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Cold War Kids Rock Downtown's BuskerFest by Sander Roscoe Wolff | | 08.21.09 |
+  BuskerFest Presents Live Music Downtown A handful of bands-turned-buskers will play 25 minute, outdoor sets for a roving audience that will drop wooden nickels into the guitar cases of their favorite acts. Skirting the EVADs perimeter in six different locations, performers will play in three rounds of stripped-down, acoustic-style sets sure to resonate off the historic buildings, downtown restaurants and sidewalk cafes. Confirmed street performers at press time include Free Moral Agents, Deep Sea Diver, So Many Wizards,Chris Paul Overall, Pawn Shop Kings, Brook Lee Catastrophe, Forcefield ON and 60 Watt Kid, to name a few. FREE to the public, this outdoor festival made possible by the Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA) and Long Beach Redevelopment Agency (RDA) allows you to stroll along the art deco streets of the East Village on foot; leave your cars at home, and bike it (theres free bicycle valet parking, courtesy of Long Beach Cyclists). At 6 p.m., Busker Fest information booths will open, giving attendees a chance to collect wooden nickels, maps, and schedules for the different performances. The first round of busking will begin at 7 p.m., followed by a second at 7:30 p.m. and a final round at 8 p.m. As the audience makes their way to the main stage, judges will tally the wooden nickel counts and declare a winner. The group with the most wooden nickels by the nights end wins $1,000 cash prize and gets to open up for Cold War Kids at 9 p.m., on the main stage at the corner of First Street and Elm Avenue. The release of two hit recordsRobbers and Cowards in 2006 and Loyalty to Loyalty in 2008coupled with relentless touring has led Cold War Kids to indie rock fame. Last month, they were playing all across Europe to sold-out crowds, ending on a high note this month at Chicagos Lollapalooza, and sliding into Long Beach out of the kindness of their hollow body guitars, just in time to headline Busker Fest. Speaking of Busker Fest, it is just one of 40 free shows and events hosted by Summer and MusicDowntown Long Beachs re-vamped summer music series sponsored by Downtown Long Beach Associates and Long Beach Redevelopment Agency. The DLBA and RDA understand that there is too much incredible local music to ignore. So, theyve partnered with two local event-savvy music gurusJustin Hectus (co-founder ofSchooled In Song) and Rand Foster (owner of popular Belmont Shore record shop Fingerprints)to plan this summer of stellar sound. And in case youve been under a rock for the last couple of years, Cold War Kids are the most recent band to stake Long Beach out as musical hot-bed. FREE shows from them are getting less common by the day. So stop by Busker Fest, toss a few wooden nickels yourself and help these street performers declare their right of pitch! For a complete up-to-date schedule and more, visit www.summerandmusic.com or call (562) 436-4259.
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shiborigirl why oh why does it not surprise me that the LB RDA encourages bands to play for wooden nickels?? classic. furthermore, for a "chance" to open for some band....for free most likely. wondering if this "lucky" band will be paid for their performance. ahh...but that is just me again-selling out art for money. if it is true (really wondering about that) that "FREE shows are getting less common by the day", i say hurrah!! maybe musicians will actually be paid in something other than wooden nickels. as a SP with two kids in college as music majors it pains me to constantly see musicians depicted in this fashion-it only serves to further the image of the "starving artist" while encouraging the idea of pay to play. perhaps if you ask Cold War Kids why they had to go to Europe to do a series of summer music festivals you would find that it is because THEY GOT PAID TO PERFORM! (and that in addition to riders which include food and hotel costs in many cases) how do i know this? one of my kids just returned from a similar summer tour with one of his bands in Europe. when the gurus mentioned in the article show me a music festival in LB where each of the 25 performing bands gets paid over $1000 + a rider for their set i will print this page and eat it for supper! happily! pat Coldwar Kids are not getting paid to do this event. I'm very sure of it and I have a great source super-close to them about that. Sander While I understand your point of view, ShiboriGirl, as a musician myself I welcome and applaud the intelligence behind expanding the downtown summer music series. In past years, the program was, at best, lack luster. This year, under the leadership of Justin and Rand, they've given performance opportunities to many talented local artists. You can liken performance opportunities to gallery shows. Artists generally do not get paid to have their work hung in a gallery, but receive monetary compensation on the 'back end.' Music artists, at these widely and heavily promoted events, are given the opportunity to sell CDs and other merchandise, and broaden their fan base. As for your children, and all those who enter into collegiate arts programs, I hope they are taught about the challenges and opportunities for professional work in their areas of interest. Often, I think that reality and the expectations of students diverge when it comes to creating a career in the arts. I don't blame the students for this. I blame the educational system for keeping this vital knowledge from them. the truth Siborigirl, Pat -- You are both wrong. If you haven't read their contracts, you don't know what you're talking about. Zengirl shiborigirl, take a deep breath... it will be okay... it sounds like you're reacting to your assumptions before talking to organizers... take a deep breath and contact them if you haven't already... Justin Hectus Anyone with negative feelings about this event hasn't talked with me, Rand or any of the bands working hard to have a great night celebrating music in the city that we love. Please come down and enjoy a wonderful night. I'd be glad to talk with you and give you the straight scoop. I'll be the guy with the big grin. Great music makes a great city - thank you all for caring so much (even if you're misinformed). See you tonight. T. Prine Shiborigirl. How easy it is to take a swing when you donât have all the details. Try reposting your comment without all the âifs and wonderingsâ, and maybe it will hold some validity. I play in a band that performed earlier in the year for the Summer and Music concert series and was paid and treated very fairly by the DLBA. This is the one event that isnât paying everyone, but to be honest, itâs a great idea that doesnât require a huge commitment. Knowing most of the bands involved tonight, I didnât get the feeling that any of them were that upset about it, in fact, most have played during other times of the year and have already been justly paid. It wasnât a $1000 + food and hotel, but letâs be realistic, most of the bands playing tonight live in Long Beach and are performing acoustic street-side sets that last about 20 minutes. Itâs called Buskerfest, not the Reading Festival, itâs not a true comparison (free vs. $200 a ticket). But in all fairness, itâs obvious that you are a supporter of the arts and that your value of local artists is in high regard, you even spawned a couple. May I suggest that you proper what you feel is wrong and show the DLBA how things are done. Why not attend tonightâs festival with your hand bag full of crisp $100 dollar bills and offer them up in replacement of those âcrookedâ dirty wooden nickels. Iâm sure the bandâs would love it. And if youâre ever up for the idea of putting your own music festival together, keep us in mind. The band is called Greater California, weâd lovingly accept your offer of $1000 + meals and hotel. ForceFeelDon Shiborigirl: Though I understand the frustration of being neglected in compensation world, For I am a musician as well, I think this event is more about getting people together and supporting local businesses as well as local acts. The people pouring their time and souls into putting this event on are not getting compensated. I for one have toured many countries, and the first thing you need to remember is.. well.. they are different countries with different governments who view the music world in a different way. So I guess you could say that's where the problem lies. I for one, will be performing tonight without payment, gladly, because you have to choose your battles. For some of these bands I think it is very humble of them to step down and NOT take payment when they are usd to receiving it. Anyhoo, from someone who will only be getting wooden nickels tonight, I say "Bring 'em on. The more wood, the merrier." somanywizards Well as a musician playing this event, I'm super excited to be a part of it. I know that Summer and Music has supported and compensated me in the past and all their musicians and besides, this event is not about the money. All the bands playing know this. It's about Long Beach Music and what a great way to bring it do downtown :) shiborigirl As you may know from past posts, I never post anything thinking that I represent a popular point of view- itâs simply my point of view- uniformed as some may think it is. Since âtruthâ has the facts, please share them with the rest of us. Who is getting paid and how much? Since these are public funds (RDA) may I assume that we the public are entitled to know such things? I would love to be informed!! Please inform me- publicly-so others too, may become more informed. I did appreciate the humor in the bands being paid in wooden nickels. Hilarious. You may find even more hilarious the fact that one of my own sons will be playing for some of those wooden nickels. So appreciate the irony in THAT! And Sander, I do appreciate your allowing for the difference in opinion expressed here. I have never subscribed to the gallery artist crowd preferring instead to sell my work outright for money as I have actual bills to pay and children to raise as a SP and canât quite afford the other route. Playing or putting together a gallery show today for the âexposureâ, well promoted or otherwise, simply doesnât pay the bills tomorrow. If you have a reserve tank of money on the side, a patron or other means of support while you pay to play- more power to you. I think that the earlier young artists and musicians understand this the more successful they will be at making a living from their work if that is their choice. Would a lawyer practice law if he wasnât being paid? Maybe for a day or two but thatâs about it. I like what ForceFeelDon had to say-he knows the difference and makes his choices. Other countries do have different views concerning art and music. Having grown up in Japan I am very aware of this. But how can we expect anything here to change without being willing to accept another viewpoint and contemplate changing the way we as a city deal with the issue? As to why I donât host my own festival- well I have no trust fund to dip into but since my âspawnâ is willing to play for wooden nickels I do what I can to support the local âmusic sceneâ. âș Trust me, my kids get a constant example of what it REALLY takes to make a career in the arts- and itâs NOT a college degree! But itâs still a good thing to get an education. I try to see to it they have no illusions. I always love the way that anyone who is deemed as ânot supportiveâ is immediately bashed here. Thatâs OK- Iâm good with that as long as I can express an opinion even if it not in the majority. At least there is a conversation. And now I have to go- I have an art âgigâ to prepare for in Claremont tomorrow morning- you know- bills to pay and all that. By the way, if you subscribe to Belle Armoire (French for beautiful wardrobe) you can see my work featured there in the Sept/Oct issue (shameless plug intended) and available at better booksellers everywhere. Sander I believe that this column, and the world in general, can withstand a wide variety of divergent views. I hope my initial response didn't feel like I was 'bashing' anyone. -- It seems to me that we're entering into an area of discussion that cuts to a very deep place: What is the value of the artist, and art, in society. I've had conversations with elected officials who compared bands (and artists too) to any other business operation. I was somewhat horrified by this, but was able to understand (eventually) why such a belief might arise. -- I have always been an artist and musician. It is integral to who I am, and there is no teasing them apart from me. When I create, I create for me. I have no expectation that someone will come along and plunk down cash for my work. The ability to separate the need to earn money from my creative process is, fundamentally, what allows me to work as an artist. -- I am my own patron. I have always supported myself and, as I was able, used any extra resources to fund my art making. Thus, my art making is not a revenue stream at all but, rather, a revenue sink-hole. I don't care, though. I know in my mind and heart that the work I do is significant, and that people, when faced with it, are moved by it in some way. That, I'm afraid, is more than enough for me. -- I know actors who work day jobs and spend every night and weekend working on theater productions. I know artists that paint in obscurity simply because it is what they need to do. I know ceramic artists who toil at the wheel, not to rake in the cash, but because the next perfect object is just out of reach. -- For every person who believes art should be a career path, there are thousands of others who make art because they have to, whether they get paid or not. They do it because they can't not do it. I'm one of those people, and I bet that nearly everyone who played last night are the same. -- I went to the event last night and was blown away by the abundance of joy and love bursting from every direction. The bands, and the audiences, had a wonderful experience, one that could not have unfolded any other way. I am truly proud of Justin and Rand for doing such fine work, and for gathering together a group of artists who embody the best of our City, and our future. Antonio Pedro Ruiz Working behind the scenes last night gave me a great view of the time, energy, planning, money, sacrifice that went into putting on what had to be one of the most successful events of the summer. We should celebrate and thank everyone who was a part of this; from the organizers to the funders to the musicians to the audience. While I applaud all artists who give of themselves for their art, I think it's important to be able to balance the pursuit of your art and pay your rent/mortgage at the same time. When I buy a painting that I love, I do it because I believe there is a value to the work that went into it and it is only fair that I pay what the artist thinks is fair. When I attend a concert, I do so to enjoy the music and participate in the community of that event. I don't question that I paid for it. I may grumble about the price but if I feel good about the experience, that goes out the window. When we go to the movies, we share the artistry of that event. Or a dance performance. Or any other endless number of creative efforts and experiences. Whether we buy a ticket or a painting, we are agreeing to a monetary value as a representation for the quality. But it is that quality that we want to experience in the end. Musicians, last night, were not forced to perform. They voluntarily participated in the Buskers preliminaries for a shot at opening up for the headliners and getting paid. But that surely was not on their minds. They were kicking butt because they had a venue and an audience. Most of them had already played this summer at other of the Summer and Music series and had gotten paid. The exposure for many was equally important. They sold their t-shirts and their CDs. Promoted upcoming gigs and found new fans. Some of us do what we do because we love it. Because we want to be a part of something cool, exciting, community. For me, paying the mortgage is important and so it sharing in this very special creative community. Sander Thanks for your comments, Antonio. I know you were one of the many people who volunteered your time and energy to help make this the amazing event it was. -- I'd like to mention one other thing: The RDA is a municipal entity, with open board meetings that welcome public participation. They need to know what people in the community think about what they're doing, so I encourage you to attend the next board meeting and give them Kudos, or constructive criticism, as you see fit. Their next meeting takes place at 9:00 AM on Monday, September 7th in the City Council chambers. MikeH I wish there was more people like Shibori girl who had the interests of bands/musicians in mind, but I've gotta say that BuskerFest was a top notch gig for exposure and fun. I'm sure all the bands were happy to have the chance and certainly could have declined the opportunity. Outside of festivals like this that benefit from funding and responsible organizers, bands have to work within the Southern California music/club scene which is kind of like a snakepit of shady characters trying to make a buck off the bands. BuskerFest felt like a community working together. dont sue me so who got paid? how much? "the truth", please tell. anyone else with info, please share with us. thank you. dont sue me still waiting for answer: so who got paid? how much? "the truth", please tell. anyone else with info, please share with us. thank you. dont sue me still waiting for an answer. anyone?: so who got paid? how much? "the truth", please tell. anyone else with info, please share with us. thank you. public money The money stopped being public when they handed it over to the SAM organizers. Therefore, if you want accountability of who gets paid how much published for each event sponsored in the City, then that burden is going to fall on the artists and organizers. That will mean less proposals and less money being given to the arts and more scrutiny from RDA/DLBA on funding such events. Let's make your armchair quarterbacking a reality shiboigirl - you and other artists and arts organizers will pay the price. dont sue me lots of talking, but no answers: so who got paid? how much? "the truth", please tell. anyone else with info, please share with us. thank you. dont sue me so is anyone going to answer these real questions? anyone?: so who got paid? how much? "the truth", please tell. anyone else with info, please share with us. thank you. dont sue me "public money"- i actually had to have a friend read your statement because it was difficult for my little brain to wrap my head around your comment. are you saying that by being honest and making the fees and funds public, this will actually hurt artists due to the scrutiny of the RDA/DLBA? please clarify. Anonymous yup. still waiting for answers. everyone rushes to post when there is a difference of opinion, but no rush to answer a few specific questions. i will ask again: so who got paid? how much? "the truth", please tell. anyone else with info, please share with us. thank you. dont sue me oops! that last post was from me, "dont sue me". i will ask again, just to see if someone will step up: so who got paid? how much? "the truth", please tell. anyone else with info, please share with us. thank you. dont sue me here we are. a few days after the question has been posted, and nobody is rushing to answer: i will ask again, just to see if someone will step up: so who got paid? how much? "the truth", please tell. anyone else with info, please share with us. thank you. Anonymous I know for a FACT that Cold War Kids was paid for this performance..know the FACTS before you start slamming....sillierboog dont sue me "anon"....um....are you paying attention? we know they were paid. or were they? if so, how much? and was anyone else paid? you know the FACTS? then share them, oh keeper of great knowledge. i said it before, and im saying it again. lots of hot air, and yet no specific answer to my specific question: so who got paid? how much? "the truth", please tell. anyone else with info, please share with us. thank you. dont sue me yup. thats what i thought. silence. dont sue me here we are, weeks later, and still nobody will answer the specific questions. everyone is very quick to defend mediocrity, but nobody answers the specific questions when asked publicly. i will ask one more time: so who got paid? how much? "the truth", please tell. anyone else with info, please share with us. thank you. dont sue me still nothing. here we are. an open forum for everyone with "the truth" to share, and still no answers. my statements are directed to everyone who defended mediocrity in the earlier posts. what is everyone afraid of? who got paid? how much? please make it public. i dare you. 
Sander lives with his wife, step-daughter, dogs, and cats. He's an avid photographer, and enjoys creating close-up images of flowers and plants, and capturing urban landscapes. He's been involved in music production since the early 80's, and worked professionally as an audio engineer, live sound mixer, and producer.
Sander Roscoe Wolff is a musician, artist, and was co-founder and Executive Director of LongBeachCulture.org, the City's first comprehensive, and free, arts calendar and registry. He has served on the boards of the 2nd City Council Art Gallery + Performance Space and the East Village Arts District, curated a 6 month gallery exhibition in the Long Beach World Trade Center, and produced Songs For Bethune, a CD of original and traditional holiday songs by local artists, to raise funds for the Arts Council's Passport to the Arts program. His work has been featured in local gallery exhibitions, in SoundWalk, and L.A. Siggraph's Photon Ballet. His current music project is Ain Soph Aur, a systems based improvisational performance duo and studio team.
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