Thinking of moving to Calgary.

[dissentowner]

Been debating it for years. I am a singer/songwriter who would be leaving his current band and looking for a new one, how is the music scene out there? I also breed exotic pets for a living, is there any exotic pet stores or trade out there? By exotics I mean reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids.
I would have to rent a house, I obviously cannot house all these critters in an apartment, is their a lot of houses for rent out there? Is the quality of living as expensive as I heard? Any feedback is welcomed.

[Ozy_Flame]

Well, Calgary is a very expensive place and not particularly the best city to try and make it as a songwriter / artist, but there's always avenues to make a name for yourself. You will have to familiarize yourself with how much you think the local producers / event planners / music and record stores / promoters are conducive to your career.

Also, for renting a house, it's still going to be quite expensive, but if there's anytime to do it, it's now while the market is slightly depressed.

[flip]

Don't do it the streets aren't safe anymore and we all have corrupt morals because a crazed murdering psychopath named Todd Bertuzzi just moved here.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Been debating it for years. I am a singer/songwriter who would be leaving his current band and looking for a new one, how is the music scene out there? I also breed exotic pets for a living, is there any exotic pet stores or trade out there? By exotics I mean reptiles, amphibians, and arachnids.
I would have to rent a house, I obviously cannot house all these critters in an apartment, is their a lot of houses for rent out there? Is the quality of living as expensive as I heard? Any feedback is welcomed.

As far as I know, I'm the house engineer at the only venue in town with a full rig, mics, stage, monitors, lights, curtains, smoke, etc etc etc that caters specifically to the indy scene and people in your situation.

There are tonnes of bands in Calgary now, and thank God! But a lot of them are clueless.

Also, Calgarians don't value live music for the most part. Although its getting better, very seldom do I see people over 40 years old manage to tolerate something new for more than 15 minutes before they're off to a jock-shlock bar to listen to ACDC.

Lastly, nobody really pays.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

As far as I know, I'm the house engineer at the only venue in town with a full rig, mics, stage, monitors, lights, curtains, smoke, etc etc etc that caters specifically to the indy scene and people in your situation.

Where is that?

[Traditional_Ale]

^ Blind Beggar Pub
Macleod & 50th Ave
403-212-1180

[Igottago]

Calgary has a much better music scene than people tend to think. I've been in bands there, and here in Vancouver...and Calgary is much better in my opinion. People here are a bit too jaded or pretentious to really try anything unique, Calgary's a growing city where a lot of trends and cliques and such have yet to really be established. Calgary's the kind of place I can see some real things happening musically because with the booming economy and the growth, will come more diversity in people, and their need for artistic outlet. With the success of people like Feist and Chad VanGalen, and also the recent Sled Island festival, there is more and more attention being given to music in Calgary. Not to mention the Calgary Folk fest is very good, way better than Vancouver's...and CJSW is probably the best university station in the country. If you look past all the country and CJ92 love, Calgary actually has a whole lot to offer musically.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Calgary has a much better music scene than people tend to think. I've been in bands there, and here in Vancouver...and Calgary is much better in my opinion. People here are a bit too jaded or pretentious to really try anything unique, Calgary's a growing city where a lot of trends and cliques and such have yet to really be established. Calgary's the kind of place I can see some real things happening musically because with the booming economy and the growth, will come more diversity in people, and their need for artistic outlet. With the success of people like Feist and Chad VanGalen, and also the recent Sled Island festival, there is more and more attention being given to music in Calgary. Not to mention the Calgary Folk fest is very good, way better than Vancouver's...and CJSW is probably the best university station in the country. If you look past all the country and CJ92 love, Calgary actually has a whole lot to offer musically.

It is getting better, especially in the last year.

[dissentowner]

Well you never make money on the indy scene so no concern there. What about the exotic pet scene though? That is my money maker.

[Deelow]

A little off topic, but I noticed Calgary band Starewell has a top 20 radio hit. I can't remember the last time a Calgary band did that.

[troutman]

You will need a good manager. Like these guys . . .

[Jetsfan]

For your type of career I think you would be better served in Toronto or Vancouver.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Deelow

A little off topic, but I noticed Calgary band Starewell has a top 20 radio hit. I can't remember the last time a Calgary band did that.

Calgary artists are doing well this year on the R3-30 on CBC3.

Ex. Kara Keith (Falconhawk), Jane Vain & The Dark Matter

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Jetsfan

For your type of career I think you would be better served in Toronto or Vancouver.

I currently work into Toronto and area. Maybe I can establish the market out there.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by fotze

So your one of those weird soundcheck guys. In going to all my brothers billion gigs the sound check guy always wore skintight jeans and walked around real fast. he was always a banger.

No way in hell I'd ever wear skin tight jeans. Or pierce my face or dye my hair.

Actually, I dress kind of boring. Long hair and a goatee about as interesting as it gets.

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Also, Calgarians don't value live music for the most part. Although its getting better, very seldom do I see people over 40 years old manage to tolerate something new for more than 15 minutes before they're off to a jock-shlock bar to listen to ACDC.

Hey! I take offense to that!
1. I've never gone anywhere to listen to ACDC
2. I leave because it's LOUD

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Deelow

A little off topic, but I noticed Calgary band Starewell has a top 20 radio hit. I can't remember the last time a Calgary band did that.

You'll hav to specify which kind of "top 20" you're talking about on the radio, but I can think of three bands from Calgary in the last 5 years that I'm pretty sure had a top 20 hit.

Stabilo (sp?)
Out of your Mouth
Feist

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

You'll hav to specify which kind of "top 20" you're talking about on the radio, but I can think of three bands from Calgary in the last 5 years that I'm pretty sure had a top 20 hit.

Stabilo (sp?)
Out of your Mouth
Feist

Stabilo is from Victoria I believe.
Ya, Fiest I guess. Although I don't think she lives in the city anymore. I was really only considering rock artists/
What ever happened to Out of Your Mouth?

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Deelow

What ever happened to Out of Your Mouth?

Are those the guys that had that atrocious Madonna cover? I hope they retired.

[Deelow]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Are those the guys that had that atrocious Madonna cover? I hope they retired.

Ya.
Those are the guys.