By: Bizzy Bender
I have been playing coffeehouses in and around New England since 1996 and I would like to share a bit about my experiences. Some have been awesome and some not so awesome. I will not name names or point fingers but if you are about to start this adventure you should be prepared for what you might experience.
I have played to packed houses and have driven hours to play for a very small number of people. This is not a numbers game. Unless of course you are seriously trying to do this for a living and if that’s the case then you will have a better strategy than the artist who is doing this part time. The more you can develop a following and keep track of your fans and more importantly where they live the better you will do at promoting concerts outside of your own county.
I have played in venues that looked like someone just threw up a few tables and maybe stuck a candle on it and bought boxed cookies and made bad coffee and I have played venues that went all out and created an amazing environment from exquisite décor to Starbucks like coffee.
Sound is always an issue to be aware of and while it is good to know what your preferences are sometimes it’s hard to be picky. Often the sound system is barely sufficient and sometimes non-existent in which case you had better have a fall back plan. Usually the venue will give you a heads up but it is better to come prepared than be sorry and play completely unplugged. Also remember the coffeehouse is usually run by volunteers so be kind always!!
The more you know before you go the better off you will be. How long will you be playing? Will you be sharing the stage? What will the compensation be? Can you sell CD’s? Do they want you to share your testimony? Can you do worship songs and do your regulars enjoy singing along or would they rather just listen?
Will they feed you before or after? Of course you should make sure you know who the main contact is and bring phone #’s along especially if you run into any problems getting there i.e. getting lost is a common problem!
Be prepared. This may seem very pedantic but don’t forget your instrument! Bring pics, strings, capo’s and anything else you might need!
Lastly, bring along your best attitude. As I said earlier, these venues are run by volunteers. Make certain you say thank you to them publicly. It’s a very hard and mostly thank-less job so make a fuss over these people. Without them we wouldn’t have very many places to play. I make it a habit to give a copy of my CD to the person running the venue and oft-times to the sound person and maybe the person overseeing the food if it appears to be a one-person show!
So enjoy the adventure, remember to buckle up, it can be a wild ride!
Peace, Bizzy
Editors note: (You can catch Bizzy at her website our at one of her coffeehouse gigs. She also plays an International Gig called “SoulFest” at GunStock, NH.) www.BizzyBender.com or www.thesoulfest.com/2007 .)
Check Bizzy out on “Our Stage”
