Usually I'm all about the Buy Nothing Day. But when it comes down to it, I'm in need of items that will be marked down to ultra-low prices on just one day. So I get two choices: 1) Wait and give the corporate jack-asses more of my money but also make a statement that I won't buy into their crazy agenda to make people spend more OR 2) Go out on Friday, spend less money, but also participate in a ritualistic shopping madness. Who knows, maybe it'll be kinda fun in a really fucked up way.
In the meantime being sick has really put me behind learning how to drive, so hopefully I'll get a chance to do that a bunch this coming long weekend. I tend to have a lousy immune system, so my mom actually recommended surgery (getting my tonsils out)... which I don't know how in the world I'd pay for. And would kinda set me back even more.
I've followed through with a bit of research on each area I plan to be visiting, made it through the whole trip, but I don't have any definite plans. Tahoe and North Carolina present problems. While I'm assured that will find all-ages music there (it's everywhere) the internet doesn't seem to be very forthcoming with where exactly I might find it. I'm going to check and see if there are some newspapers with listings that I might check out.
In other very important news, as Devon who was saying he could go with me now implies this wouldn't work for him and Kelso who also was interested but lacks the funds necessary can't join me for the trip it looks like I might go solo, which is dangerous but not going to stop me. There's a new hope though that my good friend Callie might go with me, if her parents pay her back the money they owe her (and it's a sum large enough to cover a fair share of the trip if she so chooses to use it for that). Hopefully I'll know for sure soon and I can introduce how awesome of a chick she is and see if she has any ideas that could make this trip even cooler.
I hope to update soon with some links and basic research on a couple places that I've found through my research, but as this is the only day of the week that I have the opportunity to work (and boy, do I need the money, especially being sick so much lately) I'm going back there.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Some Sad News
I'm still knee-deep in researching all-ages venues around the country to go to. Although I haven't really contacted anyone yet (I'm somewhat waiting on the cellphone thing, just so my phone number can be consistent) I went ahead and emailed the guys from Tahoe Underground. I'm planning to visit my dad who lives in Tahoe this winter with a few friends, so I figured that it would be a good time to check out the area for the scene.
In any case, so I emailed the contact email I found on the website saying that my dad was a local and he told me about this place and how I hoped to catch a show there this winter. I really quick explained a couple of my goals with the road-trip. A day or two later I got an email back from Chris saying that after years of people asking them to become all-ages, a lot of community attention, and finally having an opening party this September "alot of huffin and puffin but no support, so we gave up... sorry."
Part of me wants to fire back somewhat indignant emails saying that it can be tough but you have to hang in there to make it work, but really, I understand exactly where this is coming from. This is why The Placebo is currently having a lot of problems. If no one comes out to support or help it can be incredibly, extremely hard to keep going, especially when you're just first starting up. Just got me a bit melancholy.
In any case, so I emailed the contact email I found on the website saying that my dad was a local and he told me about this place and how I hoped to catch a show there this winter. I really quick explained a couple of my goals with the road-trip. A day or two later I got an email back from Chris saying that after years of people asking them to become all-ages, a lot of community attention, and finally having an opening party this September "alot of huffin and puffin but no support, so we gave up... sorry."
Part of me wants to fire back somewhat indignant emails saying that it can be tough but you have to hang in there to make it work, but really, I understand exactly where this is coming from. This is why The Placebo is currently having a lot of problems. If no one comes out to support or help it can be incredibly, extremely hard to keep going, especially when you're just first starting up. Just got me a bit melancholy.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Russ Interview Write-Up
The Humboldt scene, especially the Humboldt all-ages scene, is one of constant change. To get a good picture of the all-ages scene in Humboldt it's important to talk not only to people involved in venues, but people who've been in bands that have played the all-ages circuit for many years. I sat down with a good friend of mine who's been playing the all-ages circuit for nearly a decade and is currently involved in the band The Invasions: Russ Spivey.
Russ started playing in a band when he was in high school. When asked about the scene then he said, "I was sorta forced into it, I mean, I... and not only that but I think that when I started that I just had no idea that there even was a scene..." His first band, Magilicutty and the Flying Fishsticks first played primarily at local churches and at Eureka High events, "'Cause they gave us the sense of community," he said, especially the churches. "And then when things went along we started to find like, oh hey, there's shows locally. Oh, local bands. I didn't know. I thought we were the only one. I didn't know. I thought we were the only one. I know it sounds stupid but like, who knows? When you're just growing up you don't know that there's other local bands." It was almost a revelation to find groups like The Placebo and other all-ages venues in the area, as well as other groups to play with. He quickly found that in the all-ages scene you really have to know someone to get an in, and to get your name out there. Flyering for his first band he learned the hard way that promotion is not an easy task. One time in particular his band put up around a hundred flyers and no new people came out to the show. Russ was specific about how his experiences have been group experiences, "Yeah. I would say 'we' because for me it was always about the bands I was in."
For Russ it's always been about the all-ages scene, even after he became of age, and he believes he's not alone in this, "I mean, you talk to guys that are like, 30, 40, whatever and they're always like 'Oh yeah, all-ages is the way to go!' 'Cause like, 'cause the shows are always so much more fun." Unlike in 21 and over venues, Russ believes that people who go to all-ages shows are really there just for the music and just to have a good time, "Especially like, I played like, lock-ins before, then they really don't have a choice. They're forced to watch your music. Listen. Listen and watch." In 21 and over venues however, "... there's something else going on there and they're trying to make money off of the alcohol or drink... So yeah, definitely all-ages is the way to go. And I think I'll probably say that until either I'm dead or I start playing in a 50s cover band," he joked. Another thing he prefers about all-ages groups is "... nothing is out of the question... any band can just like, do whatever the fuck they want."
But as far as how the scene is perceived by the general outside community? "I would say they're indifferent, and a lot of them probably don't even know that it exists," he answered. He talked a little bit about recent closures of venues, notably The Placebo and Out of the Sun. On Out of the Sun he remembered that the mayor closed the place down last year, "Politics are the same as music, you have to know someone to get shit done." As far as The Placebo goes though, "Those people have been doing it for so long that like, I mean it's been a revolving group of people but it's been going on for so long and like, the name is already so big so it's almost to the point where it can't be stopped... Like, they say 'Hey, you have to retrofit this building, come up with thousands of dollars, and you know, jump through all these hoops,' but like, they'll do it eventually." He remembered playing a lot of Placebo benefit shows even before they got their location at the Manila Community Center in 2003. Although he had some qualms with the amount of time or the general laziness of some of the organizers, he's confident in the group's ability to stay afloat. "'Cause music's never really stopped, you can't stop people from playing music. You can't stop high schoolers from picking up guitars, starting bands, you know," he said in general reference to groups getting shut down.
The topic of conversation changed to The Vista. Russ called The Vista his favorite all-ages experience. The Vista is a bit different from other places because "'Cause it's like 'Yeah, it's all-ages! But we're totally going to endorse everyone get like, fucked up and high here. But not the people that are under 21 though. They're just going to hang-out with everyone that's getting fucked up.' And that's cool! I don't know. I love going to the Vista." He seemed to have somewhat awkward but good memories of being the 16 year old in the midst of a bunch of older people who were "... falling over. Like, literally, falling over drunk, whole floor just covered in alcohol, and it's a fucking all-ages show!" Mostly he liked the vibe and the sense of community that was around The Vista, "The Vista was kick-ass."
More than playing at well established venues like The Vista or The Placebo, though, Russ loves house shows best, "... a lot of times you get a really big house party show, and there are a lot of people there that are like, really tight. and like, they're totally into like, having a really kick-ass time and not only the music but like, hanging out with each other..." One of Russ's favorite experiences in the scene was a house show that he and a couple friends threw together last minute for their favorite band, "... almost of all time," The Volumen of Missoula, Montana. The group had been booked to play a Panache show at the Denny's in Arcata, "... back when they had Denny's in Arcata," but the sports bar was closed to shows by the time the group arrived. Russ and his friend Brendan had been previously conspiring to play a show with The Volumen, so they jumped at the chance to make the show happen. It ended up happening in a friend's basement, "his basement was like, really cool, they had like, a pool table down there, and
like, all the washers and dryers and stuff..." Russ and his friends made special shirts for the show to give to The Volumen and their fans. They called Michele of Panache booking and informed her of the last minute show they had thrown together, and as it was the best available option The Volumen were able to play. "The bands set up over near the washer and dryer and stuff, so we got some like, pictures of just everyone totally playing next to the washer and dryer," Russ recalled. He said it was "almost like a break-through for me because that was the first time I like, really tried to put together a show on my own and like, make it happen. And it worked. So from then I was kinda like, 'Well, if I need a show to happen then maybe I'll just book it myself." And like, I guess that's kinda like, what gets to like, the core of like, do it yourself scene. Wanna make something happen? Just like, just do it yourself. And that's pretty much the way it'll happen."
Russ praised Humboldt for our local media outlets that are great for promotion, "I mean, there's HumboldtMusic.com, which a lot of people check out, there's you know, the Journal, uh, people at the Arcata Eye, the Times-Standard now... and then there's K-Slug, and KHUM... and then of course flyers..." he advises to other people trying to promote shows. In general, he prefers Humboldt to other places for our music scene, "Humboldt really rocks for all-ages music if you do it right. It is a great place to play like, and to be, and to be involved in.... 'cause everyone that's involved in it is really into it..." He cited the college as source of creativity, but believes that most of the true local bands are the ones with members who've been around and stick around throughout the years. "I have been to other places, and most other places suck, is my point." In larger cities, he complained, "It's just like, so cut-throat. Like, I've tried to book shows like, in big cities and stuff for tours, and it's just like, everyone is such a bitch about it, you know? They want guarantees or something or they want like, some sort of proof that you're a decent band other than your music or you know, proof that people are going to show up, you know. It's like, what the fuck, you know, we're just like trying to go on our first tour, you know, and everyone's like 'Oh, you have to be good already, you know, you have to already have people that like you in order to play here.'" He also complained that people in larger cities are less likely to go out and see a band that they've never heard of. And as far as other small towns goes, "there's just like, a lot of towns like, that, like, are centered around the Wal-Mart or whatever." People in smaller cities, he believed, are likely to just go to big cities to see music, "Local music doesn't exist in a lot of like, you know, little towns in America." He ended on a positive note, talking of a few other cities that he likes the scene in and listed Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon, although he noted that both are larger than Eureka. But even then, "Humboldt's good for music, I have to conclude."
Perhaps though, Russ's attitude towards other small towns is unfounded, maybe there are other Eurekas out there where all it takes to find a scene is just to dig a little deeper for it.
Russ Spivey, 12-26-06
Russ has been involved in local bands like Magilicutty and the Flying Fishsticks, Nobody's Star, The Small Time, Fro the Lazy, Boys Only Club, The Professional Superheroes, and currently The Invasions. He's done local booking and recording for bands like The Ian Fays and The Broken Hearts and recorded and produced "The Acoustic Comp."
Russ started playing in a band when he was in high school. When asked about the scene then he said, "I was sorta forced into it, I mean, I... and not only that but I think that when I started that I just had no idea that there even was a scene..." His first band, Magilicutty and the Flying Fishsticks first played primarily at local churches and at Eureka High events, "'Cause they gave us the sense of community," he said, especially the churches. "And then when things went along we started to find like, oh hey, there's shows locally. Oh, local bands. I didn't know. I thought we were the only one. I didn't know. I thought we were the only one. I know it sounds stupid but like, who knows? When you're just growing up you don't know that there's other local bands." It was almost a revelation to find groups like The Placebo and other all-ages venues in the area, as well as other groups to play with. He quickly found that in the all-ages scene you really have to know someone to get an in, and to get your name out there. Flyering for his first band he learned the hard way that promotion is not an easy task. One time in particular his band put up around a hundred flyers and no new people came out to the show. Russ was specific about how his experiences have been group experiences, "Yeah. I would say 'we' because for me it was always about the bands I was in."
For Russ it's always been about the all-ages scene, even after he became of age, and he believes he's not alone in this, "I mean, you talk to guys that are like, 30, 40, whatever and they're always like 'Oh yeah, all-ages is the way to go!' 'Cause like, 'cause the shows are always so much more fun." Unlike in 21 and over venues, Russ believes that people who go to all-ages shows are really there just for the music and just to have a good time, "Especially like, I played like, lock-ins before, then they really don't have a choice. They're forced to watch your music. Listen. Listen and watch." In 21 and over venues however, "... there's something else going on there and they're trying to make money off of the alcohol or drink... So yeah, definitely all-ages is the way to go. And I think I'll probably say that until either I'm dead or I start playing in a 50s cover band," he joked. Another thing he prefers about all-ages groups is "... nothing is out of the question... any band can just like, do whatever the fuck they want."
But as far as how the scene is perceived by the general outside community? "I would say they're indifferent, and a lot of them probably don't even know that it exists," he answered. He talked a little bit about recent closures of venues, notably The Placebo and Out of the Sun. On Out of the Sun he remembered that the mayor closed the place down last year, "Politics are the same as music, you have to know someone to get shit done." As far as The Placebo goes though, "Those people have been doing it for so long that like, I mean it's been a revolving group of people but it's been going on for so long and like, the name is already so big so it's almost to the point where it can't be stopped... Like, they say 'Hey, you have to retrofit this building, come up with thousands of dollars, and you know, jump through all these hoops,' but like, they'll do it eventually." He remembered playing a lot of Placebo benefit shows even before they got their location at the Manila Community Center in 2003. Although he had some qualms with the amount of time or the general laziness of some of the organizers, he's confident in the group's ability to stay afloat. "'Cause music's never really stopped, you can't stop people from playing music. You can't stop high schoolers from picking up guitars, starting bands, you know," he said in general reference to groups getting shut down.
The topic of conversation changed to The Vista. Russ called The Vista his favorite all-ages experience. The Vista is a bit different from other places because "'Cause it's like 'Yeah, it's all-ages! But we're totally going to endorse everyone get like, fucked up and high here. But not the people that are under 21 though. They're just going to hang-out with everyone that's getting fucked up.' And that's cool! I don't know. I love going to the Vista." He seemed to have somewhat awkward but good memories of being the 16 year old in the midst of a bunch of older people who were "... falling over. Like, literally, falling over drunk, whole floor just covered in alcohol, and it's a fucking all-ages show!" Mostly he liked the vibe and the sense of community that was around The Vista, "The Vista was kick-ass."
More than playing at well established venues like The Vista or The Placebo, though, Russ loves house shows best, "... a lot of times you get a really big house party show, and there are a lot of people there that are like, really tight. and like, they're totally into like, having a really kick-ass time and not only the music but like, hanging out with each other..." One of Russ's favorite experiences in the scene was a house show that he and a couple friends threw together last minute for their favorite band, "... almost of all time," The Volumen of Missoula, Montana. The group had been booked to play a Panache show at the Denny's in Arcata, "... back when they had Denny's in Arcata," but the sports bar was closed to shows by the time the group arrived. Russ and his friend Brendan had been previously conspiring to play a show with The Volumen, so they jumped at the chance to make the show happen. It ended up happening in a friend's basement, "his basement was like, really cool, they had like, a pool table down there, and
like, all the washers and dryers and stuff..." Russ and his friends made special shirts for the show to give to The Volumen and their fans. They called Michele of Panache booking and informed her of the last minute show they had thrown together, and as it was the best available option The Volumen were able to play. "The bands set up over near the washer and dryer and stuff, so we got some like, pictures of just everyone totally playing next to the washer and dryer," Russ recalled. He said it was "almost like a break-through for me because that was the first time I like, really tried to put together a show on my own and like, make it happen. And it worked. So from then I was kinda like, 'Well, if I need a show to happen then maybe I'll just book it myself." And like, I guess that's kinda like, what gets to like, the core of like, do it yourself scene. Wanna make something happen? Just like, just do it yourself. And that's pretty much the way it'll happen."
Russ praised Humboldt for our local media outlets that are great for promotion, "I mean, there's HumboldtMusic.com, which a lot of people check out, there's you know, the Journal, uh, people at the Arcata Eye, the Times-Standard now... and then there's K-Slug, and KHUM... and then of course flyers..." he advises to other people trying to promote shows. In general, he prefers Humboldt to other places for our music scene, "Humboldt really rocks for all-ages music if you do it right. It is a great place to play like, and to be, and to be involved in.... 'cause everyone that's involved in it is really into it..." He cited the college as source of creativity, but believes that most of the true local bands are the ones with members who've been around and stick around throughout the years. "I have been to other places, and most other places suck, is my point." In larger cities, he complained, "It's just like, so cut-throat. Like, I've tried to book shows like, in big cities and stuff for tours, and it's just like, everyone is such a bitch about it, you know? They want guarantees or something or they want like, some sort of proof that you're a decent band other than your music or you know, proof that people are going to show up, you know. It's like, what the fuck, you know, we're just like trying to go on our first tour, you know, and everyone's like 'Oh, you have to be good already, you know, you have to already have people that like you in order to play here.'" He also complained that people in larger cities are less likely to go out and see a band that they've never heard of. And as far as other small towns goes, "there's just like, a lot of towns like, that, like, are centered around the Wal-Mart or whatever." People in smaller cities, he believed, are likely to just go to big cities to see music, "Local music doesn't exist in a lot of like, you know, little towns in America." He ended on a positive note, talking of a few other cities that he likes the scene in and listed Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon, although he noted that both are larger than Eureka. But even then, "Humboldt's good for music, I have to conclude."
Perhaps though, Russ's attitude towards other small towns is unfounded, maybe there are other Eurekas out there where all it takes to find a scene is just to dig a little deeper for it.
Russ Spivey, 12-26-06Russ has been involved in local bands like Magilicutty and the Flying Fishsticks, Nobody's Star, The Small Time, Fro the Lazy, Boys Only Club, The Professional Superheroes, and currently The Invasions. He's done local booking and recording for bands like The Ian Fays and The Broken Hearts and recorded and produced "The Acoustic Comp."
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Interviews - Of and By Me
I seem to have caught a bit of tonsilitus, so I've been pretty bed-ridden for the last three days (save leaving the house in search of a working toilet, mine is currently out of commission, and I might have to deal with it being so until Monday... *sigh*) but only in the last day have I actually done anything besides one of the following (in order of how much time I have spent on each): 1) watch movies 2) nap 3) browse the internet and 4) try and get someone to fix my toilet. That something is that I have been attempting to transcribe my interview with Russ into text format to better examen it. I'm not really sure whether or not I'll put the whole text up, perhaps a link to it will suffice (it's rather long, the whole interview lasted about 45 minutes of varying speed of talking). But I'm working on it, and will probably start up a written overview tomorrow (I only have about 7 more minutes to transcribe... ish). I also hope to have the entire mp3 up for anyone who wants to to listen to (then you can hear all the "um's" and "uh's" that didn't make it into the transcribed text, although I assure you that the majority are kept). Although I do treat this whole thing lightly I would say that the interview itself went really well, Russ more than answered my questions and really explained a great deal of how he feels about the all-ages scene. Kudos to Russ. Kudos all the way south to San Francisco where he currently is staying.
In other news, as Veteran's Day is a school holiday on Monday I'm being provided with a possible one time chance to get on the radio and talk about myself and the project. I'm still floundering with a name, but I might end up just calling it The April O'Neil Project like I call my booking, but I'd still like something fresh and new. Julie is interviewing me on KHSU between 2 and 4, I need to call her to get some real details on it. I'll post the time up here (AND on myspace, AND on facebook...) as soon as I have it set down.
Now I really ought to lie down and watch some movie until I fall asleep, least I start whining about how lousy I feel.
UPDATE!: I guess I'll be on at 2, then. KHSU, that is. 90.5 fm. Alright!
In other news, as Veteran's Day is a school holiday on Monday I'm being provided with a possible one time chance to get on the radio and talk about myself and the project. I'm still floundering with a name, but I might end up just calling it The April O'Neil Project like I call my booking, but I'd still like something fresh and new. Julie is interviewing me on KHSU between 2 and 4, I need to call her to get some real details on it. I'll post the time up here (AND on myspace, AND on facebook...) as soon as I have it set down.
Now I really ought to lie down and watch some movie until I fall asleep, least I start whining about how lousy I feel.
UPDATE!: I guess I'll be on at 2, then. KHSU, that is. 90.5 fm. Alright!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Preliminary Planning Stage 2-2
Yesterday at lunch I had a meeting with Julie to talk about this road-trip. Mostly we were talking about a way to market it and throw benefit shows to raise extra money. One of my problems with this trip is that I need some sort of good name for the trip. I want to emphasize that it's all about the all-ages music, but also relate it back to some of the things I've done in the scene in the past. I think having a cool acronym for a name might work out best. If you have ideas or suggestions, please let me know. I might also appear on Julie's radio show so she can interview me about this.
I also got together with Russ last night and conducted our interview, hopefully I'll have the mp3 up on my domain so I can link to it here and anyone interested can listen. I'll be breaking it down and doing a rough write-up here in the next few days.
I'm going to hang-out with Dao later today and talk more about all of this stuff.
I also got together with Russ last night and conducted our interview, hopefully I'll have the mp3 up on my domain so I can link to it here and anyone interested can listen. I'll be breaking it down and doing a rough write-up here in the next few days.
I'm going to hang-out with Dao later today and talk more about all of this stuff.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Research - Cell Phones
As many of you might or might not be aware, I do not presently own a cell phone. I would say I never have, but I did for like, two weeks once. But I think it would be a smart move for me to get one for this trip. Thing is... I don't know much about phones or plans or any of that. I'm attempting to look around at different plans with different companies but I don't know where to start. So far everything I want looks way out of my price range, my price range being: cheap. I don't care so much about the phone itself, but I need to be able to use my phone pretty much anywhere in the US and Canada, I don't want an uber-long contract, and the idea of roaming really scares me. So it seems I've eliminated US Cellular from my options, as they only have operations in 25 states, Verizon has noticeably more coverage, but I feel like I'm forgeting another phone giant in all of this that might be a good choice. A better choice. If you have tips, please, please help me out.
I've also been looking around at different hardware, specifically exterior harddrives, it seems like my best choice would to be a 60 gb from Western Digital for $60, but I'm still waiting 'til Black Friday to shop for more electronics.
I've also been looking around at different hardware, specifically exterior harddrives, it seems like my best choice would to be a 60 gb from Western Digital for $60, but I'm still waiting 'til Black Friday to shop for more electronics.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Research - Stage 1
So currently I'm attempting to start looking up the venues that I plan to visit next year. This part of the process seems to go both simultaneously really slow and also really fast. Occasionally I'll find a website that dedicates itself to the same goal that I have. I've known about the All-Ages Movement Project for a while now, but last night I discovered a similar group geared towards houses that have DIY shows called Do DIY USA. If you're not familiar with them (as most people don't seem to be... and to an extent it looks like they're not familiar with each other) let me give you a little bit of the info that I've gleaned off of their websites.
The All-Ages Movement Project (or AMP for short) is a non-profit grant funded organization run out of San Francisco. Shannon, the project manager, has big dreams. She's currently creating a network of all-ages non-profit music and art collectives all around the United States. Her goal is to have a continually updated database of not only these collectives, but also tools that anyone can use to make their non-profit all-ages collective a reality, something permanent and reliable. She hopes to have a book out next year with stories from ten successful collectives and also at some point wants to mount a summit for these collectives. Like I said, big dreams.
Do DIY USA appears to be (and I say appears because I haven't talked to them like I've talked to Shannon, all I have to go on is their myspace) attempting to create a network of DIY venues across the United States, similar to AMP except with a different focus. They currently have listings of more than a few DIY house venues all over, from Iowa to New York, but it appears that there are only one, maybe two, legit venues on their list. They say they want to help bands book all all-ages tours and share resources. More power to them. I sent them a message and wait for a response back, maybe we can help each other.
As far as the research is going, it's somewhat tough. Although I can be sure to find venues in areas I plan to visit, there's no way that while it's still October I can discover who's going to be playing the night that I stop in these cities. After I conduct my research here I think I'll be a little more confident about contacting people and telling them what I'm about. But as a booker I know it can be somewhat intimidating to have something planned so far in advance when there are so many variables. Then again, maybe I should just bite the bullet and suck it up, stop being so timid about this.
The All-Ages Movement Project (or AMP for short) is a non-profit grant funded organization run out of San Francisco. Shannon, the project manager, has big dreams. She's currently creating a network of all-ages non-profit music and art collectives all around the United States. Her goal is to have a continually updated database of not only these collectives, but also tools that anyone can use to make their non-profit all-ages collective a reality, something permanent and reliable. She hopes to have a book out next year with stories from ten successful collectives and also at some point wants to mount a summit for these collectives. Like I said, big dreams.
Do DIY USA appears to be (and I say appears because I haven't talked to them like I've talked to Shannon, all I have to go on is their myspace) attempting to create a network of DIY venues across the United States, similar to AMP except with a different focus. They currently have listings of more than a few DIY house venues all over, from Iowa to New York, but it appears that there are only one, maybe two, legit venues on their list. They say they want to help bands book all all-ages tours and share resources. More power to them. I sent them a message and wait for a response back, maybe we can help each other.
As far as the research is going, it's somewhat tough. Although I can be sure to find venues in areas I plan to visit, there's no way that while it's still October I can discover who's going to be playing the night that I stop in these cities. After I conduct my research here I think I'll be a little more confident about contacting people and telling them what I'm about. But as a booker I know it can be somewhat intimidating to have something planned so far in advance when there are so many variables. Then again, maybe I should just bite the bullet and suck it up, stop being so timid about this.
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