Fun Musical Experience(s)

[VanHorneDog]

So, ive been in this band that has been playing together since like September, we have a good foundation of music but havent really done anything with it for various reasons (including assault and battery). but, tonight (or last night if you will) the bass player and i decided to say fuck it and went to an open mic night at a local pub.

So we get up and play like 6 songs and take up more time than we probably should have, like a half hour when we had like 15/20 minutes. but, from the reaction people really dug it. Then the bar owner at that point says fuck closing time and keeps the place open for another hour and half past its usual closing time on Thursday (11pm) and all the guys there keep jamming away. real fun time, just a bunch of musicians shooting the shit and enjoying playing live. if you live in the San Diego area PM its a great time.

anyway, the really cool part for us was that it was the first time we had ever played those songs in front of people and they enjoyed it. personally it was the first time i had ever played in public like that (really a personal breakthrough :thumbsup), but about an hour after "closing" the bar owner gave us his card and wants to talk about booking us for a night in a few weeks.

so total score! anyway im excited and cant sleep. so i thought i would share with everybody in the Music Forum. the start of my musical "career" if you will

and i wanna hear some fun experience from you guys too.

[fonzz41]

Hey Alex that's awesome man! There's nothing more terrifying than taking art that you've poured yourself into and putting it out there for all the world to see (or at least all of the people in the club :)). But, also, there's nothing more satisfying than to see people embrace it and even enjoy it. That high you get from playing live is unmatchable, and I totally understand that "can't sleep" feeling. Sincere congrats and best of luck from here on out with your endeavors. I hope you get the gigs, and many more to follow. Just keep being genuine, true to yourself and your music, and the gigs and opportunities will flow. Sounds a little corny, but true.

As far as experiences go, it seems you and I are at the opposite end of the spectrum (you trending up, me down). Throughout my high school years and early 20s my band played all over SLC (and Utah in general), and even a couple out of state ventures. They were awesome times that were even better because I was experiencing them with my 3 best friends in the world. But, as we've grown up the band has taken a back seat to the more important things, namely careers, marriages, and kids. We haven't played an official show in 2 years, but the great thing is we're ok with it. We still get together and jam every once in a while, and those are some of the best moments. I have better memories of us jamming in one of our basements, shooting the breeze and just hanging out, then I do of any of the hundreds of shows we've played. So I guess just soak it up and enjoy playing music for music's sake and friendship's sake, because I've found that is what matters in the end.

[wonderALICEland]

So I guess just soak it up and enjoy playing music for music's sake and friendship's sake, because I've found that is what matters in the end

:thumbsup Word!!

My friend called and asked me to sing Pink Floyd's Great Gig in the Sky with them at some show they were playing and I was like...um...I'll definitely try, but I can't promise anything. It was a huge song for me to try and tackle. But in the end I got to the show, and people were really diggin it, and it was a night I, and the rest of the band, will never forget. (They played the whole Dark Side album that night.)