Thinking of moving to Charleston.. How's the music scene? (Isle of Palms: appointed, house)

[lee9786]

A buddy of mine and I have decided to go on a little adventure. We're not really sure where we're going to move to though. I've heard good things about Charleston. I'm also researching Raleigh. I'm 27 years old. Work in food service as a server. My hobbie is music and ideally what I'd like to do is translate this hobbie into an entertainment business. I'd like to have an entertainment gig four or five nights out of the week while working during the day.

I've heard great things about Charleston, but how is the music scene? My style is varied depending on what instrument I play. On drums it can be rock, funk, jazz. (I use a pro electronic kit to keep the noise down) On vocals it can be classic and modern rock. On guitar classic rock. I really don't play any country (not that I have anything against it).

I'm looking to move to an area, meet a number of muscians and set up a couple band projects, and market this to make some extra cash. Could you inform me on the type of music that is listened to in the Charleston area and if there's enough of a music scene to do what I stated above? Like I stated my style is a mixture of rock, funk, jazz.

Thanks

[DJShymansky]

I think Charleston has a pretty decent music scene. There are TONS of local bands in the area and many small to moderate sized venues to play in. I'd check out the Charleston Music Farm, someone there should have a wealth of information dealing with local bands.
Music Farm | 32 Ann Street | Charleston SC 29403

Good luck!

[Jim3310]

ANDI? What can you tell a drummer?
jim

[eb12345]

I am a big fan of the small charleston music scene. It's one of the bigger reasons I finally settled on attending school here in fact. My favorite venue is actually probably a tie between the Village Tavern in Mt. Pleasant and the Pour House on James Island. Both tend to support smaller, more diverse acts than the Music Farm.

It is a very small scene, however. I also think it can be a frustrating scene for musicians since there doesn't seem to be a whole lot of community/fan support. You see a lot of musicians/bands head out for the bigger cities from time to time.

Overall, I've really enjoyed my 5 years of music here though.
Check out: Slow Runner, Cary Ann Hearst, Jay Clifford, Band of Horses, The Working Title, and any of the bands they support on myspace. It's a pretty tight-knit group.

[Marshall4949]

Lots of cover bands. Not a whole lot of original music, and what original music that's out there is hit or miss. For the size of Charleston (small), the local scene is great - but it isn't Nashville or L.A.

That all being said, there is a scene. I just wish that Cumberlands didn't close.

[LauraSargent]

One of my favorite places for music and fun night out is Morgans Creek.
site: Morgan Creek Grill, Waterfront dining, Isle of Palms, SC

Music every night and I think they are pretty one to new acts.

Charleston has many pricing options for housing as well. My best, Laura

[tennreb]

I grew up being exposed the the music scene in Memphis, New Orleans, and Nashville, so I was a little disappointed in the scene when I moved here. Charleston does get a wide variety of national and regional acts, but you have to try harder to find good local bands. Very few bars here have live music, though there are several great live music venues. I'm just used to stumbling in places and happening to hear a great band. In Charleston you have to seek a band out. I've seen bands here quit playing at 10pm because, according to the bartender, "it gets too crowded in here after that for a band." That was incomprehensible to me prior to moving to Charleston. With that said, there are some excellent venues for live music. You just have to seek them out. However, people don't seek out bands to the degree they do in the music corridor of the South (area from New Orleans to Memphis to Nashville). More people here want to see and be seen than see a good band. I wish younger people had a great appreciation for live music than they do here.

[OrangeCountyGirl]

This is not a hot music scene kind of town.

But, it depends on where you're coming from.

Having said that, come down here and start one. My boyfriend has also been a drummer in Los Angeles, Orange County (CA), Phoenix and Flagstaff (AZ) so when we moved here and found there was absolutely a pitiful music scene for rock/ska/punk/jazz he decided he would find other musicians and kind of form a network to build a scene.

It's just the way it goes in small towns, musicians that are trying to make it or make a decent living usually leave and head to bigger towns with more of a fan base and variety of venue.

There is always something to moving to a new place and being a pioneer though, especially if you're a rocker.

[Corani77]

Hi there,
I am new to this post, but my boyfriend and I are moving to Charleston most likely next summer.. I am a musician, currently living in Nashville, but we are moving to be closer to family, and I plan to continue my music career down there. I want to join the community of artists down there, and find some like minded musicians to play out and jam with. I have a ton of original music, but I also have a ton of covers that I play, and I want to continue doing both. I would love any input as to what kinds of places are there for both scenarios.

[lambswilson]

My husband and I are in the process of moving to Charleston. He is a 51 year old singer/guitarist who has been in the industry for thirty-some years and can do everything from rock to country to opera with a killer voice. He worked in Nashville, for Maryjohn Wilkins (CM Hall of Fame), for years and is currently doing a single but would enjoy a group. What is the market like for someone like him finding gigs, managers, players? Anyone know?