Attention bands:
If you are not already tuned one of the best local music show in Santa Cruz, check out Local Brew on KZSC (88.1 FM) on Saturdays from 9 a.m. - Noon. If you have new music or upcoming shows to share, contact the show via their Facebook page or by emailing localbrew@kzsc.org.
In the meantime, tune in this Saturday and spread the local music gospel.
This week I am taking part in the #YourTurnChallenge, a 7-day blogging challenge inspired by the Your Turn book by Seth Godin. Since being introduced to his daily blog years ago, I am constantly inspired by his views on work, art and how to treat people. A lot of what he writes about is along the lines of, "go, make something happen."
It was in this spirit that we approached starting the rehearsal studios in the first place, and most recently propelled our involvement with the SoundSwell project. Back in August of 2012 I read an article on Hypebot about the Iowa City Public Library and how they were offering free downloads of local musicians for those with a library card. I couldn't help but think that if they were doing it in Iowa, we could do it here in Santa Cruz. I tweeted as much to the Santa Cruz Public Library and the next day got an email from the virtual services coordinator.
She was aware of the ICPL work and was also about to attend a leadership retreat the next month which included the development of a year long project for which she would get help applying for grant funding. We got to emailing, she got to talking around her office and before you know it, we started to make something happen. Serendipity? It was through this one interaction that we opened the door to being involved with this amazing project from the ground up.
To date the Santa Cruz Public Library has paid local musicians over $5000 to license music for library patrons to download free of charge. This year they have another $4000 waiting to distribute to new local bands what would like to join.
This project is a win / win. Local musicians get real money in the bank ($100 for full length LP, $75 for EP). To earn that much from iTunes band would typically need to over 100 downloads. With SoundSwell, bands not only make the money up front, but only local library patrons can download the music, so bands are not only earning money, but also making new local fans. Our community also gets access to a library of free local music.
All it took was one tweet to make to make the connection to start this project. I encourage you to send one email, or tweet, dedicate a FB post or an Instagram hashtag to foster more SoundSwell connections.
If you know a local musician, tell them about the opportunity. If you have library card, download some new music. #keepsantacruzweird #liveformusic
SoundSwell is a new online database of local music that library cardholders can download for FREE. It also establishes an archive of local music that people can listen to for years to come. SoundSwell was created in partnership with Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios. The database is scheduled to go live on June 3, 2014.
To find the SoundSwell Local Music Collection online, visit the library home page or go directly to scmusic.santacruzpl.org. For people without internet access, there is a physical collection of CDs that can be checked out at the Downtown Branch.
Anyone can find and listen to the SoundSwell streaming Local Music Collection. Library cardholders can download songs with active license agreements for free with their card number and PIN or Password. All songs in the collection currently have an active license agreement. All music in the collection is produced by Santa Cruz County musicians.
This project has the potential to bring listeners and the musical community together where public dialog happens— at the library. SCPL wants to help the creators of our local culture connect with each other, connect with the community, disseminate their art, and contribute to the historical record of Santa Cruz while receiving fair compensation for their work. By helping musicians to grow their fan base locally, SoundSwell can have a positive impact on local venue attendance. Ultimately, we hope the library will play a big role in supporting the artistic musical identity of our community. We are dedicated to supporting local musicians and building a collection that celebrates the richness and talent that makes our community so unique. What a fantastic way to explore new music and discover the creative pulse of Santa Cruz.
The SoundSwell project was supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. Each artist was compensated $50 - $100 per album (depending on number of tracks) for inclusion in the collection.
Local musicians interested in participating in SoundSwell should contact Diane Cowen, Virtual Services Librarian: by mail at Santa Cruz Public Libraries, 117 Union St. SC, 95060; by email at cowend@santacruzpl.org or by phone at 831-427-7706 x 7763.
New piano in Room 1 gettin tuned by Fenton Murray next month. Thanks to master picker and slider Charlie Wallace for those keys and Wooster's own Brian Gallagher for helping us move them. It’s gotta acclimate in there for a month. Fenton’s got some sick B-3 Hammond type stuff for sale on the bulletin board. You’d be hard pressed to find better old school Hammond know-how than Fenton. New drums in there too on perm loan from Jeff Fabb while he’s on the road w/ the Durbinator and Filter. Thank you Jeff you fuckin Long Island guy...
Mountain Tamer is going into the studio to capture some of that psychadelic freakout they do so well. East Palo Alto for those sessions...Dead Remote went to that place too...
Marc from the Humboldt Squid’s putting together the Planetarium band. Got Long John on the skins for that project. Looking forward to that collab w/ members of the Black Pajamas. Farmer Gabe’ll be using his Laney there...
Word is that Jesse’s back from Vampirates U.S tour. A Thousand Shall Fall’s been writing away in his absense. Get some o that scream on those new numbers...
It takes a hundred times to get thru my thick skull...finally got some bottled water for sale here. Some folks just don’t like that chloronated stuff we give away.....nuthin’s free, right?
Fruit Stripe band! Roy G Biv’s making posters for them...that guy is good...
Who dropped off fliers here let’s see...
-Inciters with the Boars this Friday (tonite!) at the Bocci’s cellar right around the damn corner. Gettin some blue-eyed soul on there...they don’t fuck around!
-Sambada at Moe’s May 11. Some new members on bass and percussion in the mix there. Always some interesting grooves comin from that outfit.
-Sharon Allen and friends got their cowboy boots on down in Corralitos Cultural Center tomorrow night May 11. She was workin on some cool Little Walter tune the other night.
-Requiem for the Dead May 31 at Slim’s. Branchin out to the City that’s good. Thanks to bassman Finn for the 6x10 SWR Goliath on perm loan..
Santa Cruz Music Fest still have any slots open?
If I left you out I’ll get ya next time...Thanks for checkin in...
[slideshow] Art of the Application: Applying to National and Regional Music Festivals
Monday, November 26 - 6-9 p.m. Santa Cruz Institute Of Contemporary Art @ The Tannery 1050 River Street #127 RSVP on Facebook
Open to all local musicians or those that love them. Cash donations will be accepted to help cover the room cost but nobody will be turned away for lack of funds. We will also accept unopened candy and booze.
I have never met a musicians didn’t want to play the ever elusive festival. Let’s pool our knowledge, and make everyone smarter on all aspects of the process – from packaging yourself beforehand to promoting yourself once you get on the bill. We’ll share some stories, you can ask some questions and if you give me your email address I will share my spreadsheet with all the festivals and deadlines I have compiled. Questions – email jenn@santacruzrehearsalstudios.com
Panel:
Robert Cray, Peter Rowan and Flaco Jiminez were among the very first artists Tom Miller brought to Santa Cruz back in 1979, when he began his 10-year stint booking OT Price's Music Hall. He later booked Henfling's, before moving on to his present gig booking Don Quixote's International Music Hall in Felton.
Graduate of Berklee College of Music’s Artist Management program, Dan Sheehan started VEG Presents (Vibes Entertainment Group) in 2011. He is the co-producer of the California Roots Festival as well as manager to local artists including THRIVE, Matt Masih & The Messengers and The Whiskey Avengers.
Jeff Sloan two time Grammy Award winning artist and engineer has made his home in Northern California after escaping Oklahoma in 1987. After working on the road for many years now serves the entire bay area music scene with his live sound engineer, production, stage managing and back line technical skills. He is planning on dying a starving artist!
Andy Zenczak is a freelance producer/recording engineer and owner of Gadgetbox Recording Studios. Over the past twelve years he has worked with over 300 bands and songwriters, mixed over 1000 songs for commercial release and is on a constant crusade to help local artists get the viability and exposure they deserve from their music.
Moderator:
Jennifer Gallacher has worked in the music industry for the past ten years as the director of marketing and promotions at Dancing Cat Records and most recently as the owner of Santa Cruz Rehearsal Studios and manager of local band Wooster. In addition she is the publicist for Club Fox in Redwood City.
The LP cover has always been considered a form of art and the "holiday" LP cover is a special gem to be uncovered and admired during the holiday season.
The Santa Cruz music scene is an integral part of the history, culture, and economy of our community. Therefore, the Santa Cruz Public Library library is investigating ways to enhance access to local music in the present as well as document local music to preserve a historical record for the future.
Please take a few moments to complete this library survey. This survey will help the library understand your thoughts on local music and how you access music in your everyday life. You can access this online survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SCPL_LocalMusic. It takes approximately 5- 10 minutes and is completely anonymous.
As a “thank you”, you may opt to enter a drawing for a $20 gift certificate at Streetlight Records. If you opt to enter the drawing, you will be required to supply us with contact information. Your privacy and the confidentiality of the responses you provide to the library are extremely important. Your survey results will remain anonymous, and your contact information will not be shared, sold, or spammed in any way. The only way the library will use your information is to contact you in the event that you win!
Now that ALL bands are on Facebook I want to share a little tip that some excellent pages have overlooked - the vanity URL. Just like you can have your www.myspace.com slash band name, so too can you have your www.facebook.com / band name.
For example, SCRS has www.facebook.com/santacruzrehearsalstudios - this way it makes it super easy for us to promote our FB page / put it on a flyer/ ad, etc.
To get this nifty vanity URL just visit - www.facebook.com/username/
If you make one, send me a link, comment, email or written letter so I can post it on our site.
How to book a show at The Crows Nest
The Crows Nest 2218 East Cliff Drive Santa Cruz, CA
All Ages & 21 + depending on show
Booking contact: Blaine Neagley
Preferred method of contact: Receiving a bio/photo/band history and CD. You can drop the package off at the hostess station anytime, or mail to Blaine at the Crows Nest address.
Timing: The Crows Nest is booking about 3 months in advance.
Days: Live music booked Wednesday – Saturday (Sunday is reserved for Comedy)
Genres: rock n’ roll, oldies, soul, reggae. Weekday nights the venue is open to edgier bands that draw a younger crowd.
Capacity: 180 + two outdoor decks (so 200+ total)
Payment: Weeknights bands get 100% of the door ($5 cover) up to $300. Weekends and beach party bands received a negotiated guarantee.
Equipment: The Crows Nest has a complete PA system, mics and stands. They do not provide a sound engineer and bands should bring their own backline.
Booking Guidelines:
The Crows Nests likes to stick with local bands; you won’t see many touring acts competing for slots.
New bands usually start out on Thursday nights to test their draw. If the band does well on a few weeknights, they will be moved up to a weekend slot. If the band continues to impress, they will be considered for a summer beach party night.
Sunday is designated for comedy. If you are not a comedy act, don’t try to book on a Sunday.
Full text to my Crow’s Nest blog lives on The Good Times Making Noise blog.