Brian Bergeron

I work hard. Duh. And I seem to be constantly reminded of it. This is not meant to be an egotistical kind of thing but I’m more and more becoming known as “the guy who works really hard in the Boston music scene.”

The catalyst for this entry was when I was talking to Brian Packer (the new lead guitarist in my band) about how Portland native but Boston music scene staple Pete Kilpatrick got a record deal with Epic (which is kind of a big deal). I was talking about how great that is for him and how we’re all going to get our break someday and he chimed in with, “You’re going to be a rockstar. You’re the hardest working guy that I know”. This is weird because Brian doesn’t know me too well but it’s not the first time it has happened.

When I met Dennis Carroll, who produced my first EP this year, he said he had heard about me without having actually heard me (which is a common enough thing in music). When he agreed to record me, he said he had asked around and everyone knew who I was (even if I didn’t know them too well) and that I was known as a ‘grinder’.

Max, who lives downstairs from me and plays drums with Cahill and Chad Perrone, always calls me a hustler and whenever I get a break, reminds me as such.

What does all this mean? Nothing. I just think it’s weird. I do work hard and without trying to sound bratty, think I work harder than most anybody else doing this music thing around here. Still, I don’t get half as many breaks as many of the people I know. I do believe in the idea of karma, and feel like I have a whole lot coming my way but until then, I’ll watch people get their breaks while I wait for mine.

It does sound ungrateful though, because so much good has happened this year but it’s all directly related to me being a ‘hustler’. Probably the most motivating response I have ever gotten from another musician was from Will Dailey this year. A couple months after the Paradise show I asked him why he picked me to open. He has plenty of friends and business alliances he could have made by offering the show to someone who could have sold more tickets or was higher up on the ladder than me but he asked me because I didn’t feel ‘entitled’. That’s the word he used…because so many musicians feel like their music is so good that they feel like success should just follow at their heels. I never had to ask for anything but I was able to get that opportunity…so that’s what I’m chasing.

And I don’t want to say that I haven’t had any breaks because I’ve had a TON, especially this year.

Oh yea, there was a point to this entry. Along with my hard work I’m a very goal-oriented person. I’m getting two (or three) new interns in January (!!!) and I’m putting together “The Guide” where I will talk about their tasks and the goal for their internship as well as my personal goals for the year. So I’ve been putting my personal goals together. I’m a planner but I’ve been too scatterbrained and all over the place recently so I’m working on honing things down. I’m not finished with my goal planning but here’s where I’m at:

January/April- Successfully advance EACH show (this means do the necessary promo to maximize each show, which is tough for one person to do but possible for four or 5 people!)

January-April- 3 gigs/month for band but not necessarily club shows (seeking out bar type shows)

January-April- 2 shows/week for Brian solo but not necessarily club shows (seeking out bar type shows)

Late-February/Early-March- Release new EP.

Late March- Big EP release show in Boston. Headline the Paradise Lounge on a weekend (is it possible to sell out a weekend show in April? That would be HUGE)…Right now, if I draw well, it’s about 50. The Paradise Lounge is 200.

March- one successful show booked in New York at a good club, good advance and a good draw.

Late March- APCA Northeast

March/April- one successful show also booked in Portland, Burlington, and Providence with a good club, good advance, and good draw.

April- Get college booking agent (this means I’ll have to start the promo and trying to draw one in during January-April). I really think I’m ready for that step.

May- Headline at another decent Boston room.

Late-April-October- Pound Faneuil Hall

Fall (either in September, October, or November)- Record 1st full length. I’ll have to seek out a producer and will start immediately after the EP is released. I have a bunch of people in mind but I won’t spare any expense for this. It will be THE artistic statement I’ve been waiting to make.

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Much more is sure to come but you always have to keep looking ahead.

I guess that’s all for now. Tomorrow, I’m driving to Rhode Island to play on WQRI (stream online: wqri.rwu.edu) with Alex Rosenblatt. It runs from 2-3:30 and I’m excited just to make the trip.

The studio is this weekend which I’m really excited about so come to think of it, this might be my last post for a few days.

*Sigh*

I also stumbled upon my old blog that I made in 2005 when I was living in Brooklyn as part of my student directed musician project thingy: http://www.xanga.com/brianbergeron

That’ll hold you over,

Dig?