[NewMusic] Climate Music Box 11/20

[Damon Smith]

Nice Ideas, but I just can't get behind giving the space a guaranty  
AND a split. Renting a venue is a better deal.
I appreciate Zac's effort, but I don't think it is something we need  
to do at this point and maintain some dignity.  We get so used to not  
making artistic demands it can move into degrading ourselves if we  
are not careful.
It would be another story if we were hurting for a venue.



On Nov 23, 2007, at 9:57 PM, Phillip Greenlief wrote:

> Zac, et al.,
>
>   Thanks for clarifying the policy at Climate and your position  
> there. Like you, I love music and want to present it any way I can.  
> I also want to play as much as I can (within reason and good taste  
> - the aforementioned past comments on mixing it up with different  
> groups and composition and improvisation and, and, and...). I  
> appreciate all the opportunities that are offered by various people  
> in the community who take on the extremely difficult job of  
> presenting live music that lives outside the realm of  
> entertainment. It's a jungle out there. Not to wax nostalgic (which  
> I am often guilty of), it was a lot easier back in the day when  
> small places like coffeeshops and cafes didn't have to have cabaret  
> licenses. But alas, as usual, I digress...
>
>   Climate is in a good location and if we could do the work of  
> approaching this venue (as I would hope we would approach any  
> performance situation) with a mind that we really have to try to  
> get people to come to the shows there. Make posters, send emails,  
> send press releases, tell your friends (phone calls are so much  
> nicer than emails, if you have the time), and in short, do the work  
> of promoting your music if you're going to play there (or anywhere!).
>
>   Lots of possibilities exist in the community for live radio  
> support. I also suggest whenever possible that we talk up Climate  
> shows on the air (in interviews, live shows, etc.). I'm not making  
> an exception here, again, promote any show you have as best you  
> can, but if you have a show coming up at Climate, try to get some  
> air time to chat it up and let the folks out there know about it.  
> Use it as a pitch to any radio contacts you have regarding why they  
> should give you a slot.
>
>   If the shows are well attended, the money problem goes away (to  
> some small extent). Climate needs to stay open as any other space  
> does, I would hope that if we can make a go of it there, they would  
> step in as Matt D and Rent have done at LSG and Sarah and Darren  
> have done at 21G (and countless others) and do some fundraising for  
> the series in their non-profit fundraising efforts. I imagine Zac  
> has thought of this, if not proposed it to the adminstration already.
>
>   Finally, I'm reminded what a tenuous foothold any of our  
> community spaces have, having seen so many go by the wayside over  
> the years. We need to put effort into the spaces that give us space  
> to hang our hats, not approach them with cynism and contempt,
>
>   As always, I wish us all luck...it may be the only thing in the  
> end that actually works.
>   PG
>
>
>
> Zac Jaffee <zjaffee at yahoo.com> wrote:
>   Hi all,
>
> First off, thanks so much David and Phillip for your
> support and kind words. And thanks to Duo B and Schott
> and Hanes who did play some incredible music on
> Tuesday.
>
> I very much appreciate the talk about the door split
> on this list, as the discussions you are having here
> are similar to the discussions I had with the space
> when starting the series. I had looked into most of
> the new music spaces mentioned on the list regarding
> their splits and related all info to my higher ups.
>
> To clarify, the pay is 60% of the door going to the
> artists with the Climate getting a $100 guarantee. So,
> yes, that means that Climate takes the first $100, and
> if there is less than that the artists don't get
> anything (but don't have to pay anything either).
> Personally, I'm not down with this, but it was this or
> not having a series.
>
> I also make sure that there is a donation bucket for
> the artists, and make announcements asking the
> audience to contribute.
>
> My role in the whole thing is totally voluntary. I get
> 0% of the door and no money from the Climate. I am a
> lover of music and was asked by the Climate if I
> wanted to curate a series. Again, although I do not
> agree with the Climate’s door split, I am committed to
> promoting and providing an additional venue for
> experimental music.
>
> I appreciate all the brilliant minds on this list and
> your well put postings. I hope I addressed some of
> what I read in the many postings of my 11/21 daily
> digest.
>
> Best,
> Zac Jaffee
>
>
>
>
>
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Damon Smith

http://www.balancepointacoustics.com
http://myspace.com/smithdamon
New solo project:
http://www.myspace.com/damonsmithsolo