Ray
Pete's announcement re the demise of the Musketeer's Open Mic prompted this post. Well, for a while I've been thinking about it but not really geared to get actively engaged.
So, what I was thinking is maybe to get something going locally. Maybe. What I need to know is what I need to get it going. I see there is a bit of an East Rand/Jo'burg contingent in this house so possibly it could be a good start.
Let's see. What makes the beginnings for establishment of an open mic? GEar, equipment and so forth.
Venue - I think there could possibly be a few that would be interested. My goodness, I'll even approach my golf club maybe at a push. But I'm thinking that wouldnt be ideal.
People - well, tied in with venue a bit I suppose. When you have a person who has just started playing guitar giving it a go you dont really want a bunch of dronk ous shouting requests for Hotel California and Stairway to Heaven at them when they're trying to get through Blowing in the Wind. But mainly the people is the participants and "educated" audience. How do these things work? Is it like a Toastmasters where you can have consturctive crit on what's just been done? Or do the performers jsut hop up to the front, give it a go and bugger off?
Sponsor/s - local music stores maybe. Someone trying to get his backyard brewery off the ground. Jissie, ek weet nie.
Probably a lot more to think about but no rush. So I'd appreciate a bit of input here please. If you think it is a silly idea or can never take fly say as well. Because if it's equipemtn that is a problem I'll go and buy the stuff but I sure as hell dont want to sit with a whole lot of kit if nothing comes of it.
As I said, this is just thinkings at the moment but who knows. Something could happen.
Bob-Dubery
In Jo'burg there is a thriving open mic night - once a month at TJ's. There is a greater demand though. We've had people come from Pretoria, Alberton and Benoni (and, once, White River) to play at TJ's open mic night.
I think a key difference between the situation that Petem described and TJ's is that TJ's don't operate in a pub. They rent a room at a municipal sports club. This has some advantages and one apparent (but perhaps not actual) disadvantage.
The disadvantage is that they have to pay for the room and so they have to charge an admission fee. This actually seems to have not been an impediment.
The advantages...
1) They're under no pressure to up the bar bill by a certain amount
2) They're not in a pub so the people that do come have either come to listen to an open mic night or to perform or to support one of the performers
3) Following on from (2), the audience is there to LISTEN and to ENCOURAGE. The open mic night is not a background to the goings on around the bar
4) But they still have bar facilities (waiters come in from the main bar and take orders), catering facilities (sports clubs always can provide at least toasted sarmies and burgers), toilets, plenty of secure parking.
The room is small and they don't have to compete with patrons and TV sets, so they don't need a big sound system. TJ's usually use their monitors for the PA on open mic nights. They usually provide 2 vocal mics and 2 lines for acoustic guitars. They have a couple of DI box/preamp pedals handy for people who have guitars with low-output pickups.
I think you have to take a long-term view of this. The last time I ran a night for TJ's I did some market research to find out how people heard about the evening. Number one, by a long way, was "word of mouth". Word of mouth is good, but it takes time for word to get around. Of course, if you're in the sort of situation I've described above you can take a longer term view of things as you're not under pressure to increase the bar bill by so much in such-and-such a time.
Try to negotiate RE the rental. I think the deal that TJ's have is that the venue gets half the door (but it's a municipal club, therefore probably doesn't have a huge need to make profits). That might be better than a fixed rent. See what you can negotiate.
For me this sort of enterprise has great value. What I've seen from going to TJ's is that there are a great number of people who have some skill and some ideas and/or an itch to get up on stage but no platform. These might be guys who just want to sing some golden oldies, but we also get the Squonks and the Nechama Brodies who have original, interesting ideas but (no offence intended) are too old now to join a band.
You also get real professional musicians. You'd be surprised. We have had guys at TJ's who are good musicians with a gig backing somebody else or in a band who just want to do their own thing every now and then.
You will need people with a volunteer mindset. I am a big fan of volunteers. They make the world go round. In 2010 when I saw Martin Simpson it was at the local folk club in a little village in Hampshire. Simpson and his band got paid, but the club has no profit motive and is run by volunteers. That doesn't mean that they aren't efficient and organised, just that they don't get paid, they are doing what they do out of some other motivation. Same thing when I saw Martin Carthy - club run by volunteers.
TJ's could not function without people like Fingerpicker or (not a member here) Celia Chiltern who give their time freely (on the night and also in other ways and at other times where it is not so visible) so that those who want to play and those who want to listen can come together.
If Petem is reading I was going to PM much of what I've said here to him. Now that Ray has started this thread it seems more appropriate to share it in this way.
PeteM
Thanks Bob.
deefstes
Further to Bob's post I'd like to highlight another difference between TJ's and most other open mic nights. I'm not sure to what extent this contributes to their success but I'm sure it does and it's certainly worth pointing out.
TJ's is more than just an open mic night. I'd be curious to know how successful they'd have been if they were only that. They bill themselves (Bob, correct me if I'm wrong) as "TJ's Acoustic Club". They have an open mic one Thursday every month but on the other Thrusdays they have an equally thriving agenda. I have been to one or two so I can't comment with authority but it would seem as if some people prefer the more formally arranged nights while others prefer the open mic nights, and then there's a sizeable overlap as well as one draws from the other.
So I think the fact that TJ's has a few different arrows in their proverbial quiver helps them to have a stable following.
Bob?
Bob-Dubery
Ja well.... I'm not actually involved in the running of TJ's. I know it looks that way, but I'm not. I don't sit on the committee and can't speak for them. I'm also a Johnny-come-lately. TJ's has been around for years in one form or another. I don't know the history, don't know how things got to the stage where they are now. But I know it had a beginning.
I don't know how the formal evenings and the open mic nights effect each other. You're right in that the audiences have some overlap but are not the same. Speaking for myself one of the attractions of the open mic nights is that you don't know what you're going to get. It's a "box of chocolates" scenario.
But the thing about an open mic night IS that it's an open mic night. You can only control it so much, only have so much of an agenda. People walk through the door and ask to play. TJ's do have rules in place that they can invoke if the same people keep on hogging the open mic night, so they're encouraging the wild card element and certainly they prioritise new comers.
I think it does help that they've been around for years. For example, there are several guitar teachers who know about TJ's and will tell their pupils that there's this place where they can have a go at live performance.
Ray
Thanks Bob. Yes, I think a sports club might be what I should take a look at. I'll wonder on up to the cricket club later this week and feel around a bit. I havent been there in years but maybe there's still one or two people around there I can remember. As for equipment, what you mentioned doesnt sound that bad and I can get that together I think. I've got a start already I think. But I'm still just thinking this thing through.
Another thing that I think I must do is come take a looksee at TJ's. Although it means that I have to traverse 2 wide plains and cross a mountain pass to get there and then back again.
Tell me, any of the forum guys from the East Rand, would such a setup interest you. Could you see yourself pitching up monthly or so? Dop you have any ideas on a venue?
Airguitar
Ray wrote
Thanks Bob. Yes, I think a sports club might be what I should take a look at. I'll wonder on up to the cricket club later this week and feel around a bit. I havent been there in years but maybe there's still one or two people around there I can remember. As for equipment, what you mentioned doesnt sound that bad and I can get that together I think. I've got a start already I think. But I'm still just thinking this thing through.
Another thing that I think I must do is come take a looksee at TJ's. Although it means that I have to traverse 2 wide plains and cross a mountain pass to get there and then back again.
Tell me, any of the forum guys from the East Rand, would such a setup interest you. Could you see yourself pitching up monthly or so? Dop you have any ideas on a venue?
I like the idea. We used to do this in one of the side halls of the Benoni library, which was quite well attended.
I guess there are a number of options available. The Scout Hall in Benoni also comes to mind..
Guess where I live.
I have PA equipment which will do the job but guys would be advised to bring their own mikes and cables.
Maybe we could have some fun and make some music.. 8)
Atherie1
I may be living under a rock as this is the first time I've heard of TJ's open mic! I'd be keen to check it out. When and where abouts does it take place?
Bob-Dubery
Airguitar wrote
I have PA equipment which will do the job but guys would be advised to bring their own mikes and cables.
TJ's provide mics and cables into the PA. This is not just because they're saintly types or want to play "wa wa wa we're so lekker" type games. It's pragmatic. If the open mic night is busy (and I hope Ray's will be) then it wastes a lot of time to swop mics and leads.
So maybe have some other person supply those items, but don't tell the participants to bring their own because you'll spend too much time frootling with cables and mics.
Bob-Dubery
Atherie1 wrote
I may be living under a rock as this is the first time I've heard of TJ's open mic! I'd be keen to check it out. When and where abouts does it take place?
Last Thursday of the month, at Marks Park in Emmarentia. It's usually announced on the events board.
Check out the events board. If you need more information or have questions then PM me.
Atherie1
X-rated Bob wrote
Atherie1 wrote
I may be living under a rock as this is the first time I've heard of TJ's open mic! I'd be keen to check it out. When and where abouts does it take place?
Last Thursday of the month, at Marks Park in Emmarentia. It's usually announced on the events board.
Check out the events board. If you need more information or have questions then PM me.
Wow! That's like 10 minutes away from where I live! ? Definitely been living under a rock! Thanks Bob, will definitely check it out!
deefstes
Atherie1 wrote
X-rated Bob wrote
Atherie1 wrote
I may be living under a rock as this is the first time I've heard of TJ's open mic! I'd be keen to check it out. When and where abouts does it take place?
Last Thursday of the month, at Marks Park in Emmarentia. It's usually announced on the events board.
Check out the events board. If you need more information or have questions then PM me.
Wow! That's like 10 minutes away from where I live! ? Definitely been living under a rock! Thanks Bob, will definitely check it out!
The next one is on Jan 26. There will likely be a few GFSA members. Come say "hi" if you do pop in.
singemonkey
I for one would love to see Ray play tjoons and tell stories. But is it just me or can others not picture him doing so without a dop at hand? ?
Squonk
singemonkey wrote
I for one would love to see Ray play tjoons and tell stories. But is it just me or can others not picture him doing so without a dop at hand? ?
+1
Jack-Flash-Jr
singemonkey wrote
I for one would love to see Ray play tjoons and tell stories. But is it just me or can others not picture him doing so without a dop at hand? ?
If you're lucky he might show you his bass hole.
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/setup-mods-and-repair/bullets-bums-and-bass-guitars/
Atherie1
deefstes wrote
Atherie1 wrote
X-rated Bob wrote
Atherie1 wrote
I may be living under a rock as this is the first time I've heard of TJ's open mic! I'd be keen to check it out. When and where abouts does it take place?
Last Thursday of the month, at Marks Park in Emmarentia. It's usually announced on the events board.
Check out the events board. If you need more information or have questions then PM me.
Wow! That's like 10 minutes away from where I live! ? Definitely been living under a rock! Thanks Bob, will definitely check it out!
The next one is on Jan 26. There will likely be a few GFSA members. Come say "hi" if you do pop in.
Thanks for the info! I'll definitely pop in! Hell, I'll even play!
Airguitar
X-rated Bob wrote
Airguitar wrote
I have PA equipment which will do the job but guys would be advised to bring their own mikes and cables.
TJ's provide mics and cables into the PA. This is not just because they're saintly types or want to play "wa wa wa we're so lekker" type games. It's pragmatic. If the open mic night is busy (and I hope Ray's will be) then it wastes a lot of time to swop mics and leads.
So maybe have some other person supply those items, but don't tell the participants to bring their own because you'll spend too much time frootling with cables and mics.
Understood, but these items take wear and tear and it's unfair to expect the donor to carry the cost in the long run.
I've loaned out PA's with mikes, cables and whatnot umpteen times and my poor bloody mics and cables always got the worst of the hammering for it. I hate to say it but here's where someone has to count the cost.
Fingerpicker
Ray,
A while back there used to be a very nice and well organized club in Boksburg which would fire up on a Sunday night at the old Post Office. Place was always packed, nice stage and acoustics. Got so popular the local newspaper came and interviewed the organizers. They said "can anyone come and play?" One of the organizers said, "Hell yeah, the Devil himself could walk in here and we would let him play!" Well all hell broke loose and the poor fellow ended up on a pole, covered in tar and carried out of town (almost). The club closed down a week later, the agreement to use it as a music venue cancelled, and the musos branded as devil worshippers. It really got bad. The uproar lasted about a year what with letters flying backwards and forwards in the newspaper.
My advice would be to avoid Boksburg as a possibility and don't give any interviews to anyone. Hell I still make sure my car is locked when I drive through that place. I don't tell anyone I'm a muso either.
Regards,
FP
Ray
Actually a few days ago I was googling and all and came across some or other Open Mic in Trichardts but also cant get hold of any organizer. There was a lady who ran a Songwriters Attic outfit and I tried the phone number on the myspace page and niks. See, I'm not desperate to start something. I'm looking for something to go to. If nothing exists then I want to gauge what sort of interest there would be.
I like the idea of a rented venue at a sports club rather than a restaurant sort of place. But these place dont have any audio or decent audiop stuff usually and then it would involve some investment.
I dont think that there's too much interest. I dont want to borrow equipment from anyone either becasue that is accountability on me that I dont want.
Anyway, I am still scouting around.
So, the devil's out then? Just the other day he wondered over and sat down on a hickory stump and said "boy lemme tell you what".
Keira-WitherKay
Ray wrote
So, the devil's out then? Just the other day he wondered over and sat down on a hickory stump and said "boy lemme tell you what".
let the devil sit down on the hickory stump ray ......but word of warning just don't follow him down to the "crossroads"
