oceancurrents + Musician in Jersey City, NJ

SEEKING

ABOUT

NEED DRUMMER OR E-DRUMMER FOR NEW POP/ROCK/DANCE BAND

I am a pop/rock/dance music lover (esp. 80s and 70s) who likes to mess around with keys and synths. I am an advanced beginner at best but believe I can perform simple arrangements live as well as in the studio. I enjoy singing (Tenor) and hope to sing at least backup for the band in addition to write songs and play keys/synth.

Right now I am looking to meet musicians who are at or above my level who may be interested in getting together once or twice a week to jam without pay. We should be motivated by learning and fun and then see where it leads. I am open to starting with cover songs but my long-term goal is original music so I hope you are open to both of these options. I have access to small rehearsal space (I live in Jersey City) only if we are willing to practice temporarily with an e-drum kit. We gig when we feel ready and will have some agreement in place for compensation in case we ever get paid but we should be OK never getting paid. This is intended to be a long-term collaboration so patience is necessary.

I am targeting a group of no more than 3-5 members in its final state. I think the following roles could be complementary (Note: I hope to recruit band members in the order of priority listed below with a preference for potential songwriters but I don't mind being the only songwriter if necessary):

• DRUMMER OR E-DRUMMER (if e-drummer, you should be interested in eventually playing acoustic drums but for now e-drums will do)
• BASSIST
• GUITARIST
• ADDITONAL KEYBOARDS/SYNTH
• VOCALIST

I myself will audition for you as a temporary lead and backup singer and someone to play simple chords/pads on synth. I wish to contribute to songwriting though I have no professional experience. Right now my vision is to define the sonic identity of the band together with the drummer and bassist before the lead singer is identified unless it is one of us. In principle, I reject all forms of discrimination that are neither commercially nor musically relevant.

Finally, while I prefer not to attract any government or corporate spies to our band as members, I do not feel that we should subject ourselves to a strict non-compete agreement until it makes sense to do so. I plan on pursuing other music activities such as electronic music production, DJ-ing, etc. outside of the band until and unless the demand for any one activity requires abandonment of the others. Please keep this in mind if you are also interested in contacting me about any keyboard or vocal roles in other bands. For example, I may be interested in supporting any Indian (Hindi and/or Bengali) music cover bands (cover only; no original) on keys on a limited basis even if it is unpaid or on spec.

Finally (this time for real--kidding the last time), I have a strong preference for any activity that takes place in Northern NJ instead of NYC due to the high cost of traveling into the city these days. I am unemployed.

Screen name:

oceancurrents

Member since:

Mar 26 2023

Active within 1 week

Level of commitment:

Committed

Years playing music:

8

Gigs played:

Under 10

Influences

Pop/Rock/Dance including:

ABBA
Aerosmith
Ariana Grande
Backstreet Boys
Bee Gees
Billy Joel
Blondie
Chic
Coldplay
The Cure
Daft Punk
Def Leppard
Dua Lipa
The Eagles and Don Henley
Erasure
Genesis and Phil Collins
George Michael and Wham
Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine
Goo Goo Dolls
Green Day
Hall & Oates
INXS
J. Geils Band
John Mayer
Journey
Katy Perry
Madonna
Maroon 5
Matchbox 20 and Rob Thomas
Men at Work
Michael Jackson
New Order
No Doubt and Gwen Stefani
Pet Shop Boys
Pearl Jam
Simon and Garfunkel and Paul Simon
Simple Minds
The Police and Sting
Prince
Queen
Rush
U2
Van Halen
The Weeknd

I am also influenced by Indian music including Tagore, Hindustani Classical, and contemporary including Hindi and Bengali film songs such as works of Salil Chowdhury and Antara Chowdhury.

Instrument experience:

Electronic Music:

Beginner

Vocalist:

Beginner

Vocalist - Tenor:

Beginner

Keyboard:

Beginner

Piano:

Beginner

Background Singer:

Beginner

EQUIPMENT

Keyboards, Synths, Some Pro Audio gear such as mics, mixers, PA, etc. I have access to small rehearsal space so long as the drummer is practicing on an e-drum kit and we all wear headphones. For practice with acoustic drums, we would have to find separate rehearsal space. The goal is to eventually perform live with acoustic drums (not too loud) but I am open to only e-drums in the short term.