It's being hosted by the new InDEpendence Musician Network, and will take place from 7-10pm Monday at Firestone, on the riverfront. This will be an inaugural, informal meeting of the group, which aims to "create a thriving music scene in Delaware", and will be hosted by a couple of people who work for local soft-pop station WSTW. You can read their mission statement on the Facebook event page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=197520753616242
I have mixed feelings about this organization. I think it's good that someone is taking the initiative to develop the music scene in Delaware. On the other hand, WSTW caters to a certain type of market, and you need to be the judge as to whether the advice you receive from them is relevant to your band. But ultimately, this enterprise is probably worth it just to get area musicians together, talking. So I would say to anyone attending this - take the "official advice" with a grain of salt. However, enjoy the opportunity to just network with fellow musicians. Maybe somebody will be inspired to organize and promote more shows. In that light, good things can come of this.
My own personal advice, as someone who has had glimpses inside the world of national touring acts, is this: observe what bands do in larger markets, and focus on getting your music out of Delaware, into those larger markets - at least until Delaware truly does have a thriving scene where a band might get noticed. I'm not saying you have to move to a neighboring city, although that would make things easier. But playing the Logan Houses and the Mojos and even the Delaware festivals will only get your band more gigs in the same places. It's hard to come from Delaware and break into a larger market, but that's where your energy should be going if you're really serious about it.
However, if you're content just playing around Delaware, there's nothing wrong with that, and you have a much easier road ahead of you. In that case, just be dependable - show up at sound checks on time. Return emails from club owners. I've heard stories recently about "original nights" at area venues falling apart because half the bands didn't show up. It's no wonder that few clubs in the area book original music - make fun of the cover bands if you want, but they're reliable. If you can have an even marginally-talented original band that shows up when they're supposed to, you've won half the battle for a career in the Delaware circuit.
My second piece of advice is simple: don't be a prick. Don't refuse to be on a bill just because you won't be headlining and you think you're better than the headliner. Every big break my band has ever had has come of fostering good relationships with other compatible bands. Don't make snide comments about your friend's band on the internet. They will pick up on it, and if they're ever in a position to open a door for you, they'll remember your lack of support. This may sound like a no-brainer. But talent often means extreme ego, and that's a pitfall that's difficult for talented musicians to avoid, in my experience. The bottom line is that if you're coming from a tiny scene like Delaware, you can't afford to have that kind of bridge-burning ego just yet. Just my two cents.
