People from all over the world are drawn to Atlanta because of its thriving music scene. Take a ride in on I-75 North from Hartsfield-Jackson airport, and you’ll be greeted with a huge sign for So So Def records, the label which Jermaine Dupri is famous for. There are also tons of celebrities which have attached their names to the city of Atlanta. Whitney Houston (yes, she’s STILL a celebrity), Toni Braxton, Elton John, and plenty others have found a nice little niche in Atlanta’s active entertainment scene.
But what about the “little” people? Where do all the aspiring musicians and singers go to get a piece of the action? That’s a little tricky. While there is room for everyone in this town, I’ve found that some musical circles are a little bit tighter than others. And places advertising open mic shows are not as “open” as they’d have everyone believe. But there are ways around the “red tape” of the underground music scene. You just have to be creative, and a little patient. And soon you’ll find that there really IS a place for everyone, even if you have to create that place for yourself.
1. Read the “loaf” – Anyone and everyone knows that if you truly want to find out what’s going on in the underground music scene, you’ll need a handy guide. The best place to start is the weekly Creative Loafing newsletter. Here you will find not only a plethora of interesting articles pertinent to the city, you’ll find tons of venues advertising both live shows, and open mic sessions. If you’re a little skeptical about the kind of crowd you’ll be walking into, give the clubs a call before heading down. Typically, there will be someone available to answer any questions you may have about parking fees, cover charges, and type of crowd. The Creative Loafing is also a great publication because the listings tend to be more up to date than the online listings for the same clubs. The entertainment and nightlife websites are not updated as often, and you may find old dates and activities if you stick solely with online help.
2. Cruise the City – Assuming that you know where you’re going, it’s really a good idea to “case the joints” you’re planning on performing in. Cruise certain neighborhoods, and look for entertainment spots which may NOT be listed online or in the Creative Loafing. More often than not, the buzz about really exciting clubs and coffeehouses is kept quiet. Fall into one of these places, and you just might get lucky. Doing so will also give you a better look at the kind of clientele that comes through on a regular basis.
3. Follow the Rules – When you’ve decided on a place (or places) to perform, make sure you follow the “rules.” It’s true that many open mic sessions give preferential treatment to the regulars who have garnered a few fans along the way. “Newbies” to the open mic scene will most often make the list. But if you’re unknown to the show’s host, or the crowd, you can expect to be pushed to the bottom of the list so that more popular performers get a chance to do what they do. It doesn’t sound fair. And every venue is not this way. But this is the kind of “red tape” newcomers can expect on the scene.
The best thing to do is remain calm and quiet. Enjoy the atmosphere. Take mental notes about the types of acts which seem most popular. Don’t harass the host about what time you’re going on stage. If you do so, you can almost bet that you’ll be last-or even skipped.
4. Hone Your Craft – The best thing you can do in an attempt to amass fans, is hone your craft. Whether you are a spoken word artist, a singer, or a musician-it is important that you be that absolute best you can be. Atlanta is filled with budding singers, poets and rock stars. Everyone wants to make it to the top. But not everyone has the talent or fortitude to keep going strong. As you get better, make sure that you’re constantly working on fresh material. Keep samples of your work on hand. Don’t expect to sell hundreds copies of your latest single at your first open mic. This isn’t to say that it’s impossible. Many people do create a demand for their material.
Another one thing to remember is never to “hound” people to buy your CD. That makes you look desperate. If you look desperate, your audience may not believe in your work. Try to generate your own demand. Keep stacks of your product with you. But keep “cool.”
5. Network, Network, Network – This is perhaps the biggest and most important way to get through the underground music scene with relative ease. Know this: Once you begin going to one underground spot, you’ll be approached by dozens of others who want you to visit THEIR spots. Ordinarily, there are flyers placed on tables announcing upcoming events at other venues. Don’t disregard these. As annoying as they sometimes can be, they hold a lot of information. There are usually pictures of the performers, along with contact information, driving directions, and other goodies.
Developing a pattern of places to perform will help you to navigate through the scene, and determine which ones are your favorites. Additionally, the more places you go, the more familiar you will become with the staff and other performers. If your work is worthy of praise, you can guarantee that you’ll be asked to return. And perhaps, you’ll even get bumped up a little higher on the open mic list!
The underground music scene can seem rather daunting. Sometimes it really does feel like high school, where the “cool” kids sit at the good tables and talk about all the geeks and nerds. It sounds extreme. But in the competitive world of entertainment, the underground scene is not much different than the mainstream. The dollars may be fewer (gig-wise). And some people are quite content to exercise their talents on smaller stages. But it is THIS scene which prepares people for the bigger and better. Staying true to what you do and treating others with respect will get you a long way-whether you remain on the underground scene, or head straight for the Big Time.
