Ryan's Gig Guide - October 2019

alcoholism. More disastrous than February when Winter becomes real and events get cancelled short notice; especially ones nearValentines Day bizarrely; everyone gets so miserable about it so they treat themselves by booking a long expensive summer holiday that they can barely afford. No one has time for music mid August because the population is aware that kids all return to school in September and they’ve only days of freedom left to binge-watch their favourite Television shows and masturbate violently in their sound proofed garden sheds and embrace home comforts. A decision is made by adults to hibernate and reboot mid September whilst their offspring run amok wild in the streets waiting for their prison term to commence.The major music festivals have by this time already been attended and televised, everyone’s now drained, bored of songs or bands and many independent three piece acts consider quitting altogether because two thirds of the band have decided to live a hundred miles away or work unsociable hours in their new fulltime job at the garden centre which is to help fund their career (another term for jerking off in a shed). Rehearsal Rooms Basically the 5th emergency service but for musicians working within or under the music industry. Pretty much any piece of music you’ve downloaded off a streaming service or watched, using two globular organs of sight, performed live on a stage has had to be rehearsed beforehand and the environment most crucial for this is a rehearsal or practice room. Behind every composition are the countless hours musicians spend in a room together developing their song parts before entering a recording studio. A standard rehearsal room is normally equipped with a drum kit; guitar amps and a PA system with microphones. This is so musicians can simply turn up with their instruments and literally plug in and play. Rehearsal rooms can micro simulate the conditions of a live stage or recording studio but their main purpose is to suit the personal requirements of the user and serve as an opportunity for many endeavours including writing new material, building strong set lists, training new recruits, sharpening musical skills and abilities or just plain old fashioned fun. Benefits of Rehearsing Regularly Somemusicians develop a deep attraction to a band practice and devote a large percentage of their life engrossed in rehearsals but not always for the same reasons as their fellow band mates. For some it’s a welcome retreat from a failed marriage, stress relief from work or maybe even an excellent excuse to spend time away from deranged family members and spoilt kids? A rehearsal can be a positive way to lift your spirits and act as necessary escapism from mundane modern life.You can be the biggest Rockstar in the room and build the sound that shakes the planet; what happens afterwards depends on you. It just pays to rehearse; providing you can afford the hourly room rates. That’s all for this month. Now begone. Nick J Townsend is the frontman and guitarist for British band Weak13. An experienced Underground musician and music promoter, film producer, all round good guy & supporter of original music. www.ryansgigguide.com rgg Oct 2019 33