Joe Marson and Ginger Coyle, October 18, 2014 Last weekend we had a terrific co-bill with NYC’s Joe Marson and South Jersey girl Ginger Coyle. Among 21 paying guests, 14 were Cozy Cabin first timers. Since both artists had fans in the audience, I asked Ginger and Joe if they would be willing to do a “song swap” so their fans wouldn’t have to wait 45 minutes to hear their artist. Thankfully, both were willing to go with the flow and we were treated to an incredible evening of collaboration. Ginger said in a facebook post, “We were essentially strangers--two artists who had never met. Thanks to our open minds we created beautiful & spontaneous moments.” I’m fond of saying Cozy Cabin performances aren’t like a club experience—the environment, the vibe, the audience all come together to make each show unique; this show unfolded naturally and easily, and, while I claim that every show is my favorite, this one was truly special for reasons beyond music and camaraderie.
Like many house concert venues, we have more artists who want to play in our living room than we have audience members, and we pushed the envelope by hosting three shows in September. Since I walk to the beat of my own drum, I didn’t realize that September was a busy month for many as people prepared for back to school, said goodbye to summer, and embraced the beginning of football season. I’m not attuned to the school calendar, I don’t follow football, and autumn’s been my favorite season since I was a child, so I was thrown for a loop when two of the shows had less than 10 guests. It was OK for the first artist—this was his first US tour and he was prepared to go with the flow, but second show was a co-bill with two emerging artists with a healthy following in Philadelphia. I was excited to introduce them to our NY area audience, and they essentially played for my husband and me. Artists take it in stride—a gig is a gig, but, as anyone who hosts a house concert knows, it’s an investment of time and money whether it’s three or 30 or more guests.
I commiserate with other presenters all the time. We’re constantly expanding our emailing lists so we don’t create “audience fatigue” for our loyal regulars. I introduce Cozy Cabin every chance I get—I’ve invited fellow patrons sitting beside me at theaters, heck, I even invited the woman sharing my seat on a bus tour, and she happily came to that afternoon’s concert!
It’s not just house concert presenters struggling for an audience. There’s an embarrassment of musical riches in the metro NY region—several medium sized acoustic venues, small listening rooms, and lately businesses that are coffee houses by day are becoming open mic spaces at night. Even though one venue closed last season and another will close in 2015, and two venues I frequent are also having a hard time filling seats, it seems new spaces open up monthly in churches, borrowed space in art centers, and especially living rooms. Of course, people have lives beyond music—there are kids’ activities, family milestones to celebrate, and the lucky ones are enjoying traveling or their weekend homes.
Most of our shows have a donation of just $20; if a single artist is doing one set, we request less, and on the rare occasions that we book a household name, we request $25. Most agree that $20 for two sets of music, plus food and drink, is a bargain for a night out, but it’s still difficult to ensure a sold out show every show.
So what will I do? Just keep on doing what I’m doing, i.e., host a monthly music series. Artists are counting on me, my “regulars” look forward to hearing a new artist, first-timers are delighted to discover the house concert concept, and I simply love sharing my live music passion and home with friends and friends I haven’t yet met . Indeed, the show must go on. :)
Like many house concert venues, we have more artists who want to play in our living room than we have audience members, and we pushed the envelope by hosting three shows in September. Since I walk to the beat of my own drum, I didn’t realize that September was a busy month for many as people prepared for back to school, said goodbye to summer, and embraced the beginning of football season. I’m not attuned to the school calendar, I don’t follow football, and autumn’s been my favorite season since I was a child, so I was thrown for a loop when two of the shows had less than 10 guests. It was OK for the first artist—this was his first US tour and he was prepared to go with the flow, but second show was a co-bill with two emerging artists with a healthy following in Philadelphia. I was excited to introduce them to our NY area audience, and they essentially played for my husband and me. Artists take it in stride—a gig is a gig, but, as anyone who hosts a house concert knows, it’s an investment of time and money whether it’s three or 30 or more guests.
I commiserate with other presenters all the time. We’re constantly expanding our emailing lists so we don’t create “audience fatigue” for our loyal regulars. I introduce Cozy Cabin every chance I get—I’ve invited fellow patrons sitting beside me at theaters, heck, I even invited the woman sharing my seat on a bus tour, and she happily came to that afternoon’s concert!
It’s not just house concert presenters struggling for an audience. There’s an embarrassment of musical riches in the metro NY region—several medium sized acoustic venues, small listening rooms, and lately businesses that are coffee houses by day are becoming open mic spaces at night. Even though one venue closed last season and another will close in 2015, and two venues I frequent are also having a hard time filling seats, it seems new spaces open up monthly in churches, borrowed space in art centers, and especially living rooms. Of course, people have lives beyond music—there are kids’ activities, family milestones to celebrate, and the lucky ones are enjoying traveling or their weekend homes.
Most of our shows have a donation of just $20; if a single artist is doing one set, we request less, and on the rare occasions that we book a household name, we request $25. Most agree that $20 for two sets of music, plus food and drink, is a bargain for a night out, but it’s still difficult to ensure a sold out show every show.
So what will I do? Just keep on doing what I’m doing, i.e., host a monthly music series. Artists are counting on me, my “regulars” look forward to hearing a new artist, first-timers are delighted to discover the house concert concept, and I simply love sharing my live music passion and home with friends and friends I haven’t yet met . Indeed, the show must go on. :)
