Hired Guns

[hepcat]

This isn't what you think it's about.

Remember when I posted about quitting music all together recently? Well, those thoughts have subsided...somewhat...and I'm still trying to push forward with my band. It's a ska/reggae band, really upbeat, fun, bright, catchy. Trying to have it driven by a pretty big 4-5 piece horn section. I've been writing all the lines and composing the songs myself, and scoring them in Pro Tools (awesome feature where you can play the horn line on the piano in MIDI and it will score it out for you!)

I have established a pretty tight and committed rhythm section. But I've had a lot of trouble finding horn players that are good enough to play the lines I've written (they aren't easy) and committed enough to come to practice once to twice a week. I've been considering hiring horn players. The going rate for this is $10-20 an hour for rehearsal, and anywhere from $50-$150 per player a gig.

Is it worth it? The songs I've written are honestly pretty badass and if played with a tight enough group could do well in Austin and we could bring in some $$$. On the flip side, it'd be tight financially for me to pay horn players until the band started bringing in money. Aside from my job I'd really have to start banging out some recordings for the bands I track on the regular to pay for it so my job money just goes to my life.

I could also see some problems arising with some of the other guys in the band, in particular the rhythm section, because not only are they not getting paid but I'm going to ask if they are willing to pay for a horn section. Should I wait and hope I find some players that can handle it for free? Or hire a section and start gigging immediately?

oh and a sample of the work:

www.soundcloud.com/hipJ <---"Babylon" is the best example

[Doyle]

Sounds pretty cool. Would lose a lot without the horns.

[Darth Biscuit]

I like it... very nice.

If I was in Austin I would break out the trombone and rehearse with you... kind of a long commute though.

[j2sgam]

That sweet hepcat.. You cant find anbody from other bands that could help you out? I get the ska scene might not be all that big down there, but still some horn players should be available. Might have to give some kids a shot and have them practice a whole lot...

[PanthaSan]

Nice tunes, +Rep.

Ok, lessee, you are in Austin which has a pretty good Hispanic population.

What about putting out flyers to that demographic. I know there are Mariachi families and their kids learn to play horns and brass instruments from a very young age. Being they are more "modernized" than their parents, they might be willing to play ska.

Currently in the southern countries, contemporary bands are playing a mix of traditional/ska/new wave with horns and accordions and it sounds good. Los Rabanes and Los Pericos are good examples. El Gran Silencio is another.

Maybe a few like the sound and are influenced by those types of bands. plus. you might get them cheap.

Just a thought....

[hepcat]

I dunno about the whole hiring guys who are rooted in Latin music, it's sort of similar but doesn't have the same beat. Either way I'm going to have to train all the musicians in the band which might end up in my favor because I have a band that plays what I want, but at the same time I have to put all that effort in and it might end up burning me if crucial members quit.