How to find like-minded people with whom to rock in the suburbs?
January 7, 2006 10:11 AM Subscribe
So, I moved to the suburbs... now what do I do?
I am in my late 30s. My wife and I decided to move out of our small but overpriced apartment in NYC and buy a place in a beautiful, wooded area about 60 miles north of NYC in Connecticut. I grew up close to hear, so I know the area quite well, and it has a lot of great features. But... in my time in NYC, I spend much time in bands, promoting and recording other bands and generally taking part in the music scene. Now... nothing. No idea were to begin. If anyone has been in a similar situation, I'd love to hear what approaches you took to resolve it. The local weekly newspaper seems to be filled with kids wanting bandmates, and that's just too creepy a road to go down. I'd be happy to find a few burnout ex-punk rockers like myself who are now working for the Man (tm) and make some noise once in a while. What avenues for hooking up with like-minded has beens could there be?
I am in my late 30s. My wife and I decided to move out of our small but overpriced apartment in NYC and buy a place in a beautiful, wooded area about 60 miles north of NYC in Connecticut. I grew up close to hear, so I know the area quite well, and it has a lot of great features. But... in my time in NYC, I spend much time in bands, promoting and recording other bands and generally taking part in the music scene. Now... nothing. No idea were to begin. If anyone has been in a similar situation, I'd love to hear what approaches you took to resolve it. The local weekly newspaper seems to be filled with kids wanting bandmates, and that's just too creepy a road to go down. I'd be happy to find a few burnout ex-punk rockers like myself who are now working for the Man (tm) and make some noise once in a while. What avenues for hooking up with like-minded has beens could there be?
There's a friend of mine in Stamford you should meet, psmealey. Drop me an email and I'll hook you up. When you say "burnout ex-punk rockers like myself", you're describing him. I think he used to be a PR guy for the Ramones, or something like that.
posted by thanotopsis at 10:26 AM on January 7, 2006
posted by thanotopsis at 10:26 AM on January 7, 2006
I'm a burnout ex punk rocker! I'm even older than you! I play guitar! Wanna hook up? Oh wait... I still live in NYC.
Seriously, I wish I could help but... hell man, you moved to the burbs. You moved to the burbs. I don't get it. If you want music I think you're going to have to travel to the city, or at least to some of the towns in upstate NY. I saw that the Pixies played one of those recently.
posted by Decani at 12:35 PM on January 7, 2006
Seriously, I wish I could help but... hell man, you moved to the burbs. You moved to the burbs. I don't get it. If you want music I think you're going to have to travel to the city, or at least to some of the towns in upstate NY. I saw that the Pixies played one of those recently.
posted by Decani at 12:35 PM on January 7, 2006
Why don't you set up a spare bedroom with a nice computer and start buying some gear and make your own stuff? At least until you find some other expats.
posted by xmutex at 12:59 PM on January 7, 2006
posted by xmutex at 12:59 PM on January 7, 2006
Response by poster: hell man, you moved to the burbs.
Dude, what can I tell you? We did it for the right reasons (which I won't bore you with here), but I do have opportunities to play with some folks at my ex-bandmate's bar in Fort Greene, but that's a two hour drive, and can't do it too often.
In the meantime, I have been building out a pretty decent studio/rehearsal space in my basement (full soundproofing, drum kit, PA, bass rig, three stack guitar amps and a pa), just in case I get lucky and find some like-minded folks. Maybe I'll start renting it out to some high school kids and do what Aquaman suggests above.
Thanks for the advice, guys!
posted by psmealey at 1:05 PM on January 7, 2006
Dude, what can I tell you? We did it for the right reasons (which I won't bore you with here), but I do have opportunities to play with some folks at my ex-bandmate's bar in Fort Greene, but that's a two hour drive, and can't do it too often.
In the meantime, I have been building out a pretty decent studio/rehearsal space in my basement (full soundproofing, drum kit, PA, bass rig, three stack guitar amps and a pa), just in case I get lucky and find some like-minded folks. Maybe I'll start renting it out to some high school kids and do what Aquaman suggests above.
Thanks for the advice, guys!
posted by psmealey at 1:05 PM on January 7, 2006
Best answer: Actually, there's something of a punk scene in New London, CT (home of the [US] Reducers).
Yes, CT is burb-alicious, but you're really not alone out there. Hell, I think you could argue that the burbs are the true birthplace of American punk. But anyway.
The only difficulty is that you'll end up driving all over the state for rehearsal. Wait, no you won't -- with your practice space, they'll come to you. But it's OK -- in most of New England, being in a band of any kind usually entails drives of 30-60 minutes for most members. It's just not as densely populated as other regions.
Try putting out feelers on Craigslist Hartford, Craiglist New Haven, the New Haven Advocate's music listings, and check this site, CTPunx.org.
posted by Miko at 2:48 PM on January 7, 2006 [1 favorite]
Yes, CT is burb-alicious, but you're really not alone out there. Hell, I think you could argue that the burbs are the true birthplace of American punk. But anyway.
The only difficulty is that you'll end up driving all over the state for rehearsal. Wait, no you won't -- with your practice space, they'll come to you. But it's OK -- in most of New England, being in a band of any kind usually entails drives of 30-60 minutes for most members. It's just not as densely populated as other regions.
Try putting out feelers on Craigslist Hartford, Craiglist New Haven, the New Haven Advocate's music listings, and check this site, CTPunx.org.
posted by Miko at 2:48 PM on January 7, 2006 [1 favorite]
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Also, have you thought about working with some of the younger bands in the area as a kind of mentor or advisor on how to get gigs, approach demo recording, promote & manage their fledgling bands, etc.?
That kind of thing usually goes over pretty well with the young up-and-comers, especially in a non-urban setting where advice and experience like yours is harder to come by.
posted by Aquaman at 10:21 AM on January 7, 2006