Re: LOS ANGELES ACID JAZZ, Dec 27 1996 - Jan 2 1997
Andrew C. Hinton (achinton@ucdavis.edu)
Thu, 2 Jan 1997 23:26:39 -0800 (PST)
>At 01.56 PM 1/1/97 -0800, you wrote:
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>> i wonder also why people will come to see a/j bands in l.a. and *not* dance.
>> i remember galactic's keyboardist mentioning how the crowd @ the ash grove
>>in
>> santa monica, ca were appreciative, but they would have preferred if dancing
>> had broken out. i know in my band (pmjq) that we play better when people
>>are
>> into it and show us by dancing!
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>Regardless of the scene, and regardless of the place, when the place is
>packed, people will dance, when it's not, there's not that much incentive
>to dance. And I'm sure it's like that everywhere.
>
I agree with Elson. I think when the place isn't packed the whole audience
kind of goes with the energy in the room. If it's half empty then it
ususally takes a few people to get up and start the momentum. The more
crowded the room the easier it is for that to happen.
In answer to T-bird's question there is nothing happening in Davis in the
acid-jazz scene, but in the one cool bar here (The Davis Saloon) on the not
too rare ocassion that a dancable band plays, there are usually people on
the floor if the place is even half full.
I just recently saw Junk play in Sacramento and there was nobody there
either, much to my regret. They were pretty bouncing too but hardly anyone
would get up and dance. I had the feeling that the 4 people that I showed up
with were the only ones there who came knowing that there would be good
music. The others I think just showed up to drink in a bar. But up in
this neighborhood (Sac and Davis are next to each other) the names of acid
jazz bands just haven't yet caught on. Hence nobody comes here (except Junk,
although I fear never again- by the way if anyone from Junk is reading I
think your cancelled Davis Saloon gig would have had a much better
reception). Not that people don't like it they just don't know what a band
will be like from seeing their name in the paper or on a poster, so they
don't bother to go out and see it. I think it is just really important to
advertise well in terms of lots of different places and also some indication
of what the music is like. I just happen to know the bands are playing
because I seek them out and I have good internet access, and then I drag a
few friends with me to shows. Most people depend on more traditional forms
of info gathering though.
In my few trips to San Francisco area, and Santa Cruz, I must say that
the audiences there were always very receptive and energetic. Those
neighborhoods seem to have the ball rolling in that respect.
Well, I have babbled quite enough by now.
Peace, spread the word, and dance your asses off.
P.S. if anyone comes through my neighborhood (Sac/Davis) let me know and
maybe I can help with that.
Drew at achinton@ucdavis.edu
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