Where are the musicians?

[Ranen Beaver]

Is there such a thing as a musician that understands the operation of a telephone and a clock. I can't seem to find them anywhere.

My band broke up a few months ago due to two people handling the bulk of the work. The guys were being given a free ride and decided that other commitments were more important that writing and recording. Basically, we wanted to work at a faster pace.

My question is where are the real musicians who can play, are educated, and passionate located? I mean like really driven people. I know they exist but they are so hard to find. I've tried myspace classifieds and craigslist to no avail. Do any of you guys have any suggestions on finding dedicated musicians? Is there a secret black ops base where they are all kept and let out every ten years to form superbands?

Ranen

[nyarlothothep]

I feel your pain. Dedicated musicians can be incredibly difficult to find. Ads are useful but its very hit and miss, well, more just like a constant miss. Problem is you get timewasters (scum of the earth) or posers (ie people who will communicate in mumbles, sigh constantly and try very hard to seem too cool to be there), or people who just arent committed. Its de-moralizing but the only advice I can give is just to keep plugging away at it. Best bet is to set up a band with friends or through friends of friends because it will minimize the risk of personality differences and there will also be more of a group feeling which is conducive towards dedication.

[Stitch333]

In general, I advise my artists I produce that a truly professional player will only really throw down when there is 1) money on the table or 2) a situation on the table. Thats why they are professionals.

As far as where some players are located? Philly is a great spot to start.
The one artist I'm producing right now, who is in Philly, was able to get a band together that included players who've played with: Stevie Wonder, Prince, Pharrel, P. Diddy, Jill Scott, ?uestlove, etc., etc....

And they even chip in for the rehearsal space!

[DGG]

I'm here but I'm like on the other side of the planet from where you are. I really tried hard to put a surf/instrumental band together 'round four years ago. It was a nightmare and after two years of trying I felt only two of us (out of five) were interested in playing out and willing to go book gigs. Others in the band thought that staying in the garage was best. I haven't played in a full band setting since.

The moral here is ...lots of people say they want to be in a band but it's mostly hot "cock" talk and not reality. Underneath, they are too scared, too jaded or too flaky to walk that talk and actually do what's needed to be a successful band. Life is that way. There's no guarantees but I try to be positive, be grounded, try hard and hope good things can happen. Problem is most people don't think that way.

[DontLetMeDrown]

Originally Posted by Ranen Beaver

My question is where are the real musicians who can play, are educated, and passionate located? I mean like really driven people. I know they exist but they are so hard to find. I've tried myspace classifieds and craigslist to no avail. Do any of you guys have any suggestions on finding dedicated musicians? Is there a secret black ops base where they are all kept and let out every ten years to form superbands?

Ranen

They're in a band already. That is the game, right? The hardest part is finding people that care as much as you that also have the same/similar vision. The best thing you can do is write the most killer songs you can to get them to buy into your vision. If someone came up to you and blew you away with some of the best songs you've ever heard, then offered you a spot in their band, you'd probably drop everything if you really believed in it. Time to write some AMAZING songs.thumbsup

[jeremy.c.]

It took me about 4 years in LA to get to know enough musicians to have a pretty stable core group of players that I can rely on. Of course I have to be that person in return and I have played more than a few gigs with friends to help them out.
My current band is either friends first or people I have picked up in other projects along the way. If I ever need a fill-in I have a few musicians for each instrument to choose from in a pinch. It just takes time and a large pool of people, obviously LA has a lot of people... though you would likely be shocked at the enormous sea of flakes, posers and mediocrity we're floating in out here, there is a lot chaff to sort thru to find the wheat... then again its LA so you likely wouldn't be surprised... (did I just mix metaphors?)

[Ranen Beaver]

Thanks for the encouraging responses. I used to always wondered how so many terrible bands got signed and continue to make music. I think it's that even though they are not amazing or groundbreaking they are just dedicated and that's what it took for them to make it. I'm not in any position to criticize any band or musician but it just gets me that the only people who respond to our posts are either flaky or just not what we are looking for. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
Someone suggested starting to write new material and use it as a lure to get talented musicians but my only problem is I can't play drums and I loathe midi drums. I like writing for the musicians at hand so I know my parameters. I guess it just takes time and persistence. If anyone has a story about finding the perfect musicians after searching for months please share them!<o:p></o:p>
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