Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 04:57 PM

Oh wow i'd love to come over. Trouble is we'd need somewhere to lay down a sleeping bag.

Sal

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: PoppaGator
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 02:24 PM

"Mic" as opposed to "mike" is relatively new, but now very common, in the US as well as over in your area. Of course, at my advanced age, anything that has developed since the early 1970's seems "realtively new" to me!

Having an etched-in-stone set list, or even two or three of them, is a good way to start. I'm sure that as you gradually develop more and more confidence, you'll gradually find yourself able to relax more and vary your selection of songs to a greater and greater degree.

For what it's worth, the Neutral Ground Coffee House in uptown New Orelans has Open Mic everey Sunday starting at 7pm. If you're ever able to make it, be sure to give me some advance notice!

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 02:11 PM

Sang at one last saturday night. Went ok.

Sal

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 02:53 PM

As someone who has only started performing at open mics/mikes in recent years, "mic" looks better to me and its the term I use. I know lots of Mikes on the other hand, most of them good blokes.

DC

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: greg stephens
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 01:48 PM

In response to McGarth's question: within the last five years, in England, I would gues. More than that since the first sightimng, but mics moved into the majority quite recently I would think. I haven't looked it up: interesting point. Must investigate further.

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 01:18 PM

Mic is short for microphone!

Sal

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 14 Apr 08 - 12:13 PM

When did "mikes" turn into "mics" in this context?

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 01:00 PM

Hey maybe I could truck a box of lemons around on a sack truck! Hmmm actually I do that already!

With you guys behind me in this venture it gives me the strength to make it happen and enjoy it too. Maybe it could be turned into a group thing! Lots of different artists gathering at a venue and entertaining all evening.

Ah who knows. Anyway still lots of organising to do with this yet.

Sal

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 12:34 PM

well let us know how you get on.... I suppose I've had a go at doing something similar. I suppose the trap I fell into was doing the stuff that I knew would draw a reaction.

I think you will enjoy the experience, but quite how to do this in a way that will help you towards a more substantial contribution is something I never worked out, and several of my friends have also tried and found ultimately frustrating and humiliating.

Its certainly not the wide open range that it apparently was up until the early 1970's. That is why so many of the current folk acts date back to that time.

It certainly not for want of talented people trying to break into the folkscene and make a contribution.

I would advise you to publicise your plans as widely as possible. Folk dj's and journalists are usually unhelpful - being owned pretty much lock stock and barrel by the great movers and shakers of the mini world/sensibility they inhabit. But local BBC radio dj's on general programmes and local press are always looking for stories, and yours has that man 'hiking round Ireland with a fridge' sort of feel to it.

Go for it and best of luck!

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 09:35 AM

Best of luck Sally - And singing songs out for real is FAR better practice than at home om your own - Be prepared to have ideas for arrangements 'happen' in the middle of a song ! and its a shame I am a bit too far outside your area !

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 13 Apr 08 - 08:46 AM

So if any Cats in the Herefordshire or Shropshire areas could let me know what's going on in their areas, i'd be most grateful.

Sal

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 06:55 PM

Tim Leaning - thanks for that. Yes it's been an odd 12months for me but I'm not gonna let it beat me.

weelittledrummer - I'm gonna have 3-4 x 15 min sets so that I can vary stuff. I could get bored with singing the same songs but I've found that sometimes a song I've sung over and over suddenly takes on another life. We'll see what happens.

The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice - thanks, you are right. We have a few open mics starting up in my part of England and they all need support. If I go along it's helping get these things off the ground and helping me with this glitch.

Suegorgeous - I know what you mean. I have a couple of songs where I vary the volume and intensity of the words and it tends to bring the audience back. Not always but mostly. I once started a song in a crowded pub singing the first line very loudly and then stopped... it had a brilliant effect. Everyone stopped talking cos they wondered what had happened. I then carried on a little less loudly, and i'd got them in the palm of my hand! (actually i'd forgotten the words!)

Sal

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 02:27 PM

I've done a kind of version of that (2/3 unaccompanied songs, 2/3 OMs in my area per week), and it's interesting, huge range of response, from rapt (usually a couple of people, including the drunken Irishman who then puts in a request for something you don't know) to indifferent (continuing to chat loudly at the back). But it does indeed boost your confidence, and some people do like it. The downside is you get bored with singing the same songs after a while (so best to vary them a bit).

Would be interested to hear how you find it.

Sue

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: GUEST,The Mole Catcher's unplugged Apprentice
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 01:52 PM

Fantastic idea, ms lemon,and , yes, it will be lot fun for you. Massive amounts of luck to you, and...don't let the naysayers stop you, after all there are those that can (you) and those that sit at home on the sofa

cheers

Charlotte R

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 01:37 PM

won't you get tired of doing the same spot over and over? And you'll have to say the same things, and then suppose some people like what you do and follow you to the Open Mike down the road. Will they mind if they cop the same 15 minutes?

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 11:20 AM

Sounds fab
Confidence is a funny thing innit
Best of luck

Subject: RE: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: GUEST,Chez Brewer
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 11:09 AM

Brilliant idea. We have one near us but I think it might be a bit too far for you to travel.

CB

Subject: Music: Open Mic Challenge (UK)
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 12 Apr 08 - 07:31 AM

I have decided to perfect a 15min set and tour them all. Should be fun and improve my failing confidence. Maybe I could do it for charity and do as many as possible in a month, say.

I'm not interested in paid gigs at the moment. Maybe a half time slot at a ceilidh would be fun.

Unacompanied folk is a bit 'A' level for an uninterested audience!
Went to one in Kimbolton, Leominster last Wednesday night. It's once a month 2nd Weds I suppose. I've had a big decline on the confidence front recently so it was a good boost.

Obviously if you live more than 30 Miles from Leominster, Herefordshire, this is too far from me to afford to do it in your area, unless you would give me and my Wolf a bed for the night? I've got loads of festivals lined up all over the country too, so if I'm in the area I can consider the open mics there too. I've got a lemonade gig list in my blogs on myspace.

Sal x