Los Angeles

Hey andreas!

Best of luck with moving to L.A!

I live in Hong Kong but from the net i know that on monday night the Baked Potato has a jam called "monday night jamz" with the house drummer being Bernie Galane (wwww.bernie-g.com). Try e-mailing him to see if he can help you and i would stop by all these clubs and just talk to people! Get to know people and throw yourself out there!

the baked potato website is www.thebakedpotato.com

I know from researching for my own trip to l.a that the baked potato admits all ages, but ofcourse you won't be able to drink.

I am wondering one thing though, you seem to be doing well for yourself and to be an acomplished musician in Sweden? Why make the move to l.a?

I mean i know thats it to reach higher musical grounds as l.a seems to be a very musically stimulating place but would it not make more sense to wait a while till your older, gather up more cash (unless you already got plenty of that) and perhpas with time, from becoming a big name in sweden, your name could echo in l.a a bit already giving you a sort of introduction before you even moved there.

Just a thought!

Hi!

Thanks! I'm moving in or around October.

@S.P:
Thanks! I will be e-mailing him! Well, I am doing good here in Sweden. I feel that things are starting to escalate really well here and that the buzz about me is out there. Since I have had plans on going to L.A when I'm 18 for all my life, I feel I don't want to be committed in any way to any musican endeavors I already have here in Sweden by the time I leave.

You know, it would feel a little awkward to leave Sweden if things would start working out great in Sweden now. So, even if it sounds a little strange, this is why I'm leaving now. If I would leave later in my life, I might have already started a family and therefore won't be able to make the move because of that. I feel it's smart to do this now, when I don't have any binding commitments.

I also know that I won't be able to do what I untimately want to do as a musician here in Sweden, and that I therefore would wanna move sooner or later anyway. I feel I might aswell do it now.

The money issue is although a problem. I won't be having a lot of cash in my wallet. I will soon have to find some kind of part-time job. Maybe as a cabdriver/pool boy or whatever if I'm not lucky enough to find work as a drummer fast. Since I don't know the current possible part-time jobs in L.A, I'm not sure on which job I should try to get at first. Although, this is something I will investigate directly. I <u>will</u> need any part-time job that pays a little dough to survive. The rest of the time I gotta market myself.

/A.

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[email protected]
www.andreasbrobjer.com

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ July 23, 2005 06:41 PM: Message edited by: Andreas Brobjer ]</font>

I don't know how it is in LA, (I'd imagine it's the same) but in Chicago, you won't be allowed to sit in any bar without at least a couple of forms of legal ID, even if you aren't drinking. Their liquor license is at risk and the bar could be fined $2500.00 if you're carded while in there without ID's. Most bars just won't risk it.

Many clubs have 'open jam nights' where you could sit in with other players. That would be one way to 'introduce' yourself to other players. Another idea might be to get a job teaching at one of the many schools in the area.

Drumming sort of person,

Thanks! I know of some of the music clubs in LA, but not any specific club has those open night jams. I have heard rumors of clubs like Viper Room and The Whiskey have these kinds of jam nights.

Anyway, how do these jams work? This is something we don't have here in Sweden. Does the clubs have any backline equipment ready or is that something you would have to bring yourself?

Best regards,
Andreas

Quote:

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Originally posted by Andreas Brobjer:
Hi!

I am doing good here in Sweden. I feel that things are starting to escalate really well here and that the buzz about me is out there. Since I have had plans on going to L.A when I'm 18 for all my life, I feel I don't want to be committed in any way to any musican endeavors I already have here in Sweden by the time I leave.

You know, it would feel a little awkward to leave Sweden if things would start working out great in Sweden now. So, even if it sounds a little strange, this is why I'm leaving now. If I would leave later in my life, I might have already started a family and therefore won't be able to make the move because of that. I feel it's smart to do this now, when I don't have any binding commitments.

I also know that I won't be able to do what I untimately want to do as a musician here in Sweden, and that I therefore would wanna move sooner or later anyway. I feel I might aswell do it now.


<font color="#a62a2a"><font size="1">[ July 23, 2005 06:41 PM: Message edited by: Andreas Brobjer ]</font></font>

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Tough call here.

I think Sweden are blessed with "equal" talents as there would be in Los Angeles. The globalization of music has stredged out the level of each individual community.

To me, correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like you're doing it for the prestiege of becomming an L.A guy! Everyone wants to be that, and that's one thing you'll have in mind too. The reckless competition, it can be a motivationing, but also frustrating and exhausting sometimes.

You seem to have a great time in Sweden, and it's obious that you're establishing yourself a good carreer there. ?

Try to get the best out of the young years in Sweden and when you think it's natural to seek out new things, then move, if it at that time seems obious in doing it. I would at least wait 3 years before moving on. the clubbing thing is gonna be a pain, it's not like in the old days where you could sniff in and out the clubs at the age of 10 etc.

Og jeg er forresten Dansk [img]wink.gif[/img]

Hi Andreas,

Have you tried to spoke to a Guy like Per Lindvall ?
He was in LA end of 80's or beginning 90s' playing with the very talented michael Ruff, he could give you some great advice.

Have fun and good luck.

Andreas, if LA is your destination and you have made your decision, that's great and nobody should stand in your way.

Just know that a lot of people here have been through this in some form or another. If you hear notes of caution it's probably because "Mecca" cities like LA, New York, London, Paris, etc. have a long tradition of large numbers of young people moving there, sight unseen. LA is the primary city for music and film dreams in the US. Many people your age attempt move there every year without contacts, money, a job, specific plans, or a place to live on the hopes that they will find their way to stardom or industry success. My perception is that a lot of young people with talent get chewed up and derailed on the way, especially if they weren't prepared for the hard realities of these places. I don't know if this is still true but some guys here have probably lived it--they can tell you.

A select few--usually those with resources to weather long periods of adversity--"make it." There's a story about Jim Carey (the actor) living out of his car for a long time before he was "discovered." Obviously, he is huge now, and it's likely that he wouldn't ever be the star he is now without taking those risks. But for every one like him, there a large number who don't make it. And he had to go through a lot to get there.

I'm nobody's mother, and there is a lot to be said for "youthful optimism:" lucky things do happen for ambitious, bright, positive young people. It just seems that the more "real life" things you can do to prepare for a life change like this--jobs, networking, money in the bank, etc.--the better chance you give yourself to make it in the long haul. And you owe it to yourself to give yourself the best chances of success, even if it delays your voyage a bit.

Just my 2 cents--I really don't mean to be condescending. You're a talented guy and I wish you the best.

Andreas,

Also, be aware that the "pay-to-play" system is unfortunately alive and well for some clubs in LA (including the Whiskey).

This is where you are given tickets and required to sell them and give the money to the club in order to play. If you can sell more than the club requires, I understand you can keep a portion of the sales.

I've heard stories where the bands are charged extra for using the club's PA system and lights.

Good Luck!

Typically you are sold the tickets from the venue; so you buy them all up front for x dollars. The idea being that you can then sell them all for MORE money and make a profit.

Obviously this is a horrible practice but it's a fact of life for most places in LA nowadays. (and many other big cities as well)