Comments on: Band no more

By: mikey

mikey — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:30:00 +0000

You could try checking out 2 artists I’ve really digged and wish I could see live: Calgarian Chad VanGaalen and Chicagoan Andrew Bird.

The cool thing about Chad’s setup is that he uses his feet for drums, kick and snare. I’ve never seen anyone do that before until I saw his SXSW performance on youtube, last year I think it was? The one thing that I think’s missing is hi hat, but maybe he could just use a synth or sampler for that.

Andrew Bird’s setup is interweaving acoustic loops into a stream of gradually added sound, beginning with tapping on his violin or guitar to create the rhythmic pulse, then pizzicati. People say it creates a kind of hypnotizing effect. He also usually has a drummer with him, though, just to spice things up.

So yeah, I don’t think there’s anything that makes multiple-member performances more exciting overall. It depends.

By: Ahithophel

Ahithophel — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 11:02:13 +0000

“Two are better than one, and a three fold cord is not easily broken.”
Don’t go it alone.
A triangle is the most stable shape.
Stick with a power trio like YYY’s or Nirvana.
Live shows are the lifeblood of a musician… the internet has it’s place but a band must be in the trenches on the local scene.
I prefer towns with less competition… i.e. Des Moines(Slipknot), Sacramento(Cake), etc.
Too many ppl move to L.A.(Silverlake) and end up washing cars… FOREVER.

By: Andrew Spicer

Andrew Spicer — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 04:54:31 +0000

Hey Brad,
You should just go it alone with a computer at your side. I’ve been playing like that for years and have performed live like that this past year and have had great responses. The idea is to essentially “pretend” (for lack of a better description) that you are rocking out with a band behind you. The truth is people don’t even notice after a while. Your shows won’t be boring if you rock out the same way one would with a live band.

As someone had posted above about the band format being dead, I can add to that saying I truely believe that the one-man-band is set to be the next big trend. So you need to keep going and enjoy yourself for god sakes. That’s the most importuned part, it’s what makes the show good. You having a good time, will let others have a good time.

Good luck and keep the music coming.

By: Pisces Man

Pisces Man — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:49:55 +0000

More Cowbell!

By: Squid

Squid — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 23:46:41 +0000

Dude, don’t give up on it! Your music totally rocks, it’s an awesome discovery and I’m trying to help promote it everywhere. I’m sure there’s lots of others doing the same. You just need some stand-in artists to perform with you.

By: Bas

Bas — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 02:22:38 +0000

Come to Holland and get me to play bass!

Thats all I can think of now..

I am coming to America next summer, so if you plan a gig at the east coast that would be mighty!

Hope you can sort things out!

Bye

By: Brandon

Brandon — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:43:55 +0000

Love your music. Whatever you decide, I hope it works out for you.

By: Luvmachin

Luvmachin — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:49:57 +0000

Hey Brad, how come did you guys brake up?
I aint from USA, from Estonia, me and my buds enjoy your music ;) Often on the backround, sooo chill :)
Thanks for making great tunes anyway!

By: Weaponofmassinstruction

Weaponofmassinstruction — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:13:39 +0000

Sorry to hear about the breakup. Nothing as serious as ABBA, I hope?

On a scale of ABBA to Van Halen… where would it be? Eagles? BTO?

I’m sure you’ll work something out.

By: macbuoy

macbuoy — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:44:38 +0000

hook up with the flaming lips. That’s what beck did and you’re as bad-ass as that scientologist freak!