I’ve had something running through my mind for a while now. Part of me wants to run along with it, but the other part of me is sort of scared shitless. If you follow me on twitter, you may have seen me tweet about PMA events. I do so joking around, mostly. But over the last couple of weeks, I have been seriously considering using Pretty Much Amazing to host and promote live events. I certainly think I have the means to. Read on for what I have in mind…
I have thought up two scenarios about how I can integrate live music events into PMA’s existence. The first of which, is fairly standard: promoting/presents acts @ (hip venue). If these events were to become a reality, they would most likely have to take place in New York City and maybe Los Angeles. Fun Fact: In the last 30 days, over 10,000 NYCers (this includes most of Brooklyn) have visited PMA. On the flipside, almost 4,700 Angelinos have clicked on PMA. These numbers tell me that given the right act(s) and an accessible venue, live events in these two cities (espesh NYC) can be successful, thus making it possible to happen often.
Just wondering, would something like this interest you? Just to clear the technicalities: All shows would probably be 16+ (I would go 18+, but I know there are some highschoolers around here somewhere) and ticket prices would be somewhere in the $10-20 range.
The second scenario is a bit more exciting, but may be harder to pull off. Basically it would be called something silly like PMA PRSNTS: HAUS BAND (I am open to silly-name suggestions). What that is, is PMA’s spin on your traditional “Battle of the Bands” as well as “American Idol.” Basically, once a (week/month/quarter) PMA will throw a party @ (hip venue) where 8 bands will duke it out via their performances and the audience gets to vote for the winner via mass txt messages. The bands will perform 2 songs at a time in brackets (i.e. Band A vs Band B, vote, Band C vs Band D, vote, etc etc.) and an ubercool DJ would spin during mass txt-voting times and in between sets.
By the end of the night, one band will be victorious and will win this prize:
1. Pretty Much Amazing’s full endorsement (a la Timid Tiger)
2. $1,000 (guestimation)
This second one seems like a lot more fun, but it may be harder to fill a venue when 8 local bands you may/may not have ever heard of are playing the bill. But honestly, that isn’t that way you should look at it — because I will be deciding what bands will perofrm (aka filtering out the crap), among those 8 bands can be your new favorite band. Would you give something like that a shot? Technicalities: 16+, tickets @ $10-15 (the bigger the crowd, the more flexible the prices get), and I am aiming to have some free goodies. Maybe free hotdogs or tacos? Free beer/soda?
And local NYC/LA bands: would you be up to entering the HAUS BAND Party?
So that’s what I have been internally debating about for a while. I would really appreciate your input — you can just vote on those polls up there, but a comment below would be much appreciated. Constructive criticism only, please. I don’t need any flames on here. Haters to the upper-right hand corner (click the little red “X“)
Tags: HAUS BAND, PMA PRSNTS
didn’t mean for that to come across like a personal attack. all i’m trying to say is, for a while there you were rock solid in bringing amazing music before anyone else, and now that’s being watered down. there are other music blogs like stereogum or pitchfork that do what you’re trying to do now much, much better, and with less cheesy stuff thrown in to have to sift through. so my opinion was (and is) that you should have focused on your strengths. but thanks to whoever supplied those links. and good luck with the new direction and fanbase
Luis – in regards to the arguments about your content, “J” wasn’t necessarily saying he just wants music downloads – he said it was better when you focused on bringing NEW MUSIC.
Personally I love hearing opinion/review/preview/analysis of the new music, and I’m sure J does too. J mentioned “podcasts, lame reviews, giveaways, idiotic polls, and facebook plugs” as content he didn’t like, and you certainly can’t argue that those things generally have much to do with “the sonic works that albums are”, as you put it.
PS I actually think the idea of hosting events is great! I’m not in NYC or LA so wont be able to attend, but I’m definitely jealous of those who are
the teenagers are here.
and of course free beer would be wonderful.
really, if this sxsw thing happens i would love free tickets
im a broke college student
First of all, your a musical genious, I love your insight and read everything U post, n although I come for the music I read and appreciate all ur posts. But more importantly…NO MIAMI LOVE?!
that sounds awesome! im totally in and i have a lot of friends who would love either one of those too. good luck!
definitely go with the first option. and wow does a PMA showcase at SXSW next year sound amazing. nah right is hosting one this year. you’re certainly capable of doing it too.
i’ll hit you on aim next time i see you on there. i wanna talk more about this.
RE: Kyle P / general remarks
Thanks for your comments, you bring up some valid points.
1) I think the visitor:comment ratio is almost always close to 1,000:1. Not just in music blogs that offer mp3s, but all types of blogs. Don’t try to generalize that if someone doesn’t leave a comment, they must have only downloaded an mp3 and left the page.
I am aware, more than anyone, that the main reason that people come here is to grab a cool mp3. Which is great, it’s why I post them. But I don’t need people who get annoyed when I (or anyone else) voice my opinions on a song/album/artist just because it makes them scroll 3 or 4 times before they get to an mp3 link. While I am sure that some people don’t read anything at all and just go for the downloads, hopefully they aren’t the core audience (my analytics tool tells me that visitors spend almost 4 minutes, on average, per visit. On blogs, and non-Social Network sites, the average is less than 60 seconds).
2) On whether or not readers will stay loyal: I know that things are always changing around here, in terms of features, but I’ve tried to keep the music as constant as I can. Despite the PMA being more careful with leaked material, it haven’t really changed in that front. If anything, I’m experimenting with different artists and different ideas.
And to be honest, I’m not overpromoting Timid Tiger more than I over promoted any other artist I was overtly excited about (i.e. Kanye West, Lykke Li, Vampire Weekend, Britney), not only that, but it was the first EP ever presented by PMA, so yes, I’m going to push it (it has only been 3-4 days).
Oh, and no, I don’t really understand how PMA can ever be a lifestyle, haha. It’s not Hipster Runoff.
Wrong blog.
3) I’m glad you’d go. As for PMA Presented concerts and shows, it would be well-known, mainstream (to PMA) acts. Or at least, I’m aiming for this.
That battle of the bands thing is the only thing where I’d have open “auditions” (for lack of a better word) for the bill. But I’m starting to think that this battle of the bands thing won’t happen in 2009. I’d like to feel more comfortable w/ a few concerts/shows before I do something like that (because, yes, it is a lot more costly and risky).
For this type of show, i’d try to find a great cinematographer. I have no idea how I can make it a livestream — if one of you has any ideas/hook ups, leave a comment! — but def some YouTube participation (although, how would that be time-efficient for voting?). Either way, I’d love to get non-attending audience into this. The whole point of these giveaways, newsletters, podcasts, and even presenting shows, is to increase interactivity in PMA.
@Luis: you don’t need OR want readers like J? Consider how many people visit your blog, vs. how many people actually comment. The difference is most likely just people looking to get mp3’s. So I think you DO need readers like him, at least to keep your traffic up and to keep having people click your ads. While you’re trying to run a legit site here, sad to say its primary purpose is to fulfill the reader’s need for new mp3’s/songs.
Secondly, I think you should appreciate his opinion that the blog has changed. Your direction for the blog has evolved from simply musical postings and opinions to things like popcorn maker giveaways (seriously, WHAT does that have to do with anything?) and your shameless over-promotion of a German band who might not even make it (keeping their album release as the top post, a little overzealous if you ask me [and yes, I know, nobody really asked]). While this is your blog and you choose how to run it and what content to include, you should consider your audience, and whether they’re willing to stay loyal (and please, don’t cite the few ego-boosting comments from people saying that PMA is now a “lifestyle”) to your ever-changing content. Thats all.
ANYWAY, I would go. Depends on what bands would be playing (is it worth my time and money?) But hey man, you must REALLY have the means, cause this is going to cost you. Are you talking bands we’ve heard of? mainstream-ish? or bands we would be introduced to on here and then vote on? Also, like someone else kind of mentioned, it might be easier to have them all in one venue with some sort of live stream so your online, non-attending audience could also vote.
If NYC shows do well, I can def see a PMA showcase in SXSW 1020.
love it, but i still say you should get on sxsw.
Love the originality Luis!
The first idea is obviously the most feasible of the 2 and I could picture alot of people wanting to show up to the gigs. Especially if the line-ups were good; which i assume they would be given your ‘powerful position’ in this music blogging world. So, definitely do this one.
The second idea is very ambitious and could prove to be amazing but on the flip-side it could also flop horribly! But thats always the case with original and ground-breaking ideas…so with the right planning and organization it could turn out to be a huge success. So if you think your up for it. DO IT!
I remember first adding this blog to my bookmarks over 2 years ago and I couldnt have foreseen how far its come! Amazing…
Luis, this is one of the best ideas ever! Of course should you have something like “Battle of the bands”! I would fly over to LA or NYC just to watch it!
And about hosting shows, that’s a great idea too, especially since you guys on PMA has such a great taste of music. So, when I’m going over to LA or NYC, I hope that you’ve some bands playing
Floss angeles!
I know that every high schooler I know would be so down.
I’m not sure how many of my friends follow PMA, but I check this site every day.
But-but-but what about DC? We’re pretty hip these days =(
solution for people who can’t get to nyc?
here’s my plan: YOU stream a video feed over (insert live videostream site), and allow your loyal, but distant, readers to vote. EVERYONE WINS
real talk, as much as I love remixes (and *try* to remix myself) and mp3’s of the hippest buzzed songs, Marcus said it, CONTENT IS KING at PMA, and guess what: from the looks of it, this blog can only get better. So if you can’t keep up, GTFO. (“facebook plugs”, really J?)
Beer!
Great idea Luis,
If you need any help in promotion, hit me up!
Yo BURNT!
haha
I love this idea because…
1) i live & love in NYC
2)i love PMA
Now I usually just ignore comments like that, but I do want to address something really quick. PMA doesn’t need or want readers like you, J. This isn’t any sort of personal attack because I don’t know you at all. Maybe you’re an ok guy/gal, or maybe not. I wouldn’t know. But I do know that I’m not interested in readers only interested in scrolling down to the bottom of the page to download mp3s.
I am glad you think the music we post here is cool and worth your time, but PMA aims to be more than just a tool to inflate your ipod’s song count. Marcus was kind enough to refer you to webtools that will help you on your sole goal to find cool mp3s. And that is okay with me. I want readers who truly love music, specifically the sonic works that albums are. It’s a lot more than just about the hottest new indie rock single or remix, or cool mp3s. At least around here it is.
If you want the hottest mp3s around, just check Hype Machine’s “Popular” pages every day. You will find your fill there.
Yeah, uh, maybe he’s just looking for an mp3 search engine. try http://elbo.ws/mp3s, http://hypem.com/, or even http://skreemr.com
I’m only speaking for myself here, but I personally love that PMA is not just another MP3s-only blog, or just a linkdump of mp3 files. Cool songs are great, but content is king. and PMA has some amazing content (in addition to cool mp3s!).
Yeeesh J, you’re on the wrong blog.
no. this site’s gone downhill absurdly quick in the last few months. it should have just focused on bringing us actual new music with us having to hunt past podcasts, lame reviews, giveaways, idiotic polls, and facebook plugs, just to find cool mp3s.
Def host events. It would be cool if you hosted live streams of the shows so people could vote from other city’s as well.
I think the first Idea is great. The second would be hard to pull off without being kinda lame and trashy. But I think the first Idea would be freakin’ fantastic. A whole night of young and hip music would be dope as anything. Just having PMA showcases from time to time would be dope instead of making it a big battling thing.
Thank you for your input, guys!
@Dominik: ew, yeah. That wouldn’t be fun. I think I may have found a work-around though… What I figured is to give an allotted amount of time for voting per round. It’s not going to be an all night thing. It’s really going to be Band A vs Band B for about 5 minutes of nonstop mass voting. At this point, I would have a prepaid cell phone specifically for this purpose. I would only count text massages that came in from, say, 8:05-8:10pm. Something like that.
Just found out that I’ll probably be in NYC in August for a couple years. Would love to go to some PMA events!
i love the idea, but i don’t like one thing: text voting. i’ve been to a party where the best dj was to be determined by votes. well, the winner had his girlfriend send mass messages all night. he was one of the worst djs, but he won. find another way, for example how loud people cheer for the acts, give big papers with numbers away to a few people in the crowd so they can hold them in the air, etc. but don’t do a text voting, it sucks!
Go for the first one! You’re in such a privileged position… it’s your duty to nail it
You had me at free tacos babes!
No seriously, this would be really awesome. PMA is more than a blog now… its a lifestyle (or something equivalent) !!!
You can count me in! Going to your silly-named party/americanbattleofthebandsidol for the price of a movie ticket? so worth it.
This is a fantastic idea Luis! Both of them are great.
I personally love the second scenario best. It seems like a kickass party! Free food and drainks…music from 8 bands…TEXT VOTING!!… sounds like a fun night.
The first scenario is grea too, but it does rely a lot on what band is playing. But knowing PMA (I’ve been reading for over a year now), I know that the bands you present will be great. So i’m not that worried.