One fun thing about playing in a cover band is the never ending battle of song choice.  Individually we al would like to “only” play the songs that each of us like.  However, it is not as easy as it sounds. Here are some of the conflicts that can arise

1. Genre guy/gal - This guy always picks a song that is totally off the wall for what the band concept is about.  For example, if you are a top 40 dance band playing poppy dance tunes and your band member says “Hey, how about we play some Anthrax?”  Then the looks start to fly around with rolling eyes. And yes, they are serious about playing the song.  What do you do?—-Well, you could play the song to make him/her happy or flat out say no.   Both would cause havoc.  If you play the song then it sticks out like a giant sore thumb of doom.  If you say no—then tension can arise if the individual is not told no in a more constructive way.  A third solution could be to play the song in the style of what the band is doing—yes a poppy anthrax could go over well if you can write it.  That is a big if though—-can you write?

2.Another problem - the song is just beyond the capability of the players in the group.  I have seen this many times in which a band will play a song far beyond their ability to do it well.  This could be because of not enough experience at playing/skill, or maybe he instruments involved are just not available - horns/keyboards/back up vocals.  I say try it….but get an outside opinion of what it sounds like like before you gig with it if possible. Remember this is a pop band.

3. You book a club that plays alternative music instead of pop.  This could be a disaster waiting to happen.  I hope you like crickets because it may be all you hear after each song—-or set up a cage in front like blues brothers playing a country bar.

All in all all these situations can be avoided by taking note of what the goal of the project is.  Yes it is to be fun for most people but taking note of the style of music and what kind of audience you want to gear towards is important also.

So….what do you think?

After reading some recent blogs and utterly trying to re-evaluate my worth, I tried to come up with the idea of perfection.

Perfection in the definition form is briefly stated in one form as :

        : a state of completeness and flawlessness

But….

Does this really exist?

For myself as an ever self-defining, soul-searching musician/being. I have come to the idea that perfection is like utopia.  It is like the brass ring we may never actually get to grab but we can polish it over and over again until it shines bright enough for our own satisfaction.  This could also be intertwined with pride - pride in what you do to acquire this “perfection”. I know that perfection for me in music does not exist—only satisfaction.

Utopia does not exist in our growing world.  Nor do i feel it can ever be accomplished.  As with the dwindling economy, ego-driven leaders, depleting resources and politicians who can’t make any decisions unless it benefits themselves(just my opinion); we make do.  We try to achieve as close to a utopian society as we can in our own households, vehicle, hut, tree or alley way(depending on where you reside).

Sometimes less is more…meaning the less you have to control the easier it can be to “perfect” your world to reach that utopian life.  If you are the type of person who without materialistic needs can live a simple life—then most likely you are happier than the majority.(just sit and watch a day of facebook updates and you will see).  I myself have experienced this in recent times and can tell you it is true.  One can appreciate more of what they have or had.

So Perfection, utopia?  I ask you.