This is Chris Chris. I'm reaching out to see if there are any like-minded musicians in the Albuquerque area interested in joining a collaborative venture I'm launching locally.
The Inspiration:
When I lived in New York, I was part of the Black Rock Coalition—a musician collective with membership fees (different rates for bands vs. solo acts) and a simple but powerful requirement: attend three fellow members' shows per month. You paid the cover, bought a drink, and stayed for at least one set. What I learned is that nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd. We supported each other, swapped opening/headlining spots, and built something real together.
The Reality Check:
I've already reached out to some local musicians about creating something similar here.
Two camps emerged immediately:
Camp One: Wanted all the benefits without the work—already asking if they could skip shows or reduce the commitment.
Camp Two: Didn't hesitate at three shows a month. This group is smaller, but they get it.
What I'm Building:
Since this is still on my heart, I'm trying one more time. I'm working with a venue to launch a monthly podcast/live recording series featuring local original music.
Here's the concept:
- A core group of 12 performers/bands (each with at least 30 minutes of original material)
- Monthly recordings on the **fourth Thursday (starting February 26th)
- Each episode: ~5-minute interview + ~30 minutes of live music
The requirement: Attend all 12 recordings throughout the year—whether it's your session or not
What I'm Looking For:
Friendship. Loyalty. Participation. Musicians who genuinely support others trying to get their work out there.
Next Steps:
If this resonates with you or your band, please reach out directly—I'd prefer not to hash this out in public comments. Find me on social media by searching "Chris Chris" or @chrisbelief.