Thanks for the advice tangor. Musically, ... need another three years, though the raw stuff is there.
Definitely agree Perhaps a quality of the recording/video, but too much guitar, not enough bass... though the venue might be part of that (and equipment the band has).
I've been suggesting that the bassist fatten that thing up. Don't know if he can't or won't. Suggest guitar and organ on opposite sides of stage FACING each other (bass and drums center) as the bass player sometimes wasn't sure where they were with the back of Matt as his lead.
I'll pass that along, although this was a challenging stage to play on. Get a PA that works. Vocals sub-optimal to band volume. Or, conversely, lower band volume so vocals can be heard, (again, this might be an aspect of the recording, not the performance, though I don't think so).
They used the house PA. Before the gig I told Matt they needed to play quieter in a situation like that. He agreed but didn't follow through. The house PA wasn't up to snuff anyway. Band has its own PA system but they decided they didn't want to lug it around that night. A little more time spent choosing/finding optimal keys for vocals, one or two were just at the edge of the performer's vocal range and it showed.
Which singer? Matt or organ player or both? Now become the band manager and do the hard work necessary to take it to the next level ... and that ain't just Matt. Each of the others are necessary (band) and some encouragement and perhaps lessons to fine tune, is in order. If the BAND does not grow (ie. not all Matt), he will end up playing alone. Happens all too often when those not recognized (or growing musically) will just walk away.
I have a day job and don't have the time or energy to be the manager. Been trying to find one. Very difficult I am compelled to reply AS MY DAD was our manager for four years (my 13-16 3/4 years). Made all the difference. Made it all work.
Thanks for the memories (he's gone, but what he left remains).
Amen Just for fun, Matt wanted the band to play Little Wing. I heard him in his room a few months ago plunking around on an acoustic guitar trying to learn it. He plugged the Strat into a Mesa Boogie amp that he just received that day as a graduation present and this is his first electric version. He recorded it on his iPad. So far the band hasn't taken up the challenge.
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