by with teaching, an occasional gig, and the old age supplement. By the same token, another fellow in town was lead singer in a one-hit band from the late sixties. He's in better shape, but not much, because he has managed to carry forward some money from the past. I wouldn't say the music biz has treated either of the especially well. YOUTH is mighty brand if you have it; OLD AGE doesn't sell so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rockerdiva Posted November 4, 2011 Members Share Posted November 4, 2011 Well, I don't know. We have plenty of musicians around here who are over 50 still doing just fine, male and female. Some doing better than others, and there's no shame in having side jobs other than gigging. I'm lucky enough to now have several other music related irons in the fire. But I'm nowhere near ready to step off stage. Like I said, Ann and Nancy Wilson and Bonnie Raitt are still standing up there at age 60+ and not looking ridiculous, at least not to me. Guess I had just better keep my weight right and above all, keep learning and growing musically ... I'm going to hang in, like Bonnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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