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i'm doing some gigs in l.a. in march, the band i'm playing with wants me to consider relocating to l.a.
immigration issues aside, i'd like to suss out what l.a. has to offer gig wise.
can you make a living playing music in l.a. i've been in toronto for 6 years and do fine right now.
all the work i've generated here was originally from going to jams, meeting people and expanding the network. over time you get to know tons of people through others.
what do you think is the best use of time for me "2 weeks" to maximise networking in l.a. are there any jams to check out? ect.
keeping in mind that i'm not necesarilly there to meet vinnie or weckle,to have my mind blown by heavy guys, you can do that anywhere
i'm looking to have acess to show my abilities to those who may want to use it.
thanks
chris perra
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 16, 2003 11:36 PM: Message edited by: chris perra ]</font>
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I'm adding a reply here solely to move this topic to the top. Since I'm not from L.A., can't help with contacts, etc. But... I gotta believe our L.A. HOD brethren have some suggestions. Good luck!
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I can personally say that if I went to LA I would spend all my time scouting out hookers.
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There really aren't any public jams here to speak of. The networking/jamming thing certainly goes on but it's more a result of meeting someone at a gig than sitting in and being heard.
that's my experience here anyway.... If you have a good thing going where you are, I would not recommend (to anyone) that they leave unless work has dried up or an unbelievable opportunity presents itself elswhere. if you're happy with how you're doing in Toronto, what do you expect to be better here?
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i'm not planning on moving, i'm just curious.
i spent 6 years here developing a network large enough to make a living. to me unless the band i'm giging with in l.a. gets a large enough deal to warrant moving i don't think i would bother.
i'm just curious if i did decide to make the move what the scene is like, is it something you can be working in within a year of moving?
the reality is, even with a deal, unless you are the big flavor of the month, it could be over in a year or 2.
then what?
is there a jobbing, top 40,blues, r&b scene? or is it all, play for the love of it,and hope to sell cd's.
chris perra
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I agree with Derek's advice. If its happening where you are, really think twice before considering the move. Fuse, some time ago, also posted a question about the "scene" out here in LA. I don't think he received much in the way of a response.
When I jumped out of the Navy Music Program several years ago, I met a guy in a parking lot. He had a license plate that said MF BAND. I asked him about the plate and he said that he had played drums on three of Maynard Fergeson's albums. He also said that he was currently playing at a few jazz clubs but, that his main bread and butter was from working at an oil refinery. I couldn't believe it. Here I was ready to make a killing in LA and one of my favorite drummers is working at an oil refinery.
While playing the casualties (casuals, weddings etc.) other musicians would ask about the Navy gig. When I told them I had medical, dental and optical insurance along with education benefits and a retirement plan...they asked "why did you ever leave?". And these were some serious players asking these questions.
I've played with some great players out here. The work situation has been a real roller coaster ride though. Once the family started to grow, I knew it was time to get one of those day jobs that I had heard so much about. I'm still gigging and teaching and learning. But the day gig sure helps support my family....and my music.
This obviously isn't the same story for every musician in LA. If you can make the right connections and make a good living as a player here or anywhere for that matter...count yourself blessed.
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I live in LA and have played most of the Sunset strip clubs, tried out for bands, etc. It's pretty tough, but it's a lot of fun.
My advise is to check out the local Jazz clubs in the Valley areas, Studio City, North Hollywood, etc. There are three main venues that all of the BIG guys play: La Ve Lee, Cafe Cordiale, and The Baked Potato. You can come see players like Vinnie C., Chad W. and Gregg B. up close in a small setting, and talk with them after the show!
Enjoy the adventure!
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Find some hot porn chick and star in a low budget movie directed by Ron Jeremy. Oh, wait you meant what would you do gig wise in LA for 2 weeks. My bad, sorry.
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i'm not to sure where the gigs are i'm playing, one is at "club lingere", on st. patties day is that close enough for you randy? [img]biggrin.gif[/img]
chris perra
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As a side observation...
One thing for sure though, being big in Canada won't attract the same exposure as being big in the USA. For exemple, it's very difficult to get a Front Page interview in Modern Drummer if you're Canadian. Through the years, how many Canadians ended up in a major Modern Drummer interview? Neil Pert, Barenaked Ladies' drummer (forgot his name), who else...?
Although it's true that a major Modern Drummer interview won't necessarily bring bread on your table. But it sure will help the marketing angle of your carreer...
What do you Canadian HOD buddies think on the topic?
Ciao,
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Well there is a wealth of incredible Canadian drummers that are overlooked in major media type things.You could say that about Sweden,or Hawaii too.But we(Canadians/US) share the same influences and a dumb border.We all have acsess to one another.
Chris,if u have a chance to test L.A.,then u should sample it. T.O. is a hub for the industry,as is Vancouver.Much Talent over there.Lotsa opportunity out there if u got skills.You've moved around alot,so you know what you may be in for.It will certainly affect your creativity.Might be fun.
Heres some Canadian drummers who have rocked my world for a long time.John Wright of NoMeansNo.He's totally versetile.Plays traditional grip too.I reckon alot of you folks would be duly impressed with his command of drumset.Theres Jeremy Taggart of Our Lady Peace whos been gettin some notice.Hes super.
Theres a band based in T.O. called The Rheostatics.Dave Clark,their first drummer,is great.He produces/engineers now.Neal Peart played on one of their albums.Randall Stoll is a monster.Hes a total working drummer.Punk Rock legend Jon Card.Theres this dude Christian who has been in some quasi popular Canadian outfits(Gluleg,Edwin).Matt Frennette has always been a mainstay.I could go on,so many good drummers across our country.It's good work up here.........................peace........beats.
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Right on Beats,
In that train of thought...
I'll add Vinnie's drum-buddy Vito Rezza from Toronto. Vinnie played on Vito's latest recording. It's due out this spring... Vito is definitely a master of odd-time meters... Awesome chops too. Love that guy. Vinnie was quoted as calling Vito: "The world's most well-kept secret".
Other strong players from Toronto are Rick Gratton and Paul Delong.
From Montreal you have the ex-UZEB, now Vannelli's drummer, Paul Brochu who's one of the most musical drummer I know. He's like a "Jeff Porcaro meets Peter Erskine" player. Very much an "all around" studio cat... Always inspiring to hear Paul play.
Another scary one from Montreal is Magella Cormier. This guy played on the 1st Alain Caron solo CD and is featured on the 1996-1997 Montreal Drum Fest CD... Scary performance on that one too... Magella's got monstruous chops coupled with a refined musicality. Some have called him the "Vinnie Colaiuta of Montreal" for good reasons.
That's all for now.
Ciao,
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Hey, thanx 4 the heads up on all that, guys [Andy, both "beats"]...
Oh yeah, any of u Canadian guys heard of Randy Cooke? He's played w Kim Mitchell & Rik Emmitt [Triumph], etc...saw him w Kim in summer of '95 when i was doin a 2-wk gig there at the "[Super-] Ex[po]" Fair in Ottowa & he blew me away...sounded like a cross between Bonham & Gadd, w a lil Porcaro & Weckl influence thrown in...he killed the KM tune "All We Are" [6/8 shuffle]...also heard [from the Canadian rock band Helix's drummer] that RC was doin gigs at fairs & festivals as a 1-man perc ensemble, wearin a suit consisting of triggered pads; some sort of strolling act as a futuristic cyborg drummer, playing on himself...any of u know anything about Randy?...
also, dont 4get Greg Morrow - i believe he did some stuff in CAN [if i'm not mistaken] b4 moving to Nashville, & now he's a very-much-in-demand Nash A-list drummer....
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 25, 2003 01:28 AM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>
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there are tons of heavy players in canada, randy is a good friend of mine, he's doing edwin shows, snow, and alot of session work.
there's also troy feener, chris mcneil, gary craig, chris sutherland, ben riley, mark kelso,jorn anderson, wilson laurention from toronto.
in vancouver there is gary grace,gerry adoph,ash sood,al webster the list goes on... unfortunately in canada there is a limited number of high profile gigs,the circle is small.
in toronto randy gets called for 60% if the rock type gigs right off the bat,then you get the trickle down effect for what those guys can't do.
i'm sure it's the same everywhere, but canada's is a 100 times smaller than the u.s. so it's hard to get noticed.
about 10 years ago there was a feature in modern drummer about the drummers of toronto. the funny thing is the same 10 to 15 guys are still the mainstay of the scene.
by the way,i'm currently in burbank right now and like the weather much better, when i left toronto it was - 25 celsius.
chris perra
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Cool post, thanx CP [& glad to hear it's a little warmer where u r now...]
4give my "naievete," but by any chance is that Edwin u referred to, Edwin McCain, or some other band named that?
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 12, 2003 10:24 PM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>
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edwin is a singer that fronted a canadian band called "i mother earth", he left to pursue a solo career 3 years ago,randy isn't on the album.you can check out his website at randycooke .com
chris perra
