house concerts and 21st century touring

For immediate release: August 8, 2008

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ConcertsInYourHome.com adds “how-to” videos to help artists promote house concert performances to their fans.

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Despite the simple and straight-forward term, the mention of “house concerts” often draws blank stares and question marks from people who have not yet experienced one of these intimate, low-production-cost music performances. House concerts have been going on for centuries (classical parlor concerts, blues and jazz “rent parties,” etc.), but are becoming an increasingly vital part of acoustic and small-act tours.

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CIYH has made available the first of a series of “how-to” videos so that artists and hosts can better communicate (and promote) the concept to their fans and friends, respectively. The video includes pictures of dozens of artists as well as live shots taken during house concerts around north America. It also features some short video clips of actual house concert performances.

The video is available on YouTube, and several pages on the ConcertsInYourHome website. Artists are encouraged to use the video (it’s a free tool) to inspire their fans to join the growing house concert community. The site already features hundreds of artists and house concert venues from around the world, although the majority of the activity occurs in the U.S. and Canada.

The video: http://concertsinyourhome.com/how-to.html
How artists can use the video: http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/blog/archives/180

ConcertsInYourHome.com is a free website to promote the growth of house concerts around the world. The site is funded by (optional) artist memberships, that allow access to the growing database of house concert venues.

Contact: Fran Snyder, 817-789-2936

Additional Resources:
http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/press.html

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For Immediate Release
June 11, 2008
Contact: Fran Snyder 817.789.2936

ConcertsInYourHome.com Marks 2 Year Anniversary with Free Compilation CD

ConcertsInYourHome, the largest and most active “house concert” promoter on the web, marks the beginning of it’s 3rd year. For a limited time, they are offering free copies of their 1st Compilation CD to music fans, industry/radio folks, and concert presenters.

House concerts, long the secret of the A-list folk festival performers, are becoming more and more mainstream. Even the most talented acts today have trouble filling concert halls, and traditional “listening venues” continue to install televisions and pool tables to satisfy the whims of their increasingly distracted/distractable clientele.

Stunningly, many artists are reporting that they would be unable to tour if it weren’t for house concerts. The way these generous hosts absorb the expenses of the show, and offer free lodging and food, is a welcome relief for artists who have seen their traveling costs double in recent years. Also, these hosts bring together audiences that are often very disconnected from the club scene.

Craig Bickhardt, a CIYH member artist with four #1 hits, puts it like this,

“Without house concerts it would be virtually impossible for me to tour. These concerts… often provide alternatives for people who are unable to go to bars and coffeehouses due to the later show times, the smoking (in some venues), the lack of comfortable seating (for elderly audiences), and the stresses of being in urban environments at unsafe hours. House concerts not only supplement my touring, they often take place on Sunday afternoons when other entertainment is seldom available. With the price of gas at $4 a gallon, many artists can no longer afford to go out for just one or two gigs. In this way house concerts are indirectly helping to keep the bar and the coffeehouse supplied with fresh (touring) entertainment.”

Music fans who are just discovering house concerts are stunned with the quality of artists who are available for these intimate events. Pat DiNizio of the Smithereens was once again featured in the New York Times last week for his ability to reach out to fans in this way. Even Jill Sobule, who has been making headlines with her fan fundraising efforts, is offering house concert performances to generous donors.

According to artist and CIYH founder Fran Snyder, “as the star-making machinery becomes less productive, I believe that fewer hit songwriters will see “getting cuts” on big name records as a viable future. I also believe that many of these talented songwriters will embrace their artistry and turn to house concerts as a way to connect with new audiences. We’re seeing it happen already.”

Even Jennifer Batten, a monster guitarist who’s done three world tours and a Superbowl with Michael Jackson, and several tours with Jeff Beck, is now doing a multi-media presentation that she loves to take to house concerts.

Money issues aside, many artists prefer this format, and the intimate presentation to a rapt audience. Hans York, a CIYH member artist from Seattle, and recent winner of the prestigious New Folk competition in Kerrville, says “House concerts are the emotional anchors of every tour.”

The CIYH site is a growing community with 500 artists and several hundred house concert presenters. The site educates, organizes, and helps connect the participants in this musical super-culture, which generate about 20,000 visitors per month.

The compilation CD features 19 artists, including Michelle Malone, Rod MacDonald, John Batdorf, Adrianne, Randall Williams, and Fran Snyder. Visit this link for ordering info.

Additional Resources:
2 Minute YouTube intro Video
House Concert Fast Facts
What Independent Artists Get Paid

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Almost everything you wanted to know about house concerts.

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Here it is. http://squidoo.com/houseconcertfastfacts

Wow. More than 100 responses in less than 24 hours. Very interesting results too.

• What day of the week sees the most house concerts?
• How much do hosts spend to put on these events?
• How do they find or book acts?

Here’s a sample:

I knew that most house concerts happen on Saturdays… but more than half? Add in a healthy percentage of the two “varies” responses, and I would bet that Saturday accounts for more than 70% of house concert dates.

The sample is from April 8th, so things may change a bit since the survey will remain open for a while.

Have a look, and please participate if you are a host. I’ve also added more questions thanks to many suggestions from the hosts who participated early. You can go back and finish it now…

I received a lot of follow up questions that don’t easily fit into this format, like:

• How do you publicize?
• What’s the most effective way of growing your audience?
• Who are your favorite artists?

I’m working on a way to present these questions, but please use the comment section of the survey if you have questions or comments you’d like to share.

Thanks everyone!

Fran

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