Being a local band has been a lot of fun, and I've met a lot of great people through it. However, some people don't always see the business side of it. In the midst of promoting for one of my next shows with my band, it seems as if it's getting harder and harder to stay relevant in the local scene. So here's some things some of my friends and I have figured out the past couple years:
1. Being in a band is A LOT harder than it seems
Okay, so maybe it's not as hard as like brain surgery or being a lawyer, but besides playing around a show a month, there's the promotion, the practicing, the songwriting, the planning, the phone calls, the emails. Oh yeah, and we have lives too. Those. Factor in school, work, and family/social time, and the day could use a couple extra hours sometimes. (Add in trying to get people outside your friend group to listen/buy tickets, ITS HARD.)
2. Being a local musician is expensive. Like, REALLY EXPENSIVE....
It's not like this stuff comes for free. Many of us have spent money on lessons, our own equipment, along with other things. A lot of it comes from out of our pockets, not the magic bottle that grants us three wishes (however, if anyone can find one, I'll be happy to negotiate with you.)
3. The ever-changing reaction you get when you say you're in a band/ a musician.
"You don't look like you'd be in a band!" "Oh like, a band, like that, like plays on stage?" and my personal favorite, the doubtful "Wait, really?" No, I'm lying to you to better our friendship, hoping you LOVE local music.
4. We don't live this ROCKSTAR life you think we do.
We don't drink after every show, sleep all day and party all night. When that kind of stuff does happen, it's a good time! But, it's not like we do it every second. Remember, a lot of us still have lives off the stage, whether it be as a student or in the workplace.
5. There's nothing better than playing a great set.
Trust me, I've played great shows with the band, and I've played some pretty awful ones too. But there's no better adrenaline rush than playing a great show.
6. No matter what we say, there's always a little piece of us that's trying to "make it big."
Sure, we say it's for fun right now, but even though we don't live that life of a famous musician like I said, doesn't mean we don't dream of it. The people you meet through it and the friends you make along the way make it worth it for now. We all wish that we catch that big break, but for now, we just enjoy doing it.
Jam on, fellow musicians.
