i believe there are moves from some sections of BIROC to push IU 630 in the future. some sort of "cultural workers' union" was mentioned. BIROC secretary might be a good starting contact...

First, pick and choose whatever benefits you decide to play for. I can tell you, as a musician w/ +40 years of experience, that sometimes if you do a couple for one group, they expect that you'll continue to be there for them on a free basis. If you can figure out some kind of way to convey to the audiences of places that put groups or solo musicians on a list to play for free or won't accept a CD for audition purposes and let them know how unfair this is. This seems to be the curse of performing on the west coast. Perhaps a flyer, or perhaps just talking to people. But one thing you certainly must do is get the word out to other musicians to avoid the joint. Musicians are a tough lot to organize, I know!!! The AFM has to many practices which shoot themselves in the foot to actually achieving the goal of getting a bigger membership. But whether you can organize or not, it is critical that at least you do some networking with other musicians. We don't have to be so damn competitive all the time. Also seek odd venues for your band. I am a solo performer so I don't know how well that will work for you but this has served me well. I do "Blues In The Schools" presentations, lectures in Ethnomusicology at colleges, studio work (even on a Midas Muffler commercial... sorry, and film score work for the Florida State Graduate Film School and the tourism board) These gigs paid rather well and pulled me through some lean times when I hit periods of few gigs. Club owners are such a rotten lot. Most don't know the difference between good and bad music. There are so many bad players out there that are willing to take low pay/no pay gigs and you know club owners love that. But you have to get your network up and going. You need to be sharing this with all the local cats. Also, I don't know your genre, but try to do more diverse material. If you can pull that off, it might help you garner more gigs. This has served me well and has even allowed me to drag out my classical guitar repertoire when I play a wedding or something. Furthermore, I don't get too picky as long as the money is there. I have even played in a couple cafes located in flea markets down in Florida and Georgia because the money was there, even a bonafide juke joint that I had to drive a half mile down a wagon rut to get to. I have played in 5 star restaurants, for various dinners, I will go anywhere and this has given me the leg up and kept me working when a lot of my fellow musicians were sitting at home on the couch. Pick those benefit gigs carefully. Pacifica radio may get you some noteriety while playing for some other organization or cause may not and might you get too closely associated with a cuase that may do you more harm than good. At the very least ask them to compensate you for strings, gas, food, etc. They need to be willing to do that at least. I remember putting on a jazz benefit for a group serving people with disabilities. They had no money, so I went to the music and record stores and got them to do the underwriting so everyone who played got a nice paycheck out of the deal. Use your imagination, even beer distributors may put up some money. Those stores are taking your money, why not get them put some back!

Best of luck either way. I think one of our historical strengths is our connection to music. There is no doubt, struggle breeds some good tunes. But I think your analysis is entirely correct, it could do us a world of good to break out of the folk/punk milieu. The prospect of radical IWW hip-hop that speaks to working class issues. Radical club music or radical bar bands... Ohh, the possibilities...

630 worker here. I work in Theatres doing tech work like hanging, focusing, programing, running lights, building sets, deck hand, etc. in the bay area. just thought i should say hello.