NYC is NOT a good place to start a band.It s far better to make a name for yourself in a smaller city, with lower costs, and THEN come to NYC once you already have gotten your band started (assuming you ve had a bit of success by then.)Don t believe what you see in the movies. It s hard to start out in any of the arts here. It s better to come here with some real professional experience in the music business before dealing with NYC s difficult housing market, or trying to crash into NYC s competative music scene.
You can start a band anywhere in any city but the best place is your own place where you know the people, the players and the liking. Make sure you are able to get the right band boys to play the music you want best and also the like best for others. For prospect : NY, LA SF for good exposure to the entertainment world.To tell you...I did manage 2 bands in the 80s and they played Hawaiian Music BB/Beatles/Latin for shows, dances, TV Radio programmes. Need to work hard for it......is hard earning.
Do not, do not, do not come to New York to start a band. You are better off starting one elsewhere and coming here when you are established. New York City has been cited the most unaffordable housing markets in the nation, and New York s traditional advantages, such as availability of gigs and short term or lower paid jobs to help you through downtime has been compromised due to the recession.Even the most miserable hovel in the outer boroughs will set you back $1000/month and the taxes are out of control.
Listen, if you don t have piles of money for tiny rat hole apts. and you don t mind living in the streets when it s freezing cold and the alligators are rattling their teeth while trying to get warm by cuddling with female alligators but it s no use she s cold blooded too and doesn t have a warm bone in her body so don t go below when the gators are looking for warm bodies. Just stay on the subway station platform and let them throw pennies at your open guitar case if you are good and used chewing gum in spit balls if your not. So all in all come on down to NY because some musicians need a little hard living once in a while to get great before they get dead or would you rather stay in sunny funny good old Nevada and boring UNLV chasing wild coed s all over campus. Hell what kind of life is that anyway?
If you do learn how to drive a taxi in Manhattan. That skill will come in handy when it comes time to pay the bills. Nonetheless it s a tough, jam packed road to music stardom. At least you ll have plenty of company and plenty to talk about with those striving to make it.
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I agree with the answer above me. Try starting in another smaller city first, then go to NYC. Good luck!
Go for it
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