Fun Stuff > BAND

Music as a Job or Lifestyle

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Koremora:
So, I wanted to have some discussion about how people build a life around music. You mostly hear about the bands that have at least moderate success and are able to sustain themselves financially by playing music, but I've never really heard specific stories about how bands or musicians fit recording albums, touring, etc. into a full-time job schedule and raising a family. Do any of you know people like this? How do they make it work? What do you think is the difference between those groups that are able to be full-time musicians and those that have to work on the side?

pwhodges:
My son is a classical pianist.  In spite of an international reputation he had to move to a different country (UK -> DE) to be able to make it sustainable. 

But I suppose little of his experience is relevant to life in a band.

Koremora:
Any stories like that are good, I'm just trying to gather some perspective based on other people's experiences. I'm headed off to college somewhere about a year from now, and these kinds of situations are things I need to evaluate as I figure out what I'm going to do with myself. Plus, it makes for a pretty good discussion thread.

Bastardous Bassist:
I used to play music as my sole source of income.  I was a freelance jazz bassist primarily, but I played some rock gigs and musicals upon occasion.  The most important thing for me was to be versatile.  If someone called me for a gig, the worst feeling in the world was having to say that I couldn't play in that genre, so I made sure I never had to say that.  I practiced as much as I could (sometimes this was difficult due to injury, but I'll get to that later) and I played with everyone I could.  Not just for pay, but sometimes for experience and a lot of time for the chance to get my name out there.  Reputation is really everything, especially if you're playing freelance.

I rarely had a weekly gig, which meant that someone had to specifically think of calling me when they needed a bassist often enough for me to be able to sustain myself.  So, pretty much every gig was not just work, but also a job interview for the next gig.  That's the way it is with bands, too (rock bands, at least), because you can't rely on steady employment.  Networking is key, too.  Whenever I went to see a show, or to a restaurant where a jazz band was playing, I would have to talk to the guys playing just so they either remembered me, or got to know me if they ever needed a bassist.  It's that last part which is the main reason I got out of the business and am now a simple graduate student.  That and it was a big hindrance to trying to have relationships.

I guess I miss playing jazz a lot (all I get to play is rock, because I don't have a reputation in the jazz community in this town), but it's much more relaxing hanging out with musicians these days.  I also don't get to practice nearly enough (only about an hour a day), which is slightly depressing, because even if I got called for a jazz gig, I probably wouldn't be able to play it.  I guess this was a lot more rambling about my previous career, but maybe it'll be a bit useful in the discussion.

E. Spaceman:
Shellac of North America

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