Establishing as an Oregon Performing Artist

Taking the No Limits Stage around the state

Every year I move my music project to a new goal in effort to take it to a new level and places. Last year I wanted to create an independent stage that I could take anywhere to perform and record a full show. I slowly pieced together the No Limits Stage that required no power and I could even bring my own stage if needed, which was built on the back of my truck.

It was a fun process and eventually I had all I needed to do exactly what I had intended to do and show up to a venue and after a quick load in have all the required items to put on a solid 2-hour hour. The result of the platform allowed me to record all of my shows and publish each experience as an immersive recording. I now have a library of these Geotagged shows, six in fact, with my latest recorded live at Haymaker Bar in Portland, Oregon.

I quickly began to experience a variety of benefits from my labors of booking, setting up, performing, recording and publishing the songs. Great SEO for my project, something to give to potential bookers as a demo but one of biggest benefits of the No Limits Stage; aside the freedom of performing anywhere I want, is the ability to evolve my music. I’ve been able to really focus on delivering a great one-take performance of a song while advancing the tune with new elements, like a guitar lead or stomp pedal sounds. It really drives the focus to the ultimate product, the music.

When I was making my way to Portland for the overnight solo trip the one thing that was on my mind was doing a great live performance for the recording. I’ve learned over the course of these recording experiences that the live audience is the secret ingredient to the magic of a performance. Although I promoted the show heavily on social media and with the local papers I didn’t expect that many people to come to my show - being a complete unknown artist in the area. But it didn’t matter too much to me if there were a lot of people there or not- it was about the experience and commitment to record a great version of my music.

I was also very excited to play in a completely new town with new hosts, ears and impressions to make. My show was at 9pm with an 8pm load in time which gave me time to check into a room over at McMenamin’s Kennedy School, have some dinner and relax a little bit before the show.

When I arrived I was happy to see a decent crowd and most of them stuck around for the entire show. Overall it was good show and the recording was great. The venue was happy and as I drove home to Bend in the morning I felt a good sense of accomplishment.

It’s the beginning of a new era for Ghost of Brian Craig which has now officially grown to an OREGON project. Next stop Brookings, Oregon at Oxenfre Public House.