This outlines our guidelines for
playing at the Grind Coffeehouse. We put it up on our blog as a way
for prospective bands to see how we handle our shows.
We are pretty laid back about the
whole music thing..and we try and be up front with bands about our
capabilities. We are a little coffeeshop thats established a bit of a
music following in the area. We cant promise crowds of people, but
really we've found no venue can.
Who's playing on the bill?
Typically 2-4 groups that are familiar
with each other join up for a show. One of the groups then asks to
setup a date with us. This is our preferred setup. Potential drama is
reduced, and the groups seem to be more likely to show and support
each other.
What about money?
We dont charge musicians and the other
side of that is that we cant afford to pay either. BUT we do
provide tasty free coffee drinks for band members!
We tend to do free shows but also
sometimes allow the musician to charge a cover (Max $5), especially
out of town ones to cover gas costs. If there is a cover charge, the
entire cover goes to the musician(s). If you go the tip jar route,
those are of course also 100% yours to keep.
Due to ASCAP ( and other copyright
organization) restrictions we can only allow the performance of
original music. Normally this isnt a problem since most bands that
play here don't consider playing covers, but we need to state it
anyway.
Again, No covers.
Where do we play, and on what
equipment?
We have a little indoor stage, and a
bigger stage out back on our cool little patio. We've had entire
bands set up in both areas with no problems. In the cooler monthes or
periods of bad weather we will have music events inside. The 1 major
difference Music outside has to end by 10:00 pm due to local
ordinance.
We do not own our own PA equipment. We can rent it
for you, if you need it. We have 2 levels of rental available to us:
1. 'line 6' 100 watt acoustic
guitar amp, 1 JBL powered speaker with mic
We would charge $15
for this.
2. A full PA with 2 mics, powered
6 channel mixer, 2 100 watt cabinet speakers.
We would charge $30
for this.
Let us know your needs on this part.
Seriously, if we don't know that you need a PA before the night you
play there may not be one available for you.
Promotion?
Flyers and handbills aren't a problem.
We can design them, (look at our past flyers here on myspace
for
examples) or you can provide one, as you wish. Either way we
have an excellent printer that we can print them with.
There are several websites where I will
put up any show, as well as our own site, and of course here on
myspace. We generally put up flyers at the local colleges (Clark,
PSU).
Depending solely on our promotion
abilities may net you 0 audience, or on the best of nights we could
fill the place. Its hard to predict, and may rely on the other bands
playing that night. We've outlined the extent of our ability in this
area, so any promotion that you can do will also be beneficial.
What can we play?
Our shows have a decent variety. We've
had electronica (trance/house), rock, punk, scream-o, hard-core punk,
folk, blues, spoken word, and more! Genres we do not do are country,
hip-hop, and overtly religious.
We are supporting entirely original
music played by the artists that wrote it. We do not support,
and have not paid for licenses to any music covered by BMI ASCAP or
any other organization of that form. You are not welcome to
play any music that violates copyright or performance rights, which essentially boils down
to No Covers.
Notes for traveling groups and their
promotions people:
We're happy to mix traveling and local
groups together. This is most successful when the touring group finds
a hosting local band to play with them. We will rarely set up bands
that dont know each other on our own.
Why? Partially because we really do
suck at pairing bands up with each other. Further when its done on
the bands terms it helps reduce drama, and keeps the music styles at
least somewhat compatible.
Tour
Deposit
Touring bands are welcome, and they add
a great spice to shows. We have infamously bad luck with their
reliability however, especially when they request a show on their
own. Cancellations are hard on us, and any fans that come out to the
show. (We've had fans drive here from Astoria to see a band that
cancelled that same day.) Breaking the news to those fans really does
suck!
To reduce this there is a $50 deposit
for a touring group (Those outside roughly the portland,vancouver
metro areas) to reserve a calendar date on their own. This is 100%
refunded after the show. Payable with cash, check, or money order
mailed to our address:
The Grind Coffeehouse
611 w 11th st
vancouver, wa 98660 or sent to
our paypal account @ dvb@rocketmail.com
or dropped off in person.
If the band misses the performance, the
deposit is forfeited. We are flexible and understanding.. just trying
to keep everything working smoothly.
Option B is to find a local band
that wants to share the bill. Then at least we will have a small show
if you don't show. ..and yes I know 'you'll show!'. Which is
coincidentally what every band that has cancelled also said at some
point. :p
tiny.cc/D9T9S