Where to go when music burns you out

[mirth]

Interesting read

noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/ywg9em/where-do-you-turn-when-the-music-industry-skews-your-mental-health?utm_source=vicefbus

[Infinite Ego]

I'm glad I never went down the music business road. I seriously contemplated going to music school in the 80s but thankfully I was persuaded to go in another direction.

[sonicdeviant]

There was a time when some of our high school band members were contemplating GIT, PIT, etc. Glad we didn't follow through.

[mirth]

I've thankfully never really had a musical burnout, though I do get bummed by the state of the music industry in general. I've never really liked doing money gigs at all (unless the money is really good, but even then it needs to be something I'm interested in a little at least...like I did a jewish wedding band because it's not something I hear or play ever and it was a trip, to say the least (and well paid)).

I did the make my living off of it for awhile and I do think I got burned out on that aspect of it, however I was going about it all wrong in hindsight and didn't take advantage of some opportunities that would have made my life a lot better (for dumb reasons). However, that is just how life is I guess.

I've never actually got burnt out on the music aspect of things though, it's never been a musical issue, that seems to be an endless flow of inspiration and determination. The business side is no fun in any industry.

I don't really dwell on the past (which is aided by my terrible memory), but it is an interesting thought process to consider what I would have done different given the opportunity and how that will affect my future decisions. There is a part of me that would still love to get this musical thing hopping, but my goals have changed to more of working towards the opportunity to play with folks I want to, as opposed to making a ton of money doing it. So if Mike Patton, Keith Carlock, Dave Liebman, Tim Lefevbre, Jimmy Carter, Greg Osby, Mike Keneally, Trilok Gutru, Wayne Shorter, Mark Guiliani, Jimmy Gnecco (singer from Ours), John Zorn, Aydin Esen, Joshua Redman, Sonny Landreth, among so many others are interested in making some music...I'm all game. Haha.

[asb]

I've known some killer musicians locally in my time (still do for the most part). There were a few that were literally world class and I was scrambling like a madman to keep up with them - all of these guys I knew could have done more with their talent had they had better luck, connections and possibly mental fortitude .

Just about every one of them went on to the married with a day job and probably kids. Some had issues with depression or just a bad attitude about their band not succeeding beyond a certain area or just getting tired of the grind of rehearsal/play a dispiriting gig/sell disappointingly few merch and then repeat.

I'd say most of these folks wouldn't have been suited for the cut-throat music industry. A friend's niece is a little local alterna-rock scenester (imagine a white Tracey Chapman with similar songs to 'Fast Car' but about substance/domestic abuse) and has gotten some notice but she'll never make a dent in the national scene unless she does a crazy youtube video - she doesn't have the distinctive physical look the industry mandates. And who knows if her fortitude could handle stardom. Maybe I'm wrong.

I like the fact that I've been able to make little splashes here and there with what I do - my day gig isn't so all consuming that I have no energy at the end of the day. A gig here and there, a record here and there, a jam here and there. No problem.  And sometimes what I write ABOUT is what happens at my day gig which is so crazy you'd never believe half of it.

But to do it full time? Nah, I'd rather not.

[sonicdeviant]

I had a steady gig once for about a year. Had to play every Sat night around 8 to 10. I started to realize that anything can become a job--something you dread--even something you love. Had a few nights where I stood there and played while sick. No one to call in for me.

I'm okay with music being a hobby.