Brian Hinderberger » M&J Tavern http://brianhinderberger.com/acoustic Acoustic Rock Artist Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:41:56 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 Open Mic Tips Learned from M&J Tavern http://brianhinderberger.com/acoustic/2010/01/09/open-mic-tips-learned-from-mj-tavern/ http://brianhinderberger.com/acoustic/2010/01/09/open-mic-tips-learned-from-mj-tavern/#comments Sat, 09 Jan 2010 22:38:21 +0000 admin http://brianhinderberger.com/acoustic/?p=52 It’s one of the only places in the world where you can wash your laundry while toasting fine tequila over a game of pool as you tap your feet with the strumming rhythms of a singer/songwriter’s acoustic guitar. M & J Tavern on Greenwood is a proud host of a weekly Open Mic on Wednesday nights. If I had to personify the tavern’s music feel combined with its cement floor, pool tables, video poker machines and long rustic bar holding a shrine of spirits, I would choose a cigarette smoking Bob Dylan during his country stint in the late 60’s.

M & J Tavern on a good night

It’s been just over a year now since I’ve signed my name on the open mic performer’s list which is sometimes full with visiting and local musicians and other nights just has a few acts. Initially, I was motivated to get a new music project, Kousefly, then a duo, out of the stuffy garage and in front of people to enjoy; it was a nerve-raking, gut-wrenching and humbling experience. I loved every second of it and was hooked immediately.

At the open mic nights that I performed I’ve met artists with all types of influences and skill levels, ranging from blues to folk to reggae to rap or all of the above. You can definitely tell who is a veteran or who is fresh out of the garage. Normally the performer’s sign-up sheet is placed on the table near the front door around 8pm by bar manager and host, Mike Smith. On a slower night, the first couple positions are left nameless because nobody seems to want to go first. Once someone gets behind the mic it officially starts the action and all the other musicians start jockeying for their playing position, trying to get behind the mic before the midnight hour. The people who just have to plug in their guitar into the PA system (or mic it), play early in the night. Since I normally play there with the band and its amps and drums we play later in the night. Each performer is allowed to play four songs. In the beginning, when our band’s tightness and delivery was a little shaky, I noticed that people were a little more interested in watching CNN, but now, thanks to time and dedication to get tight, it’s nice to be rewarded with audience requests’ for a few more songs after we finish our set.
I, along with my band mates have learned a lot of lessons from playing M & J Tavern. First, and probably most important, DON’T STOP. One time I forgot an entire verse, with wide eyes and trembling hands I stopped strumming and the entire bar turned and looked, half of them with gestures of encouragement and others flagging their hands toward the direction of the door. This lesson stuck from the first time I made that dreadful mistake. In fact, a few weeks ago my finger got caught on the high E string and I ripped off half of my fingernail, but I kept on playing finishing the song with a bloody guitar body. It was a pain more tolerable than an upset crowd.
Some nights the tavern is packed with people, most likely they’re having a few drinks before a big show across the street at Midtown or Domino room. One time I was confused when we were playing and I noticed a mass of people leaving, no – I didn’t suck (well at least that bad), they were leaving to go to a concert. Most nights we play for the regulars who are into a game of cards, catching up with friends or shooting a game of pool.
It’s a wonderful venue to perform our original material, giving us a good feeling to watch folks enjoying our songs while we play. The audience gets into it, tapping their feet and giving a raised-handed clap when we finish. It’s also a cool place to play our favorite cover songs. If you do cover a song, however; make an announcement that it is one and credit the artist. Open mics are friendly environments, but don’t expect everyone to be friendly in that environment. You might run into a random drunk person or heckler. As the night gets later, I tend to watch out for closet musicians who have had their fill of liquid courage. They’ll often come up to you and ask to use your guitar so they can play that Led Zeppelin cover song they learned back in high school twenty-five years ago. I try to get my instrument out of the building once I’m done with my set to avoid this situation.
The M & J Open Mic is a very colorful, gritty and dynamic experience that provides an underground feel for Bend’s nightlife. It combines a few unpolished performers who should reconsider playing publicly with a few musical geniuses who you’d only expect to see on the big stage; all who are mixed with a solid base of really good regular performers. This smoky tavern is warm and inviting, giving performers’ songs that magic feeling that only surfaces when you have an appreciative audience.
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