No music scene? So start your own! | Kuwait-Music.com | February 11, 2012
No music scene? So start your own!
Feb 2012 11

No music scene? So start your own!17

Posted In General Tips,Tips and Advice

So we’ve been whining and cribbing about the fact that there’s no “scene” for years now. And unless someone does something about it, the country will remain “scene-less”. Here are ways you can start your own scene and thrive in it too.

If there’s going to be a scene, someone needs to have the vision and initiative to start it.

1) The first thing that you need to do is find at least one good venue. What you want to look for are venues that are:

a) inexpensive
b) legal to play at
c) great in atmosphere
d) willing to give you the freedom to set up your own shows

 

2) The next thing you’ll need to figure out is getting the right bands (however few they may be) to come along for the ride. There are many bands in Kuwait who would love to play just for the sheer pleasure of a jam up or performing before an audience. Find them and get them excited. If they are excited, they will evangelize and therein let the word spread. The key lies in your first show. Its a hit or miss. If you hit, you’ll be sought after, if you miss you can forget the whole idea. That’s just the way things work here.

 

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3) Music is great, but if you’re going to want a sustainable audience over a period of time, you’ll have to offer some entertainment too. Not everyone that comes to a music event is a hardcore music fan. Some just want to be entertained and that is mostly the case in Kuwait. Throw in some variety like a magician or a single instrument performer that will divert some of the energies toward a different spectacle so that energies can be brought back in when the bands get back on.

 

4) Building a “scene” is not only about getting people through the door , its also about the follow up, the community you build right after. This is THE biggest mistake most bands in Kuwait make. Follow up with your fans on twitter, offer free stuff right after the show and have a VIP club for loyal fans. It all goes well into building the community you need.

 

 

  

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17 Comments

  1. fouad says:
    February 11, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    any party going on today ??? haven’t been in a party since November …..yes I stayed at home on new year

    Reply
  2. Ahmad S. Al-Hamily says:
    February 12, 2012 at 12:26 am

    We need a scene to represent. To show our own color. I think studying other scenes also allows us to learn. Good article, points well taken.

    Reply
  3. Nariné (Kuwait Music) says:
    February 12, 2012 at 8:36 am

    I said it on FB, and i’ll say it here too:
    “to be honest, I don’t see any passionate musicians in kuwait. period. I started a facebook group for cat lovers 2-3 weeks back. and we currently have 62 fans and ALL OF THEM are active, they visit daily, give suggestions. I can feel their passion day in and day out. As for musicians or music lovers, they are walking dead”

    Reply
    • Caesar (Kuwait Music) says:
      February 12, 2012 at 8:44 am

      Yup , partially agree – I think more than passionate the musicians in Kuwait are selfish . Me myself and I . There are an exceptional few looking to collaborate but a majority don’t care about building the other up . The first successful step to harnessing a good music ecosystem in the country is for kuwait’s musicians to lose the self righteous attitude .

      Reply
      • Ahmad S. Al-Hamily says:
        February 12, 2012 at 12:18 pm

        Guys its all about coopertion. But does anyone care, that’s the million dollar question? We should fight for our passion and not lose hope. I mean this feature is supposed to provoke a reaction and it’s I guess it’s us who care really care.

        @Nariné: I’m very passionate about music. Does it make a difference? I hope it does. I hope other people share similar sentiments. I mean who knows?!

        Reply
        • Nariné (Kuwait Music) says:
          February 12, 2012 at 3:16 pm

          I know Ahmad, but it really takes a whole lot more effort than a few people’s individual efforts to build a community. I don’t think any of the people in kuwait who claim they love music, they actually want a music community in kuwait.

          I have 2 sentences:
          Music lovers are happy with their CD’s, DVD’s and MP3 players.
          Musicians are happy with jamming at home, and recording music and have a fancy CD.
          Both have no idea what value a music community can bring to their life.

          You know I started a new blog about animals in kuwait, after only 2 weeks from starting a Facebook group about cat owners in Kuwait. You should see these people Ahmad, they come and say good morning, good afternoon, and good evening. They ask about the wellbeing of the other members. And very few of them know each other in real life. It really takes a genuine heart to build a positive attitude and a sense of belonging. I don’t see that passion in the community of musicians, if there is any at all.

          Reply
          • Ahmad S. Al-Hamily says:
            February 12, 2012 at 6:08 pm

            But the end of the day, the scene is meek and everybody works at spit shining their own image and their own glory. It’s how the industry works. Survival of the fittest. That’s the only example it provides. What we need is a case study and Implemenation.

            Reply
  4. djell says:
    February 12, 2012 at 5:28 pm

    no culture was ever birthed from a defeatist attitude. Rather than focus on what isn’t working – a healthy way forward is to focus on what is working and build from there.

    Reply
  5. Kathryn says:
    February 12, 2012 at 10:42 pm

    I think the biggest problem we face is not so much the passion but the fact that there isn’t any venue available where it is legal to play which doesn’t cost a fortune to rent, if one of us can get over this hurdle then we are three quarters of the way there I feel.

    Reply
  6. Dejan - Switchback says:
    February 14, 2012 at 9:59 am

    I think that the biggest problem is that Kuwaitis just don’t care. This is their country. If they want something to change, they have to do it, not us expats. We can talk and sprout philosophical BS all we want, but ultimately, they need to get involved.

    Reply
  7. Ahmad S. Al-Hamily says:
    February 15, 2012 at 9:48 pm

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardcore_punk

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Band_Could_Be_Your_Life

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HarDCore

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dischord_records

    These are documents that are available for us as blueprints and I’m not sharing this because its oooooh soooo punk. Seriously, reading through the history and experience of others might benefit it us all. You guys released and album?!! Well, help others to do that too.

    Played in a live show? Well, bring others on board. Heck, support a band from another country and gain experience from their mishaps and triumphs.

    Oh of course whom am I to say this is right or wrong. Just share around your experiences.

    Reply
    • Caesar (Kuwait Music) says:
      February 16, 2012 at 9:43 am

      Thanks for sharing Ahmed, very resourceful!

      Reply
      • Ahmad S. Al-Hamily says:
        February 16, 2012 at 2:06 pm

        I think I wrote something here. Oh well.

        What I wrote came along the line of …. We need to blend our goals to reach the common goal of being able to build a “scene”
        This won’t happen until we mix our aspirations. We might not believe in whatever mambo jumbo each one of us believe in but at least we should share and learn and help out and when I say help out I mean practice what you preach.

        I could give you a number of names that actually do that but that’s beside the point. Blaming it on us, them, he, she, it won’t lead us anywhere. I say work work work and do do do and maybe at the end of the line we’d go like” wow we did that?”

        Reply
  8. Anjan says:
    March 25, 2012 at 11:52 pm

    I play lead guitar (Metal) and I’m looking for band members .Anyone interested please reply :)

    Reply

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