I've started a documentary about being a struggling musician above the age of 30. (a topic i know too well).
One half of the doc will be to interview as many people and show how and why they do it, what keeps them going and their lives away from music (family, day jobs, etc).
It's just a personal quest of mine to figure out why I can't stop.
The other half of the doc is to document the actual lifespan of a new band (finding members, writing songs, naming the band, recording a cd, making a video, building a fanbase, etc) but instead of following a band for long period of time (6months to 3 years...) it will only be less than two months. (starting July 28th) I'm going to put together a brand new band of strangers and have them go through all the steps of being in a band culminating in a huge local show in which the band breaks up afterwards.
That's right. All of that in less than two months. I already booked the show for Sep 27th. It's the only way I'd get off my ass to do this.
Check out the craigslist ad below for more details and let me know if have any suggestions or thoughts. I would love to have your input any which way.
LOOK BELOW FOR AD
With this documentary I hope to reflect the following:
The state of the music business today.
What it's like for up and coming acts.
What it's like for musicians over 30 still doing it.
What is the deal with Latin Alternative? (sidebar)
How music affects us all.
And more I'll find along the way.
Please forward this email to anybody you think might be interested (production people, musicians over 30, etc).
Thank you all.
Giovanny Blanco
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CRAIGSLIST AD
Hey everybody,
I'm a singer looking for guitar, bass, drums, or keys (or any other musicians for that matter) that can write some songs with me fairly quickly.
I already have a band but we don't play locally. I'm the only member of the group that lives in Los Angeles and we only get together a few times a year for small tours across the country. But I'm really itching to play locally.
I want to play with some musicians in the Los Angeles area that might find themselves in the same boat as me: mid 30's, other band, day job, kids, etc.
Basically, I'm too busy to do anything full time and I don't want to do anything too casual like get together occasionally to jam. I don't want to commit to a long term band but I want to be involved with something exciting that will be challenging and fun.
I have a crazy idea.
I just booked a show less than two months from now at a mid size club in the L.A. area. On Sat Sep 27th to be exact.
I booked a show without a band, without any songs, without any fans. I know the promoters and they're up for this with me.
So, in the span of two months this needs to happen:
1. Get a songwriting partner and come up with a album's worth of material (10-16 songs).
2. Fill out the band with other players.
3. Come up with a name, style and direction.
4. Learn the material.
5. Record the songs.
6. Get an online presence (myspace, facebook, etc) and build a fanbase as quickly as possible.
7. Shoot a video.
8. Promote the hell out of the show.
9. Document every step of the way (video, blog, etc)
10. Play the show to a packed house.
11. Break up immediately after the show.
Insane, huh?
Some would call me a masochist. I just want to go through the average lifespan of a band in a matter of months.
Yes, it is crazy and some would say it's even a waste of time. I wouldn't. I think it's an excellent excuse to get as creative as possible in a limited amount of time and have lots of fun in the process.
What kind of music would we play? I only have one requirement: it needs to make people move. Something fresh, a good mix of Rock and Soul but not formulaic. Catchy and danceable, heavy and fast...good times, y'all good times. If it's Latin influenced in anyway (language, style, rhythms), even better.
YOU: over 30, male or female, with the ability to work with others and come up with material collectively in a very short amount of time.
Are you up for the challenge? The clock is ticking.
THIS IS FOR REAL. Don't read this and save it for later. When you see it happening later you'll kick yourself for not trying.
Send me links to music and tell me why you would like to do this and I'll send you more info (music, pics, etc.)
It is now after midnight on Tuesday July 29th...less than two months away.
Let's do this.
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