Karaoke is a strange beast -many times because of the venues that you find it.
I have a keen theory about karaoke and it's this:
"For most people, the karaoke experience has little or nothing to do with singing and everything to do with self-expression into a microphone"
I hosted karaoke for YEARS in a bar in Lincoln, Nebraska -and after observing years and years of patterned behaviors, I developed that theory.
So, what happens when you fill the bar with people and not a single one of them cares that karaoke is happening? Does it magically lose it's appeal because nobody is listening to the person holding the microphone? Again, little or nothing to do with singing and everything to do with "who is paying attention to me?".
There's a pub in downtown DSM that I've visited a few times -and it contains one of the strangest vibes I've ever encountered at a venue that provides karaoke... There is usually a small list of singers by 10:00pm, the indoor area is usually at least half full (sometimes only at the bar), and EVERY patron in the joint couldn't care less that karaoke is happening -including the other singers on the list. It's a paradox, man, because usually the singers will at least support each other.
I've been to this bar when it's nearly empty and have observed the same crowd response from an out-of-this-world singer as when the bar is shoulder-to-shoulder full. People literally turn their backs to the karaoke experience.
I hate going to this bar because the patrons treat the karaoke singers poorly.
However, I LOVE going to this bar because I know that if I sing, I'm going to have to focus 100x harder to care about the song I'm singing, because the space LOOKS like a performance, but in all actuality, I'm just singing for the sake of singing -because a FULL ROOM of people are paying no attention.
The stakes are a little different when you know the audience isn't going to respond.
This is a fantastic performance exercise for me, because it forces me to revisit the "why" factor of what drives me to sing. Firstly, I love to sing because it makes me feel good and I enjoy it. Secondly, it's part of my act and crucial to my shows. That's it! It's not about impressing the drunks or proving that I'm better than anybody else. This isn't one of my shows, so I'm not there to build my fan base. It's good for me to put myself out of my comfort zone and in front of a crowd that doesn't care -so I can do what I love. Why? Because it reminds me that even if the people don't care, I still really love singing and singing still makes me feel good! Therefore, singing is worth doing!
Love me or hate me, my art & my identity will not be defined or validated by any audience -and neither should yours!
What do you think? Would you go up and sing a song at a karaoke joint that is completely full and no one is responding to any singers? Would you go up for a second song? How about a third? If you've ever had an experience like this, I'd love to hear about it!
Until next time,
-T.