for bands
Photo & Article by: Stefan Aronsen
I have never described myself as a hipster. I have plenty of friends who are… and I could point you to a billion guys with jeans tighter than mine… However… try spending a weekend in Murry Hill with tight jeans, leather jacket, side burns and an unshaven face. It doesn’t work! It took 1 second at Jimmy’s Diner in Williamsburg to realize I had found my people.
It took a lot of effort to not run up to one of my fellow hipsters and hug them. It took this extreme situation to help me realize I may be a little bit hipster. (a little)
Jimmy’s was just a detour from my original intent. I was heading to Pete’s Candy Shop to see Jay Baker and Revolution Church. Jay didn’t speak but Vince lead in his place. It was an amazing service. Following church I was greeted with pleasant surprise after pleasant surprise after… pleasant surprise.
1. Vince is in a Band… and he plays piano every Sunday at the Manhattan Inn… his band plays every Monday at Union Pool. A survival tip from Steve, “success is in being a band that relys on live shows. Also booking regular shows is a great way to see success.”
2. Pete’s has open mic. After hearing 3 or 4 ok guitarist… Nick walks up:
N: I’m in a band called Letters and Numbers
But in NY you already have a band called Numbers and Letters.
So tonight I’m playing under my solo acts name “COLDPLAY.”
Nick grabbed his guitar and owned the mic. My melancholy excitement was blown off and my ears were being blessed! Finally! TALENT. Not only that… I introduced myself, he handed me a card, (FCK! I left mine at my friends!) then 5 min later he gave me a CD. This dude is better at my survival tips than me!
3. My friend Meagan showed up… I was hungry… she was hungry… my friend Tor whom I was crashing with was also hungry… She took us to Aligator Lounge… After 4 days of expensive food I was floored when the bartender gave me ticket with my drink for a free pizza. (HOLY CRAP!)
4. We went back to Pete’s Candy Shop… My friend Tylor from SF swore he was also doing. I didn’t believe him… Why wasn’t he on the bill… However… I went back to look for him. Turns out Tyler who was formerly in PosterBoy was playing a show with Jhameel. They were doing a duo together. Let me say WOW! I hope they do more together in SF!
so a re-cap:
The girls in Manhattan don’t smile back, the drinks are 10 dollars, and small talk scares girls away. The dudes use caveman/direct and aggressive techniques and get girls. So the girls are as cold as the 28 degree weather outside and I don’t know enough about sports to relate to any of the men.
The girls in Williamsburg smile back, the drinks at the bars are cheap,I ran into dudes from SF AND… the music is free and so is the pizza.
I think I’m in love!
PS.
I’ll post a better picture when I’m back in SF.
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