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

[girasoledonna]

Hey guys, So .... like many of you I just got back from the TAXI ROAD RALLY and spent 10 glorious days in L.A. It was an extremely rewarding trip, and I got a deal out of it that will surely change my life! I would never have been able to get this deal without TAXI and the RALLY! Now I'm back in South Jersey, and I'm contemplating my next move. I am wondering if maybe there are folks out there who have had a lot of success in this industry while remaining in small towns like mine - kind of a big fish/small pond theory? Like perhaps it might be easier to get placements that could fuel your career, instead of seeking A&R represenation the old-fashioned way. Also, the cost of living is relatively low here, and I can fund my goals because I live with my folks. I'm also interested in hearing from folks with took the 'big plunge' and moved to L.A. or NYC, and how things are going for them in the major cities. I'm weighing my options, and thinking perhaps I should relocate afterall. 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

[robbylane]

Hello Anj! I would simply like to share my thoughts, for I have contemplated the same "moving" decisions. Like you, it is much more affordable for me to live where I am at. However, the great advances of internet and computer techology enable me to get my music "out there" instead of me feeling obligated to move, just so that I have a shot at success in music. In one Rally class, I learned that many A&R people do not go hunting at clubs for bands or artists to sign. Many of them simply look for new talent online. However, if you DO decide to move to LA, NY or Nashville, you will make new friends and likely garner the support of many who share in your goals and desires. You COULD also get a lucky break if you are playing a gig in a city club where someone DOES walk in and discovers you. What you may want to do is.....save up some travel money. Get a roundtrip plane ticket/hotel package through an online discount service like Priceline or Travelocity for L.A. or Nashville. You say that you live in South Jersey, so you are very close to NYC, correct? Have you spent much time there and how do you feel about that city? Or when you were in L.A. for the Rally, did you explore ths city itself? I went to Hollywood on the Rally evening of November 6th and I was totally intrigued. I may go back to explore it further. You should do some aditional online research about your city of choice so that you have some goals when you get there. Perhaps you can call or email some music stores, tell them what you hopes or intentions are and get some free feedback. In that city, be sure to go to the music stores. They are the hub of information and can guide you. Stay in that city for about a good week or so. In that time, you can determine if that is where you want to be as a new resident. Better to visit first... than to actually MOVE there immediately. If it turns out that you don't like that city, then come home, save again, and plan for a different city. If you find a city that DOES appeal to you, then you can set a new goal for to move there.... and go thru all the preparations. Perhaps some of this sounds like a no-brainer, but at the same time, it sometimes helps to hear it from another person. Robby

[weapon]

Anj,Don't even think of moving, it would be a huge mistake. Keep your homebase and schedule shows and events in NYC if you would like. Everyone I have known that uproots their life to L.A. or NYC gets crushed. My suggestion would be to network through your existing contacts, this is where the business part of music comes in, you don't need to be living in a hub to be successful, just near one. And you are close enough to do what needs to be done. Besides you are also close to PA, and PA believe it or not has a huge music scene especially in Harrisburg and Scranton. L.A. and NYC are not the end all be all of music mecca's you can be successful exactly where you are. So in short don't worry about moving, you're in a great spot. I hope this helps with your decision.

[anne]

Hi Anj !How did your show go on Saturday?I came home and was 1/2 way ready to tell Bob we needed to move to a more creative area (I told you a little about my backwards little 2 stop light town when we were at lunch - talk about a hard place to get inspired ). Its a lot easier to travel. Since you live near NYC, I'd have to agree with both weapon and robbylane - keep your home base there and travel to the places that you think would benefit you. Its a lot cheaper to take a train to PA/NY or fly to LA and stay for even a month (extended stay hotels for example) than it is to move there. That's a good way to try-before-you-buy. Line up a bunch of shows in NY or LA - even the nonpaying places where you can sell your cd or get tips and a meal - just to get a taste of things. Think of it as a working vacation. Ask music stores and good gig spots where most musicians in that area hang out and go there to check the scene. Hop on some local chat boards. You are going on the artist path, no? Weapon and Kelly can give you a ton of real "business cost" information I'm sure - I can help with info about touring but not much else. I can't wait to hear what you find as you do your research, and also about your deal. If your deal requires you (i.e. ink on the paper and money in the bank) to move then it could be smart - otherwise, I've seen too many people get so wrapped in trying to survive in big cities (just because of the cost of living) they can't keep working on the bigger picture.Anne

[girasoledonna]

Hey guys,Thanks for all of the thoughts. It means a lot to me to see so many people writing such thoughtful messages in response to my post. I think I should add that in regards to my level of outgoing-ness and spunk, I'm very assertive and I love talking to everyone and anyone. That being said, I agree that moving 3,000 miles from everyone and anything I know would be pretty hard. To be honest, I've always felt like I've had to make a choice between my family ( I come from a deeply-connected, Italian-Catholic family) and my career. I've always felt like part of my heart was so adventurous and wanted to see the world, but the other part didn't want to settle away from my family. The truth is, I don't want really want to live somewhere permanently where I see my family a few times a year. But if that means sacrificing my dreams of being a performing artist who makes a successful living from writing, recording and performing music, well - then I feel very stuck. Atlantic City isn't a bad spot, located fairly close (2 hours) from NYC, and (1 hour) from Philly, (3 hours ) from Baltimore, (6 hours) from Boston etc. It's kind of in the middle of a lot of other metropolitan area, although it has little to offer beyond the casinos for itself. There is no community here, and very little inspiration or people to collaborate with. When I came out to L.A, I will say that I felt very alive - I loved the speed of the place, I loved meeting new people, I loved the weather. But I was only there 10 days and I missed my family. If I had something set up, I might consider going there - but with my career just budding.. maybe its better to stay in Jersey?Another question: Do you guys think - for an aspiring performing artist, that gigging is NOT the way to go these days? That TV/Film is where its at? I have also been thinking about the whole "1,000 true fans" idea that Ariel Hyatt was teaching at the Rally - and I think maybe I should start hitting back-door options like coffeehouses, art houses and wine tasting, home concerts etc again. it's grass root and slow going, but you are more likely to establish REAL connections and make TRUE fans that way. Any thoughts??- Anj

[hummingbird]

Nov 22, 2008, 8:39pm, girasoledonna wrote:Another question: Do you guys think - for an aspiring performing artist, that gigging is NOT the way to go these days? That TV/Film is where its at? I have also been thinking about the whole "1,000 true fans" idea that Ariel Hyatt was teaching at the Rally - and I think maybe I should start hitting back-door options like coffeehouses, art houses and wine tasting, home concerts etc again. it's grass root and slow going, but you are more likely to establish REAL connections and make TRUE fans that way. Anj, it doesn't have to be one or the other. (But one only has so much time.) To me, if you plan to build your fan base, then I agree, you plan it out and know that it will take time to build that foundation. If you plan to try to build a fan base without gigging, then you'll have to be very creative & think outside the box.Ariel's book, and Bob Baker's books (I bought all at the Rally), have some great marketing/PR ideas. But I know I can get overwhelmed with it all. So I try to think about organizing things so I can spend some time on marketing/getting gigs, some time on writing for listings, some time on writing my album... and running my studio. I was thinking of getting a white board for the wall, where I could list my projects, marketing to-dos, etc, and plan for the week.anyway, my point is, you don't have to choose, you just need to plan and be realistic with your energies, and know that both the fan base/performing and the film/tv stuff takes time to grow into.cheersHummin'bird

[matto]

Nov 22, 2008, 8:39pm, girasoledonna wrote:Another question: Do you guys think - for an aspiring performing artist, that gigging is NOT the way to go these days? That TV/Film is where its at? I have also been thinking about the whole "1,000 true fans" idea that Ariel Hyatt was teaching at the Rally - and I think maybe I should start hitting back-door options like coffeehouses, art houses and wine tasting, home concerts etc again. it's grass root and slow going, but you are more likely to establish REAL connections and make TRUE fans that way.- AnjHey Anj ,IMHO "multiple streams of income" is the way to go. Sure you can "play the lottery" and hope you'll be signed to a big time record deal, but with labels signing as few artists as they are and record sales being as low as they are, I think you need a "backup plan", something that's more "real" that you can depend on.So all the things you mention above, e.g. house concerts, other "unconventional" gigs, film/tv placements...each of these things can become a stream of income, and if you make a sound enough plan and stick with it long enough, you'll get to that place where you can quit your day gig.And in the meantime you can still submit for major label listings and hope for the best... As far as moving to a music center...I really don't have an opinion about it. I did it and didn't exactly "get crushed" (jon?? ), although I did have a few "lean years" where I was living below minimum wage level...I think it's an individual decision that depends on what YOU need to thrive and get motivated.Maybe you need to be jolted out of your comfort zone, of living near your family and having them to fall back on. Or maybe moving far away from them would be depressing to you to the point where it would affect your ability to be creative.Only you can know...or find out...matto

[ciskokidd]

Hi Anj,I can say from the perspective of someone who just moved back to LA that it does make a big difference in the way you perceive things.I lived about and hour away from LA and close to where I grew up for the last four years and I noticed that I sort of became uninspired by my surroundings. In the end I was spending a lot more time in LA than I was at home.I read someplace that you live up to the standards you set for yourself. You really need to surround yourself with people that raise your standards. I personally would take the chance and give it a go in New York or LA. Give it a couple of years and see what it does for you. I agree with Matto that you need to move beyond your comfort zone. Remember you can always go back home if it doesn't work out for you.All the best,Cisko

[weapon]

I suppose I should've elaborated more, I was addressing more than the music side of things. The general demeanor of NYC and LA is harsh. I've known some pretty intelligent but hardcore people who could only take the environment for so long. I had the pleasure of meeting Anj at the rally, she seems like a nice person with a good heart and it would be troubling to see a nice person subjected to the harshness of those cities. I've spent a ton of time in NYC and some in LA. I just don't see the need to be in either city to be a successful act, not to mention the fact that it is expensive as heck to live there in either.

[ciskokidd]

LA and NYC are definitely not for everyone, but I love the city. True the traffic sucks and some people can be harsh. Still, LA has a life to it that I found lacking out in the suburban areas.I happen to love huge movie theaters with 70mm screens. I love going to art shows and museums. I love going to amazing restaurants in many styles of cooking from all over the globe.The best you can do in suburbia is Chili's and Applebee's. However, I'm not an artist trying to get a label deal. I think LA is a hard place to get a following due to the large abundance of artists and musicians not to mention all the other sports events, movies, etc. vying for a public audience.It's a tough call I know.Cisko