It sounds like many of these people didn’t cut their teeth in the indie circuit, because you learn this on that level; just on a smaller scale (you likely don’t work with spreadsheets that much, for instance, but you learn about administration in a big, fat hurry).
When I played in a band, I knew from the gate that most of it would be pounding the pavement, and that you would need a work ethic you could translate into a regimen. Sure, jamming and even Sunday writing sessions are fun, but if you can’t learn to jam that jam into three hours so you could spend the rest of the day answering emails and on the phone talking to promoters and the like, you weren’t going to hack it.
Mind you, you have more leeway in indie because no one is pressing you, but it’s still how you separate the wheat from the chaff with discipline and order. I remember there was this young band that kept playing shows and after a year, were wondering why they were still the opener; why after a year, it wasn’t “their turn” to headline. That sort of thing is a dead giveaway.
The band I was in *did* headline shows. We also practiced six days a week, and three of us came in on the seventh. It was just what we did. We had day jobs and no illusions of making it huge, and we rubbed elbows with the occasional name in the business, but the long and short of it is, if it isn’t “who you are”, you’re probably only going to keep it up until you quit music and start some other scheme. Those types were prominent on that level, too.
The music business is all about business. Music is only the product. Long-term business is built on trust in relationships...which is only ever earned, never given.
Last ones good! 👍
Oooohhh...I want to get my hands on that memoir, where do I sign?
Damn, I’m looking forward to your memoir! Sounds like it’s going to be a hell of a book! 🔥
Thank you so much, Vera! That’s why I’m on here 😊 trust me, it’s way more detailed and juicy 💃
I do. I’ve only been in this industry for 7 months and my head is absolutely spinning. Your insights so far are sharp!
It sounds like many of these people didn’t cut their teeth in the indie circuit, because you learn this on that level; just on a smaller scale (you likely don’t work with spreadsheets that much, for instance, but you learn about administration in a big, fat hurry).
When I played in a band, I knew from the gate that most of it would be pounding the pavement, and that you would need a work ethic you could translate into a regimen. Sure, jamming and even Sunday writing sessions are fun, but if you can’t learn to jam that jam into three hours so you could spend the rest of the day answering emails and on the phone talking to promoters and the like, you weren’t going to hack it.
Mind you, you have more leeway in indie because no one is pressing you, but it’s still how you separate the wheat from the chaff with discipline and order. I remember there was this young band that kept playing shows and after a year, were wondering why they were still the opener; why after a year, it wasn’t “their turn” to headline. That sort of thing is a dead giveaway.
The band I was in *did* headline shows. We also practiced six days a week, and three of us came in on the seventh. It was just what we did. We had day jobs and no illusions of making it huge, and we rubbed elbows with the occasional name in the business, but the long and short of it is, if it isn’t “who you are”, you’re probably only going to keep it up until you quit music and start some other scheme. Those types were prominent on that level, too.
So, I am going to cut right to it. Samantha, that cover photo for this post is…Poster Worthy!
(Be still my beating heart)
Okay - Creep mode off.
Haha thanks! I bought the shirt as a joke and then during a work photo shoot was like, hang on a second, this is an opportunity!
Very insightful. I’ve never really considered what’s behind the concert - that is a lot of work!
Sooo much work! And no personal life because it gets super blurred.
The music business is all about business. Music is only the product. Long-term business is built on trust in relationships...which is only ever earned, never given.