Post #666199 by tiki mick on Mon, Feb 4, 2013 1:05 PM

On 2013-02-04 11:55, Cammo wrote:
"I definitely wouldn't start a tiki band, if money is an issue."

The Buzz makes a great point. I've always wondered what the thinking is behind the Tiki bands. It takes a huge and I mean HUGE amount of practice time, organizing, buying instruments, and even gas to get to all of your gigs. Some of the bands are smart (Martini Kings) and do it on a shoestring and make decent dough by playing a LOT of shows.

What's up with the other groups? What's the goal? It seems like they're losing money every time they play. This music will never be popular enough to sell past the breaking point online either, you can't dance to it and even music nerds barely acknowledge Exotica's existence.

Don't get me wrong; I love Exotica and wish it well, but I just read David Byrne's How Music Works and there simply ain't any cash in the game anymore.

You are exactly right. Why do we do it? The love of the music. In many cases, we get paid very little, but that money (at least for me) is to pay for the gas, and to bribe the wife....you see, to be allowed to leave the family every week and go play for other people, I better come home with something in my pockets to justify it!