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Coffee shops and getting attention...
...without being annoying. I've been doing a regular coffee shop gig just to keep my chops going (a friend runs the place, and its not for free.) But, as in most coffee shops I've played, the crowd is generally there to talk. I do occasionally get some enthusiastic people applauding and enjoying the tunes, but most people tune out.
It is pretty funny to watch some people coming in and turning around because they wanted a "quiet place" to talk (even though I'm really only adding a couple of decibels to the ambient noise.)
I do try to keep some patter between songs. I'm not by nature an extremely outgoing person - so "personality" is not my big selling feature, not a shy guy - just don't seem to think quick enough verbally to keep a constant stream of jokes etc in my performances. And if I did "write" a bunch of jokes for my shows I'd have to get a ton of them each week - hard enough adding a few songs each week ;0)
I'm not too worried about low response, but if any cafe warriors have advice love to hear it.
It is pretty funny to watch some people coming in and turning around because they wanted a "quiet place" to talk (even though I'm really only adding a couple of decibels to the ambient noise.)
I do try to keep some patter between songs. I'm not by nature an extremely outgoing person - so "personality" is not my big selling feature, not a shy guy - just don't seem to think quick enough verbally to keep a constant stream of jokes etc in my performances. And if I did "write" a bunch of jokes for my shows I'd have to get a ton of them each week - hard enough adding a few songs each week ;0)
I'm not too worried about low response, but if any cafe warriors have advice love to hear it.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lee Fox on -
How about short stories to introduce songs? Small segues that draw those that are listening into the experience you are providing. What event(s) caused you to write the song. Who or what the song is about. What the song makes you feel. etc.
Oh, and don't forget to have that tip jar on display. *smiles*
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Permalink Reply by Paula Benson on -
Of course you know each coffee shop is different. I've performed at two coffee shops. One place was like performing a concert without any conversation. The other place was little conversation and a concert. What I tried to do was included people into the show. You can tell the ones that want to be left alone. Tell jokes about yourself. I've told jokes that are about singing and drinking water. People love it when you tell stories about yourself. I've told jokes about me travelling and getting lost or the stories of me driving with one contact. The laughter comes when I act the part out. Focus on your audience that's active with you. The other people if they did not want to be there they would leave. Trust me they are listening between the pages of that book. People love being out with there friends, so music, conversation, and food go well together. You just do your best and be natural.
I wish you the very best Neil.
Paula
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Permalink Reply by Ron "RC" Carr on -
Well, one idea that I'm going to when I do cafe things is acoustic music. "Rockin' the joint" probably isn't the best idea at a coffee house or cafe so if you DO do electric rock music, why don't you try blowing people away with your "artistic swag" with acoustic material?
As for the people giving you weird looks, well... screw them! If they wanted a quiet place to talk, they should have either rented out a private island or stayed home. But even if they don't like you at first, what are they gonna do about it? Basically, they have the option of leaving or getting over it (and actually enjoy themselves).
If you're a shy guy, just be shy. It's all good man. No need to talk between your songs. Just give your song an intro that's easily repeatable on your instrument and during that intro, tell the story that the song is about, ie who it's about, why you wrote it, etc. Talking is over rated unless they want to hear from you (and just from your discrption, they don't, not to be harsh or anything).
That's my two cents! Hope I helped some!
RC~
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Permalink Reply by Lee Fox on
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Bob Baker emailed out this great article on getting you audience involved.
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Permalink Reply by Neil (Hardwire) Speers on -
Hey all, thanks for the responses.
Just to be clear, I'm not a shy guy - I'll talk to any one anywhere on a whim (from bums to prime ministers, and yes talked to both.)And I've been known to get up and do 30 minute speeches at meetings without notes. I'm just not a high-energy rapid fire banter type. Wish my talking was more my Irish blood than my Scottish blood (haha.)
And it doesn't take an electric guitar to rock a place out, I know lots of people can do it with an acoustic guitar and not even be plugged in. My performances are more intimate / subdued. Although I do quite a few songs that are pretty uptempo, they're not just wailing away on the guitar.
But there's been some good tips on this topic, thanks for those. I do tell a few stories between songs, but when everyone is talking among themselves ( and that is what they came to the cafe for) its hard to really push that. Until close to the end when a few people are hanging out - they seem to be the receptive ones. And I do get some good response and have made a few fans. I guess as Ron alluded too - just be the best "me" that I can be.
Neil
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