Open Mic Venues

[Scratch]

Got any Open Mic stories to share?

I like to play at a little lakeside restaurant during fall and spring when the temps are conducive to the screened porch setting. This time of year it is just too dang hot to play out there, so I bide my time picking at a local open mic venue. Great place with nice folks... It is a music and video rental store during business hours, but on Friday evenings they set up a small stage and seating area that accomodates maybe 20 folks. Lots more musicians now attend as the word has gottnen out, so the setting has evolved to a more 'lectric venue. These folks can really play and last night the wall were shaking with some awesome CCR, Charley Daniels, Allman Brothers and other Southern Rock sounds. It was lots of fun to sit in the audience and take it in.

I really enjoyed the venue at first as there were several laid back singer/songwriter types reminicent of the early folk venues, playing Dylan, Neil Young, stuff etc. but over the past month, the stage has lent more to louder electric genres. I really enjoy listening to all the music, but when it comes time to play a few tunes, electric guys just migrate to the stage and start backing you up. Loudly...

Doesn't matter if I'm plugged in or not, I can't hear the vocals or my acoustic over their loud backup music. Several of the singer/songwriter guys have disappeared as result seeking other more intimate settings and I can't blame 'em. These are some of the nicest people I've ever met and I really like everyone there; background fellas included, but there seems to be nothing you can say to prevent them from just grabbing an instrument and joining in.

Just a matter of selecting the right open mic venue, I guess, but I'll probably join the other SS guys and seek a more intimate setting wherever that may be.

 

[walrus]

Can't you just say "this is a solo acoustic tune" to them? All the bands you mentioned do acoustic sets when they play i.e., Neil Young, The Allmans, etc...

I guess I'm wondering why no one there has simply said "no, thanks" to them yet, and why they think it's OK to join everyone.

At an open mic I used to go to (its since closed up), there was a percussionist there. Sometimes he played with me and others, sometimes not, but he always waited until he was asked.

walrus

 

[Default]

What have you said to them so far, Ken?

 

[Default]

I'd lean toward ceasing performing in the middle of the verse, folding my arms and when the other person finally stops, saying firmly into the mic, "Ok, I'd like to try that again, this time solo."

 

[fronobulax]

I'm reminded a little of some of the discussions concerning the Yacht Club at LTG I and II. People are trying to play by the rules but don't agree what they are.

As a bassist, I always assume that every performer needs a bass, but as a lousy bassist I am quite content to wait until I am asked.

I'd see if a polite word gives you a solo performance. If it doesn't then you should probably find another venue, IMO.

 

[Scratch]

One of the fellas is a 70+ guitarist (Older than me! :lol: ) named Jim... He's pretty good; plays a really nice Gretch Country Gentleman... Jim came up to me last week as I was getting ready to play and asked if I needed any backup. I gently told him I had a couple of solo acoustic tunes, but another couple that would lend to backup.

As I sat down, he wondered over and started to play, followed by a lead guitarist, sax player, fiddle player and bassist. Man were they loud! The real problem is that I capo up for almost all my songs and play originals in a lot of 7th and sus chords. They have no idea what the song is or where it's going, but do their best to figure it out... :shock:

Another acoustic player got up last week and politely mentioned that he didn't need any background support, but they all just played along anyway. Ole Jim says: "That's just the way we do it here". Gotta love these guys, but they're on their own planet... Not a big deal really; I'm sure I can find some other place, but I really enjoy the family oriented setting in this one. Just not into the smokey bar open mic stuff anymore...

 

[Scratch]

I'm reminded a little of some of the discussions concerning the Yacht Club at LTG I and II. People are trying to play by the rules but don't agree what they are.

As a bassist, I always assume that every performer needs a bass, but as a lousy bassist I am quite content to wait until I am asked.

I'd see if a polite word gives you a solo performance. If it doesn't then you should probably find another venue, IMO.

LTG I and II were actually pretty well managed with an occasional outsider wondering in to do a tune or two. LTG III (2009)is the last one I attended and it seemed to get a bit carried away as I recall with lots of backups wondering in; playing, then lingering around as backups. This year's venue will be a bit more structured in a basic open mic fashion with a sign up sheet and limit to number of songs played before bowing out to the next in line. The individual can politely mention how he/she want's to play: backup or no... It will be a Round Robin venue so folks can sign up again after performing the first time to play a second time as they follow suit till we close. At least that's the plan...

 

[Default]

Sorry to hear that about the open mic. "If that's the way we do it here", I'd learn some hard bop jazz just to screw with them. Do a lot of false stops and 11th chords. ;-)

Seriously, find another, more nurturing venue.

 

[fronobulax]

LTG I and II were actually pretty well managed with an occasional outsider wondering in to do a tune or two. LTG III (2009)is the last one I attended and it seemed to get a bit carried away as I recall with lots of backups wondering in;

The discussion I recall was after III. I dropped a year. Thanks for the correction.

 

[fronobulax]

that's the way we do it here

Sounds like folks are expecting attendees to front the "house band". Nothing wrong with that so long as that is what you were expecting.

 

[West R Lee]

I think much depends on what the venue is intended for, if there is an intention. I personally will not pick up a guitar in a situation like that, unless of course, everyone there has one. Even then, I wouldn't be at all offended igf someone politely said, "Hey if you don't mind, this is a solo".

The problem in Arlington is that we are all too nice, combined with the fact that for several years, there was no place for acoustic guys to play so they all migrated to us. To me it's fine to have one or two, especially someone like Steve Stone who's mando is a great accompany to an acoustic guitar with almost any song. The problems arise when you get 4 or 5 guys in there, one with a bass, another with a harp, and everybody wants to play every song.....especially when the event is intended for LTGer's.

I like this year's format for Arlington Ken, thanks for coming up with that.

West

 

[dapmdave]

Sounds like "open mic" has turned into "jam session".

Dave

 

[walrus]

"That's the way we do it here"!! Do they own the microphone? The speakers? Do they own the venue?

Otherwise, that seems pretty aggressive, and to be honest, it sounds pretty annoying. Especially since you said you wanted to go solo, and they came up anyway.

walrus

 

[Scratch]

Yep; pretty much... It didn't start out that way; just kinda evolved into a lively jam vs. open mic. Again; that's OK, but not particularly what I'd prefer. There are others; just a matter of driving further and they're usually in a saloon setting. Sure would be nice to front an acoustic open mic venue here in the hill country, but it's cost prohibitive for me...

Fall will soon be here and I'll migrate like a duck back to the familiarity of Ninfa's... :lol:

@West: Thanks Jim; just adding a little organization to it is all. Still have the ole military habits in that regard... Just nine folks signed up as of today although I'm sure Russ and Linda are going. Some folks may have missed the sign up thread and it's still just August: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=32644

 

[Default]

"Here's my new song. I charted it out and printed up copies for everybody. Watch me for the changes."

 

[dapmdave]

"Here's my new song. I charted it out and printed up copies for everybody. Watch me for the changes."

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

You made my day!

Dave

 

[davismanLV]

Thanks for the clarification, Steve. So the decrescendo comes as the cattle are removed from the stage, yes? That's much more clear....... :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Default]

Thanks for the clarification, Steve. So the decrescendo comes as the cattle are removed from the stage, yes? That's much more clear....... :lol: :lol: :lol:

watch that you don't release the penguins too early. I do that all the time. :-(

 

[davismanLV]

Awwww, jeeze. I was so worried the harpists weren't gonna stand up on que, I didn't release my penguin AT ALL!!! Damn!! :roll:

 

[Scratch]

"Here's my new song. I charted it out and printed up copies for everybody. Watch me for the changes."

Steve,
I'm gonna nonchalantly hand this out to the backup band at the Open Mic Friday night. Looking forward to the reaction... :lol: :lol: