How To Get Involved in Your Local Music Scene Pt 1: Writer’s Rounds
Caitie and I get asked this question a lot. “How do you get involved in the music scene?” So much so, we decided to do a series on it! So here’s part 1, whether you’re a seasoned professional moving to a new town, or a brand new baby-musician who needs some advice on where to go! We’ve been there & made the mistakes so you don’t have to ;)
One thing that is specific to Nashville but has started to branch out to other music scenes is Writer’s Rounds.
What are they, you ask? Unique experiences where anywhere from 2-4 songwriters share a stage and take turns performing their songs. You start at one end, go to the other, then go back around. Hence, the name Writer’s Rounds.
What’s unique about this is that, you get to hear completely original music by the songwriters themselves, as well as the stories behind the songs!
One place that has made songwriter rounds famous is The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. Some of the best songwriters in town have gotten their start there, and sometimes people like Taylor Swift, Steven Tyler, and the like will pop in and surprise guests for a performance!
So, if A-list artists are doing rounds, what’s the advantage of attending and/or participating for someone who’s not (yet) on their level? I’m so glad you asked…
Networking
Writer’s Rounds are great places to go meet other songwriters, musicians, and performers! You get to hear their style and find people you might want to collaborate with. Most people communicate digitally these days but, it’s always good to have your business card handy to give out!
One thing to remember when you’re performing in a writer’s round or attending one is that the way you behave both on and off stage affects whether or not you’ll be asked back or if anyone will want to network with you. So, be kind, and follow the golden rule, treat others as you would want to be treated!
Testing Out New Material
Because of their low-key nature, writer’s rounds are great places to try out the new song you just wrote or one that you’re testing out! I’ve even heard songwriter’s admit it was their first time performing the song live and asked the audience for feedback (usually in the form of applause.)
Performance Practice
If you’re a new performer and you haven't done many shows in front of a live audience, writer’s rounds are a great opportunity to work on your stage presence and build your confidence! You’re not alone on stage, and you typically have an audience who is there to experience the uniqueness of a writer’s round so, they’re usually understanding & supportive!
There’s one for everyone!
Even if you’re not at the level of The Bluebird Cafe yet, you can find a writer’s round that fits you and what you’re ready for. Especially in Nashville, specifically, there’s usually multiple happening in multiple venues, every night.
If you’re in Nashville, whether you’re a musician or just a music appreciator, writer’s rounds are great ways to start to get involved in the music scene!