DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11076
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Jul 28 2013 02:32 PM
Occasionally we have musicians who've expressed disappointment when they don't receive any support from the SG101 community. I have some thoughts on this.
Some have gone on to blame a certain cliquishness that resides here. I'm not going to dispute that, after all, this is a community, and within the community there are bound to be circles of friends who bond a little more, and support their particular friends. It's a very natural process. The take away from that instance is that these cliques result from interaction and engagement.
Too often members from bands only post essentially promotional material for their bands. While that's a big part of SG101's function and is thus encouraged, it's not going to win you much public support. But that's not to say it's ignored. I'd guess there are far more lurkers than posters. Check your posts sometimes and see how many views it gets, even with no responses people are checking it out. If you want to get active responses, than it's on you to become an active responder - capische?
Another point, this forum has been around for a long time now, close to 12 years and created by members of a previous forum, some of these members still are active here. My point is, that it's inevitable that such a narrow focused group like this is going to lose momentum. How much can one really talk about reverb tanks, double picking, surf scales etc... There's so much in the archives already. This results in most members pulling back a bit. However I suspect most are still reading, but don't feel the need to add anything.
For whatever reason, this music appeals to an older demographic typically. I suspect that this demo is burning out somewhat on the internet. Which is also leading to a weaker response for newer bands. I'm sure there are a few more reasons that I can add when I think of them, or others can post here.
My advice is when you have new music to share, get someone to review it, it can be a blog out there or a dj or another musician you admire ***, and then post it to the music reviews section. And do your part by reviewing or sharing other band's music as well. In other words, become part of the SG101 community. And no! - gear talk doesn't count 
*** Expect constructive criticism or rejection from the more seasoned musicians. They have highly refined tastes if they made it that far as a player and will be bored very easily from generic sounding music. Just sayin'...
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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zzero
Joined: Jul 09, 2010
Posts: 1153
Lillian Alabama
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Posted on Jul 28 2013 02:35 PM
— Enjoying the surf,sun and sand!!
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jul 28 2013 03:41 PM
Also, relying on SG101 for your fanbase will do you no good. While it is an active forum, not many people live in any given area.
For whatever reason, this music appeals to an older demographic typically
I think we've done that to ourselves. Ultimately, bands are free to try and appeal to whatever demographic they want. The 'Verb played impromptu last night using borrowed gear(Shitty PRS and Solid State Boogie amp with no reverb for me) and we killed it, it was an audience in their 20s. Everyone was on the floor and dancing, which wasn't the case for the previous bands.
And for recorded music/bandcamps/facebook etc... A band is going to appeal to an older(familial) demographic if all of their photos are them wearing XXL bowling hawaiian shirts standing flat footed at outdoor daytime gigs with families watching on. Take that same band and put of photos of them put them in suits or something with a little more modern fit and put them in a dank dark club and it looks like the band is having fun... then you appeal to a broader audience. In theory...
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vintagesurfdude
Joined: Nov 28, 2011
Posts: 795
Prescott Valley, AZ
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Posted on Jul 28 2013 05:36 PM
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PolloGuitar
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 5107
San Francisco
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Posted on Jul 28 2013 06:23 PM
Good thread, Danny, it needed to be said. I have had several people tell me they got no love here. I told them, quoting Dick Dale, "The love you give is equal to the love you make".
So, yeah, hang out, make friends, and people will check your music out. Jake has some great points, too.
— Buy Endless Drummer @ Bandcamp
Frankie and the Pool Boys website
Buy Speed of Dark @ Bandcamp
Pollo Del Mar website
My Blog- Euro Tour Blog
Pool Boys on Spotify
INSTAGRAM
Frankie & The Pool Boys on Facebook
Pollo Del Mar on Facebook
DJ Frankie Pool Boy on North Sea Surf Radio
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jul 28 2013 07:00 PM
Being in a band is a lot of hard work, it doesn't happen overnight and even getting one person to truly like your music is even more hard work.
Find people you truly trust and will be honest to you. Pick their brains about music, what they feel about your band and what you can do to have a better presence/show.
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19340
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Jul 28 2013 08:10 PM
Over the years, I've received a handful of sometimes angry PM's or emails, telling me how much SG101 or I suck. It doesn't happen often thankfully. Usually the person complaining is someone who rarely interacts with other members, and when they do it is only to plug their own band.
As Ferenc said, for best results:
So, yeah, hang out, make friends, and people will check your music out.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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SURFmole
Joined: Nov 22, 2007
Posts: 901
Portland, OR
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Posted on Jul 28 2013 08:27 PM
Mmmm...interesting thread!
I've participated on this forum off and on for a few years now and haven't really felt the love from the SG101 community ever. That being said, it's STILL a great forum with good info for those that enjoy Surf music and reverb drenched guitar. If you're new (or socially sensitive) don't let the lack of response or even negative feedback discourage you from participating in the forums, there's a lot to learn from the regulars that post here.
My feeling is that there are really only two indicators that count for anything:
1. How do you feel about your music and playing?
2. Do you have a fanbase (CD sales, people at shows, etc)?
In other words, if you're doing good at #1 and #2, the response you get on any forum (or from any individual) doesn't really matter...so take it for what it's worth.
Jake's advice for listening to people you trust and are honest to you is good...but you also have to keep in mind what their personal tastes are and how yours might be different. I've got friends that would love to hear me playing distorted through a Marshall, or jamming out in a funk/fusion instro band, or playing the blues like Trower or Hendrix. Others say how cool it would be if we had a vocalist in our band. Are those the kinds of sounds I'd like to be making with my current band?...NO!
Do I like some of those sounds? YES!
The best advice I could give, is to be true to yourself and keep making music...and don't let this forum or any individual discourage you!
— www.apollo4.com
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SURFmole
Joined: Nov 22, 2007
Posts: 901
Portland, OR
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Posted on Jul 28 2013 08:32 PM
DannySnyder wrote:
And do your part by reviewing or sharing other band's music as well. In other words, become part of the SG101 community. And no! - gear talk doesn't count
This is something that I'm personally guilty of. I buy and listen to tons of instro Surf music but seldom (never) post a review. Maybe if more forum members would do this, there would be more love on the forums for all of the bands!
— www.apollo4.com
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vintagesurfdude
Joined: Nov 28, 2011
Posts: 795
Prescott Valley, AZ
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Posted on Jul 29 2013 01:16 AM
SURFmole wrote:
DannySnyder wrote:
And do your part by reviewing or sharing other band's music as well. In other words, become part of the SG101 community. And no! - gear talk doesn't count
This is something that I'm personally guilty of. I buy and listen to tons of instro Surf music but seldom (never) post a review. Maybe if more forum members would do this, there would be more love on the forums for all of the bands!
True most likely. I really don't feel qualified to comment on folks music. Been known to when backed into a corner, but I'm a player, which means I have a sound and style in my head which impacts my take on all music I hear. You know as players, I'd bet most of us go see other bands and critique them to whom ever we're with. But do we ever consider that that's their vision and they might not like yours? HOWEVER, Should I post a tune for review, I'd definitely want this group to critique it. The majority of comments would be constructive in nature and generally pretty polite. On the other hand as my mom used to tell me, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."
Last edited: Aug 01, 2013 00:55:48
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simoncoil
Joined: Sep 28, 2012
Posts: 926
Berlin, Germany
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Posted on Jul 29 2013 07:59 AM
If you can say something nice, don't say anything at all.
Actually I suspected this to be the main reason, when almost nobody reacted to the songs I posted a few weeks ago. Nobody wants to hurt anybody, and it is sometimes hard (and time consuming) to voice criticism in a non hurtful (but still meaningfull) way.
I'm still kind of a newbie around here, but my impression is, that (independent from whether people know each other) people here in general react more to music they like, simply because it is more fun to share positive moments. Given the choice of writing two paragraphs about how great a new record is, or one paragraph about a mix you don't like or an arrangement that doesn't seem to work out... or a single sentence that you listened but are left without any further impressions. I would rather choose option one myself!
— Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin)
"Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms!
"Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records!
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Las_Barracudas
Joined: Apr 24, 2011
Posts: 1087
Surf City, NC
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Posted on Jul 29 2013 08:23 AM
Huumm... I don't know the scene seems to be ever increasing here (regionally anyway). I mean I think we all understand that it's a niche genre of sorts but I've definitely seen a slow but sure building of the community here in the South East & Mid Atlantic.
I suspect social media is competing somewhat?
As others have pointed out though, you can only go over the same subjects so many times (gear, songs, etc..) and it seems when any new folks ask or post about it they are quickly chastised and directed to the forum archives. Personally I say let em have at it.
As far as music reviews go, what I like and what you like could be quite different but that doesn't mean it's bad or no good so why post a negative review??
I've posted individual gig dates here on occasion but it's probably a waste of time. Big event's yes!
Other than that I'm sure many folks are just busy going about the task of making live music or recording and have little time for forum chat.
— METEOR IV on reverbnation
Last edited: Aug 15, 2013 11:28:29
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19340
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Jul 29 2013 09:32 AM
Las_Barracudas wrote:
As others have pointed out though, you can only go over the same subjects so many times (gear, songs, etc..) and it seems when any new folks ask or post about it they are quickly chastised and directed to the forum archives.
I haven't seen anyone be "chastised". No one is being rude to anyone. We are trying to help them out by pointing to places where they can get the answers they were looking for.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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Noel
Joined: Mar 15, 2011
Posts: 8528
Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Jul 29 2013 11:28 AM
I think there MAY have been several new members in a row a while back who innocently asked about the  and maybe the last one in that group got some frustrated or impatient replies. Some time passed since then, so the last person who asked about the missed out on most of the impatient responses while still getting the typical friendly help.
About Danny's original post, speaking only for myself, sometimes I don't feel qualified to make the first comment, and then after real musicians have posted I think I don't have anything extra of value to add. Maybe I should rethink this? Perhaps when someone new posts music here it's almost like an audition. Would silence feel awful? It would be easy to misunderstand.
IMHO. YMMV.
— This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.
Last edited: Jul 29, 2013 11:43:47
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Surfgitar
Joined: Mar 16, 2007
Posts: 1342
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
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Posted on Jul 29 2013 12:23 PM
Ask not what SG101 can do for you, but what you can do for SG101. (Or something like that.  )
— CUTBACK
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Jul 29 2013 12:56 PM
simoncoil wrote:
Actually I suspected this to be the main reason, when almost nobody reacted to the songs I posted a few weeks ago. Nobody wants to hurt anybody, and it is sometimes hard (and time consuming) to voice criticism in a non hurtful (but still meaningfull) way.
That isn't always the reason, I just don't listen to music in the fashion in which it is posted on SG101. I just don't click on links when I first see it from a band. I have to keep reading or hearing about them. There is way too much music out there to listen to!
And some other people touched about reviews/gear talk/etc...
I feel alright doing reviews of discs I've had for some time and for bands that are defunct. Doing reviews of newer stuff, I just can't do it... I don't know it well enough, I won't post a negative review of a surf band, and it is just a lot of work! I've posted a few reviews in my days here and I've enjoyed writing them immensely.
What i prefer to do, is talk about what I like in music, how I like to write, and what compels and drives me to both create and listen to music.
Gear talk... I love gear, I know a lot about it. Tools are very important. There is too much pure gear talk, we don't talk enough about timbre in relation to instruments. Why does this guitar work for you? How will you use it? How does it help you achieve your vision? One needs to feel comfortable with their gear and there is really no right or wrong answer. So talk about the music you create with gear! And we do love photos of your gear, but maybe take some nicer photos!
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CousinMary
Joined: Nov 16, 2009
Posts: 1076
San Francisco Bay Area
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Posted on Jul 29 2013 01:29 PM
Do not assume that no one is interested if you do not see a reply on SG101. I don't get that many comments on http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/13117/
BUT according to the web statistics I can see on kfjc.org for the referring web address, this thread is the origin of an average of about 100 referrals a month.
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19340
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Jul 29 2013 01:31 PM
Thanks Mary, it's always nice to bring evidence into discussions like this.
In our case, check the view count on a thread. Some of that is from search engine bots though.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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bigtikidude
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 25684
Anaheim(So.Cal.)U.S.A.
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Posted on Jul 30 2013 01:01 AM
All that being said.
Many show announcements for great shows here in
So. Cal. Go unnoticed and or low surf fan attendance.
Hell I even know surf fans that live here in so cal
That haven't been to a show in a few years.
And haven't come to any of the SG101 conventions.
That bums me out. But I gotta just keep plugging
Away. Trying to make sure as many people know about it as possible.
Old surf fan, or newbie.
— Jeff(bigtikidude)
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ParkRowe
Joined: Apr 01, 2013
Posts: 147
Vancouver BC
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Posted on Jul 30 2013 04:52 PM
good thread
being somewhat new here, i've made the mistake of asking about the Boss Reverb pedal and Flat Wounds. truth is i know i could have search and should have, but i was looking to get a discussions going. what i didn't consider is that most member here have already had that discussion, and it may be boring to have it again and again. fair enough. it's like asking "Maple vs Rosewood" on the Fender page.
anyway i like it here, people are friendly. it has exposed a lot of great music i never heard before. i like listening to the music people post. i try to listen to as much as i can, but there is more than i have time to listen.
i have held back when i didn't care for something. i don't want to poop on anyone. but more times than not, the music is great and i like to say so.
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