sgoodcore Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Its a small coffee shop where I think, based on permits and such, the shows would have to be mostly acoustic affairs. I'm thinking it should work, there seems to be a rise in acoustic anyways, its near enough to LA but far enough as well. Probably holds between 35-50. Is this a place you would a) be interested in seeing a show and a place you think bands would want to play? I'm figuring it would work because its about 30-45 minutes north of LA, I'll do the booking so no stuck-up bullshit from booking people, and its on the way to San Francisco, etc being that its right off the 5 and the 14. It'll all be small intimate shows for no more than $10 per show. I just want some outside opinions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedavidescapeplan Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 If my band ever tours I'd love to play there and if I lived in the area I'd love to go see a show there if i liked the band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robotnerd Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 i'll play there if i ever go on tour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manicdogbert Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 exactly what city is this in? sounds like Northridge or Valencia or Ventura. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgoodcore Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 Its Newhall, near Valencia. Off the 14 @ San Fernando across the street from the Newhall Train Station. Its called the Railroad Cafe. I'm working with the owner to provide for ways to keep the place busy during off hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manicdogbert Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 well, the good thing is that you might attract a younger audience since there are lots of younger families in that area. if the shows are all ages, you'll most likely get a bunch of kids without the means to drive out to LA attending shows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgoodcore Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 well, the good thing is that you might attract a younger audience since there are lots of younger families in that area. if the shows are all ages, you'll most likely get a bunch of kids without the means to drive out to LA attending shows. That's part of my thought process. We don't have nor are we going to get a liquor license so it'll definitely be all-ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeian Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 i'd probably see a show there if it was a band i liked if i lived close enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zak138 Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Old people go to see acoustic shows. I'm old. It takes a hell of a show to get old people like me to go to LA and I'd certianly not go 45 min North of LA for a gig that holds 35 people in a coffee shop. On the other hand, if the place only holds that many people, you should be able to get enough people to show up for a properly promoted/priced show to fill up the venue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgoodcore Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 I'm figuring my main audience is young people who have zero to do in the area, not a ton of money, and not a ton of ability to leave to go to downtown LA or close. I'm also hoping I could get bands who normally play amped to play acoustic to attract their audience. Almost like an unplugged type thing that would be an add-on to a normal tour. I was even toying with the idea of providing instruments and a PA so bands could do that without lugging extra acoustic gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonskanks Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 the only problem i would see is getting bands to fit within your budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgoodcore Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 the only problem i would see is getting bands to fit within your budget. Budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonskanks Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 how much would you have to pay the bands vs what you would bring in from 35-50 kids Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgoodcore Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 how much would you have to pay the bands vs what you would bring in from 35-50 kids In my admittedly limited experience booking, the bands got paid based on the amount of people who attended the show. No guarantees were given that I experienced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 I'm figuring my main audience is young people who have zero to do in the area, not a ton of money, and not a ton of ability to leave to go to downtown LA or close. I'm also hoping I could get bands who normally play amped to play acoustic to attract their audience. Almost like an unplugged type thing that would be an add-on to a normal tour. I was even toying with the idea of providing instruments and a PA so bands could do that without lugging extra acoustic gear. If the target audience is the local youth that have nothing else to do then you need to reconsider the price of admission. I would say never more than $5 unless you're dealing with a touring band that will truly draw to capacity, even then, you gotta figure most people don't want to pay more than $5 for a coffee shop show. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgoodcore Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 I'm figuring my main audience is young people who have zero to do in the area, not a ton of money, and not a ton of ability to leave to go to downtown LA or close. I'm also hoping I could get bands who normally play amped to play acoustic to attract their audience. Almost like an unplugged type thing that would be an add-on to a normal tour. I was even toying with the idea of providing instruments and a PA so bands could do that without lugging extra acoustic gear. If the target audience is the local youth that have nothing else to do then you need to reconsider the price of admission. I would say never more than $5 unless you're dealing with a touring band that will truly draw to capacity, even then, you gotta figure most people don't want to pay more than $5 for a coffee shop show. Fair enough. I'm going to experiment with price but I was thinking of starting @ $5-10 depending on who's playing. What are you thoughts on a guarantee? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullCircleHook Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 Its Newhall, near Valencia. Off the 14 @ San Fernando across the street from the Newhall Train Station. Its called the Railroad Cafe. I'm working with the owner to provide for ways to keep the place busy during off hours. Really...my wife used to live in Newhall. Every time I went there it was hot as hell. Six Flags was fun though. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 If the target audience is the local youth that have nothing else to do then you need to reconsider the price of admission. I would say never more than $5 unless you're dealing with a touring band that will truly draw to capacity, even then, you gotta figure most people don't want to pay more than $5 for a coffee shop show. Fair enough. I'm going to experiment with price but I was thinking of starting @ $5-10 depending on who's playing. What are you thoughts on a guarantee? I would never promise any band a dime, especially if they're locals. If they're the type of band that expects a guarantee then they're probably too big to play a coffee shop that holds 40 people. Now, that being said, you should still pay the bands, but never promise them a set amount, promise them a cut of the door. If there is a touring band and locals I always let the locals know they're playing for free and that all money goes to the touring bands (unless it's a band that is going to really draw a crowd then I give them something for gas money). This has never really been a problem for me as the bands I usually book get the picture: it's DIY punk rock and they're not doing it for money and if money is made it should go to the touring band. I never keep money as a promoter it either goes to the venue or the bands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgoodcore Posted June 3, 2009 Author Share Posted June 3, 2009 Fair enough. I'm going to experiment with price but I was thinking of starting @ $5-10 depending on who's playing. What are you thoughts on a guarantee? I would never promise any band a dime, especially if they're locals. If they're the type of band that expects a guarantee then they're probably too big to play a coffee shop that holds 40 people. Now, that being said, you should still pay the bands, but never promise them a set amount, promise them a cut of the door. If there is a touring band and locals I always let the locals know they're playing for free and that all money goes to the touring bands (unless it's a band that is going to really draw a crowd then I give them something for gas money). This has never really been a problem for me as the bands I usually book get the picture: it's DIY punk rock and they're not doing it for money and if money is made it should go to the touring band. I never keep money as a promoter it either goes to the venue or the bands. Sweet, that was pretty much my plan. Awesome man, much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 i've wanted to do something similar in few years as well. i personally think the only thing you can guarrantee a band is some cash to buy some dinner and gas. if nobody shows up or a certain show it might be a good idea to still throw the guys 20-30 bucks in good faith for next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyle Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 if nobody shows up or a certain show it might be a good idea to still throw the guys 20-30 bucks in good faith for next time. Yeah but if no money was made at the door then where does that money come from? It shouldn't come out of the promoter's pocket. If it's a touring band and the turnout sucks I'll throw down $20 to help them out but if they're a local band and they can bring even a few friends then they don't need any money, especially if there's none to give. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 yeah, agree with you there. i was thinking more of a touring band to get them some gas and food. local bands are more on their own in that aspect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devilstrombone Posted June 3, 2009 Share Posted June 3, 2009 I love venues like this. If i lived around there I would play for just a bite to eat. I am going to see a friend in LA sometime this year. Maybe I will check this place out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlovecolouredx Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 show us picture when you already open it, sammygoodcore.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dylan Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 the valley could always use another venue, the only one i can think of out there is the cobalt. and places like that out here tend to usually do pretty well. i dont think ive ever been to like the cobalt or no future(in pasadena) where the show has had a bad turnout. and like other people said, your core audience is gonna be the kids who cant get out to la for shows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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