needed to be said

[Gozu]

venues in the scene here are pretty proactive with promotion good posters good flyering that sort of thing. the DIY scene is even better though... if you don't mind not getting much and lending a hand you can play to ram packed basements and industrial units

[Chankgeez]

As someone who plays primarily "DIY" (for lack of a better term) shows in a band that plays no cover material and a 20 minute set, I feel almost as if I can't even relate to this. I've never played a show with the intention of getting paid. Whenever I do, it's a pleasant surprise. I play because I want to play. I'm not desperate. Shit, I don't book shows, or ever ask. People come to me with shows, I say yes, and that's how we get our schedule set. But, like, I feel as if I'm portrayed as the illegal Mexican immigrant of live music. I'll do what you will do, for less or nothing, thus ruining YOUR money.

Thing is, I don't do what you do. The people that would book your band would not like my band one bit. And I never want them to. I play to express myself, and the moment I focus on money, I'm gonna use that money to buy a shotgun and a shell, and I'm gonna fucking off myself.

I don't know why I said any of this, except for that this was just a thread of people complaining about not getting paid.

Yeah, who cares why you said it. That was awesome.

There's a huge difference between "professional" and DIY though. Totally different priorities and expectations.

There has been a shift, however, to view DIY venues as being more legitimate places to play. A lot of bands prefer them to traditional venues. Usually less overhead, better attitudes and It sorta cuts out the middle man. You have a direct relationship with people who care.