Blog of the adventures and misadventures of songwriter, Luis Narino, and his astounding band, Noble Creatures, on their journey to make a living through music. Will they make it? I don't know, I guess you'll find out as soon as I do.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Portland Trip & Show
My brother put this video together of some of the random adventures we did in Portland. One of the best trips I've had. Hysterical laughter, beautiful sites, and amazing people. Can't ask for more than that.
The music is from a gig I landed up there at the Canvas Art Bar. Very cool place and great folks. Check them out.
"Since When (What We Want)"
When we try to whisper
All we ever do is scream
When you want to hold me close
all you ever do is leave
We think we know what we want when we want it
But its never enough
So we lose the things we wanted to keep
Left with all the things we no longer fiend
Because since when
Since when
Since when have we ever known just what we've wanted?
What do we want, babe?
What do we need?
How we try to hide it
Oh, the lengths we take to keep it safe
We're trying to deny it
That we're standing at the mouth of change
But I would lay it on the line for you
But we're scared because we both know the truth:
Since when
Since when
Since when have we ever known just what we've wanted?
What do we want, babe?
What do we need?
They say, "don't rock it"
They plead, "please don't stir things up"
But we can't stop it
Cause baby that just ain't us
But we tried
How we tried
Since when
Since when
Since when have we ever known just what we've wanted?
What do we want, babe?
What do we need?
Thursday, July 29, 2010
My first solo tour
In the middle of July I was to be in Kansas for a wedding. 'Be on tour' has been on my mind for the past 5 years, and has recently made it to my official Goal List in the past 2. Seeing as though I needed to venture back home anyhow, I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone. Being a starving artist I figured that I could book paying gigs along the way, sell merchandise, and therefore break even. So I would book it, promote it, play it, and sell it. The plan was perfect! I was excited to say the least, but as with all stories, time proves to come with some massive edits to my perfect fantasy plan.
I began to prepare in April by asking my friends who have been on tour questions and asking for contacts. I mapped out my route and the dates which I'd be in each location. By May, I found myself sending out emails on my prepared list, and also from lists found on the internet, such as http://www.onlinegigs.com/. After the first week of writing emails, I realized that it would be best to have called first, asked for names, and touched base before I shot out emails like a bandit on a shooting spree. So I began to do that. Some people had no idea what I was talking about, but mostly people were very helpful. I would say with 10% of the venues I contacted I was playing phone tag.
Once the emails were sent, it was the waiting game. I would touch base with them each week and a half and see how things were coming along. Maybe my tact is a lot better than I thought, because I managed not to annoy anyone. In each city along the way back to Kansas, I contacted about 30 venues. The phone calls were twice that (and sometimes more), and the emails were twice that as well. Lots of dead-ends, no responses, wrong numbers, broken email addresses, "you need a draw", and lots of "we only do full rock bands". But the one that killed me most was, "we'd love to have you, but we can't afford to pay artists". Playing in Los Angeles, all I kept hearing was about these magical venues outside of California that pay. If you don't know, it's tough for original music to make decent money out here in L.A. unless you get a consistent head count of 30 people and more. These are usually reserved for the hot-chick bands, or the main-stream indie rock scene. The conclusion was that maybe I was going about this whole thing the wrong way, but it was the only way I knew so for the time being I plunged head first.
When it came down to it. I booked none of the venues I contacted initially. Even the ones that said they would love to have me but couldn't pay, because at this point with all the waiting, late June had crept up on me like the crazies on the Venice Boardwalk. There was no time to contact media for promotion and the odds were (if there anything like the venues I know) foot traffic isn't that booming unless there's proper promotion or there's a band there that has a huge following. So, I went to plan C (which occurred to me after racking my brains for a while). I had completely over- looked a perfect music-friendly place where people would for sure be there ready to enjoy and buy music: Borders!
Surprisingly, to my misfortune, there are tons of Border's that don't have live music! I sifted through and ended up booked through some very friendly, and helpful folks in Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. The only promotion I could do at that point was contact the local publications and get on their calendar. This process was quick and easy and it was the least I could do (but the most, considering the time-frame at this point). They turned out to be great shows, and yes, people were very receptive and I ended up selling some merchandise! Also, I made some new friends along the way. Some of these people said the next time I came around they'll get me in contact with people and venues they know that would be perfect for what I do. So it begins.
In the end I consider it to be a more of a roadtrip than a tour, but I now have insight. I have more of a handle on what I'm suppose to do. People are very helpful, you just have to ask the right questions. I imagine it's the same with most things: just keep going until you find the right path. Luckily I had a friend to travel with. My buddy and I had an amazing time seeing good friends along the way and some breathtaking sights. Definitely a wonderful experience.
What's next? Portland tour!
Photo Album 1
Photo Album 2
I began to prepare in April by asking my friends who have been on tour questions and asking for contacts. I mapped out my route and the dates which I'd be in each location. By May, I found myself sending out emails on my prepared list, and also from lists found on the internet, such as http://www.onlinegigs.com/. After the first week of writing emails, I realized that it would be best to have called first, asked for names, and touched base before I shot out emails like a bandit on a shooting spree. So I began to do that. Some people had no idea what I was talking about, but mostly people were very helpful. I would say with 10% of the venues I contacted I was playing phone tag.
Once the emails were sent, it was the waiting game. I would touch base with them each week and a half and see how things were coming along. Maybe my tact is a lot better than I thought, because I managed not to annoy anyone. In each city along the way back to Kansas, I contacted about 30 venues. The phone calls were twice that (and sometimes more), and the emails were twice that as well. Lots of dead-ends, no responses, wrong numbers, broken email addresses, "you need a draw", and lots of "we only do full rock bands". But the one that killed me most was, "we'd love to have you, but we can't afford to pay artists". Playing in Los Angeles, all I kept hearing was about these magical venues outside of California that pay. If you don't know, it's tough for original music to make decent money out here in L.A. unless you get a consistent head count of 30 people and more. These are usually reserved for the hot-chick bands, or the main-stream indie rock scene. The conclusion was that maybe I was going about this whole thing the wrong way, but it was the only way I knew so for the time being I plunged head first.
When it came down to it. I booked none of the venues I contacted initially. Even the ones that said they would love to have me but couldn't pay, because at this point with all the waiting, late June had crept up on me like the crazies on the Venice Boardwalk. There was no time to contact media for promotion and the odds were (if there anything like the venues I know) foot traffic isn't that booming unless there's proper promotion or there's a band there that has a huge following. So, I went to plan C (which occurred to me after racking my brains for a while). I had completely over- looked a perfect music-friendly place where people would for sure be there ready to enjoy and buy music: Borders!
Surprisingly, to my misfortune, there are tons of Border's that don't have live music! I sifted through and ended up booked through some very friendly, and helpful folks in Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. The only promotion I could do at that point was contact the local publications and get on their calendar. This process was quick and easy and it was the least I could do (but the most, considering the time-frame at this point). They turned out to be great shows, and yes, people were very receptive and I ended up selling some merchandise! Also, I made some new friends along the way. Some of these people said the next time I came around they'll get me in contact with people and venues they know that would be perfect for what I do. So it begins.
In the end I consider it to be a more of a roadtrip than a tour, but I now have insight. I have more of a handle on what I'm suppose to do. People are very helpful, you just have to ask the right questions. I imagine it's the same with most things: just keep going until you find the right path. Luckily I had a friend to travel with. My buddy and I had an amazing time seeing good friends along the way and some breathtaking sights. Definitely a wonderful experience.
What's next? Portland tour!
Photo Album 1
Photo Album 2
We just got a new review!
Yes! We got review from Little Rat Bastard. LittleRatBastard.com is an online resource for music. As they put it, they have "written reviews, as well as original news articles, RSS feeds, links to your favorite artists pages & social networks, plus links to purchase both new & old music alike." Go check them out! In the meantime, check out our kickass review at http://www.littleratbastard.com/?p=5146!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
March Newsletter: So Far SO Good! Gigs, News, Max Neptune!
By now we're sure that all of you have indulged your curiosity of Avatar, are thinking of checking out The Hurt Locker and will continue to update your facebook account statuses with random tidbits about the day. Ah, yes. All is well. Except for the Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt tabloids at the grocery store. Will they ever get back together? LOL
Well here's a tabloid for you, Noble Creatures is going to open up for the USA Chivas soccer team at their opening game of the season at the Home Depot Stadium this Friday the 26th!! We are extremely excited & grateful to have this opportunity! In between our set (I'm happy to announce) the "Chivas Girls" will be performing their routine. Of course, I'm sure you'll all be there to watch us mainly, right? ... right?! ...Hello? Anyone? Haha, we don't blame you.
In other news Luis has finished the score to the film Max Neptune and the Menacing Squid. If you love campy, sci-fi, B movie, space-adventures, you're gonna love this. Check it out on myspace, youtube, and facebook!
We would like to take a moment to remind you how much we love you guys! Your support has meant a tremendous amount to us. It is truly a blessing. If you haven't already, don't forget to pick up our free gift for you here. Enjoy!
As always, stop by our website and drop us a line at our forum. Like to Youtube? You can check us out at our youtube account.
Well here's a tabloid for you, Noble Creatures is going to open up for the USA Chivas soccer team at their opening game of the season at the Home Depot Stadium this Friday the 26th!! We are extremely excited & grateful to have this opportunity! In between our set (I'm happy to announce) the "Chivas Girls" will be performing their routine. Of course, I'm sure you'll all be there to watch us mainly, right? ... right?! ...Hello? Anyone? Haha, we don't blame you.
In other news Luis has finished the score to the film Max Neptune and the Menacing Squid. If you love campy, sci-fi, B movie, space-adventures, you're gonna love this. Check it out on myspace, youtube, and facebook!
We would like to take a moment to remind you how much we love you guys! Your support has meant a tremendous amount to us. It is truly a blessing. If you haven't already, don't forget to pick up our free gift for you here. Enjoy!
As always, stop by our website and drop us a line at our forum. Like to Youtube? You can check us out at our youtube account.
Luis Narino & Noble Creatures
MARCH SHOW
Fri 26th, HOME DEPOT STADIUM, Carson, CA 6pm (Band)
APRIL SHOWS
Sat 3rd, GOOD HURT, Santa Monica, Midnight (Band)
Wed 7th, ROOM 5 LOUNGE, Los Angeles, 8pm (Solo)
Fri 16th, OLD TOWNE PUB, Pasadena 11pm (Band)
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