20/3/12

[Caravan Ray]

Nothing much to report really. But I just got home from playing live again at an open mic. I haven't done it for a while.

There was a group of young kids at the front. Came to watch their mate play - but stayed around. They loved me. They whooped and hollered and laughed at all the right places. And I got a few random backslaps with the "good work mate" comment.

Makes it all worthwhile really. I am happy.

QOTD: Do you enjoy playing live or recording more?

As much as I love a good live show. I still really enjoy buggerising about by myself with headphones on more I think.

[signboy]

I definitely love recording more. Playing live always makes me feel inadequate.

[BBABM]

I like playing live more, mostly because I am really bad at recording. Playing live I can fudge chords, change words, play a few extra bars here and there, and no one is the wiser. Also, my recordings never sound how I want them to (good) and I just don't have the patience needed to sit in the headphones for hours.

[HeuristicsInc]

recording. i've gotten a bit used to playing live, but i don't think i sound all that good live.
-bill

[Manhattan Glutton]

I love playing live because it's the best way to subject people to your material. It's just so complicated, what with booking and bandmates and all that.

[roymond]

When I had a band I loved playing live. I didn't like classical gigs much, though, save for a few contemporary ensembles, which were awesome. But now I consider the studio my instrument more than my guitars, and I absolutely love the writing/recording/production process, which for me is all one process. I just need time and space to do it.

[ken]

Playing live seems like a lot of work to me these days for not a lot of reward. The gear, plus the travel, plus the staying up late, plus the cost of gas, food, and beer, with usually little to no pay at the end. It is all just a big hassle. Recording is a little less so with the setting up and editing, but the end product lasts a bit longer than the rush of performing. I guess I'm just lazy these days.

Ken

[Paco Del Stinko]

Yeah, recording. Live is a blast and exciting that it's a total in the now thing, risky, energetic, and all that. I would love to play bass in a cover band, playing at low volume doing less than obvious covers. Like a slightly oddball pop band at jazz club level. But time, logistics, learning curve, etc. basically rule it out. I do enjoy the control and palette of the studio, but I've even been rushing through that lately.

[fluffy]

I love performing live, probably because I never freaking do it. Once a song is recorded it's unchanging (and crappy forever, or at least until I inevitably rerecord it for an album), but when it's live? Anything can go! Usually it goes badly but at least the music is still alive.

Also when I'm on stage I feel like I'm somebody else, like I'm taking a vacation from my usual introverted, depressed, isolated self. It's a liberating feeling, and it's why for a long time I did karaoke weekly back in Seattle (where the karaoke scene works well for that). The San Francisco karaoke scene is, unfortunately, just a bunch of hipsters who use it as an excuse to get drunk and be asses, or at least that's how it's been the few times I've gone to it here. There's still a few places near me that I need to check out though.

[Niveous]

I'm split. On one hand, I enjoy just sitting in a room and crafting out ideas. BUT I making good recordings. I'm not great at the technical aspects. On the other hand, I enjoy doing live performances but I sometimes have problems with nerves and I prefer playing with a band.

[Billy's Little Trip]

I used to love only playing live. It was a way of life for me for many years. But now, at this stage of my life, I'm more into the creative aspect of song writing, development and studio work. It's a great creative release for me. It allows me to explore levels of myself that I couldn't before.