what I heard back is that, while social media is an important promotional tool, the secret to breaking into the local club scene hasn’t really changed over the past 30 years. John Allaire has been a fixture on the local music scene since the mid eight- ies when he played in the Towne Cryers. These days he hosts a Sunday afternoon showcase called The Allaire Show at Quinn’s on Bank. Here are his thoughts on breaking into the local music scene. “The club scene is possibly at its most difficult point I have seen in about 3 decades. The discouraging combination of fewer venues taking chances on live original music combined with an overall decline of art/entertainment consumers leaving their homes (Netflix syndrome?) is really having a detrimental effect on new music being heard or a “scene” be- ing created.”
“Having said that though, opportuni- ties do exist for the brave and the bold - they are just a little more difficult to find and require flexibility and good ol’ fashioned leg work.”
“Go out! Leave your house. Go to the places you want to play. Meet bands and club owners. Network with actual face time in front of them. Show sup- port to the scene. And learn from those already playing the club scene.”
“Flexibility is key. There are plenty of opportunities for the singer and song- writer to play stripped down gigs at restaurants, songwriter circles and other such solo/duet shows. Don’t pass on op- portunities because they aren’t full-band shows. Consider the stripped down shows to be live advertisements for the clubs shows. Practice them. Get good at them. And practice in general. If you aren’t tight and ready for general public scru- tiny, you are doing yourself more harm than good, hitting the market too early.” “THEN, hit that social media and make sure everyone you know is coming out to support your new venture. Nothing will instill you into the club scene more than drawing lots of bums in seats. The clubs are running a business. Helping their bottom line will give you a leg up
continued on page 66
www.bounder.ca BOUNDER MAGAZINE 49
For SALE 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook
• 2-door Club Coupe • 49,000 Original Miles • Owned for 30 years by present owner • Body and Paint (base/clear) completed 20 years ago
$18,000 (Safetied) Ask for Jim 613.831.1931
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72