Re: OT Looping venue help

[andy butler <akbutler@tiscali.co.uk>]

Chris Sewell wrote:
> I don't want this to get out of hand, but it's something I feel very 
> strongly about. When you play for free, you take a gig away from a 
> musician that is trying to make a living.

Good point.
Always ask the going rate in any situation.
(last gig I did, I got paid)

...but not always the case that playing for free is unhelpful.

If you're promoting a music which is unfamiliar to the potential audience.
If you're encouraging a new venue.
If you're trying to build some kind of scene in the town where you live.


Essentially, if you're getting paid to play a particular style of music,
then it's quite possible you're cashing in on the hard work, for little or 
no
money, that was done by the pioneers of that music.
 
> Nice quote from Ol' Don. But if you notice, he's saying he didn't 
> actually give it away. It's a nice sentiment, but sentiment don't pay 
> the rent. I'm sure Mr. Vliet understood that.

Yep, and he made his best money from painting, not music.
...and he had his "sell out" phase.

Let's also remember the time Ornette Coleman once charged $10,000
to record a sax solo.



> But hey, do what you gotta do. If you are ever in New Haven, look me up, 
> I'm sure I can find something for you.

:-)

> Chris


Per says
>> I'm with Chris. Playing for free only hurts good music in the long
>> run. Why shouldn't a good musician's work be valued just as highly as
>> a good carpenter's work?

Thought provoking question.
Depends on your notion of "value".

Here's another one.
"Why would artists believe that the universe owes them a living?" 

andy


> 
> 
> On Apr 10, 2008, at 4:13 PM, Per Boysen wrote:
> 
>>>  Chris Sewell wrote:
>>>
>>>> Never play for free.
>>>>
>>>
>>>  "I don't want to sell my music.
>>>  I'd like to give it away because where I got it, you didn't have to 
>>> pay for
>>> it."
>>>  ...Don Van Vliet, 1970
>>
>>

>>
> 
>