Going Small

In the aftermath of the acoustic band's St. Peter's Inn gig, we talked about how daunting it was starting to feel to be rehearsing 30+ songs. We talked and exchanged some e-mails, and the idea of "going small" was presented and agreed on. Basically, instead of focusing on gigs and preparing for them as they come up, we'll do more open mics. We'll still take gigs as they come, but the focus will be getting out more often and playing 3-4 songs.

That will let us "play" more (in the "having fun" sense of the word.) We can try out different things, just do some jamming for the fun of it, try different arrangements - and let me play some mandolin. I think it's a good plan, and there are so many regular open mics in the area that we can play as often as we want (here's how to find out where.)

We started the new plan by going to Chaplin's in Spring City last night. We did an open mic there in May, and it's a fantastic venue - it's a real club with a real stage and a real sound system. You get 3 songs or 15 minutes. They supply a drum kit and a bass amp, and you bring your instruments and anything else you need. In our case, the only other thing we need is Sandy's vocalizer (the box that allows her to harmonize with herself.)

We signed up for the fourth slot, and settled in to watch the other acts with a bottle of white wine (BYOB). There were two singer/songwriters and one rapper(!), then it was our turn. We didn't do anything fancy last night, as we hadn't practiced since last Sunday's gig - we just did three songs we know well.

It's exciting to play on a real stage - even if it's only in front of a handful of people, most of whom are either friends or family, or are waiting their turn to get up and do three songs. We were tight and it all went well - Darling Wife (yeah, I know, not exactly the most unbiased observer) said we were head and shoulders above everyone else. But it's not a competition. Oh wait, it actually is a competition - the acts that are judged the best (I'm not sure by who, or over what time period of open mics) will win $300 and a gig at Chaplin's.

In practice, "going small" probably doesn't really change anything. We still have feelers out for more gigs - and if one is offered, we'll happily take it, and will get together as much material as we need. But it's a different mindset, and a good reminder that the real goal is having fun - which we're doing.

Last night was a fun night, and hopefully the start of a number of open mics.