This week’s column is not an interview nor it is a NYC band review, this column is going to be just a little bit different; in fact it’s going to be a bit more interactive by opening up the comments section this time. This entry is going to be more of an opinionated column about the acoustic setting in live situations and has it lost its integrity? You can address this topic in either comments, questions or if you want both. It doesn’t really matter but if you want people to know who you are then do so and put down your name and e-mail for feedback, if not just leave it as anonymous.
Going to enough shows and researching enough I’ve noticed that there aren’t enough acoustic shows, if any at all lately. To be honest acoustic shows isn’t what brings in the business at local clubs especially with the Rock/Indie genre, but one of the main questions is: is it even important? Important for the band? Important for the audience and/or for exposure? Converting regular songs in acoustic songs have been around for decades and if you ask me I believe that it’s a smart move for the artist. So why aren’t bands trying to achieve this goal, and also why isn’t it a concentration? As far as I know there isn’t any aim whatsoever for bands to; A.) Put on an acoustic show, and B.) Release an acoustic album and/or acoustic songs. The last “acoustic” show I ever remember witnessing was back in early 2006 and I wrote about this in Devola’s review back in mid January, but here’s the catch; as I said back in that article the only reason why Devola’s set was a acoustic set is because it turned into a emergency “strip down to acoustic” situation since the show was already booked, but prior to the show Devola went through some band difficulties which skimmed down Devola to only two official members around the time of the already booked show, therefore it didn’t count as being a intentional acoustic show.
An important element that is great about acoustic shows is the private show environment, a lot of these stripped down acoustic shows are held within a private show with a MTV unplugged sort of environment and what I mean by that is details such as a candle lit stage, plants floating around somewhere, listeners sitting on the floor instead of standing around avoiding the occasional mosh pits etc… so why is the acoustic setting important? Think of your favorite song from a local “underground” band (I know it’s hard but give it a try); now think about that song being played acoustically, I’m willing to bet that you and many other people would be interested in listening to something like that. In my opinion (since this is a opinionated article) I think that acoustic shows and albums are very important for both the artist and for the listener, some might not admit it but there are a lot of people that thrive for the wood, referring to the acoustic instruments of course, get your mind out of the gutter you pervert.
Let’s take a look how acoustics can benefit the artist. For one it brings a lot of interest when it comes to the bands following, especially if the band has a strong and abroad following. It also adds a different element to the song, such as song favorites being somewhat “remixed”. It seems to me that it’s a win, win situation for the band itself with the exception of maybe some waste of time and money if it ends up flopping, don’t forget its true what they say “time is money”, that is more than true inside of a music studio. At the same time it brings up somewhat of a risk, but if you evaluate the business of music almost everything an artist does is considered a risk. As far as the audience goes, they can’t really lose, slip the song on and if you don’t like it then change the track, it’s easy as that.
Ok now it’s your turn, as the reader I need your feedback since this article is an opinionated one. Let me know your thoughts, thoughts on the topic in hand, do you agree? Do you disagree? Do you want to put in your own advice, go ahead it’s a open board, by all means question and comment away, for those of you who are going to ask questions I can answer you back fairly quickly, since it’s a open board I will answer your questions on the site for everyone to read.
Exciting huh…
Be sure to go out, have fun, be drunk, buy albums and check out your local music scene-Jason Franquiz
