The Big Question: L.A or NYC???

[sgs4u]

Nov 18, 2008, 4:24pm, girasoledonna wrote:...And If you were going to move to one, persay, anybody think one is better than the other for an aspiring performing singer/songwriter/pianist? I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts!From a jersey girl,Anj Where you live has very little to do with who sees you, or invests in you, or who is willing to work with you. All you need, is a computer, a video camera to make YouTube videos, and a voracious appetite to learn new stuff, and meet new people on-line, a studio and maybe some musicians you dig. The only thing you can only do in LA or NewYork, that you can't do anywhere else, is be there. If being in one of those 2 places, is the only thing you know that will truly make you happy, then start packing. If your happiness isn't based on where you "want to be," then start redefining what it is you're trying to achieve, and the right people will start showing up effortlessly.

[ernstinen]

Nov 24, 2008, 4:09pm, sgs4u wrote:Where you live has very little to do with who sees you, or invests in you, or who is willing to work with you. All you need, is a computer, a video camera to make YouTube videos, and a voracious appetite to learn new stuff, and meet new people on-line, a studio and maybe some musicians you dig. The only thing you can only do in LA or NewYork, that you can't do anywhere else, is be there. If being in one of those 2 places, is the only thing you know that will truly make you happy, then start packing. If your happiness isn't based on where you "want to be," then start redefining what it is you're trying to achieve, and the right people will start showing up effortlessly. Good points, Steverino! I answered this in another thread, and explained how I chose L.A. But that was 20 years ago, and how times have changed!I'd still say "L.A." for film/TV music and "NYC" for musical theater or jazz. --- But those are REALLY competitive occupations, and you HAVE to have a VERY thick skin and determination to make it those two cities.One thing I hear over and over if you are a performer: Get a local fan-base, make it regional, and if you are a great artist, the powers-that-be will find you! It really doesn't matter where you live anymore, as far as I can tell. Bands pop up from all over the U.S. and the world from places you've never heard of. But if you can't fill a bar in Riverside, CA, you may have to re-think your career strategy.And, as Steve said, the Internet is your friend! I personally haven't mined that vein yet, but I gotta get on the stick and check out the possibilities! --- I know a musician, who also is a great photographer from Iceland, and the whole Icelandic economy just collapsed. He reached out to all his Internet friends, and sold so many photographs, that he kept his family eating and could heat his house. THAT'S how bad it is over there! My wife and I bought an incredible photo from him, and he had all his online photo services set up and ready to go when we chose a photo. He was thinking WAY ahead of this unforeseen tragedy --- good for him! He used modern technology to his advantage, albeit to put food on his table.My 2 cents,Ern

[anne]

"You really need to surround yourself with people that raise your standards" Wise words. I came back home to realize that I need to actively seek out local (within a few hours) creative people or I'd loose all the momentum I gained at the rally. Anj - is it possible that thinking about moving is a result of wanting to be sure that you don't loose your momentum? Could you begin planning your move by getting involved by visiting and pre-visit research (searching out different areas and the affordability of those, see where you would want to consider living and if you could afford it, reading local websites for those places to get a feel of the vibe?) I understand that living by Atlantic City isn't necessarily a hotbed of music activity. I definitely understand the family issue having grown up in a tight, east-coast Italian-Catholic family. Homesickness can be an issue and if you can start your research and make some connections before you go, it will make the transition a lot easier for you and your parents - maybe seek out taxi members that live in the places you are considering. Just a thought - It definitely isn't an either/or situation though for gigging and tv/film, which was the original question. Whichever gives you the most inspiration and lets you live in a situation where you will be able to USE that inspiration (instead of having to work 2 jobs to pay rent) is going to be the best place for you. If you are able to manage that feat, then you'll be able to both record and gig.

[hummingbird]

maybe another question to ask is.... what could I get in NY or LA that I don't get where I am? Is it that I think I will have more access to the industry (but a lot more competition)? My philosophy is, I should be taking my home town by storm before I move to some place where I will be a stranger and known to no one.

[ernstinen]

Nov 24, 2008, 6:41pm, hummingbird wrote: My philosophy is, I should be taking my home town by storm before I move to some place where I will be a stranger and known to no one.Yes, Vicki, that is correct!I've been in L.A. since the early 80's, and have seen hundreds of bands move here for no reason but ego. I've seen MANY bands in my home state of Michigan that would SMOKE most bands I've seen here! WAY more professional, better songs, better show. I couldn't BELIEVE how many bands I've seen in L.A. that weren't better than the band I was playing with in high school. Bands that couldn't even tune their guitars, and couldn't put a set together without 5 minutes between songs, arguing with each other etc. In fact, I wanted to see the best "heavy metal" bands in L.A. when I first hit the town, and even "Motley Crue" sucked big time as compared to the best Detroit bands!I also saw "Guns & Roses" open for The Rolling Stones, and the rhythm guitarist missed bar(re) chords by a half a step OFTEN! They were terrible.There was only ONE band from out-of-town that was really good, and they were from Rockford, IL, where Cheap Trick came from. The nerdy lead singer came out, and played classical piano for about 15 minutes, until the audience started booing. He knocked over his cheap piano, and the rest of the band came out and just kicked butt! But they had practiced this schtick for years, and won the crowd over in a minute. --- Even THEY never got signed, to my knowledge.So I must say again --- If it don't play in Peoria, wait until you take Illinois by storm! You won't be sorry --- from my experience.Ern

[gunter]

Nov 24, 2008, 6:41pm, hummingbird wrote:maybe another question to ask is.... what could I get in NY or LA that I don't get where I am? Is it that I think I will have more access to the industry (but a lot more competition)? My philosophy is, I should be taking my home town by storm before I move to some place where I will be a stranger and known to no one.It certainly depends on what you do.Being in NY, LA or Music City is important to network.People get to know you in person and see your work ethic....but of course if someone is a crazed dreamer... the move won't help.If someone is doing library music its probably better not to be there since youcan spend your hard earned dough on your own home instead of paying a high rent.I checked homes in L.A. and for 3-400k you only get a small dump at a main road whichgets destroyed at the next big quake, flood, riot, fire or mudslide. (It hurts me to say that since I'm a big L.A. fan...)Phew! Nashville I'm warming up my "John Deere"!

[ernstinen]

Nov 25, 2008, 2:53am, gunter wrote:If someone is doing library music its probably better not to be there since youcan spend your hard earned dough on your own home instead of paying a high rent.I checked homes in L.A. and for 3-400k you only get a small dump at a main road whichgets destroyed at the next big quake, flood, riot, fire or mudslide. (It hurts me to say that since I'm a big L.A. fan...)Man, ain't it the truth!I've been through all of the above, and ended up doing library music and writing for orchestra. I could live anywhere, but never would have gotten to where I am without moving to L.A. and experiencing it all while learning the biz. I guess it doesn't hurt to go through the school of hard knocks! Ern

[ciskokidd]

Nov 25, 2008, 4:53am, ernstinen wrote:Nov 25, 2008, 2:53am, gunter wrote:If someone is doing library music its probably better not to be there since youcan spend your hard earned dough on your own home instead of paying a high rent.I checked homes in L.A. and for 3-400k you only get a small dump at a main road whichgets destroyed at the next big quake, flood, riot, fire or mudslide. (It hurts me to say that since I'm a big L.A. fan...)Man, ain't it the truth!I've been through all of the above, and ended up doing library music and writing for orchestra. I could live anywhere, but never would have gotten to where I am without moving to L.A. and experiencing it all while learning the biz. I guess it doesn't hurt to go through the school of hard knocks! Ern Right on Ern! I think LA toughened me up and thickened my skin. It's really wierd, but at this point I can't imagine living anyplace else. Cisko

[mojobone]

On a good day, in L. A., the mudslides are putting out the wildfires...