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Is it realy possible for local bands to be successful

PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 10:32 am
by David W
I see a lot of blogs etc on how bands should aim to conquer their local scene before expanding their horizons . Odd thing is the more I think about that I actual cannot think of any Nationally (or Internationally) recognized band that spent any notable amount of time playing at their local venues.

Now I wouldn't be surprised if some time once upon a time ago this was the case. Actually the amount of stories of AC/DC playing locally in my home town of Geelong have probably lead many to think they were a local Geelong band at the time, but of course they were just hardworking and played everywhere.

Can anyone help me out with this or give suggestion as to why local artists don't seem to make it big.

Re: Is it realy possible for local bands to be successful

PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 11:38 am
by Manning
Ignore music for the moment and think of it in terms of football (AFL/League, your choice). Both have highly successful local industries with a significant number of people who have "made it", plus a significant number of ancillary workers (management, admin, facilities management, etc)

Now take away all high school, grade and reserve organisations and facilities, leaving only the top league. How will the great players rise to the top?

The industry that produced AC/DC, INXS, Midnight Oil etc sat on top of an enormous industry of B, C and D grade venues, B, C and D grade musicians and B, C and D grade techs. Every A,B and C grade band started out as a D grade band and worked their way up (much as football players do through the grade system).

Now I never made it past C grade in a band, but in 1986 I was playing 7-10 gigs a week in Sydney. A band in Sydney today is unlikely to play 10 gigs in a year. I was also earning $300-$400 a week which was perfectly livable in 1986.

That lower level industry has been obliterated, so there is no means for the "currently D grade but potentially A grade" acts to develop. Hence no band is "making it" because there is almost no industry to make it in.

The reasons for the obliteration... poker machines? Fire Codes? NIMBYs? Probably all of the above.

/end rant

Re: Is it realy possible for local bands to be successful

PostPosted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 12:04 pm
by walding
Both in Sydney and now in melbourne, I've seen and worked with bands that have done precisely what you are referring to David, its still doable in Melbourne as there is a lot of venues here.

In every case there were 2 things the bands had..

Major talent and songs

Right place, right time

The key really is MAJOR talent, there are a lot of very talented musicians out there, but major talent is the key, someone who stands out, has the x factor, writes songs that hit people at the right time.

I'm clowns Foh guy here in Melbourne, in 2 years they're gone from playing small venues, to selling out medium sized ones, touring nationally and internationally, they're a modern punk band, one
Night I was mixing them at the tote (sold out 5mins after doors opened) and I analyzed why they were so popular (the amount of good looking young girls in the audience was testament alone) the singer has the x factor, people sing along with their songs, they are major talents.

My 5cents

Re: Is it realy possible for local bands to be successful

PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 2016 8:19 am
by David W
Good points.

It would be interesting to work backward from current bands that say have charted over the last couple of years though and see where their humble beginnings lay.

You know one case I remember was many years ago (yes this is a dad story) arranging to meet at The Espy one night after a few mates went to see Pearl Jam at the Myer Music Bowl.
I remember walking into the venue and at the Front bar was this crazy Punkabilly band with a big double bass. A medium to large sized crowd but everyone was mesmerized buy them though I don't remember their name.
Some months or at least a year later I see this band on Video Hits and I swear was the same band just a little more refined who called themselves The Living End.
Pretty sure it was the same band. But if it was I assume by the timeline they were already signed and spending time refining their songs and in the studio.