Bluewine

10 hours ago, Downunderwonder said:

Maybe it was the camera system but I reckon EXAGGERATING dynamics could put your outfit into bigger leagues. Tight as nuns proverbial at more or less one level isn't nearly as exciting as more or less tight plus BIG dynamics.

 

You can lead the way and they will follow. Excited people buy more beverages. I think you would quite like playing less gigs for more money.

I'm big on dynamics.  

Daryl

On 02/01/2024 at 17:18, Stub Mandrel said:

 

It's a different tip culture in the USA - where it's seen as an important element of wages, and you can even be taxed on the assumption you will get tips.

In the UK it's generally for restaurant staff, taxi/cab drivers and exceptional service, and is typically 10%. I suggested to the barman at my local club that they could have a Christmas tip jar, and he said "Argh! We won't do THAT!"

Yes, our tip culture is different.  However, we have local bands here that will not use a tip jar. We don't use the tip jar at private events or large stage festival shows.

The tip jar has been a part of our business model since the band's inception in 2007. Overall it's been good for us.

18 minutes ago, Downunderwonder said:

 

They will have to punt the flash band paying for the door and standard gig fees for the joint. If they can draw door paying outsiders the tipping members won't mind paying up front.

Over here we have ticket prices for dedicated music venues that book signed national recording acts. However the days of bars changing a cover at the door because they have a band are long gone.

Daryl

1 minute ago, Downunderwonder said:

Maybe it was the camera system but I reckon EXAGGERATING dynamics could put your outfit into bigger leagues. Tight as nuns proverbial at more or less one level isn't nearly as exciting as more or less tight plus BIG dynamics.

 

You can lead the way and they will follow. Excited people buy more beverages. I think you would quite like playing less gigs for more money.

The big money short hour gigs are great, but hard to get. We have a theatre gig opening for Ivy Ford in March.

$500.00 for a 40 minute set. That's not bad in my book .

Daryl

1 hour ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

It's a different tip culture in the USA - where it's seen as an important element of wages, and you can even be taxed on the assumption you will get tips.

In the UK it's generally for restaurant staff, taxi/cab drivers and exceptional service, and is typically 10%. I suggested to the barman at my local club that they could have a Christmas tip jar, and he said "Argh! We won't do THAT!"

Tipping is crazy over here. I was leaving my condo the other day and my neighbor was pushing my garbage cart back up toward my garage.  

He asked for a tip.lol

Daryl

13 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

 

Age is just a number and when it comes to Blues bands age is a bonus.

Dave

I doubt I could ever get in with one of the local " big time" younger cover bands.

At the end of the day, I'm in the best band I can be in. This is my 15th year.

Daryl

23 hours ago, markbunney said:

We got 10p in our tip jar last night 😂

 

we think the problem was that it was a very young audience (20s/early 30s) and everyone was paying at the bar using Apple Pay and no longer using cash 

Believe me, it's extremely rare for someone to drop a hundred bucks into a tip jar.

Daryl

1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:

Superb Daryl, love that song too. Band sounds fantastic. 

Now when you're up there can you get me an order of fries from the kitchen. 

See what you mean with the kitchen behind you, that just looks a bit weird plus there are people doing kitchen type things in background. So odd.

Do like Maple Road and wish i could see you guys live. 

Dave

Thanks Dave,

 Lol, I know they were making some pretty good pizza back in that kitchen.

It's a Iittle hard for me to watch when I  think about how much older I am then my bandmates. 

You might get to see us live. Keep checking your local kitchen directory for us.

Daryl

21 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

$100 tip aint too shabby. Maybe we should start a tip jar for our bands. Not something i've ever seen over here in Scotland altho i know some bands do it.

Dave

Dave,

I hope I'm not making tips a bigger thing than what they actually are.

As you know. tips are not going to amount to much at a crappy gig. The big tips happen when your playing to an affluent crowd, the band is hot and you've created a cool vibe for everyone .

We don't use the tip jar at private events, theatre gigs or large stage festivals.

Love your comments  

Daryl

Found another clip from NYE. It's long.

You can see how tight we were for space.  Good thing the hard working folks in the kitchen.

📸 Watch this video on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/7SHKV2WY3SYuLboc/?mibextid=qi2Omg

5 hours ago, neepheid said:

I don't think the UK has that robust a tipping culture to support a bucket pass around.  We barely tolerate tipping waiting staff, taxi drivers and hairdressers BECAUSE we're paying for something at the time anyway - to cold call people who have no direct business relationship with you, who believe that all music is basically free, magically happens and you're having fun so why should you be getting paid - I can see why the bucket comes back empty sometimes.

The argument might be, the travel, the load in and out are not fun.

We've always been a tipping culture and it's gotten bigger. For our tip jar I've seen it empty at the end of a gig and I've seen it with $900.00 at the end of a gig. The tips make it a $1400.00 gig . 

Again, I understand that means very little to those not in this for the money. " I don't care about the money I just want to play".  But for the few of us that are in it for the money a full tip jar certainly helps us get through the month.

Daryl

On 31/12/2023 at 12:57, SteveXFR said:

I've come to realise gigging isn't for me.

I enjoy the actual gig but get stressed out for a couple weeks before and I've decided it's not worth the stress. 

We're all different. The only time I get stressed is when we don't have a lot of gigs booked. I like to see a summer schedule where we have something every week .

Daryl

20 hours ago, markbunney said:

We started doing doing it as we played our first few gigs for free, just to get going.

 

so we took the tip jar (a £1 bucket from B&Q with a flyer stuck on it) to try and make a little bit of cash and have just taken it ever since.

 

The most we have got is £90 and the least was £0

It depends on the gig. Overall the tip jar can turn a $100.00 a man gig to a $200.00  a man gig.

However we have left some gigs with an empty tip jar. 

Daryl

5 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

I see what you mean Daryl.

Was it a good night  ?

Happy New Year to you Daryl, hope 2024 is a successful year for you guys.

Dave

Great gig, even though we were almost in the kitchen. The place was packed and the dance floor was filled. Which is impressive considering we're not a dance band.

I was encouraged when I saw a punter drop a hundred dollar bill in our tip jar. Lol

We have a gig at Foundry 45 this Saturday.  Classy room , it's new with state of the art sound snd lighting. 

Have a great New Year Dave. I love your commentary. 

Daryl

23 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

 

Not sure how this gig will pan out as the staff had no idea what we did when the drummer dropped in to see what size PA we need etc. 

No stage and having to play in what looks like a Hotel foyer

Dave 

Dave,

Last night I felt like we were playing in a restaurant kitchen.

Daryl

Maple Road NYE 2023

The Precinct 

Germantown 

Great gig. However NYE is always a smooth sailing gig.

📸 Watch this video on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/2QnnqnBYuTBBL2t2/?mibextid=qi2Omg

On 29/12/2023 at 19:23, bassbiscuits said:

Just back from two shows at Bibi’s Italianissimo - sort of big 1920s-themed restaurant in Leeds. We do a matinee and evening gig there most times we play, as we did today. Really good vibe, nice crowd, up for singing and dancing. 
 

Took my Mustang bass along for its first gig this year - I’d put it up for sale, then withdrawn it, and thought I owed it another bash to see how it performed at a live gig. 
 

And the answer was “brilliantly!” Glad I hung on to it. 
 

The projection of a cosy winter hearth on the backdrop did make it look like our drummer was on fire when viewed front on…
 

Classy looking room. 

Daryl

2 hours ago, bassbiscuits said:

Here’s me from a couple of years ago at a beer festival in Bedfordshire if I remember correctly. I felt sick as a dog the entire gig but it went well enough. 

Cool pic.

Daryl

2 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

Its funny plus a turnaround for me. When i restarted playing in bands it was solely just for fun and never for the money but now that i'm gigging a fair bit i'm finding the extra cash very very handy. So far this year we've re-furnished our main living room 

I'ts also allowed me to buy a fair amount of new gear to satisfy my GAS. 

Its even funnier that with the Glam band i find myself not wanting to play for less than our usual fee even charity gigs i expect the full fee. I'm becoming greedy   i jest of course.  

Dave

 

 

Hi Dave,

You probably know my story. 

With me it started out as purely fun and happy to be in a band with good gigs. When I started paying bills with gig money things started to change and ultimately became dependent on the extra income. 

Datyl

52 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

I really enjoy playing in bands now  that i've retired at 56 yrs old the pressure is off and i have the time to put the effort in that a band requires. 

 

Dave

 

Playing in a working band even as a hobby after your retired is great. For me it's the perfect part time job.

Daryl

On 24/12/2023 at 17:34, jonunders said:

Lost my mojo when my wife died and bands lead singer commited suicide. I haven't  found the desire to start again.

I have not sold any gear yet as I am hoping to get it back

My condolences Jon.

Daryl

49 minutes ago, asingardenof said:

Walk or demand fairer pay if you're doing the work of two bands, I reckon

We use our PA to play Spotify stuff before we play and during tear down. I'm hoping it's incorporated into our fee.

Daryl

1 minute ago, jimmyb625 said:

You'll be exhausted after playing all of those gigs at the same time... 🤣

I don't know how to delete the duplicates. 

Daryl

EARLY NYE GIG WITH MAPLE ROAD

The Precinct 

Germantown 4-7

The senior citizens love early NYE . I'll  be home by 8:30

Daryl

On 23/12/2023 at 06:12, dmccombe7 said:

Wee vid from last nights show.

http://www.facebook.com/100079944291714/videos/25433903599533850

WOW! Now that's what I call an engaged crowd.

You guys sound great.

Daryl