Paddy Keenan’s playing tonight, in Minneapolis. I’m stuck in blustery Winterpeg, working until 8pm. That and the ten-hour drive (no car, no way to rent one, etc etc) and the border pretty much puts paid to seeing him play. Pretty much ever.
Why is it that great musicians get to within about twenty minutes of the Canadian border, smile and wave, then turn back? Do they think we Canuks don’t like good music? That we don’t care about great tunes? Let me spell my feelings out.
A. A. R. R. G. G. H. H.
I know there’s only 40 million of us up here, which is peanuts compared to the 260 million (or whatever) in the states, but you’d think they’d do more than glance up this way. Bugger. Poo. Pooooo! Dagnabbit.
I love the Long Grazing Acre and I really would like a chance to see some of the greats play. I can’t afford to fly to Toronto (loved the Chris Langan weekend, can’t afford it) or Vancouver and ten hours of gas amounts to a lot of money, not to mention the costs of hotels, etc. Sigh. Oh, okay, I’m whining. And I’ll stop.
Mark, you’re not missing anything. He’s just terrible in concert, really awful. You’re much better off staying home and listening to CDs. Look at all the money and hassle you’ve saved yourself.
There, now. Feeling better? Good!
djm
(Yeah, it is all bullpucky. He’s fantastic in concert, and a great guy just to chat with, but I didn’t want to rub it in … much).
Lots of greats do come from Canada, it’s true. (Rheostatics, anyone? Spirit of the West, maybe? Figgy Duff?)
Glauber;
Yea, it’s in Toronto, but that’s a $200-300 flight… okay so it’s not so bad and I was just whining. Heh. Sorry about that.
I had noticed the show posted on Keenan’s site after I got to work today and I just came over all pissy for a minute there and decided to share that pissyness with the world. Aren’t you glad I did?
DJM: I’m jealous that you got to hear Harry play again. He blew this tiny little mind last year, that’s for sure. I would have loved to have heard him on pipes.
Thanks for being my support group for the night, guys. I feel able to go out into the world again.
Haveing just spent a short stint as a staff member (just call it ‘creative differences’ and leave the long story 'til I have more time) of the St. Paul Celtic Connection which is where Eire Japan just made their first appearance. And working along side one of Paddy’s managers I can tell you that Paddy is begging for gigs. If you want him just ask.
This is what you do:
Get a venue. “We have a barn, lets put on a show.”
Book the artist. Just look on line and contact their manager.
Sell tickets. This is the hardest part but if you do a little marketing you will do fine.
Plan a good after party. Not the most important but fun.
It realy is that easy.
So stop complaining about artists not appearing near you and bring them right to your door. They need the work.
I can assure you that Baglady was instrumental in setting up for that. She’d be one to know. Too bad that any opportunity for further capacity with those who hired her at the time was only smoke and mirrors. Point is, the job got done. Marketing and ticket sales are very key.
I’ve been involved with a few shows (local bands, local promoting) and I work for a guy who occasionally puts together larger shows at mid-sized venues. Just watching him fax something like eighty different people to promote a show made me realize that this whole promotion thing is something I wouldn’t want to walk lightly into. Besides, I’d rather play. (Good excuse, huh?)
Posters, for example, is a whole field of expertise I’ve little knowledge about. But I do know a few people who have been involved in bigger shows. Getting Paddy/Erie Japan here before this tour’s over would, I think, be really really difficult.
But I could be wrong, so I’ll talk to a couple friends and see what they think.
Besides, it was cathartic to whine away in that first post, and now you’re all suggesting I actually do something. I scared.
Yeah, Mark, I hear you. I’d rather play, too. It seems to me that “easy” is all in the eye of the beholder; I’d find the task of booking people to be daunting, myself. I imagine that it takes a certain type to enjoy the process. People who love organizing parties, etc. are probably predisposed to it. Me, I hardly throw parties if ever. I always forget something fairly crucial. Baglady’s list makes it look easy, though!
I was going to change it to ‘simple’ but I couldn’t find the edit button.
It is that simple but easy is another thing.
If you have a good idea of who your audience is you make it as my Marine daughter says ‘One shot, one kill’. Wasteing time and effort on long haired classical types will get you nowhere. Puting a leaflet in the hands of a session hound, punter, or piper will get you more.
Hey, I think I’m working out some pent up feelings.
Just caught them yesterday. Very very sweet. The one thing it gave me a reminder of, though, is no matter “how good” your pipes may be, they are still an incredibly high-maintenance instrument. Paddy had 2 or 3 chanter holes taped up and was fiddling with the drones and regs the whole gig. Nature of the beast. A great gig none the less.
Baglady’s list makes it look easy, though!