Playing Covers in the ‘Burbs for Small Change and Big Fun
Craigslist is magic. Where else can you find a new job, a car to get you there, an apartment to sleep in, a bed to sleep on, and a lover to sleep with — all in one place? Craigslist is also where I found my band, by answering an ad in the Musicians community section.
I had spent a few years playing original acoustic music around town, both solo and in a trio, for free coffee and not much more. In this market, the “good” coffeehouse is the one that puts in ten bucks of their own money to start off the tip jar. Of course, this is the same place that double-booked my date, let me put up posters, and didn’t tell me I was frozen out until I showed up with all my gear the day of the show.
So in the fall of 2008 I was ready for something different. Instead of playing originals for love, I wanted to play covers for money. Instead of being an acoustic player who owned an electric guitar, I wanted to sharpen my chops and hold down my place in a four-piece band. And I wanted the energy that comes from a group pushing and pulling together, instead of sitting alone in my living room wondering what to do next, or who would care.
