IT’S THURSDAY NIGHT on Bleecker Street and Zack Borer mills around The Bitter End with a glass of water, waiting for his turn to take the mic.The singersongwriter recently played a side stage at a Dave Matthews Band concert, where he estimates he hit a few thousand ears. Tonight, he’d be happy to pack 75 people into the bar. There’s a $10 cover with a two-drink minimum, and about 30 people listen as a female pianist finishes her set. Like clockwork, she thanks the audience and the next act begins to set up. Zack is on after that, one of four acts in a single night.
There are a few venues in Manhattan where this scene repeats itself nightly. The Red Lion, Pianos, Arlene’s Grocery—these bars have music every night to lure patrons in the door. Venues like these book shows a few nights a week; three to five groups a night guarantees bands, and more importantly friends and followers, will be at the bar spending money. For the most part, the acts aren’t doing this just for fun. They’re hoping to expand their following, to have their music fall on the right set of ears. These musicians, like the dozens of others playing these stages at any given moment, are hoping to make it. But does this bar scene offer a step up the ladder, or is it just a way for the management to make money?
Getting a show can be competitive. Most established venues ask musicians to send submissions via email and to include a link to the band’s MySpace page, where it’s easy to see a count of their followers. Bookers, like Ann Gibson of The Red Lion, ask the bands how many people they can bring before giving them a show. She says the venue “gives returning gigs to any band who pulls a good crowd and, of course, sound good.”
Borer concedes that musical ability isn’t the primary way to get a gig at one of these venues. And one club insider adds, “You could burp into a microphone for an hour and if you get 100 people you’ll get asked to come back.”
The singers and bands do get paid to appear.They usually pull down $100 to $200 based on the money collected at the door. Their guests have to check in on a list that tracks the number of people coming for each group. The band members also get to enjoy drink deals during their set. Getting boozed up and taking the stage is not as glamorous as it sounds, though.
Jameson Dempsey and JP Chirdon have played venues like Lit and Pianos with their band Shipyards, but say that by the time the typical show wraps up and they return their gear to storage, there’s time for debauchery—most band members have to be at work the next day.
The members of Shipyards don’t expect to make a living from their music, they’re in it for the camaraderie, the joy of creation and the fun they can have playing for a crowd.Though they don’t have any illusions about what playing in these venues will get them, they are quick to admit that they would take a bigger opportunity if it were to come along. “We’re a little jaded, but not totally disillusioned,” says Dempsey.
That ennui can come about because of the shows themselves. Paul Rosevear, of the band Readymade Breakup, says that there are some nights at these bars that really test his resolve. “There are going to be those nights when the place is packed for the band before you, and you’re all jacked up to play and then as you race on stage to set up, the place starts to file out. By song two, you’re playing to your girlfriend.”
Ben Krieger, who handles booking at Sidewalk Café in Alphabet City, admits that attendance plays an important role in deciding who gets a show. Krieger points out that there is a balance at work: While the act that can draw 60 or 100 people will definitely get a slot, they also help support the first time performer who can’t draw as many people. He also argues that the networking that goes on in these clubs is still essential to making it. While everyone is flocking online to create a community around their band, it’s many times the in-person connections made at these shows that will help acts land their next opportunity.
It’s close to 10 now, and Zack Borer is ready to go on.The crowd has filled out and it’s standing room only on the side of the stage. After it all added up, maybe Borer did get his 75 people. For the next 45 minutes, it wasn’t about the number of people on his list or thoughts about climbing up the ladder. Borer starts to strum his guitar, looks out into the crowd, and says, “OK everyone, I want your beers up, and smiles on your faces.”
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