SHOWCASE and Christmas Party!
WEDNESDAY December 18, 2019, 7:30-10:00pm
One of the most comfortable stages in Southern California to showcase your music! A place to “test drive” your new material and connect with other creatives; songwriters, artists, and performers! Sign up early if you want to play, 2 songs or 10 minutes per artist! No fee, no cover, in other words, FREE. RSVP to showcase@songnet.info .
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
SongNet “Family” review. “Who do I sound like?”
WEDNESDAY December 4, 2019, 7:30pm-10:00pm
Jimi & Stephen
Who do I sound like?
THE PROBLEM. So, you’re looking to upload your song to apply for a film/tv placement, and they ask you for a “similar artist” or someone who “sounds like” some examples they provide. But you really don’t know who you sound like or whether it will fit what they’re looking for.
THE SOLUTION. SongNet has some of the best writers & artists around, and also some of the most encouraging. In fact, we often refer to it as our “lil’ Songwriting family”. The fact is, that you may sound like someone from another generation, or someone you’ve never heard of!
So this year, we’re having TWO special gatherings in December. Rather than a guest speaker (Yes, Joanne Ledesma starts the new year again!) we’re having an IN HOUSE review session, to share each other’s work, what we’ve learned through SongNet, and answer that elusive and important question, “Who does my music sound like” (“similar artists”)!
Yes, stuff on CD is still the preferred format, this is NOT our showcase (party is Dec 18th) but live is okay if you have something you want us to look at.
Even if you have nothing to share, you WILL learn from your family here, and possibly discover a collaboration opportunity or three!
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 Near Fair Oaks and Orange Grove
Warner/CW rep Koi Howard
WEDNESDAY November 6, 2019, 7:30pm-10:00pm
Koi Howard!
Classically trained as a vocalist at the Royal Academy of Music in London, Alison “Koi” (pronounced Ko-ey) Howard performed internationally in lead roles in productions such as Cats, The Sound of Music, Little Women, Aladdin, Die Fledermaus, and Cosi fan tutte to name a few. Her interest in the business aspects of music as well got her a post as a music licensing coordinator for the WB Television Network (now the CW) and currently as a freelance coordinator/supervisor.
As a lyricist herself, Koi hopes to encourage composers and songwriters in their pursuit of creating great music. As you know, whenever we have ANYONE from the majors as a guest seats get filled quickly , however you’re always welcome if you are running a little late because as always. These opportunities may be PRICELESS , but the price to attend is FREE!
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103 Near Fair Oaks and Orange Grove
SHOWCASE
WEDNESDAY October 16, 2019, 7:30-10:00pm
One of the most comfortable stages in Southern California to showcase your music! A place to “test drive” your new material and connect with other creatives; songwriters, artists, and performers! Sign up early if you want to play, 2 songs or 10 minutes per artist! No fee, no cover, in other words, FREE. RSVP to showcase@songnet.info .
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
Diane Ujiye
WEDNESDAY October 2, 2019, 7:30pm-10:00pm
Diane Ujiye!
Minister Diane Ujiye is a lead organizer for L.A. Voice, a “Multi-racial, multi-faith community organization that awakens people to their own power, training them to speak, act, and work together to transform our county in to one that reflects the dignity of all people”.
With over 20 years of experience working in substance abuse, gang intervention, mental health, HIV/AIDS, and more, her work in civil rights has resulted in passage of state legislation. She understands that during the upcoming holidays, many people will find themselves in need, and as artists, we can find ourselves on both sides of the situation, providing help and assistance, or in need of it. Because we believe it is important, heck, CRITICAL that our lil’ songwriting family is informed and covered in every part of life, not just music, we felt it is important to address issues outside of music that affect us all.
This is one you want to bring non-musician friends to as well, because we’ll be addressing a lot of things that you NEED to know. As always, PRICELESS information, FREE! L.A. Voice’s Diane Ujiye
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
SHOWCASE
WEDNESDAY September 18, 2019, 7:30-10:00pm
One of the most comfortable stages in Southern California to showcase your music! A place to “test drive” your new material and connect with other creatives; songwriters, artists, and performers! Sign up early if you want to play, 2 songs or 10 minutes per artist! No fee, no cover, in other words, FREE. RSVP to showcase@songnet.info .
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
Paul Zollo
WEDNESDAY September 4, 2019, 7:30pm-10:00pm
Paul Zollo!
Conversations with Tom Petty. Songwriters on Songwriting. Conversations with Randy Newman. Bob Dylan: Intimate insights. Hollywood remembered. And more!, Since 1987, Paul Zollo’s dedicated himself to interviewing the world’s greatest songwriters. A longtime journalist who has contributed to the L.A. Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Variety, Billboard, Rolling Stone and many other publications, he’s the former editor of SongTalk magazine, and current Senior editor of American Songwriter magazine. He’s also the chief editor of BluerailroadWhere Leonard Cohen is famously quoted” “If I knew where the great songs came from, I would go there more often.”
Insights and information you can’t get any other way, he’s got more and better stories than anyone else in the business. The kind of stories you can LEARN from for your own work. A great artist in his own right, he’s got real world knowledge from the best of the best and you’ll get to hear about it all and ask questions, AND his books will be available for sale!
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
SHOWCASE
WEDNESDAY August 21, 2019, 7:30-10:00pm
One of the most comfortable stages in Southern California to showcase your music! A place to “test drive” your new material and connect with other creatives; songwriters, artists, and performers! Sign up early if you want to play, 2 songs or 10 minutes per artist! No fee, no cover, in other words, FREE. RSVP to showcase@songnet.info .
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
Kenji Nakai!
WEDNESDAY August 7, 2019, 7:30pm-10:00pm
Kenji-Nakai!
If you’ve ever listened to Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Duran Duran Tom Petty, Cheap Trick, The Scorpions & many other chart-topping artists, you’ve probably heard the work of Kenji Nakai.
Working with producers such as David Foster, Rick Rubin, Ted Templeman, Tom Scott & Bill Champlin, and on major video game soundtracks (Final Fantasy IX and XII, Mario Kart 8, Ridge Racer 6, Romancing Saga, Dragon’s Dogma) as well as shows like Scrubs & Grace & Frankie, Kenji’s experience in every aspect of mixing & recording provides him with a unique and valuable perspective in all things audio. He’s a contributing writer for PROSOUND Magazine, and a respected teacher for sound and recording at many universities and colleges including Tokyo University of the Arts and other international schools.
This is a very special opportunity to not only understand the basics & essence of mixing, but more importantly, how YOU can make your work sound right so it gets picked up by music supervisors & hitmakers in the industry. More than just “Mixing101” Kenji will be listening to YOUR work and providing information that often costs a LOT of money at his classes and workshops…FREE!
No excuses. You CAN make a great recording with basic equipment, if you know what you are doing. This is your chance. Bring your notepads demos & dreams!
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
SHOWCASE
WEDNESDAY July 17, 2019, 7:30-10:00pm
One of the most comfortable stages in Southern California to showcase your music! A place to “test drive” your new material and connect with other creatives; songwriters, artists, and performers! Sign up early if you want to play, 2 songs or 10 minutes per artist! No fee, no cover, in other words, FREE. RSVP to showcase@songnet.info .
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
PITCH NIGHT WITH JOANNE LEDESMA!
WEDNESDAY July 3 , 7:30pm-10:00pm
Joanne Ledesma!
Joanne now has one of the largest music libraries around, and is always looking for new music!
We do these a couple of times a year, & every time it’s a full house, because not only is it an opportunity to have YOUR work heard by an industry pro, it’s also a great way to meet others, hear what’s out there competing for the same spots, and getting great real-world response from both Joanne and the crowd. Her full cred is listed several places (including links on our website & social media) so you can just go there if you want, or just come with your BEST on CD (lyric sheets too) & see why she is always welcomed back again & again to talk about what it takes to make it & how YOU can make it happen…and maybe have YOUR stuff go home with her! FREE!
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
SHOWCASE
WEDNESDAY June 19, 2019, 7:30-10:00pm
One of the most comfortable stages in Southern California to showcase your music! A place to “test drive” your new material and connect with other creatives; songwriters, artists, and performers! Sign up early if you want to play, 2 songs or 10 minutes per artist! No fee, no cover, in other words, FREE. RSVP to showcase@songnet.info .
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
Jimi Yamagishi – GUEST SPEAKER
WEDNESDAY June 5 , 7:30pm-10:00pm
Jimi Yamagishi!
He fights for all songwriters to make things right!
Wednesday June 5th, Our guest speaker is our own Jimi Yamagishi!
As the current director of the SongNet, Jimi brings over four decades of life in this industry to the table, helping other songwriters make those crucial connections between the industry & the community. Jimi’s background as a luthier & tech brought him into the studios, greenrooms & backstages of artists like Gerry Beckley (America), Stacey Q, Candyman, Earth Wind & Fire, & many others where he saw firsthand how deals were made & broken.
From Rap to reggae, classical to crunk & everything in between, he’s produced artists across a wide variety of genres, & established two indie labels to help those artists get started.
A veteran session musician with a wide variety of genres in his pockets, you’ll also find him writing new songs & actively playing the circuit to keep up with current trends from an artist’s perspective.
He believes every song has value, & every artist has something important to say.
His “out of the box” perspectives have helped artists find success & sustainability and he will be sharing this knowledge with you, FREE!
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
SHOWCASE
WEDNESDAY May 15, 2019 ,7:30-10:00pm
One of the most comfortable stages in Southern California to showcase your music! A place to “test drive” your new material and connect with other creatives; songwriters, artists, and performers! Sign up early if you want to play, 2 songs or 10 minutes per artist! No fee, no cover, in other words, FREE. RSVP to showcase@songnet.info .
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
Chuck Jonkey – GUEST SPEAKER
WEDNESDAY May 1st , 7:30pm-10:00pm
Chuck Jonkey!
Adventurer/composer/musician/filmmaker Chuck Jonkey transforms his wild experiences into sound, music and film. As an “ethnomusicianthropologist”, he’s explored the deep Amazon and the rainforests of Thailand, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, West Africa, Borneo, French Polynesia, Morocco, Venezuela, Russia, China, India and many other countries.
As the owner of Sonic Safari Music, he’s produced and published over 110 CDs, produced several TV shows and documentaries and recently composed all of the background music for “Adventure Isle” – over 4 hours of music and 46 songs for the new Disneyland in Shanghai, China. Chuck”s performed with the Manhattan Transfer and RAVI SHANKAR & his music has been featured in “Rambo 4”, “In The Mix”, “Survivors”, “Proof of Life”, “Flubber”, “J.F.K.”, “The Doors”, “The Mighty Joe Young”, “Heaven on Earth”, “Travel Channel”, “The Film That Never Was” and many more.
He’s worked with Danny Elfman, James Horner, Ron Jones, Steven James Taylor and other film composers. Finding a niche market in this industry can be a challenge, and Chuck is proof you CAN do what your love, live your life & have fun in the process. This is going to be a great night & an op to ask questions beyond the usual music business while still relating to it all, Priceless inspiration.
More @ http://sonicsafarimusic.com/info/biography/
FREE!
SHOWCASE
WEDNESDAY April 17, 2019 , 7:30-10:00pm
One of the most comfortable stages in Southern California to showcase your music! A place to “test drive” your new material and connect with other creatives; songwriters, artists, and performers! Sign up early if you want to play, 2 songs or 10 minutes per artist! No fee, no cover, in other words, FREE. RSVP to showcase@songnet.info .
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
Jeffrey Weber – GUEST SPEAKER
WEDNESDAY APRIL 3RD , 7:30pm-10:00pm
Jeffrey Weber!
A widely recognized music industry professional for over thirty-five years, Jeffrey Weber has produced over 185 CDs with releases on just about every major label as well as a host of independent labels. Along the way, his projects have yielded two Grammys, seven Grammy nominations, at least seventeen top ten albums, two number one albums and an assortment of other honors.
ninety authors on his roster including NY Times Bestselling authors, Pulitzer Prize winners and an assortment of other highly lauded authors. The company has national and international distribution and focuses on mysteries, crime fiction, action/adventure, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, horror, women’s literature, romance and non-fiction. Each of their titles is $2.99 or less.
His books, “We’ll Get Back To You! Even Bigger Lies Of The Music Business” and “You’ve Got A Deal! The Biggest Lies of the Music Business” are both published by Headline Books.
During his thirty-five plus year career in the music industry, he has founded, ran or participated in various label capacities from A&R, Music Supervision for film and TV, Production, Interactive Programming, Marketing, Sales, International Relations, Business Affairs and Art Director for independent labels such as Penny’s Gang, 44-4 Records, Discwasher Records, Prima Records, Beach Jazz, Agenda Records, Denon Records, Handshake Records, Audio Source Records, Voss Records, Video Arts, Clear Audio, Pony Canyon, P.C.H. Records, En Pointe Records, Cameron Records as well as his own labels, Weberworks and Stark Raving Records.
His productions have also appeared on every major label including MCA, Warner Bros., Atlantic, BMG, Columbia, A&M, Elektra as well as such labels as GRP, Hip-O, Sheffield, Concord, Bainbridge, Silver Eagle, Zebra, among countless others.
Among the many artists that have fallen under the banner of “Produced by…” include: Nancy Wilson, David Benoit, Steve Lukather, the Utah Symphony, Jackson Browne, Marcus Miller, Michael McDonald, Bill Champlin, Gerald Albright, Tom Scott, Chick Corea, Stanley Clark, Etta James, Linda Hopkins, Kenny Burrell, McCoy Tyner, Jackie McLean, Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), Cozzy Powell, the Count Basie Orchestra, John Sebastian, Ronnie Dio, Ritchie Blackmore, Pat Boone, Buddy Miles, Billy Preston, MC Lyte, Kenny Rankin, Diane Reeves, Diane Schuur, Rita Coolidge, Luther Vandross, David Crosby, Simon Phillips, Jeff Porcaro, Patrice Rushen, Toni Tennille, among many others.
Jeff has been a concert and event producer for over ten years with extensive experience in concert management and production, staging, lighting, and sound from the smallest of venues to large stadium shows. He has produced shows for the Atlantis Resort, NASCAR, the Breeder’s Cup, Chicago White Sox, Cystic Fibrosis, Fallsview Casino and Resort, Ford, Harry Caray’s, KTLA, Loehmann’s Department Store, Lupus L.A., NAMM, National Cable and Telecommunications Association, Netflix, Orange County Flyers, Pebble Beach Pro-Am, AT&T, Dockers, Shore Club-South Beach, Taste Of Chicago, USAA, American Idol, The Tonight Show, among many others.
Jeff is in high demand as a consultant to the financial industry on a multitude of music industry related matters. To date, he has consulted with such companies as Canyon Capital Advisors, Samlyn Capital LLC, Fleishman-Hillard, Inc., Morgan Stanley, MSD Capital (UK) Limited, BlackRock, Fidelity Investments, Goldman Sachs, Putnam Investments, and Scopia Capital, LLC.
Recently, Weber finalized his, from the ground up, re-definition of the business model for a record label that he firmly believes will be the architecture for all labels in the future. Weber’s model has embraced a complete slate of innovative concepts and procedures, ranging from the manner in which artist contracts are conceived and implemented to recording procedures, to innovations in sales, marketing and promotion. Designed to re-invent and re-energize the relationships between the artist and the label and the artist and the consumer, the model establishes format-breaking levels of transparency and unique partnerships in all label/artist/fan relationships. His innovative concepts were the operational foundations for two independent labels distributed by Fontana (Universal). At the time, he was named President of both labels.
Jeff is well known for his involvement in high technology recording techniques, especially live two track recording, live multi-track and digital recording. Because of their sonic excellence, his recordings have been repeatedly selected by major hardware manufacturers to demonstrate their product lines.
Jeff is very active as a music supervisor for film, television and cable. He specializes in cost effective synchronization and master use license acquisition strategies as well as production based music options.
Jeff co-founded and programmed Studio M, a nationwide broadcast television network that utilized their growing 28,000 music video library to broadcast multiple genre based music video shows. It was on the air seven days a week, for five hours a day to an estimated audience of thirty million homes.
In addition to music production, Jeff has spent over twenty years behind the microphone as a voice-over talent for commercials, cartoons, industrial films, infomercials, live web broadcasting, and television. He has done voice work for Interscope (Guns & Roses), Toyota, Nissan, Ford, VR Troopers, the Ventura County Star newspaper chain, Play It Again Sports, Sony, Boston Acoustics, Audio Source, the BBC, the Jazz Network, Dejaun Jewelers, the Los Angeles Zoo, CBS and Warner Bros., among countless others. He continues to be extremely active in this field.
Well versed in video production, Jeff has written, produced and directed over two-dozen music based concerts and videos. For one project, he produced a 12 camera, High Definition, robotic, five-channel surround sound DVD/CD for Band From TV, a rock and roll cover band comprised of famous television actors who travel the country raising money for their selected charities. He traveled with the band, producing all their live concerts for over five years.
He has been a music journalist with articles in major industry publications nationwide. He has received numerous awards as an art director and many of his album cover designs have been published in ”Best of…” annual publications. As an educator, he has taught courses on the music industry at universities and law schools (he has a law degree as well) across the country.
Jeff is a former member of the Board of Governors of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) as well as a former National Trustee and Chapter Vice President.
FREE!
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD (See map link below)
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
SHOWCASE
WEDNESDAY March 20, 2019 , 7:30-10:00pm
One of the most comfortable stages in Southern California to showcase your music! A place to “test drive” your new material and connect with other creatives; songwriters, artists, and performers! Sign up early if you want to play, 2 songs or 10 minutes per artist! No fee, no cover, in other words, FREE. RSVP to showcase@songnet.info .
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
Ben McLane – GUEST SPEAKER
WEDNESDAY MARCH 6TH , 7:30pm-10:00pm
Ben McLane!
How often have you heard “Get it in writing”, followed by “GET AN ATTORNEY”? If the wrong things are written, getting it in writing isn’t enough! Ben McLane is one of the most active attorneys in the music industry. You’ll find his name in almost every issue of Music Connection magazine, helping to get someone a deal. His website has some of the best free FAQ resources around. He gets it, & gets it done.
As the former head of business affairs/CFO for JWP-USA/BMG Records, working legal and business affairs at Rhino Records, Priority Records and as a talent scout for Sire Records, Ben is one of the few attorneys who know both sides of the table well. With Attorney of the Year & more gold & platinum record awards than any wall can handle, his cred list reads like a Billboard top 40 chart. We suggest reading the articles on his site prior to coming so you don’t ask redundant questions. Then, you’ll have some serious specific questions to bring. The kind that usually cost money. Bring your demos & lyric sheets too. If he likes what he hears, you might be next on that client list! Anyone that can afford to give this much away is someone you NEED on YOUR side! He’s releasing “Music Business In 10 Easy Lessons” this month as an e-book, & coming to share his knowledge, answer your questions & listen to your stuff… FREE!
FREE!
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD (See map link below)
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
SHOWCASE
WEDNESDAY March 20, 2019 , 7:30-10:00pm
One of the most comfortable stages in Southern California to showcase your music! A place to “test drive” your new material and connect with other creatives; songwriters, artists, and performers! Sign up early if you want to play, 2 songs or 10 minutes per artist! No fee, no cover, in other words, FREE. RSVP to showcase@songnet.info .
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD (See map link below)
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
DON ELLIOT – GUEST SPEAKER
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 6, 2019 , 7:30pm -10:00pm
Don Elliot!
Programming stations such as KBEA/KBEY (now KBEQ) in Kansas City and KROQ in Burbank, Don Elliott spearheaded the format change from elevator music to CHR at KIIS in Los Angeles, skyrocketing the ratings in a few short months from zero’s to double digits. He produced the audio for the world’s first interactive video disk for Paramount called The Entertainment Game, produced and syndicated Charlie Tuna’s American Forces radio show and released a production library, “The Legend.” Don’s credentials go on and on and include an endless list of credits for national voice-over work. His philosophy is “Radio has to be an escape. It has to be fun. Except in a newscast, hairy important issues only add fuel to the fire. You can get that out of a newscast on another station! Entertained. Fun. Bigger than life. You don’t want to alienate at least half of the audience with every opinion, and it’s going to happen one way or the other. A lot of music will stand up for a cause, but not quite as blatantly as editorializing and soap-boxing to the point of leaving somebody hostile. Radio should instead entertain and leave the listener feeling like they were able to go to an old friend, a friend they can rely on to be there, always knowing that when they push that button it’s going to be fun!” As the current owner of TWO stations, KWIF1500 AM and 105.5 FM, he’s got the experience, cred & knowledge to explain how it all works, and the ability to help it work for YOU!
This is going to be a great night of stories and how terrestrial radio can still have an impact in the world AND YOUR CAREER!
FREE!
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD (See map link below)
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
SHOWCASE
WEDNESDAY February 20, 2019 , 7:30-10:00pm
One of the most comfortable stages in Southern California to showcase your music! A place to “test drive” your new material and connect with other creatives; songwriters, artists, and performers! Sign up early if you want to play, 2 songs or 10 minutes per artist! No fee, no cover, in other words, FREE. RSVP to showcase@songnet.info .
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD (See map link below)
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
The SongNet meets at The Urban Homestead:
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103
https://goo.gl/maps/RfjdExi2REk
Special Events also at:
The SongNet At Kulak’s Woodshed:
5230 Laurel Canyon Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91607
https://goo.gl/maps/ggDTFERTxmQ2
THE SONGNET MOVED TO A NEW VENUE!
All events are @
The Urban Homestead
631 Cypress Ave, Pasadena, CA. 91103
Near Orange Grove & Fair Oaks off the 210 freeway
A BIT ABOUT OUR MOVE (We’ll keep this here for a bit, in case you haven’t stopped by the website recently)
Since 2001, The SongNet has had a home at the Coffee Gallery Backstage.
Bob Stane understands the value of what we do, & has seen several of our members move up into bigger & better things, even booking a few for sold out paying shows. When the coffeehouse part of the Coffee Gallery split off into it’s own entity, Ken, then Julie, were also very accommodating & community spirited & helped us through situations when the Backstage was not available.
But many things have changed over the years. Though the economy suddenly took a huge upturn last year, it proved unsustainable & is crashing more rapidly than anyone thought possible. Prices are skyrocketing because the cost of doing business has risen to almost impossible levels for many.
Bob has to reconfigure how he does business, & the front half, being independent, will only be open in daytime hours starting April 2018.
We have touched the lives of thousands of local artists & TENS of thousands online, worldwide. Those of you who have been around for a few years have seen members cycling through, making critical connections & building careers so they no longer have time to come back. We’ve also seen many unsure of their place find what they need to establish & maximize their musical endeavors in the context of a comfortable supportive community.
When Linda Geleris started our “lil’ songwriting family” in Sierra Madre, it was a loose collective of friends. As we grew, it became a bunch of volunteers, & currently an educational non-profit, with a volunteer staff.
Although we do have had a “membership level” that has helped cover some expenses, fact is, we’re “out of pocket” for almost all we do, including rent & taxes. The tipjar helps, but we know many cannot even afford that & we understand. Interestingly, some of the most well attended workshops have the smallest tipjar revenue, because many starving for knowledge & connections are starving in other ways too.
We are exploring new ways to continue to fund what we do. STAY TUNED, AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR IDEAS.
The industry has changed beyond anything any of us could have imagined. Generating those revenues is different now, so focus & direction has to change with it. There is and always will be a need for what we do, at a cost most can afford. We try to and do many things for FREE for exactly that reason.
There are a LOT of factors we had to address in looking for a new place: Parking, Accessibility, Access, Use of sound equipment, Liability, & Cost. Rent that is “Practically Nothing” is still not “free”. We looked for something sustainable. And speaking of sustainable, we’re also looking for younger volunteers to pass the reins on to.
We’re turning a page, not closing a book.
Participating with us, either through volunteer work, or by financially helping us (yeah, there’s that need for money again) when you can, will keep our community together as we setup in our new location, or become mobile.
In the spirit of creativity, songwriting, and music,
Jimi, Steve & Tommy .
JOANNE LEDESMA- GUEST SPEAKER
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 2, 2019 , 7:30pm -10:00pm
PITCH NIGHT WITH JOANNE LEDESMA!
Joanne now has one of the largest music libraries around, and is always looking for new music!
We do these a couple times a year, & every time it’s a full house, because not only is it an opportunity to have YOUR work heard by an industry pro, it’s also a great way to meet others, hear what’s out there competing for the same spots, and getting great real-world response from both Joanne and the crowd. Her full cred is listed several places (including links on our website & social media) so you can just go there if you want, or just come with your BEST on CD (lyric sheets too) & see why she is always welcomed back again & again to talk about what it takes to make it & how YOU can make it happen…and maybe have YOUR stuff go home with her!
WHERE: URBAN HOMESTEAD (See map link below)
The SongNet At Urban Homestead:
631 Cypress Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103