The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

EMERGING musicians should use their cult following to find creative alternatives to over-saturated event venues, according to industry insiders, who offered a range of ideas about creating upward mobility in the industry.

The hardship experienced by new and aspiring musicians is intensified because of the struggle to find dependable and consistent employment.

Rather than being defeated by limited resources and work opportunities, musician RAPP Quelle underscored the need for local talent to take greater control of their fan base.

"Different musicians are all gunning for the support of one demographic, instead of tapping into all of those markets present on the island - that would give us the ability to expand.

"Everyone here knows someone that isn't on the island, but if we only look at one class or demographic of people there is no way to find out how to network past that demographic of people. Right now artists and bands are sharing fans and venues but it doesn't have to be like that. The island is big enough," he said.

"Bands have the power to create a venue, I don't know if they realize this. We're going to the spots already set for bands and we're using those but a contributing factor is that musicians are not utilizing their power or that of their followers to create new venues."

Pointing to the success of annual festivals in the United States, such as bonefire events and block parties, RAPP Quelle said the events rely on the fan base of the bands they hire to perform.

While a band's success ultimately rests on their level of commitment, Charmaine Bourbon, manager of The Illest, said there is a lot the government can do to encourage sustainable growth in the industry.

"At the government policy level, it would be good to see them do away with tax," Mrs Bourbon said.

"Particularly groups that perform for locals and tourists. Our equipment was stolen last year, in order to buy quality equipment we end up spending three times the cost after it's landed. You already can't feed yourself, it's a catch 22."

"The people in power need to have an awareness of local talent," she said.

Mrs Bourbon was critical of the opening ceremony of the national stadium because no local bands were invited to perform live. She said the government needs to open the gates to Bahamian talent.

"The Bahamas has offices all over the world. What about flying out other types of acts to perform, instead of the same rake and scrape bit."

The government mandates that a local act must be booked and advertised for every live act that is imported, according to Mrs Bourbon.

However in practice, she said often times exposure is limited as international artists seldom interact with local opening acts or listen to their set.

Mrs Bourbon also called for the playing field to be leveled in terms of artist fees. She said local acts performing on the same stage, on the same night, for longer sets, are paid far less than the imported talent.

"When local bands open for the big acts that come, they are paid a fraction, often times less than ten per cent of what the international artists are paid," said Mrs Bourbon.

The challenges that exist make it difficult for Bahamian artists to work in the industry full time.

"Most musicians moonlight so they have a job that feeds them and they do their passion at night. It doesn't help creativity," said Mrs Bourbon.

"Sometimes there are only four gigs in a whole month, that's not enough. We're fortunate to have some consistency with venues but it would be nice to have a home base, a stable place to perform," she said.

While acknowledging the realities of the profession, RAPP Quelle said musicians need to do a lot more groundwork to develop a synergy with their fans that can translate into more gigs.

"While you're trying to have a full-time gig, feed and clothe yourself, you don't always have time for that, but when there's a movement behind you, scouting or rallying for new venues, (you are better off)," said RAPP Quelle.

"If it's a crowd at Bahama Joes, it's usually a crowd at Bahama Joes. If it's a crowd at the Hub, it's a crowd at the Hub. It's better for your brand, music, audience in general, if you try and hit all avenues and if you try to be as creative as you can in creating a new venue," he said.