Losing faith in what Im doing.

seansbrew

seansbrew

Supporting Member
Oct 23, 2000
2,762
1,453
5,171
53
Mesa AZ.
#1
I would like your input into my dilema.

My current project was started 12 years ago. It took that long to assemble it to the players we have now.
We play a mix of funk/soul/blues based original music and covers (Aretha, James Brown, Sly, winehouse etc).
For years, we have had trouble gaining traction with any type of following. We do have some fans, but not a following.
The only time we pack the house is when we tax our people.
We self promote and have tried working with booking agencies.We have played festivals, bars, clubs, corporate events, etc. There are a handful of clubs that will not entertain us. They won't say why, so I'm left to wonder.
I am beginning to doubt our product. We all believe in what we're doing. We continue to put solid work into our performances. We take the stage as professionals and take our shows seriously.
Are we just in the wrong place at the wrong time?
Do we suck?
Is the music just not interesting?
Perhaps some advice?
Honest opinions welcome.


 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mrcbass, Frank Kreber, Bunk McNulty and 5 others
#3
The three songs you posted sound kind of same-y to me. So if you didn’t like the first song you’re not going to like the rest. And if you did like the first song you could be tired of that sound after awhile. Also, I don’t think funk music is in vogue, so you’re fighting against that.

The music sounds well-executed to me so I don’t think it’s that. I think it’s just style and genre. If you’re not as commercially popular as you hoped you might want to expand your influences.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jdthaddeus, RSBBass, mrcbass and 7 others
#4
seansbrew said:
I would like your input into my dilema.

My current project was started 12 years ago. It took that long to assemble it to the players we have now.
We play a mix of funk/soul/blues based original music and covers (Aretha, James Brown, Sly, winehouse etc).
For years, we have had trouble gaining traction with any type of following. We do have some fans, but not a following.
The only time we pack the house is when we tax our people.
We self promote and have tried working with booking agencies.We have played festivals, bars, clubs, corporate events, etc. There are a handful of clubs that will not entertain us. They won't say why, so I'm left to wonder.
I am beginning to doubt our product. We all believe in what we're doing. We continue to put solid work into our performances. We take the stage as professionals and take our shows seriously.
Are we just in the wrong place at the wrong time?
Do we suck?
Is the music just not interesting?
Perhaps some advice?
Honest opinions welcome.


Click to expand...

I’m in a Motown review band playing music that is 60 years old. We still get ok turnouts but in the same 5 or six venues. We’ve been in one new venue over the last 4 years so I get your frustration. But the point is we have long since out lived our expiration date as the audience that likes that sort of music doesn’t go out much. The other main issue is we are a 12 piece band and very few venues are willing to take the financial risk on us.

I’m going to take a guess that you may want to revisit your price point relative to your market. Another thing is while you all play very well, IMO your genre is in the tweener period where your music is good, but you are in market that “has been there done that” and you’re not quite far enough removed from that era of popularity to be a niche band. Been through this situation twice now..

Us, for a bunch of old farts we still play very well. Sadly, I think after 60 years, our institution is in the verge of collapse. Frankly I’m amazed it’s lasted this long.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: CTW68, Happy Face, Clark W and 2 others
#5
I did a quick listen, and I think it sounds great. Also, this type of music seems to be having a bit of a revival. Bands like Couch, Lawrence, Sammy Rae and the Friends, etc and having some success. You didn't post any live videos. What's the audience interaction like? I'd really like to see how that goes over. You also don't mention where you are, geographically.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jmattbassplaya, JonathanPDX, Happy Face and 1 other person
#8
You sound like a very professional well-oiled machine, with good energy, a strong vocalist, and a pretty decent bass player! If one were to nit-pick, as someone mentioned, the original songs are well arranged but do sound a bit formulaic. They have to be close to the quality of the covers if they are to hold their own in the playlist. Otherwise, if you are trying to reach broader audiences, it just never hurts to play a broader range of genres. I used to play in a band with a horn section that played a wide array of covers. We used lead sheets for arrangements of all kinds of stuff, from Chicago and Commodores to Steely Dan, Van Morrison, and White Stripes. Despite being mostly a bunch of un-hip middle-aged music nerds, we were pretty popular in lots of settings. Are you on a funk or bust crusade or willing to diversify a little? Good luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Clark W and seansbrew
#9
Thanks for all the comments. We are from Phoenix AZ. Not known for a music town. I would say that funk is not the most popular thing here, but it does exist.
We do play a wide range of covers, but may not be playing enough contemporary pop. We have been a little resistant to that, but that also might be shooting us in the foot.
Our singers are all about crowd engagement and take to the floor for a stroll with their wireless mics at least a few times during our shows.
We have a youtube channel if anyone wants to in investigate further.
We are also on on most streaming platforms. We will be finished with our album by years end.
I honestly don't know where to go from there.
Keep the replies coming.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bunk McNulty and GroovyBaby
#11
I agree it’s “well executed”. I also agree the three songs kinda all blurr into one song. If your target audience is big and they like that sound you should have some success (and it sounds like you are)

For me it just all sounds too similar. If it fills the dance floor it seems like it would work as a top dollar wedding band.

I’ve found that many people who are all about dancing don’t lock into the band as much as the music that enables them to “be the show” by showing off their great moves. Some people do just love to dance and it’s not about them.

The band for them is the tool that lets them dance.

The band is talented and does it well maybe the genre doesn’t produce big followings. The music is kinda what a DJ can bring to the venue.

Honestly it sounds like you are doing everything well and doing it right.

What exactly are you setting as a “goal”?
 
Last edited:
#12
seansbrew said:
I would like your input into my dilema.

My current project was started 12 years ago. It took that long to assemble it to the players we have now.
We play a mix of funk/soul/blues based original music and covers (Aretha, James Brown, Sly, winehouse etc).
For years, we have had trouble gaining traction with any type of following. We do have some fans, but not a following.
The only time we pack the house is when we tax our people.
We self promote and have tried working with booking agencies.We have played festivals, bars, clubs, corporate events, etc. There are a handful of clubs that will not entertain us. They won't say why, so I'm left to wonder.
I am beginning to doubt our product. We all believe in what we're doing. We continue to put solid work into our performances. We take the stage as professionals and take our shows seriously.
Are we just in the wrong place at the wrong time?
Do we suck?
Is the music just not interesting?
Perhaps some advice?
Honest opinions welcome.


Click to expand...

From what I have read on this thread so far. I think the problem is basically the genre you play vs the market you play in. They're definitely not on the same page. You can't sell kool aid if everyone is buying water. Nothing wrong with the skill levels involved in the band for sure. Y'all are tight.

I think back to the 1990s and a band from Birmingham, AL called Brother Cane. They actually had a hit, "And Fools Shine On", that stayed in the #1 spot for 6 weeks on Billboards Rock Charts. That song was also on the soundtrack for the movie "Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers"

They were together from 1990 - 1998

1993 "Got No Shame" charted up to #2
1994 "That Don't Satisfy Me" made it to #6
1994 "Hard Act to Follow" #12
1995 "And Fools Shine On" #1
1995 "Breadmaker" #25
1996 "Voice of Eujena" #30
1998 "I Lie in the Bed I Make" #1
1998 "Machete" #12

The problem though was Brother Cane was a rock band and they came on the scene during the Grunge explosion. Great band, lots of talent, great music, chart topping music, but wrong time, wrong place. They just never could take off like rock bands had done in the past. If you asked him, Damon Johnson, the band's leader, he would tell you the same thing, wrong time, wrong place.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: oldandbold, crobasster, HolmeBass and 1 other person
#13
Sounds to me like a solid and tight blue-eyed soul act. I dig it, but I wonder what the audience for that is in Phoenix? Are there other acts doing this kind of music with followings in the area?

Not sure what you're after, but if it's commercial success (weddings, corporate gigs etc) you may need to broaden the book with some contemporary pop covers.

If funk and soul are all you want to do, you've got to be willing to do it for the love of music methinks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: seansbrew and Clark W
#14
seansbrew said:
I would like your input into my dilema.

My current project was started 12 years ago. It took that long to assemble it to the players we have now.
We play a mix of funk/soul/blues based original music and covers (Aretha, James Brown, Sly, winehouse etc).
For years, we have had trouble gaining traction with any type of following. We do have some fans, but not a following.
The only time we pack the house is when we tax our people.
We self promote and have tried working with booking agencies.We have played festivals, bars, clubs, corporate events, etc. There are a handful of clubs that will not entertain us. They won't say why, so I'm left to wonder.
I am beginning to doubt our product. We all believe in what we're doing. We continue to put solid work into our performances. We take the stage as professionals and take our shows seriously.
Are we just in the wrong place at the wrong time?
Do we suck?
Is the music just not interesting?
Perhaps some advice?
Honest opinions welcome.


Click to expand...

Will listen and respond later.
 
  • Like
Reactions: seansbrew
#17
Great feedback from all.
This is really just a group of part time musicians getting together weekly and writing music.
Do we want to tour nationally? No
Do we want to be popular locally and play regularly? Yes.
Maybe there is no audience for us?
We are definitely a dance band.
And, as someone pointed out are slowly being replaced by DJ's
Our sound, however it may be described, has a life of its own.
I am the primary idea maker (I don't know what to call it). I come in with an idea, we jam, then collaborate.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Esteban Garcia
#18
Tough call to make. The “product” is well developed and presumably well delivered in live performances. Are you the only Soul/Blues horn band around? Sounds like it and therefore you own the small market segment interested in that music. Perhaps?
 
  • Like
Reactions: seansbrew
#19
Our covers represent 30% of our set.

We do nat have any produced videos. That sounds like a good idea.

Most of the venues in the last year or so have stopped doing their own booking. Now, they have gone to using low paying agencies. We have refused most shows because the pay scale is going the wrong way.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wasnex
#20
Here’s another thing I’ve found. A 10 piece band must be hard to book for several reasons.

Unless the people don’t care how much they make I’m guessing you’re fairly expensive.

The stage alone has to be Big.

Sound company probably sees a lot of work setting you guys up,

If you’ve stuck at it for 10 years you all must love doing it so that may be enough anyway.

I have a hard time herding a 7 piece band. Logistics, availability , personality conflicts etc You deserve an award just for that.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Bassdirty, crobasster, Frank Kreber and 2 others
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back