[Harp-L] Loud

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

Getting back to this loud thread, a performer has to ask themselves  
what they expect from a venue/audience.

Interesting story: It was Milwaukee 2007. There were 5 of us doing an  
afternoon jam in the lobby. Now, as ya'all know, a lobby is a place  
where sojourners are constantly bipping and bapping back and forth  
scurring to various attractions. People will bump into friends and  
they will begin a conversation.

Well. as it were, 2 of the players were getting upset at the amount  
of constant chatter. One was actually very upset. Now keep in mind  
that this man was a star when I was still in diapers (and I'm 65 for  
God's sake). Okay, so I take this to mean that he was not used to  
THIS type of venue.

Venue is important. Very important. I am basically a bar player and  
quite used to putting up with the sounds of dropped glasses/dishes,  
people chatting, laughing, even yelling. Waitresses barking orders to  
the bar tenders. Yes, one could say that I have had my A$$ dragged  
over the Gla$$ when it comes to extraneous noises.

Sooo, If you are the type who wants everyone to pay attention to what  
you are playing, you need a venue like an auditorium where people sit  
in chairs, and have no outside events to distract them. The various  
harmonica fests fit that particular bill and THAT is why I get  
nervous, and yay I say unto you...even SICK when I have to play at  
such a venue. I am more comfortable competing with other noise and  
NOT having people paying all that much attention. This way, I can  
slip one over on them. (THAT...and the vodka, tee hee)

I see this as a reason why some bands are loud. They have the  
attitude that if they play too softly, that this will encourage the  
crowd to be able to actually hold a real conversation with their  
date, wife, or friends and they won't have to look at each other and  
nod yes while all the time not having understood a single word that  
the other person just said. To these bands I say 'Get OVER it & move  
on'. If you feel you are that big a star, go find a venue that fit's  
your exalted stature.

Yes, venue is important
so sayeth   smokey-joe