Damned if you don’t

Not too long ago, someone asked me, “What do you think of Local 782? Don’t you think it only benefits a few bands, like … .” And they went to name one band that plays often on the local circuit, implying Local 782 (a group that advocates for a good chunk of our local bands) was exercising some kind of favoritism. I replied that maybe the fact that the band in question (the name doesn’t matter) gigs so often has something to do with the fact that they’re also regular contributors to meetings organized by Local 782. Isn’t part of the idea behind these organizing meetings to provide opportunities for participating members to gig more often by teaching musicians the skills they need to not only land gigs but also to promote them? It really bothers me that as soon as something gets moving, people start suspecting raw deals everywhere. If the local scene doesn’t organize, they’re losers; if they do organize, they only “protect the few.”

It must be said: I hate meetings; I like doing. But I have a enough stray neurons firing that even I understand that meetings are necessary and inevitable — that good, productive meetings help. If I don’t go to Local 782 meetings it’s because my job is that of an outside observer. Musicians should meet — I’ll write about the events they come up with. But if you are a musician, you should definitely check in. The next monthly meeting is tonight (7pm Wed, Nov 9) at the Local 782 office (1414 E Commerce). The main point of discussion will be how to make Local Music Week 2012 work. Check blogs.sacurrent.com for minutes from the last meeting, so you have an idea of what to expect.

And speaking of opportunities, there’s a new venue ideal for singer-songwriters: Imagine Books (8373 Culebra, Ste 201B, next to the bingo place). It’s a big used bookstore that also sells vinyl (owner Don Hurd has the first live recording of the Beatles in Hamburg on wax for less than $10, for example). It opened about a month ago and I highly recommend it. Hurd hopes to incorporate live music at the place, so acoustic singer-songwriters are encouraged to contact him at imaginebooks.dh@gmail.com or by calling (210) 707-4984. The name of the store is no small thing. At a time when bookstores are closing left and right, Hurd dares to dream. Let’s give him a hand.

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