Jason Silver

Wednesday, January 31st, 2007

Live Concert a Success

Yesterday I decided to do a spur-of-the-moment live concert via my webcam (using peercast software).

I sent out a bulletin and commented on my closest MySpace friend's pages. I set the time for 9 p.m. and was especially careful explaining how to not miss it because of time zone differences.

It was last minute-- so I was suprised to see almost 200 viewers last night. At one point 140 Japanese people were reported to be listening! How cool is that?

I've already sold two CD's to people who tuned in last night! And I may have sold more through iTunes (I won't find out until the end of the month).

You know, I've just got to say something here; this is so much better than a live gig in a pub. Every time I do these, it is so much work!! I typically have to make the calls and do the schmoozing to find a venue, then advertise it, then lug my gear (piano, mic, speakers, etc) to the location, then play for an audience that really just doesn't care because they're there to eat or get drunk. I put up with requests from patrons who have had too much to drink, and then lug everything home at 2 in the morning.

But a virtual gig is in my home, on my terms, on my time, and I don't have to lug equipment around! I often sell more CDs than I do live, and make fans who actually want to visit my web site, sign up for my newsletter, and download my stuff... it's so much better! What pub out there brings in 200 fans?

So I'll be doing another one soon. I know a lot of North American fans were annoyed that they couldn't connect, so I'll try to trouble shoot that problem before the next one. Thanks to the Japanese fans who mirrored my live stream!!

~Jason