loading
reading
writing
saving
searching
something completely different- Virtual Cover Band / Jam Collective (Mira Mesa)
QR Code Link to This Post
The idea is to build a kind of virtual garage cover/jam band — or maybe more like a loose alliance of local musicians — where we can play regularly online, work up agreed-upon cover songs, and have fun making music without the pressure of trying to tour the world.
I’m a 45-year-old guitarist based in Mira Mesa, and I miss playing live music. I’m looking for other bedroom players, weekend warriors, church musicians, former band geeks, current band geeks, and anyone else who wants to scratch that itch in a realistic, modern way.
This would mostly happen online using FarPlay, so you’ll need to be willing to set up:
-An audio interface
-A wired Ethernet connection
-FarPlay software (basically zoom with low latency for musicians with video and audio)
You don’t have to already know how to do all of that. I’m happy to help with setup guidance. But you do need to have the patience and willingness to get it working. If you’re within San Diego County and wired properly or willing to get an 100 ft ethernet cable where needed, we should be able to get very playable latency, hopefully around 10ms. Which will be like playing 10 ft away from each other. I used to do band practices this way in Tucson within a 12 mile radius, so I know it can work.
Musically, I’d like this to be a no-pressure, no-judgment zone, but with a pro attitude. You don’t have to be amazing, but you should be solid enough to make it through full songs, learn your parts, show up prepared, be respectful of people’s time, and keep a good attitude.
The goal is regular online jams with a diverse group of musicians playing a wide range of covers. And who knows — if certain combinations click, maybe we put together an occasional real-life gig from time to time. I’m not trying to start a touring band. I just want to play consistently with good people and keep music alive.
I’m open to drummers, bassists, lead guitarists, rhythm guitarists, keys players, vocalists, horn players, electronic musicians, percussionists, or whatever you play. I am mostly a rhythm guitarist/bassist, midi guitarist...
Genres I’m into include:
-90s music — grunge/alternative more than C+C Music Factory
-2000s to present Top 40
-Praise and worship
-Indie rock / shoegaze
-Metal
-Punk
-80s music
-EDM
-Blues
-Funk/groove-based stuff
-Pretty much anything fun that people actually want to play and listen to
Some of my influences and favorite bands as a rhythm guitarist include Foo Fighters, Bush, 311, Sublime, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Hillsong, Bethel, Ben Folds Five, The Police, Rage Against the Machine, Pantera/metal, Daft Punk, Tom Petty, Pavement, Travis, The Beatles, Galactic, and plenty more. I’m pretty all over the place musically.
If you’re interested, send me a message with:
-What instrument(s) you play
-Where in San Diego County you’re located
-A little about your playing experience
-What gear/interface you have
-Whether you’re willing to use wired Ethernet and FarPlay
-A list of 5–6 songs you’d be excited to play
If there’s enough interest, I’ll put together a group chat and we can plan a first virtual meetup/jam.
Keep on rocking in the digital free world.