A New Beginning

Hi All,

Yup it’s official- I failed.  Well, not totally.  Because  of personal and family issues, I didn’t make my quota of 101 gigs in one year BUT I learned a lot and now have a new goal.

My new goal is to encourage not only current musicians to seek out new and exciting ways of playing and experiencing music, I want to inspire the young and upcoming musicians who can learn a completely different view of music.

So, future blog posts will be dedicated to music of all types, all shapes, amazing new talent, and helping kids experience and learn to make music.

Play On!

Gig #5- Farmers Market

Gig#5 – Farmers Market, Old Town Scottsdale, 9 AM- 1PM, 4/17/10

Attending a farmers market last Wednesday in search of good veggies and eggs, I stumbled upon my Gig #5.  Wandering around different tables full of local products, I started swaying to the Muzak.  It was a Jazzy guitar sound that was light and easy.  As I passed the salsa booth, I spotted the source of the Jazzy sound and realized it was not Muzak, but in fact two guitarists and a sound system.  ”What?” was my initial thought.  ”They have music at Farmers Markets?”  Immediately my mind saw a vision of Gig #5- Natalie Oman live at the Farmers Market!

I made my way past the various booths not stopping to inspect the wares, but instead in search of the golden booth- INFORMATION.  I locked eyes with the gal behind the booth and bee-lined it to her.  I’m sure she was probably thinking I was some kind of lunatic with that crazy look in my eye.  As I approached the counter, breathless, I uttered “Music, there, me too!”  She looked at me just like a lunatic (see I knew she thought I was a lunatic).  So I took a second and asked where I could get information about performing.  After she realized I was not a lunatic but instead a similar variety- Musician, she politely proceeded to tell me that I could contact the coordinator by calling this number and/or email this address.  Then she said I looked familiar.  ”Hm, that’s weird because I just moved here,” is all I said.  So she said, “What instrument do you play.”  I said “I sing.”  She said, “I know where I’ve seen you!” and she proceeded to pull out a postcard with my face on it!  Yup, there was my singing face looking up at me from the postcard that said “Need live music?”  Oh I was so thrilled, creeped out a little, but thrilled.  Apparently a contact I had made through a marketing event had passed my postcard along to the people at the Farmers Market- it pays to have friends

After practically stalking the woman in charge of the Farmers Market via phone and email, she said to show up Saturday morning.  So, I showed up.  Between Cheese Curds and Massage, I sang my way through 4 hours so fast, I didn’t want it to be over.  Everyone at the market was smiling and welcoming.  Thank goodness the Farmers Market provided a tent for me, it was a hot and sunny morning.

As I sang through my set list, I saw all sorts of people pass me by.  Families, young kids, elderly, farmers, rich, not rich, happy, sad, energetic, and still waking up.  I smiled at all of them and danced with a couple of little kids.  Sometimes people would clap, sometimes people would avoid my eyes, sometimes people would stop and openly gape at me.  My favorite were the men who thought their wives weren’t looking and stared at me.

As it turns out, you get paid for singing at the farmers market- at least the one I played at.  At the end of singing I got a check and practically leaped with joy.  The almighty paycheck for a musician is like life blood.  Not only was I paid by the farmers market, I was allowed to put out a tip jar and CDs for sale.  Wouldn’t you know it, I sold out of all of my CDs!!!

Lesson- Throughout the day, I learned what worked and what didn’t for the farmers market.  As with any new venue, you have to tread lightly at first and feel it out.  Within the first 30 minutes of playing, I was asked by 2 people to turn it up.  I adjusted the speaker so it was more forward in the booth, projecting out into the open area and upped the volume by a few notches after asking my neighboring booths.  In addition, I focused most of my attention to the surrounding tables of people eating, and smiled at people passing, but didn’t make them my focus point.  I tried to wave at every kid under 10 years old, even if they were too shy or too oblivious to wave back.  I made sure to try and connect with everyone who seemed remotely interested in my music.  If someone with a dog passed, I would throw “puppy” or “dog” into the lyrics- which usually made the owner laugh.  If anyone kind of lingered near the booth, unsure if they could talk to me, I would step off the mic and ask them how I could help them instead of making them wait until the song was over.  I also made sure not to offend any of the other booths, and would take breaks and play some softer music when another vendor was giving a demonstration.  And most importantly, I always exuded FUN- people want to be invited to the party and if you’re having a good time and engaging the audience, they will have a blast as well!

Play On!

Natalie Oman

101 Gigs- “My 101 Gigs” Contest for PRIZES!!!

My 101 Gig:

101 Gigs UPDATE!!!
Now you can share your own crazy gig action with “My 101 Gigs” and get entered to win prizes (guitars, amps, music accessories). Just play a wacky gig and post the video and pics to youtube and/or Facebook Fan Page “101 Gigs”.  Just make sure your video has the title “RE: My 101 Gigs” and pictures are titled “My 101 Gigs” – can’t wait to see what you’re up to

*All “My 101 Gigs” videos and pictures must be uploaded by 12am February 1, 2011.  Must have video with “RE: My 101 Gigs” to win prizes (videos must be live action, not picture slideshows). Videos will be judged by Natalie Oman.  Note: Videos may be embedded on www.101gigs.com.

 

Play On!

Natalie Oman

101Gigs.com

101 Gigs Interview – Eric Hagmann

In an effort to gain insight and perspective, I have decided to interview the music-makers that cross my path. Here is an interview with a friend I went to high school with in Eau Claire, WI. He performs with a vocal jazz group as well as plays piano in a big band. It you are in the WI/MN area, check out his music!!!

1. Your Name? Your Band Name?
My name is Eric Hagmann. I sing in a vocal jazz group based out of the cities called “The Phil Mattson Singers,” which is quite fitting considering that it is directed by Phil Mattson. I also play piano in a big band called “Troppo.”

2. What type of music/instrument do you play?
Whoops, I think I accidentally already answered this question in the first response! I play/sing mostly jazz music. I also do arrangements of a wide variety of music for a whole bunch of different groups around the region – sometimes I end up doing arrangements of a lot of crappy pop songs, but hey, it makes me some money!

3. When did you start making music?
I started playing piano when I was 8. I began learning because my grandma had a piano and whenever I would visit her I would sit there for hours and “play” it. I think she finally got fed up with the noise and decided to actually teach me how to play it. I also sang with the Eau Claire Boys’ Choir when I was in elementary school, and I sang in choirs/jazz groups all the way through…now!

4. Do you have other jobs, or do you do music as your full-time source of income?
My other job is a sales rep at Schmitt Music. So when I’m not doing music…I’m still doing music.

5. Where do you find inspiration for your songs?
I hardly write my own material. I’d say the inspriation for my a cappella arrangements that I write are insprired by groups like Take 6, The Real Group, Bobby McFerrin, and Rockapella.

6. Do you like playing live or recording music better?
I’d much rather play live. Music is all about the relationship between the musician and the listener (and the composer if you want to quote Aaron Copland). Music was made to be heard and I love seeing the reactions of people who are out there in the audience. It’s also great to feed off of those reactions.

7. What advice would you give to a new musician just starting their music career?
Get really good at what you’re doing, and then keep doing it a lot. Music is not something where you can be immediately successful. That’s the best part, though. You will always have room to grow and expand. It will never get old.

8. What is your pro/con list for the way the music industry is changing?
The con of my of my specific area in the music industry is that it’s not very maintstream. The pro of that, especially in the sense of a cappella music, is that because many people aren’t as familiar with it, when they do hear it, they think it’s really unique and cool!

9. What are the normal venues that you play?
Well, that would depend on which group I’m performing with! If I’m performing by myself I play at cafes, nursing homes, country clubs, resteraunts…wherever! If I’m with my big band, we perform at places like the Heyde Center, high schools, or Fanny Hill. If I’m with my vocal jazz group, we sing at places like schools/colleges, community centers, Carnegie Hall…!

10. What is the craziest gig you’ve ever played?
I used to play piano at a resteraunt in Duluth every week for a summer. It wasn’t necessarily crazy…but it was right next to the bar so sometimes drunk older men would shout out ridiculous requests. I can only play “Moon River” so many times before I start sacrificing some sanity!

* If you could send me to perform the wackiest gig, anywhere/anytime, what would it be?
Is this like a bonus question? Am I answering this one about you? I think a pretty whacky gig would be doing something like Disney World…except that wouldn’t be so bad for you because you’d probably have to dress up like Snow White and look pretty all day. I’d end up having to wear a Pluto suit all day long or something.

101 GIGS Interview- John Cranford

In an effort to gain insight and perspective, I have decided to interview the music-makers that cross my path. Here is an interview with a friend I went to high school with in Eau Claire, WI. You can see his FB fan page by searching “John Cranford” or on myspace at http://www.myspace.com/johncranford

1. Your Name? Your Band Name?
My name is John Cranford, My Band name is John Cranford and The Motion Conspiracy.

2. What type of music/instrument do you play?
I would categorize my music as electro-folk. I use loop pedals, ableton live and different/interesting sounding guitars to get my sound across. My two favorite instruments I use are a Hohner Resonator and a 1946 Marvel Archtop Guitar.

3. When did you start making music?
I started really making music in the Westerlunds basement somwhere around 4th grade. I played in band through High School, but didnt seriously pursue music as my own thing until college.

4. Do you have other jobs, or do you do music as your full-time source of income?
I work as a chef full time and play about 4 shows a month as well as continually trying to record and write new music.

5. Where do you find inspiration for your songs?
My inspiration initially comes from my gut. Music is cheaper than therapy and I think its definitely helped my mental state to get things off my chest on out to the listening public.

6. Do you like playing live or recording music better?
There is a certain rush of being onstage and playing. Both communicating an idea or an emotion to an audience, but the accessibility of record makes it easy to craft a song or an idea until you find that true sound you heard in your head from the beginning.

7. What advice would you give to a new musician just starting their music career?
PLAY PLAY PLAY! As often as you can. Doing a show or even rehearsing your material will only make you better. Another thing I have really been working on is finding a voice or certain sound that is original and yours. Play for yourself and no one else is also a big rule of thumb. Yes being a rock-star would be awesome. And would be great to make millions and have stardom, but you’ll never communicate the honesty if your trying to be Nickelback.

8. What is your pro/con list for the way the music industry is changing?
The industry had changed a ton. I think that its great we out of the boy bands, polished bullshit of the nineties. Not to say that it doesn’t exist on the top 40 or radios everywhere, but the internet and the ease of technology has made it extremely accessible for anyone to get what they’re doing out there to be heard by the masses.

9. What are the normal venues that you play?
When I’m home in Eau Claire I always wind playing clancys. Its definitely my favorite venue ever! But since I have moved south I frequently play Tantra Lounge on Broughton Street in Savannah and also occasionally play Brick Oven on Hilton Head Island.

10. What is the craziest gig you’ve ever played?
I have played a lot of shows where there are only ten people in the audience, which is kind of crazy to play to no one. But recently I played a show where a bridal party showed up and by the maid of honors request I got to kiss the bride onstage a few days before she got married! Also, go see megafaun, they will blow your f*%#ing mind!

GIG #4 – Parade Float

Gig #4 – Parade Float, Sun City, AZ, 10am-12pm, 03/13/10

Everyone who has ever seen a parade, has seen live music.  There are marching bands and floats with theme music.  In the Macy’s Day or Rose Bowl Parade, there are record label signed singers on floats and Broadway stars.  There is no shortage of melodious music during a parade, but have you ever been a part of it?

The average band or singer/songwriter has never been in a parade, but why not?  Shouldn’t all floats have live music or the option to have it?  Is there a way to get your music out there to the tens, hundreds, thousands of people who watch these parades?

We never set out to actually perform on a float; it kind of just fell into our laps.  After doing a performance at a local retirement home, the activity director called to see if we would be available to sing on their float in the upcoming parade.  We said, “SURE!”  She described their theme and the type of music they wanted played.  We were so excited.

So, to prepare, we learned a few new songs that went well with the float theme and blended them with our more upbeat songs in our repertoire.  Since we already have a fully battery operated system, we just made sure to charge it up so it would be able to blast full volume.  Also, we found the appropriate clothes to match our personalities and the theme.

The day of the parade came, and it was no disappointment.  As we were pulling up the car; we saw a camel, a glamour-decorated golf cart, cowboys, and soldiers.  There was also Ronald McDonald, the Oscar Meyer Weiner-Mobile, and the local Boy Scout troop.  Our favorite float: a big truck pulling a pontoon boat full of elderly ladies with the words “Aqua Fitness Club” on it.  How cute is that?!

We got going a little after 10:30am since we were in group 8.  As the truck lurched forward over the speed bumps, we cranked up the volume and pulled onto the main drag singing.  It was so much fun.  Everyone there was just waiting to be entertained.  They were attentive, connected, and passing back so much positive energy that we hardly got tired.  People were also so blown away by the live music, that they kept reading the words on the sides of our float.  What a great way to promote your music, as well as, a business you support. 

By the time we were done, we looked down at our watches and couldn’t believe we had been singing for an hour and a half.  As the truck turned away from the people, noise, and end of the parade route, we felt a bit sad that it was all over.  We had such a good time with our local business people, the parade watchers, and, of course, with each other.

Lesson?  Partner with local business you support to provide them with music, not just for parade floats.  Kick up the exposure by playing your music in a local/national parade.  Have fun and perform for people willing and ready to be entertained.  Connect with your audience- you are there for them.

Play On!

J. N. Oman

GIG #3 – Street Fair and Car Show

GIG #3 – M7 Street Fair, Central Phoenix, 11am-3pm, 03/06/10

Most Fairs have music whether they are art fairs, street fairs, or fairs in the park.  The organizers of a fair contract certain groups to play on stages throughout the fair to provide a fun, energetic atmosphere.  Also, certain booths will play music (live or off an ipod) to attract passersby.  Music in these atmospheres is a necessity.  Walking along, booth after booth gets monotonous and tiresome.  Walking past booths or stages with music provides a release and shows the senses something different.

A contact we made through the networking event introduced us to some people who had a booth in the M7 Street Fair.  They had a business along the route and were already looking for music to put in front to attract people.  They had an open hour and told us to come by. 

We set up on a sidewalk and just started playing.  We definitely attracted attention and we drew people from the main drag down the side street to the business.  Also, we got a lot of smiles.  It is amazing how much people enjoy live music.  Walking by, they would stop turn and enjoy the sounds for a few minutes.  Occasionally people would even start to dance or bob their heads in time with the music. 

When our hour was up, we had heard there was a car show at the end of the street and none of the music sounds carried that far down.  We grabbed our equipment and started walking down the street fair.  We passed a music stage with a band playing a Caribbean style song that quite a few people had stopped to enjoy.  After that we passed kids games and booths and the music started to fade.  By the time we got to the car show portion of the street fair, the air was dead- the only sound was a car starting up to rev it’s engine once an hour.  We set up the music just in front and between two cars after telling the owners we were bringing them some music.  As soon as we started to play, we saw everyone’s head turn to look.  With our name on our equipment, everyone, also, knew exactly who we were.  We also set out a stool with a few business cards on it so everyone who was interested in the music could learn more. 

One by one, people came up to us and took business cards, complimented our sound, told us where else we should play, thanked us for playing, and on and on.  Before we knew it, we had played 4 hours that day.  Every minute of it was fun, enjoyable, and got us tons of exposure.

Lesson- Play Anywhere!  Play to help out friends of friends.  Play for the people.  Play to brighten people’s day.  Play to have fun.  Play to play.  Also, get a battery operated system to be able to play anywhere (or play acoustic) and if you do not know where or how to convert to a battery operated system, comment back and we’ll blog about that too!

Play On!

-J.N. Oman

101 Gig Advice- Networking Events

Business Networking Events, by definition, are a place for business professional to come together and discuss possibilities for working together.  CEOs and Managers and Sales Associates alike mingle and schmooze to find business opportunities with one another. 

How could this possibly help a musician?  Well, think about it this way.  Music Business has two main parts.  Can anyone guess what they may be?  That’s right- Music and Business.  Music is everything you already are (or should be) doing: playing, rehearsing, gigging, singing, song writing.  Business is something you are familiar with but maybe have not discovered all the faucets to.  Business for the music industry covers a multitude of areas including but not limited to promotion, relationships with venues, social media marketing, email newsletters, recording, purchasing proper equipment, creating pleasing visual setups, submitting material, and the list goes on and on.

If you are reading this blog, you are trying to “Think outside the Stage” and are trying to find new ways to play/market your music.  As a musician, you are a business professional in the music industry.  You are a CEO of a band, a sales associate of your music product, a manager of gigs and appointments, and, of course, a specialist in performing music.  Since you are a business professional, why are you not taking advantage of business networking events?  Most, if not all, larger cities in the United States offer some sort of business networking event.  (Your city doesn’t have one?  Start one!).  These can be organized by the Chamber of Commerce, churches, clubs, or area networking groups.  They can be a valuable resource for getting your music seen/heard.

The people who attend networking events are usually interested in networking (unless there is free food).  They take pride in having great, working business relationships with others.  They think outside the box by meeting new people and foraging new opportunities.  These are the people you need to meet! 

Having moved recently, we did not know a soul in our new city.  Do you know how hard it is to get a gig when you do not know anyone?  We set out to make friends, business contacts, and setup gigs.  We attended two networking events in a two week span.  At these events, we met a web designer, a life insurance broker, a restaurant manager, and a Chamber of Commerce director.  In a span of one week, these four contacts put us in contact with over twenty people who needed live music.  Five of those twenty have already booked us.  What did it cost us?  Nothing- the networking events were free.  All we had to do was follow up with the people we met.  We, of course, want to help them the same way they helped us, so they are first on our referral list and if they ever have an event themselves, we will donate our time to help them out.  What’s playing a free gig now and then?  We will be helping out friends, gaining exposure, and meeting new people.

Go out there and meet some new people!  They may not be able to help you directly but may be able to refer you to someone.  Remember, don’t be selfish- ask how you can help them.  And, of course, “Think outside the Stage”!

Play On!

-J.N. Oman

GIG #2 – Open House

GIG #2- Allure Open House.  Las Vegas, NV.  Friday Feb 26^th, 6pm-10pm, Allure Open House hosted by Cheetah.

When you start to “Think outside the Stage” and begin to meet people who you normally wouldn’t market to, you start to find people who are also thinking beyond. 

Such was the case with us.  We got a phone call from a friend in Las Vegas, NV.  She said she had just gotten her real estate license and was trying to put together a big shin-dig to promote her new business.  We told our friend, Cheetah, that we thought it was a great idea and we wanted to help.  A month went by and she came to us with her big idea: an “Open House” Reception complete with food, booze, and live music.  Thus the plan was hatched.

So this past Friday, we sang at a realtor’s open house!  The response?  People loved it!  Everyone loved the creative atmosphere of the not-your-typical open house.  People got to see an available unit in a new condo high-rise while grooving to the music, mingling, and eating. 

For us at the open house, there were a lot of positives and a few negatives-

Good: open bar meant people were naturally happy, we didn’t have to invite our own “crowd”, we got to help out a friend, and we could play our music in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

Not so good: it was challenging to stay focused when there were so many people just passing by and it was difficult to network with people who were in and out while stuck behind a microphone.

Although difficult to network, we put our logo on our amp that was right behind our heads.  That way people knew who we were without having to interrupt and ask.  Also, if someone took a picture of us, it wouldn’t just be two random singers, there would be our logo telling who we were and how to get a hold of us.

Gig #2’s lesson?  Seek out people who are also thinking big.  Find creative ways to integrate two seemingly very different businesses.  Promote people who you believe in.  Help out friends.  Take an ordinary situation and add live music.  If you can’t network with people make sure they know a way to contact you.  Put your logo on your equipment so it shows in every picture people take of you!

Play On!

J.N. Oman

ARTICLE- Drive Thru Music

DRIVE-THRU MUSIC

You can drive-up to order your food, you can drive-in to a movie, and now you can drive-thru to live music.  Most people start off their mornings with music; whether playing the radio while getting dressed, changing stations in their car, or even jamming to their iPod.  Now, residents of Scottsdale can get their music fix at, where else, a drive-thru.  That’s right.  Johnny and Natalie are performing live music at a Coffee Plantation location on Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd.  Their goal?  “To start people’s day off right,” says Johnny. 

This idea was a culmination of Johnny and Natalie’s NYC experience in the summer of 2009, wanting to be atypical musicians, and a late night bet with one of Johnny’s friends.  After only one night in NYC, Johnny and Natalie were entranced by the presence of live music everywhere; subways, sidewalks, and parks.  They loved the atmosphere and culture the street performers, or “buskers,” created.  After only singing together professionally for 1 month, they decided then and there that they need to dramatically shake up their musician’s way of thinking.  They did not want to be confined by the normal way that musicians go about their careers.  They did not want to only play at night in a coffee shop or a restaurant.  They wanted to do any and every gig.  One night, Johnny was in Los Angeles with a friend and it was getting late.  Suddenly, an idea popped into Johnny’s head.  “I told my friend, ‘Let’s wake up at 5am and go play at Starbucks from 6-8am and see if people like it.’ My friend said yes, so we did it.”  That was in December of 2009.

Now it’s February 2010, and Johnny and Natalie are at it again: early morning performances.  “It’s just not done by the average musician.  But why not?  Who doesn’t love live music?” said Natalie with a mischievous grin.  Their thought is to revolutionize the way people hear live music.  To encourage other musicians in the same way, they are creating a website/blog about just that.  Their site is www.101gigs.com, 101gigs.wordpress.com and theyaim to do 101 wacky gigs at unusual locations/times.  Coffee Plantation is their first stop.  So if you are in Scottsdale, AZ on Thursday mornings from 7:30-8:30am stop by the Coffee Plantation on Frank Lloyd Wright Blvd and North 100th St.  and Drive-Thru Music.