Tuesday, May 24, 2005
A hearty thanks
I am writing this now with my eyes having been dialated and I am seeing things a little blurry across my computer screen --- but...On behalf of my twin, Zach , and myself -- I would like to express a warm thanks to the people who came out to The Evens show on Sunday evening at the Hughes Library in Stroudsburg, Pa.
Since the summer of 1998 we have been doing events sporadically at the library---it has become our favorite spot to do shows. And while we have had fond memories of each event, workshop (music and non-music related) this one has been particulary great in many manners.
First, it was great from a perspective of nearly everyone I saw there (and there was quite a few people in attendance) leave with a smile on thier face. Second, there was a generous showing of monetary donations that exceeded any previous event we have done there. To those that gave, thanks a lot. To those that didn't -- thanks for just being there, but special thanks to those that gave.
I will tell you why it is important to help donate to a public library. Public libraries are in my mind, a foundation of knowledge and culture. Unfortunately, there are sometimes people that would like to see some of that foundation taken away. It isn't even relegated to one political party or group of curmudgeon old blowhards as it would sometimes seem.
So, it was good for the library staff and board to notice that this event was very successful in that manner. The generosity of those who give or can afford to give are appreciated. We already have some ideas in mind for future events, and that money will help maintain that we can do more programs there. Ian told us, "Please keep doing stuff here as long as you can." And, while we will both most likely be leaving this burg within a years time -- we would like to utilize that opportunity while we have it.
Wherever we may be in the future, we would still like to be connected with our community roots --- wether it be by doing shows in the punk spirit, or more workshops, rallies, etc. And if anyone reads this in any locale -- I urge you to not take your local community for granted. If you live in a small town and think no one is like you, you are gravely mistaken. If you think no one would like to see a bunch of small punk bands from a high school play -- you are wrong. Build it up.
My brother and I have seen unfortunately, a lot of people come and go. Not just people who left the area -- that's understandable-- people get jobs, etc. But we have met a lot of "fly by night" kids who used to call us names, say we weren't doing punk shows because they didn't fit a mold or style that they felt comfortable with.
You know what--- forget them. Do what you like. That's what we've always done, and it might not be the most popular with some individuals--- and sometimes you may get a dozen people to show up or you may have a couple of hundred or more show up to a show or event.
Don't let those things about audience draw come first. Of course you want to do your best to try and get people out but making money out of the independent music scene or out of activism is not going to happen too often. I've lost some money here and there on doing this and the only times I've actually made money out of a show was a pure fluke and added up to perhaps a meals worth for 3 or 4 people at a cheap diner.
It is difficult sometimes, and sometimes it can be a real hassle -- but it really is a labor of love and for me comes from the idea that you can share something with your community yourself -- and not have to deal with those major rock clubs. It is important to keep that do it yourself ethic alive. There are a lot of people doing that in this country and here in eastern pa...(read the following paragraph for a somewhat namedrop)...
I would also like to thank Robert and Jeff the Pigeon in Allentown for actually taking the initiative themselves to contact us about how they didn't want to do a show at the same time we were. That was nice and there was indeed a minor amount of crossover in the audience at the show who were going to that one afterwards. So thanks.
So...thanks for everything and I promise I will post those playlists tomorrow (for those that like that sort of thing).
Since the summer of 1998 we have been doing events sporadically at the library---it has become our favorite spot to do shows. And while we have had fond memories of each event, workshop (music and non-music related) this one has been particulary great in many manners.
First, it was great from a perspective of nearly everyone I saw there (and there was quite a few people in attendance) leave with a smile on thier face. Second, there was a generous showing of monetary donations that exceeded any previous event we have done there. To those that gave, thanks a lot. To those that didn't -- thanks for just being there, but special thanks to those that gave.
I will tell you why it is important to help donate to a public library. Public libraries are in my mind, a foundation of knowledge and culture. Unfortunately, there are sometimes people that would like to see some of that foundation taken away. It isn't even relegated to one political party or group of curmudgeon old blowhards as it would sometimes seem.
So, it was good for the library staff and board to notice that this event was very successful in that manner. The generosity of those who give or can afford to give are appreciated. We already have some ideas in mind for future events, and that money will help maintain that we can do more programs there. Ian told us, "Please keep doing stuff here as long as you can." And, while we will both most likely be leaving this burg within a years time -- we would like to utilize that opportunity while we have it.
Wherever we may be in the future, we would still like to be connected with our community roots --- wether it be by doing shows in the punk spirit, or more workshops, rallies, etc. And if anyone reads this in any locale -- I urge you to not take your local community for granted. If you live in a small town and think no one is like you, you are gravely mistaken. If you think no one would like to see a bunch of small punk bands from a high school play -- you are wrong. Build it up.
My brother and I have seen unfortunately, a lot of people come and go. Not just people who left the area -- that's understandable-- people get jobs, etc. But we have met a lot of "fly by night" kids who used to call us names, say we weren't doing punk shows because they didn't fit a mold or style that they felt comfortable with.
You know what--- forget them. Do what you like. That's what we've always done, and it might not be the most popular with some individuals--- and sometimes you may get a dozen people to show up or you may have a couple of hundred or more show up to a show or event.
Don't let those things about audience draw come first. Of course you want to do your best to try and get people out but making money out of the independent music scene or out of activism is not going to happen too often. I've lost some money here and there on doing this and the only times I've actually made money out of a show was a pure fluke and added up to perhaps a meals worth for 3 or 4 people at a cheap diner.
It is difficult sometimes, and sometimes it can be a real hassle -- but it really is a labor of love and for me comes from the idea that you can share something with your community yourself -- and not have to deal with those major rock clubs. It is important to keep that do it yourself ethic alive. There are a lot of people doing that in this country and here in eastern pa...(read the following paragraph for a somewhat namedrop)...
I would also like to thank Robert and Jeff the Pigeon in Allentown for actually taking the initiative themselves to contact us about how they didn't want to do a show at the same time we were. That was nice and there was indeed a minor amount of crossover in the audience at the show who were going to that one afterwards. So thanks.
So...thanks for everything and I promise I will post those playlists tomorrow (for those that like that sort of thing).
# posted by zeke/zach @ 3:32 PM 
