Members He_Who_Rocks Posted March 20, 2006 Members Posted March 20, 2006 All opinions are welcome, but I
Members Body Bomb Posted March 20, 2006 Members Posted March 20, 2006 I live in Seattle and love it. Great clubs, great bands, lots of greek food. Honestly, though? From listening to your tunes, I think you guys would do a lot better in the Bay Area. A good chunk of the bands from here that do well (read KEXP airplay and press in The Stranger and gigs in the well-known clubs) play indie-pop, garage rock, or hardcore, and you guys don't really fit any of those molds. I can't really think of any really popular local bands that sound like you guys. However, it may just mean that market's waiting to be tapped.
Members Droplaw621 Posted March 20, 2006 Members Posted March 20, 2006 Bay area is super expensive, hope you got a deep wallet if you choose to go there. What kind of shows do you want to be playing in Portland?
Members sventvkg Posted March 20, 2006 Members Posted March 20, 2006 The Bay area is WAY to expensive and the music scene leaves much to be desired to my experience when I lived there a few years ago..I would stay right were you are if I were you..Your support base is there, and Seattle is close for gigs. Also, if they aren't into your vibe there right now in the established scene, it's a perfect opportunity to MAKE YOUR OWN Scene there!!..Get it going and start kicking ass!! Be the first to get it going in Portland. Lord knows Portland needs to ass kicking rock instead of this Emo-whiner-kid indie rock I hear from there!!! Stay in Portland and make it happen!
Members gtrbass Posted March 20, 2006 Members Posted March 20, 2006 Consider that the grass is no greener anywhere else. There's no magic land of Milk & Honey where you will quickly gain acceptance. In fact, if you relocate to another city, you're behind the eight ball because there are already a number of established bands ahead of you. Unless someone has offered you a real opportunity, or you play shows in a different city where you see a noticeable interest in what you're doing, I'd be careful about it. That said, neither Seattle or San Francisco is a "music mecca" like Los Angeles, Nashville or New York. They both have healthy music scenes, but "the record man" is no more or less likely to find you there as he/she is in Portland. SF is a very eclectic scene, and one of the most expensive places in the US to live. Seattle still has it's indie DYI ethic. I'd say stay based in Portland if you have a solid support network there and tour. P.S. Never call it Frisco...the liberal hippie types that live there hate that.
Members mrcpro Posted March 20, 2006 Members Posted March 20, 2006 It sounds like you already know the Seattle market a little, which gives it an advantage. But my suggestion actually would be to stay where you are and take jobs up there as they come before moving. It's not that far away. That's what an original band I was in did, although it was years ago and in reverse... we were based in Seattle but played Portland quite a bit... all the way down to Eugene actually. This same subject eventually fragmented this band because some of them moved to SF. We were working a lot in the PNW, but they thought the opportunities were greater there. They were for one member who was picked up by a California group with a recording contract. The rest of the band totally fell apart after that. Not what they had in mind originally...
Members elsongs Posted March 20, 2006 Members Posted March 20, 2006 The thing with relocating is that you have to basically start your following from scratch. Also, though your new market might be bigger than your current home, there's no absolute guarantee you'll gain a larger audience. You're better off touring or doing one-off shows in other cities.
Moderators BATCAT Posted March 20, 2006 Moderators Posted March 20, 2006 There's a lot of sensible advice here so I haven't much to add. I live in Seattle- Portland seems to have the distinct advantage of being at such a good in-between point for Seattle, San Francisco, and LA. It's such a long trip down to SF and LA from here... And Seattle isn't any cheaper that Portland, trust me...
Members Prog Posted March 20, 2006 Members Posted March 20, 2006 All the money in Seattle is moving (or already has) to the casinos. You might be able to play in Seattle, but you won't make any money. Originally posted by gtrbass P.S. Never call it Frisco...the liberal hippie types that live there hate that. Frisco it is!! Thanks for the info.
Members Blackwatch Posted March 20, 2006 Members Posted March 20, 2006 Fron the post in: The Music Biz Hey Guys....Seattle is like any other place musically it seems. You will find gigs here but they won't pay. You'll be playing twice a month if you're in the city. You have 3 or 4 big clubs (the Central, Nemous, the Fenix, and a few others, this really isn't my genre so my knowledge is limited. ) You'll play with 3 other bands a night and I don't really know how much you'll make although it can't be much.You're best shot is to court the local music rag The Stranger. If they like you you're on your way. They just pretty much made Modest Mouse's career.The big thing to ask yourself about Seattle is.....Can you handle the weather???Good Luck and if I can help let me know. _
Members HuskerDude Posted March 20, 2006 Members Posted March 20, 2006 I haven't lived here long but SF seems like a lot of other towns. A lot of metal/hard rock bands that never seem to gig. The rehearsal places are full of them but you never some across any shows. I think most of the people around here who are interested in that sort of stuff are already in bands themselves. And being closer to LA really has nothing to do with your chances of "making it" anymore.If you're a youring band in the modern age it hardly matters where your home base is. Play a lot and use the internet to network and promote and you can be from Bum{censored} Iowa and still have a halfway decent chance.
Members THBv2.0 Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 Originally posted by He_Who_Rocks All opinions are welcome, but I
Members SanDiego333 Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 Hey there. Lived in Seattle for twenty years - right out of college till three years ago (yeah, I'm an old {censored}er) - you're right about the distance being an easier move, but the other posters are right about not making any money. So, if it's about being "discovered", I don't know that either city would be an advantage. That said, I notice you wrote about how SF is close® to LA. Let me tell ya, it ain't a daily commute thing driving from the Bay area down to LA and back. It's still a haul. If you're looking to be closer to LA, then you should probably jusy move there. Oh, and, to echo some other sentiment that folks have posted - SF is VERY expensive! You guys (gals?) considered taking the $ you'd use for a move and putting it into a demo or other promotion and see how that goes? Good luck to you!
Members BlueStrat Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 Originally posted by SanDiego333 Hey there.Lived in Seattle for twenty years - right out of college till three years ago (yeah, I'm an old {censored}er) - you're right about the distance being an easier move, but the other posters are right about not making any money. So, if it's about being "discovered", I don't know that either city would be an advantage. That said, I notice you wrote about how SF is close(r) to LA. Let me tell ya, it ain't a daily commute thing driving from the Bay area down to LA and back. It's still a haul. If you're looking to be closer to LA, then you should probably jusy move there. Oh, and, to echo some other sentiment that folks have posted - SF is VERY expensive!You guys (gals?) considered taking the $ you'd use for a move and putting it into a demo or other promotion and see how that goes? Good luck to you! Yep. SF to LA is about like driving from Portland to Boise.
Members ThumpThumpTwang Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 Never been to Seattle or SanFran. But, I spent some quality time in Portland. Had a drummer from there drop by at a recent rehearsal. It sounds like about as happening a place as any other, (well maybe 'cept here). Even before I realized you were from there, I was gonna suggest Portland. What are your reasons for leaving? I did five states in five years, and from what I can tell, moving around alot hasn't helped me much. Just some opinions from an internet nobody... Plenty of others might tell you otherwise.
Members He_Who_Rocks Posted March 21, 2006 Author Members Posted March 21, 2006 Thanks for the input everyone. It's becoming more clear that staying put here in Portland makes the most sense - at least for now. The grass is not necessarily greener, and there's something to be said for being a somewhat large fish in a relatively small pond. The more advice the better though, so if you've got more to add please don't hesitate. Take 'er easy,-HWR Oh yeah, and if you're in a band in the PNW and you want to do some networking, check out our website and email our webmaster (who is also our drummer) or contact us via myspace.
Members cloudnine Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 I think the suggestions are good here, relocating is a big thing - but since its 2-3 hours maybe you could try to line up a weekend of gigs in the Seattle area every month or even a mini-tour down the coast?
Members ThumpThumpTwang Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 I don't know it first hand, but my nephew does the touring thing, a couple weeks on the road, a couple weeks home. I think he's pretty happy with it. He's covered Houston to Pittsburgh, I think. Not bad for a 20 year old kid.
Members Blackwatch Posted March 21, 2006 Members Posted March 21, 2006 What happened to the great supportive music scene I've heard that Portland has?? Is it just talk???
Members depdude19 Posted March 23, 2006 Members Posted March 23, 2006 Stay put. Hell, Seattle is only 3 hours up I-5. Olympia is closer. Book some gigs in BEND, Oregon. McMenamin's....The Black Horse Saloon. Send your promo stuff to the Sunriver Resort. Your location is ALREADY perfect. Vancouver just across the bridge. TONS of places in Portland, an hour south in Eugene. Why do you want to leave Portland? Your location is ideal. Stay put and get your ass to work.
Members BlueStrat Posted March 23, 2006 Members Posted March 23, 2006 Originally posted by Blackwatch What happened to the great supportive music scene I've heard that Portland has?? Is it just talk??? Portland is a blues/roots rock/hippie jam band kind of town, not really metal/alt rock friendly compared to other cities.
Members He_Who_Rocks Posted March 24, 2006 Author Members Posted March 24, 2006 Originally posted by BlueStrat Portland is a blues/roots rock/hippie jam band kind of town, not really metal/alt rock friendly compared to other cities. It also helps if you wear horn-rimmed glasses and dress like a librarian from the 50's. It's hard to get a following otherwise.
Members BlueStrat Posted March 24, 2006 Members Posted March 24, 2006 Originally posted by He_Who_Rocks It also helps if you wear horn-rimmed glasses and dress like a librarian from the 50's. It's hard to get a following otherwise. You mean, something like...
Members He_Who_Rocks Posted March 24, 2006 Author Members Posted March 24, 2006 Originally posted by BlueStrat You mean, something like... HA! You must be a local!
Members Droplaw621 Posted March 25, 2006 Members Posted March 25, 2006 Originally posted by BlueStrat Portland is a blues/roots rock/hippie jam band kind of town, not really metal/alt rock friendly compared to other cities. I'm going to have to disagree with on this one, I'm in a hardcore band, there is plenty of venues that are rock/metal friendly. There is a decent size fanbase for metal. But yes there is still many hippies.
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