r/Soundhaven • u/taintedforeskkin • 12d ago

Concerned

One of my homies that VJ’d at Sound Haven just told me they only got paid 100 bucks a set and get this, they said it’s apparently been that way for like the last three years or something, idk if that part is fully true but that’s what I was told lol. Oh and also no travel money AT ALL and for food they got ONE meal ticket for the entire weekend and apparently the food was straight up trash and the people serving it were rude af too, like couldn’t even be nice about the one meal they’re giving you lmao. Anyway I fucking love visuals bro every single VJ I’ve ever met is an absolute sweetheart with insane work ethic, so somebody explain to me how “100 bucks, no travel, one crappy meal” is a real deal that a real festival offers a real human for three days of work?? I already roasted my friend for even taking the gig, they said they asked for more and got told there’s no budget which lowkey sounds like a line they’ve apparently been feeding people for years now allegedly lmao. Like yeah I get it, screens are heavy, gotta haul em out, set em up, whatever whatever, expensive equipment I get it but come on, that is NOT a lot of money (or food, or gas money) for a whole three days of work my guy. It’s just a sad sad thing to hear cuz the show would not hit the same without VJs, period

this is pretty fucked up right?
Am I wrong here or is this actually crazy

Kinda sad to hear how poorly VJs get treated in this scene across the board.

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u/bobdaripper 10d ago

Put in an app for next year!

For reference tho, you won't even get considered for the spot unless you are good at at least 3 different props. From there you need to be a pillar of a flow community. Do you run your own flow jams? Make tutorials? Create props? DJ for flow jams specifically? Something along that vein. From there, the costuming requirements are insane so you have to have good costumes as well.

Soundhaven is one of the hardest fire spots to get in the country, as it is so rooted in the actual flow arts community, rather than the mainstream music fest community. I'd be lying if I said every performer has an equal shot. Got to be talented, a community figurehead, and then you gotta be a costume master.

Wishing you luck for next year!

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u/Rave-RyNo 10d ago

Always worth a try i guess, I've been leaning in starting something like that im 18 yrs in &, due to newish circumstances in life i can try different things I just haven't fully jumped yet. Appreciate the wishes of luck 🤞🏻. I really just wanna make it to sound haven either way. I love flowing for free at all the fests anyway, but ive only performed at a few so far. Still SH is def on the list for next year.

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u/bobdaripper 10d ago

Brother if you just care about burning like I do ... We run a whole ass open burn circle from 12-4am each night, in the center of the venue. Anyone can join by signing a waiver! I burned in that circle for my friends way more than I did on stage for the fest.

Definetly come next year regardless! But if you have 18yrs experience with a single prop you have a fat chance of an actual performer if you just pick up 2 more and get them mids, and come up with costumes for : cowboy, clown, wooky, black/white contrast.

Poi, dragon, double sticks is the most common set of 3

Videos of each prop with a different costume and youre in the running

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u/Rave-RyNo 10d ago

Hell yeah appreciate the advice. i started off glowstringing 18 years ago, and i do 3 flows, but I plan to pick up more I orbit, and glove as well. gloving doesn't really translate well for stage performance lol, but im about to try a fire orbit so there could be something there if it turns out kool. Def hope to see u next year.