One of the things I have to say I love about being back in Atlanta is all the cool places to perform. I have managed to find some really great venues to set up shop as a folksinger. Places like Java Monkey, Kavarna and The Red Light Cafe have all been amazing rooms for me as far as sharing my songs and my stories with people. In this town, to most the holy grail of venues as a folksinger/songwriter is Eddie’s Attic.
Eddie’s Attic is a lil listening room here in Atlanta that has for some odd reason become a legendary fixture on the scene. Their big claims to fame are acts like Shawn Mullins and John Mayer and that right away should tell you the kind of music that Eddie’s Attic calls good music. Eddie’s Attic also has an Open Mic Competition where you get your set judged by a panel of judges and if you win you work your way up to a “showcase” where you can get like a 30 minute set at Eddies or something like that. It really blows me away how many people I meet who are so excited about this and then come away discouraged and pissed when they don’t “win”. I highly doubt that my podunk folk singing ass would be considered to be a “good artist” by those who love Shawn Mullins and John Mayer.
The fact that they have turned performing music in this town into a competition makes me sick. I just don’t understand what makes anyone feel like they can say who is better than who. I refuse to be a part of it and I refuse to support it in any way. Eddie has managed to make a name and turn this into a huge business for himself by turning music into a boxing match of sorts. I will never get it and maybe there’s something there but all in all, I think it is cheesy as hell.
I attend what I think is the best open mic in the city, The John Madden Memorial Open Mic at Red Light Cafe. I share the stage every Wednesday with some of the most amazing songwriters I’ve ever met. I learn something every week from these people, especially the older guys who have stories to share from their experiences. There is ZERO competition here and this to me is what it’s all about. When you add the element of competition to something like this, the focus becomes solely upon winning and critiquing each other and being on the defensive side. What is fun about that? Matter of fact, I see a lot of performers come into the Red Light who think their shit don’t stink because they played at Eddie’s Attic and they are so cocky and full of themselves that nobody really gives a rat’s ass about them or what they’re playing. Again, I know that not EVERYONE who plays there might be that way but when the majority of those types are associated with your venue, what’s a person to think?
I don’t mean this to insult anyone. If you’re into it and it means the world to you to be judged and told that you’re better than someone, then so be it. If you’re cool with being told you’re not as good as the others, that’s cool too but don’t let it shape who you are as a writer, a musician and a performer. If Eddie’s Attic doesn’t like you, there’s a great chance that some other establishment will think you’re the bees knees.
