Coffee House Players

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Comment by Reg Hayes on February 5, 2013 at 7:20am

Hi Judd, 

I have played plenty of Markets and Fairs over the years and this is what I have gleaned.

A lot depends whether the Farmer's Market is indoors or out.  If it is outdoors, you will need to be able to get enough volume to have your sound carry.  Outdoors the sound drops off very quickly and, if there is any wind blowing, even more so.  You will definitely need those foam noise reducers (they look like clown noses) for you microphones to reduce the sound of the rushing air.  The wind also effects any sheets of music and lyrics you may have.  You'll want cloths pins or weights to hold it down and keep it from blowing away.  Outdoors flys can be an annoyance too.  

Indoors, the noise can be an issue, most markets are big echoey places with very few walls.  Not only does that effect your sound but also makes the crowd noise seem louder as it bounces all around.  Use a monitor and try to mentally tune out all the other distractions.  No drunks like at a bar here but lots of loud happy people who haven't seen one another since the last week.  Surprisingly, women's voices, because of their frequencies, can cut through all the racket and conversations can distract your train of thought.

Your volume is an issue, you want to be heard from front to back, you probably won't be, it just isn't practical for the market.  Unlike a bar or club, a Farmer's Market is about people talking and being heard as they purchase produce.  They don't want to shout over the music to be understood.  Especially the vendors.  Don't be shocked if there are complaints that you are too loud, even when you can barely hear yourself think.

Music-wise, unless you are doing it only to please yourself, soft ballads probably won't work nor will sad folk songs or jazzy meanderings.  Try to keep the music bouncy and up-lifting.  A mix of country, oldies and folk songs that people might recognize as they are shopping grabs their attention and perks up their moods and keeps them smiling while they are buying.  And happy consumers is why you are there.

In either case, your audience will mainly be concerned with shopping and so will be less attentive.  You will probably get some core audience, spouses along for the trip to market, but even that will change every hour or so.  The market is the main draw, you are icing on the cake.  A big upside is that you never know who is there shopping.  My group has got gigs from people hearing us playing at the market.  Everyone has to eat, even gig promoters.

The market will be fun despite all the gloom and doom of my previous words.  You'll meet lots of people and get a good bit of training and confidence as you work it from week to week.  You will be able to play without being as bothered by distractions and that will make playing many other situations much easier.

Comment by Jud Hair on February 5, 2013 at 6:35am

Well ... I've been given the opportunity to do a monthly Saturday moring gig at the local Farmer's Market this spring/summer ... really looking forward to playing in this environment for a change instead of coffehouses and bars.  Anyone here have experience doing Farmer's Markets?  Any advice?

Comment by Edward Sparks on February 5, 2013 at 5:15am

Welcome Leslie! Looking forward to hearing your experiences and comments!

Comment by Carl Tilchen Singer/Songwriter on January 28, 2013 at 12:40pm

Hi Friends
You can hear my newest recordings that I developed after singing these songs many times in coffee houses. Please click here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caccXQ2FjbY
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr-iDKEH-TA
I hope you enjoy my music.
Carl Tilchen
Singer/Songwriter

Comment by Rick Heenan on January 27, 2013 at 4:39pm

A very talented lady.  I did a songwriter in the round with her at a place called The Shirt Factory in Medina, NY a couple of years ago.  Much fun, need to do more of them.

Comment by Jonathan Gates on January 27, 2013 at 10:47am

Attached is a video of Rochester NY singer/songwriter Connie Deming. She has asked I help her find work outside of Rochester. Would you be good enough to tell me where I may look in your area? I am not a booking agent. I am doing this voluntarily. You may contact Connie directly if you chose at butterfliesdc1985@yahoo.com

http://wxxi.org/onstage/ConnieDemingmedia.html

Comment by Rick Heenan on January 15, 2013 at 10:21am

I have been thinking about how they use guitars as Gallery/Slide Show of art.  I think you coffee house players would appreciate this link to a slide show of inlay work.

Comment by Carl Tilchen Singer/Songwriter on December 31, 2012 at 1:11pm

Hi Friends

Happy New Year To You!

You’re invited to listen to my newest song You Can Never Have Too Much Bee Bop! Michael Burman, DJ on KCSMJazz 91 will play my song during 12/3/12 to 1/11/13, time 6 to 10 AM, 91.1 FM, for streaming-KCSM.org, & click Listen Live. If this is not convenient for you; please click here for 2 more songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caccXQ2FjbY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mr-iDKEH-TA

I have performed Blues, & Jazz at Yoshi’s Jazz Club, San Francisco, The San Jose Jazz Summerfest, The Village Gate, & The Bitter End in New York, Rock at The Bootlegger Bistro in Las Vegas, Original Songs at The Woody At 100 Festival-celebrating Woody Guthrie , Folksongs at Freight & Salvage, & The Newport Folk Music Festival, and romantic love songs on a Singing Tour of Italy. The maximum 4 stars were awarded to my recording of the Bruce Springsteen song We Take Care Of Our Own. Best Song Of The Month West Coast Songwriters. Featured on KCSM Jazz91.

I will also invite you to my live gigs in 2013.

Carl Tilchen

Singer/Songwriter

Comment by Manuel Magro da Silva Ribeiro on December 11, 2012 at 3:30pm

Comment by Carl Tilchen Singer/Songwriter on December 11, 2012 at 12:19pm

Hi Friends

Here we are at the end of 2012.  Thank you for supporting, and enjoying my music.  Many of you have come to hear my songs at The Woody At 100 Festival (celebrating Woody Guthrie), Yoshi’s Jazz Nightclub, and even to the Bitter End Nightclub, in New York.  Many of you have viewed my songs on youtube.com.  My friends, and fans, you make it all worthwhile.  You inspire me to sing, and to lead you in our humanity of joyful sounds.  Thankyou for sharing music with me.  Please click here for my gift to you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuxSRoZuK8o

 

Happy Holidays,

Carl Tilchen

Singer/Songwriter

 

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