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For My Artist Child: #47 No More Bar Gigs.

Over the last year, I've been wrestling with a decision needing to be made for my artist child that I'm finally ready to implement in the next couple of months----no more bar/non-listening room gigs. It's a tough decision mainly because there is a security that comes with the guaranteed pay these gigs bring. But I've realized the instant gratification in pay is not worth the losses I've taken over time as an original, singer-songwriter. It will take a few months to implement this new booking rule-of-thumb, but until then, here are a few reasons why this is the path I'm nervously taking:

1. The only return is monetary As a singer-songwriter...no scratch that...as an entrepreneur we're on a mission and the mission shouldn't be to make money. Money will come & should be taken into consideration, but it's important to take a look at the bigger picture.

2. Music isn't the focal point I'm a new musician so for a long time playing gigs where music wasn't the focal point really helped me hone my craft, try out new material, and make a little cash while doing it. But now that it's honed, I find myself playing to a room full of people who aren't really there to hear music. It's a waste of time, travel, & energy if you're no longer looking for experience playing out. You're looking to be heard, intentionally.

3. You gain fans at an exponentially slower rate As songwriters, you want people to intentionally listen to & engage with your music. You also want them to hear the story and message behind your songs because it helps them connect with it more. At bars, there's not a lot of this happening and since people aren't making a personal connection with your music, you aren't gaining fans at the rate you would in a listening room.

4. Intentional listeners get the short end of the stick Too many times, I've had friends/fans come out to hear my set only to find that the bar was loud and they could barely hear me over talkative, drunken people. My guess is that they leave thinking most of my shows are like this and they wont make coming out to another show a priority unless they have absolutely nothing else to do.

5. The quality of shows on your calendar is inconsistent I take pride in booking a variety of shows people can hear me play at--- songwriter shows, band shows, art galleries, prayer rooms, house concerts, etc.---I'm a fan of variety because every scene is not for everyone. But I realize no matter the type of show, it should always be a quality experience where people can engage with you as a songwriter no matter what the setting is. Instead, I found myself discouraging people from attending my bar gigs (because of reason number four listed above). So an additional rule-of-thumb is to only play shows I'm excited & comfortable inviting people out to. Bar gigs is not one of them.

6. Quality is better than quantity Every performing songwriter wants to fill their calendar to its capacity. More shows means more exposure, more income, and a greater chance of connecting with music lovers. But not every show is good exposure. It's better to have fewer quality shows then a ton of what I like to call "crap shows". Now, don't get me wrong there are some shows you wont know are "crap shows" until you play them. That's why it's important to ask around, but it takes humility & patience to realize it's okay if your calendar isn't filled because you passed on gigs/shows that don't give your fans the experience you'd like them to have.

6. Cover songs vs. Original songs I've been blessed enough to play bar gigs that don't mind me playing my original music. But, most bar gigs go over much better when you play songs people are familiar with. Early on, I didn't have much original music so my sets were 100% covers. Now that I'm consistently songwriting & have projects out, I have songs I want people to hear. And I actually find it a little awkward when people request cover songs I don't really know or care to play. I love a good artistic twist or meshing of original and cover songs every now and then, but a true songwriter wants people to hear their music. Bars gigs are most optimal and you're better-suited when you enjoy playing cover songs.

7. My artist child doesn't enjoy it My first paying gig was a bar gig and it's the gig that actually pushed me to learn guitar for myself so I am so very grateful for my experience with bar/non-listening room gigs. But taking heed to The Artist Way book that this blog series and the upcoming album was inspired by, it's important to listen to your inner creative self in all you do. Your artist child will tell you when you're doing stuff you were not created to do. For some people, bar gigs is their cup of tea, For me, not so much. My artist child has been telling me for almost a year it doesn't enjoy making music no one really came to listen to.

This is all new to me & I'll be entering into unchartered territory and probably eating peanut butter crackers until I conquer making a living playing only listening room shows, but that's life as an artist....re-directing, re-creating, and honing your craft. Here's to change! And a new album! :)

For more on Arsena: www.arsenamusic.com

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