How to find a music collaborator/bandmate these days?

How to find a music collaborator/bandmate these days?

I'm in my early thirties with two young kids. It's been a while since I've been part of the local music scene, but I'd really like to start a low key electronic music project.

How do you go about finding new people to play music with?

posted by drezdn (7 comments total)

I found my band with bandmix.com. We've also used Craigslist to find people. Depending on your area, my guess is there are more people on Craigslist, but the signal to noise ratio is higher on bandmix, plus you can listen to people's samples and read their profile before you contact them.

Good luck!
posted by jpdoane at 6:55 AM on August 5, 2011

It depends if you're in a rural or an urban area. In an urban area, social media will get you there (kijiji/craigslist/music stores/local free rags/whatever). In a rural area like where I live it is much harder. You need to plug in to the local music community. This means asking around at music stores, rehearsal rooms, studios, jam nights, anything. Local audio visual supply companies (the guys who rent out PAs and stages) may be a good resource.
posted by unSane at 8:24 PM on August 5, 2011

I've had 0 luck with Craigslist. I've met my favorite musical partners via jam sessions and friends-of-friends.
posted by audiodidactic at 3:35 PM on August 6, 2011

As unSane said, a good deal of this is all about where you are. As for myself, living in Tokyo, the incredible, overflowing wealth of great musicians here is, well, it's almost mind boggling. It's absolutely no problem finding folks to play with. Really wish I could offer some applicable advice to you, drezdn, but I can't really think of anything beyond the suggestions unSane made.

I'd be curious to know, where are you?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:06 AM on August 8, 2011

I'm in Milwaukee, WI, US. There's a music scene here, but the people in it that I know don't seem interested in the areas I want to go (I mainly know indie rockers, and I really want to do electronic stuff).
posted by drezdn at 6:03 PM on August 11, 2011

Yeah, I struggle with this myself...I've tried Bandmix and Craigslist without any luck, maybe it's just me.

I found my latest vocalist through Indaba Music, but it seems geared more towards online collaboration. Still, it might be worth a look.
posted by malocchio at 8:33 AM on August 12, 2011

I've had mixed success between Craigs, going to shows to try to meet/see similar-minded musicians, and hanging flyers in strategic places (record stores, on campus, bars who book acts in your vein, hangouts). All three of those methods are going to net you a zillion *wrong* people, but they've also found me the right people for different projects. The idea is to play the numbers game-- cast a wide enough net, and your chances for finding the right people are greater.

The key is patience; weed out the wrong people with polite "Thanks, but I'm looking for something different right now" emails/calls. Follow up potential good fits with face-to-face meetings that focus solely on talking (not playing!). Talk about music in general, what you're trying to do with your specific project, and stuff that has nothing to do with music; you'll be amazed how much you can suss out about a potential bandmate with a half-hour meeting at a coffeehouse or bar.

Just don't give up! Nothing sucks worse than feeling trapped in a band that's a bad fit for you; finding the right person will pay off a thousand times over.

Seriously, though, you'll find somebody in Milwaukee. It's plenty big and cool enough.
posted by Rykey at 3:54 PM on September 9, 2011