The Dreaded Open Mic

Have you ever heard an old man scream Taylor Swift at the top of his lungs? The heart wrenching rendition of ‘Rainbow Connection’ by the quiet woman beside you? The train-wreck-of-a-song idea you came up with the night prior?

Every musician has been there. The sweaty, scared, beginning to a performer. The pure fear of judgement, in the least judgmental room. The self deprecating humor, as you explain what you’re about to do.… Welcome to the open mic scene.

Open mics are the perfect place for a starting performer, a safe space to relay new musical ideas. Here’s why, in my opinion, it’s the perfect place to start a career in music.

“If it scares you it might be a good thing to try” - Seth Godin

My first open mic experience was at a fudge factory. Yes. A fudge factory. I wanted to perform so badly, but didn’t know where to start. I knew my first “embarrassing” open mic had to be at a place nobody would show up. Thus the fudge.

I was pleasantly surprised when I was welcomed at this open mic, and it became the catalyst to my success as a musician. Over the next 2 years I would go from playing an open mic night at a fudge factory, to playing a debut at a huge venue in my state, collaborating with 10 different artists, playing hundreds of gigs, traveling the country for gigs, releasing 7 singles and an album.

“An open mic is a safe creative space and a catalyst for musical success.” - Google

The stepping stones from open mics, to gigs were not simple, as it took time and effort. Although, it was a great place to meet other creative people looking to share their work. It was an opportunity to hash out ideas and to face fears. A first step towards a dream. More importantly, it was a community like I had never experienced.

Connecting to a community is the most important thing to do as a musician. As I met more people at open mics and running them, there appeared more and more experiences. At the end of the day, if you have a goal, the best thing to do is…Start!

Through creative spaces like open mics, I realized we all have a hidden artist in us waiting to shine for the night. Open mics are dreaded. But for what?! Open mics are the perfect place to try something new.

Todays Message:

Go to an open mic or put your art/music out there in a new way.

-Not your average music blog