Record How You Can
I am in the process of recording acoustic versions of the Black Sea Storm songs I am performing live. My aim is to create continuity between what people experience live, and the experience within the world of streaming. I am also starting to believe that acoustic versions of my songs have their own appeal. Some people knowing both versions of the same song have commented to me that they like the acoustic version better. It could just be that, hearing songs in a live setup has maybe a higher potential to convince listeners than recordings.
I have some serious work to tackle ahead of me. Besides touring with everything that involves and producing work for my freelancer job, I need to be recording and putting out new material as well. Recording while touring is worth the challenge I think. It will allow me to get the most out of this incredible nomadic rock n’ roll experience.
I don’t have access to my full recording gear when I am on the road. Extra weight is my worst enemy at the moment. That being said, I don’t want to wait until I am in Buenos Aires again (where I have my heavy gear stored) to record. Especially when touring so far has been truly inspiring in terms of coming up with new ideas and making acoustic adaptations of existing songs. I have the desire to capture musically what I am living on the spot rather than remembering how it was, how it felt. I have decided to record with what I have, which means the equipment I am using for shows + a sound card and obviously my laptop.
It’s starting to get serious between us
My relationship with the acoustic guitar is evolving in a very positive way day after day. I have now accepted my reality of only having access to the acoustic guitar to create. The possibilities, of course, are still endless. It actually forces me to write better material which can stand on its own feet with less. Besides, it has been a great joy for me to pick that guitar up every morning. I am actually digging this minimalist situation. I realize how my past of regular rock n’ roll was actually a quiet bourgeois thing. Even though the image rock n’ roll has often goes against that sentiment. When I think about the cost of a real tour with a real band and legitimate electric equipment that needs to be carried around from club to club. I then compare it with my minimalist solution for touring I have now. I come to the conclusion that real rock n’ roll is actually very costly. The most exciting advantage of my current situation in my views isn’t only the financial but rather the creative aspect. This was missing from my previous tour experiences. Here I am alone with my guitar without any real distractions from creating beside my other nomadic job.
Creating From Different Angles
I start to asses the true potential of the situation I have created for myself with my nomadic lifestyle. With the acoustic guitar being my sole outlet for creation. I can see my workflow at times be reversed. I most likely will come up with songs that work in an acoustic setting and then eventually record its full-on electric rock version later on. As up to now, it has been the absolute opposite sequence of doing things.
Being creative on the road makes me love touring so much more. It really makes it a complete experience and the most enjoyable lifestyle I could experience so far in life. Being able to capture emotions on the spot in different locations amazes me.
The places I am visiting are so distinct at various levels. Playing while touring is a constant challenge of adapting myself to the situation, but at the same time, it allows me to see and feel things from different angles. Recordings are going to be low-budget as always. That said the importance to me is to capture the essence of things and write good songs. I do believe that a good song will sound OK in pretty much any circumstance. It just needs to be a good song. A song that is calling to exist so it can be replayed.
Booking in Mexico is hard
I had a good run with playing seven shows in a bit more than two months. Now things have slowed down a notch in terms of getting new shows. I am not sure what may be the exact reason since it has been challenging across all the cities I am trying to book Black Sea Storm.
To book an act like Black Sea Storm in Mexico has been very different than all my previous booking experiences in the US and in Europe. The seven shows I was able to get so far were all through friends, recommendations, or through someone who had seen me play live.
I’ve been even going to bars with my guitar on my back giving Black Sea Storm business cards away. Following up through messaging on Facebook. Most of the places don’t even open my messages on Facebook, although when face to face, they were kind to me and seemed interested in my project. On the other hand, all the shows I was able to get through my own contacts worked out incredibly well. People acted professionally and treated me with a lot of respect. The moral of the story being. If you want to tour Mexico as an unknown independent rock act, make friends first.
If getting shows is a slow process at the moment, this situation is creating a perfect opportunity for me to work on new material and Black Sea Storm‘s online presence. At the end of the day, it is often what I have online that is allowing me to play live. I think what I am missing is a good quality online representation of my act when playing live. All my live YouTube videos were recorded with a phone. I don’t believe they recreate the impact my live performances could have on listeners.
Before Casa Mezontle Show
At the end of La Jícara show, an amiable lady named Victoria approached me saying that she owned a Mezcaleria in town and that she would be interested in seeing Black Sea Storm perform at her bar. A few days later she got in touch with me and offered me to play on a Saturday night at Casa Mezontle located on Calle Reforma 403.
I am always pleased when shows I play allow me to play more shows. What I like the most with these types of situations is that the person hiring me knows exactly what she is going to get. Pretty much all the studio versions of my songs are recorded with a rock lineup so far, and this does not precisely represent how I sound live these days with the acoustic guitar.
Where I am currently staying in Oaxaca is at walking distance from Casa Mezontle. The night before the show I decided to go there and take a look at the place. I was stunned to see how nice the venue looked. Huge glass bottles, well though out light design. Artisanal mezcal nicely displayed on lighted shelves.
It’s been way over three years that I don’t consume alcohol nor go to bars. Although I have no interest in having a drink anymore, I do enjoy the vibe that goes around mezcal. Most
Going to Casa Mezontle the night before not only gave me the chance to familiarize myself with the venue, but it also allowed me to take pictures to promote the show on Instagram and Facebook. This is something I decided to include in my workflow for my live shows. If I am in town the night before the event, and I am not staying too far from where I’ll be playing, it’s a good idea to go to the venue, meet the people who are working there, make sure there is everything I need in terms of gear, and take pictures for Instagram. Showing potential show-goers where they’ll be spending a good portion of their evening the night before can possibly have a positive return on the turnout.
I feel like I need to be more than a performing artist on this tour. I need to bring extra value to the people allowing me to perform at their venue. Promoting the concert is so important. Even if no one shows up, putting the name of the band and the venue out there is an investment for the future for both parties I believe.
The Night of the Show
Although it was a Saturday, sadly most of the bars and restaurants were empty in Oaxaca that night. At Casa Mezontle we still managed to have several tables of customers, and few people at the bar. The day before I had met a rap artist woman named Gloria, she goes by Doma Press for her music work. I met Doma at a place called Casa Angel Hostel. I was introduced to the site by Luis, my Turkish speaking Mexican friend who also occasionally works there. I happened to be in the neighborhood trying to get a show at Bar Zapotec, which is located right next to the actual hostel. The bar was closed during the afternoon, so I decided to go to the hostel and ask them if they could advertise my show at Casa Mezontle on the information chalkboard of the hostel. Victoria was working as the receptionist that day. I told her about the show and had an engaging conversation with her. I wasn’t expecting that she would show up, but she did with a friend of her. It was really awesome of them to come to support Black Sea Storm.
I played two sets during that night. As I started to play the first one, there was a lady who began filming me perform. I thought maybe she was a journalist or had a blog online. At the end of my first set, she approached me and introduced herself. Elsa was her name, she worked as a journalist for a local publication named Sucedió
It’s all worth it
At this point with Black Sea