JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum Live Performances.

Respectfully Jim, neither do many live audiences make those same judgments, as far as what the music industry folks are really wanting at that time for their artists. Some could also be drunk, or heading that way.

I've heard many songwriters even at no drinking coffee houses that need a lot of help writing,,,never mind playing or singing, and they still get the polite and sometimes even loud applause just for having the guts to get up there. Many times, it's even fellow songwrters who later say in confidence that "whoa,,,,is that guy really bad or what?,,,but were one of the ones smiling and clapping after their songs. NO factor,,,,songwriters and MOST crowds at MOST venues. Probably exceptions somewhere,,,but I wouldn't base "professional" songwriting on polite or maybe fueled listeners. Got to base that on what the market wants at the time, and knowing how to craft those songs and properly demo them.

NO barring as to what the publishers or A&R reps, or artists, (if they even have a choice now), care about, (a writer making a demo based on coffee house or bar playing and applause.) Just not even in the same industry really. Claps and praise are easy to get out, is my point. Especially when really bad, among other songwriters. ("Let's make him feel good anyway"). And ("Hey,,,that was cool man"!).....Thanks says the songwriter, and thinks what? If smart, he knows the business, and wouldn't base his songwriting skills as they are relevant to what is wanted by publishers, on playing them out and getting some "Yeahs"!!

The only way a songwriter, (NOT talking about an artist who writes songs, or a band), can tell if their song is ready to demo or not, is to know what the industry wants, and to craft songs to fit the needs of whatever publisher or Taxi or similar opportunities are asking for, and knowing you have that. That can take the assistance and advice of others who have been, or are in the music business, and know the real workings of this business.

Playing out is very helpful for artists, of course,,for that is the only way to establish sales of CD's enough to maybe capture some attention, IF the style of those songs, and age of the band, (looks too), are what the labels are looking for. But even for them, not even a instant applause of seemingly greatness of a song is really a gauge for what the industry wants.

Songwriters? It's in the knowing of the craft that is wanted. If that didn't matter, or wasn't the real judgment, we all would already have real hits and Grammy's. Even the bad ones at many venues all over the world who demoed their songs based on people at clubs or coffee houses should have hits, if going by the premise of having to get public approval before spending money making a demo. Wish it were the case!

I play out, and present the songs we want to present. I played out solo and played a song that Brian wanted me to play out. Great responses. As of yet, not wanted by labels that have heard it. They might like it,,,but that has nothing to do with anything, other than they like it.,,,,just like the people songwriters play for.

John