Adrenalin Rush

PeteM

I've just come back from having played at an open mic evening in Amanzimtoti and now chilling here with a cup of tea before going to bed.

Our band Cloud 9, hasn't managed to get many gigs as yet and as the front line guy (guitarist and singer) I've decided to do open mic sessions to get back into the flow of playing in front of a live audience.

Tonight, things started slowly and the musos were a little reticent to get going so I picked up my guitar and started to play. It felt a little lonesome up there after two numbers, so I invited the musos that were there to come up and play with me. First a drummer came up and then two guys from a band called Catlike Thieves, the bass player and lead guitarist, who were going to play later that evening, came up and hey, things started to groove - I had an absolute ball. A half an hour later, the organisers asked me to introduce the next band.

I don't know if anyone has heard Catlike Thieves but jeez are they tight? It's pretty obvious that they have put a lot of work into their act, playing with a mix of raw power and gentle sensitivity - great to hear a band that understands and feels dynamics.

Later, I was asked to get up again and three other guys joined me on stage and we played a blues set. Bass, drums and Graeme who played an acoustic slide guitar - really great stuff.
e
The reason for this self-indulgent thread is to acknowledge the fact that the organisers at the Amanzimtoti Lions Club welcomed me with open arms and also how privelged I was to be accompanied by such good musos.

Keira-WitherKay

yeah pete open mics are great ways to try new material or new parts of your act that you would not risk at a pro gig...... despite being a fulltime pro muso i still use open mics whenever i can to experiment and try idea's .... it's an awesome tool ........ to get you more ready for the pro gigs......just allows you to add that polish that turns heads in the pro gigs but test it wihout stressing ....... cos lets face it when they paying you the money nobody wants to see you try a new pedal or try new songs .... ect .......

i'm always suprised more muso's don't flock to open mics .... the industry's best kept rehearsal secret ....(although i see you and your band know it .....)

so yeah glad you had a cool gig and i'll watch out for that band you mentioned.......

btw i'm coming to dbn on 30th of this month..... been invited to do a lunchtime concert /recital at the university for the music students.... and might be there a few days before..... all depends if i find another show for either the tues or thurs night but need to be back in jhb by fri for my weekend gigs here ...........so maybe if you free we can hook up.... for a cuppa tea and a guitar chat ......seems we both have nylon fetish's heheheh

peace and light
keira

Sean

Sounds like a good evening was had by all. Funny how sometimes when something is not strictly planned(like just getting together on stage and jamming), it seems to just come together and flow. Wouldn't mind that sort of thing happening more often ?

RobK

For some reason I thought you said this was next Friday. Would have come to see otherwise. Sounds like it was a great evening.

aubs1

Sounds like you had some real good fun Pete........awesome......... ?

Squonk

Good stuff Pete

What's also good is that you could play a "blues" set. It seems as though South Africans are really starting to appreciate good music.
Also good for you Pete, lots of confidence boosting and appreciation for your music. And it must have been brilliant to slot in with other muso's without any problem. ?
No disrespect here Pete ?, bit I thought I was past it at 46, trying to get the courage to do at least one open Mic! So these posts are positive and encouraging possibly more than you think.

PeteM

@Keira - I'll call the university and see if I can gatecrash your lecture. It'll be great to meet a fellow nylon player - too few of us around.

Keira-WitherKay

PeteM wrote @Keira - I'll call the university and see if I can gatecrash your lecture. It'll be great to meet a fellow nylon player - too few of us around.

it's not a lecture ....... it's a lunchtime concert ........ so sure you can come.... or if there's security probs with allowing non students onto campus just get hold of me and arrive with me say you my manager/roadie......... might be a good idea since i have no idea where the campus is heheheheh be my guide..... ...... yeah far as i know they just asked me to perform a 45 min set .... but it's not a lecture per se........... someone saw me play in jhb and arranged it ........ anyway i'm always grateful for the exposure and the fee pays for a midweek break in dbn so fabulous......

yeah and hoping to maybe arrange another gig on maybe that tues evening or even the wed night ... but nothing concrete i did contact a few dbn venues even people at luna lounge but seems you guys mostly do gigs on weekends........ so if you know of venues doing gigs midweek let me know....... i'll do a proper dbn tour later ..........

peace and light

keira

PeteM

@keira - I don't know too much about the paying circuit here in Durbs (I've been out of it for so long) - but will make enquiries - will let you know if I discover anything.

RobK

Hmmm, I might be able to sneak away to a lunchtime concert, so let me know whether non-students are OK.

Garth-S

@ Keira & Pete

I would also be really keen to pop in for the "recital", would it be possible? It'll be great to finally meet some forum folk, and i work a couple of hundred metres from the university.

I know that Zacks have open mic evenings on mondays, they used to have on wednesdays too but i'm not sure if they still do. I could check it out if you're interested in playing an open mic Keira.

Keira-WitherKay

yeah cool .... the more support the merrier......

unfortunately i won't be in Dbn on monday night so thats not an option... i'm either gonna arrive tues sometime have a chilled day and do lunchtime thing the next day ....... and then leave unless i get a paid gig for either tues or wed night ... and maybe thurs but i need to be in jhb on fri for a gig ......so yeah tues or wed are best options...... but if not i'll enjoy Dbn for the 2/3 days heheheh

peace and light
K