starting up a folk bar in spain

Subject: BS: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: GUEST,Leigh
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 06:55 PM

Hi all,

What would mudcatters think about someone ( me !) starting up a folk bar in a tourist resort in Spain ? Does anyone have any experience of that ? Most places I have seen are the kind of sing-along places, which are fine. I would like something a bit more folky though.

Subject: RE: BS: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 07:56 PM

In the interests of clarification before I wade in with opinions,

What is a "folk bar"?

What is not "folky" about "sing-along places"?

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: Amos
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 08:34 PM

I think it would be a grand idea and f done right could relaly make a name for itself. I assume you are differntiating between folk/acoustic music and karaoke bars?

\A

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 25 Aug 03 - 08:57 PM

Gawd, I hope so!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: Leadfingers
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 03:10 AM

Sounds good to me - I did a stint in a bar in Kowloon and also in Bermuda back in the good old days and it went down very well and was good fun being paid to enjoy myself.When and where are the auditions ??

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: The Barden of England
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 03:50 AM

There are lots of Irish theme bars in Spain which seem to do well, but another might be too much. What sort of Folk music are you considering?

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 04:14 AM

How are you going to live in the winter??
Giok

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: Essex Girl
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 09:15 AM

There's not much on the Costa del Sol yet. Let me know if you manage to start one up and I'll be there!!

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: GUEST,Leigh
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 02:21 PM

hi again,

Thanks for the comments.

I would say a folk bar is a bar dedicated to folk music & assosciated themes.

In Spain I have often been to what I call sing-along places, which disappoint me because it's more of a " Country Roads, take me home" type thing. No doubt that has a greater market.

I wonder if somewhere was set up, if, with the right publicity, it would attract folky folk to holiday in the area, rather than just being somewhere you stumble into after a McDonalds. Probably not.

I am probably being way too ambitious.

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: GUEST,Leigh
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 04:31 PM

Oops, just realised I should have made this a non-music thread. Sorry !

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 05:06 PM

I think this is appropriate in the music section--and I am one of those who complain loudly when nonmusic stuff is in the music section!

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 04:25 AM

Linda and I found an Irish pub in Budapest (Beckett's) - they seem to be everywhere - still can't complain, they gave us a gig !

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: GUEST,Fortunato up before the chickens
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 04:59 AM

Leigh, your idea seems cool to me. I've never been to Spain (yes, I know the song), and I didn't realize there would be an audience for songs sung in English. Are you counting on the tourist trade, or would natives frequent such a club?

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 05:29 AM

"How are you going to live in the winter??"

That's when the oldies take over isn't it? Much more likely to be folk friendly...

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: GUEST,Scabby Douglas
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 10:35 AM

Hmmm....

This is a very very broad generalisation..

But...

despite what Mcgrath says about winter :
That's when the oldies take over isn't it? Much more likely to be folk friendly...
I'd suggest that the people of any age most likely to frequent the Costa Del Sol, may not be the people most likely to enjoy heavy doses of folk music.

I would day that out of the circle of folkies (including listeners, not just players) with whom I am acquainted, I can think of only around one person/couple who has been to Spain on a package-type deal within the past couple of years. And that was me. I had so little expectation of being able to find any folk-ish music (apart from Irish themem pubs)when I was there I didn't even bother looking.

Howevere, this is only my opinion, and I'd be interested to hear what others had to say.

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 02:18 PM

Well, as someone whose parents in law live on the Costa, and having been a visitor there myself many times, it's not a bad idea. There are a few Irish pubs-but theme only in The Torremolinos,Benelmadena Fuengerola area.Not much really live music-plenty of Karaeoke.Quite a few gigging musicians with keyboard, guitar, vocalist set ups, playing various more popular musics/hits etc but with the odd folkie/country tune thrown in. Good coffee/drinks and snacks(at least) and good music will pull in people,and the oldies soon spread the word, especially if they have good service and good prices.In the winter of course competition is high to get people in, but with prices being so cheap (summer/winter prices differ quite a bit) very many oldies don't even bother to make coffee at home after they've got up.There are plenty of oldies there through the spring/summer and autumn time as well, and whole populations of ex-pats who live there all year.They are not all wrinklies either, many are middle aged.

Folk music can include Flamenco guitar as well as USA/British/Northern europe styles. Irish stuff,especially the commoner music seems to go down well with the masses with specialist or more true folk having less appeal (except for all the people you know in your folk circles)But if the locals frequent and support you, then the wrinlies will as well.You'd have to be prepared for long hours, late nights and to suppliment income open during the day for drinks and snacks,maybe even breakfasts (about 11.00) but with the right marketing/flyers in the area and maybe open mike sessions with a guitar handy for those who haven't brought theirs with them, it could work.

Good luck-let me know when you are open and where you are.

Cheers

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: Folkiedave
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 03:30 PM

I ahould be tempted to play some good Spanish folk music on the muzak to help things along too. Bands like Susanna Seivane, Hevia, Oskorri, La Musgana etc would go down well even if you couldn't afford them live!!
There are loads of others too.

Dave
www.collectorsfolk.co.uk

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 06:28 AM

"in a tourist resort in Spain" - that's a term that can mean a lot of different things. Somewhere well away from the Mediterranean coast, I hope. Maybe up in Galicia? And not just foreign folk from the British Isles?

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 11:32 AM

McGrath,

What's wrong with the Med ? I know many beautiful places along the coast.

Subject: RE: starting up a folk bar in spain
From: Leadfingers
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 03:15 PM

The place I worked in Bermuda was set up as somewhere the expat British could go for a drink,a meal and some entertainment without having to pay rip off tourist prices.This worked a treat and a lot of tourists found it within three or four days of arriving.The sensible ones would ask the staff at their hotel where THEY went for a drink.
It was never advertised in the Tourist Literature,but WAS in the local paper.It was probably the cheapest bar for a drink in Bermuda
outside the purely member only places.