So, what do you do for a living?

[gibbo]

I've just been reading through Glenn's responses to his birthday greetings and he mentioned that he was a bus driver.
That got me to wondering; what jobs do other forum members do?
I'm a full time player in a hard-working duo but am also a qualified electronics technician and recording engineer. I come from the era when you had to "have something to fall back on, just in case this music thing doesn't pan out".
I worked in a major recording studio for three years after completing my electronics apprenticeship, them went pro as a musician.
Luckily for me (or not) I've managed to make a living out of music all my life but my dear old Mum is still waiting for me to get a real job.
I'm interested in hearing what other forum members do.

[Steptoe]

We are all Bus Drivers here Gibbo! ;D

Seriously though nowadays music is my full time thing. I did work in the Public Service for most of my adult life (which used to be a great place for working Muso's as far as time off was concerned)

Which Recording studio did you work in Gibbo? I've been in a few around Sydney over the years. And I think I've probably worked in every Club in Sydney, the Central Coast & Newcastle (yes we have a Newcastle here as well) at some point, It's funny you think you are working at a new venue until you get inside and then you realise you've played there before.

[levi2]

Im in a duo just as a paid hobby at weekends
my main job is a textile printer. Printing material for curtains dresses furniture for customers in the Uk USA and other places.

Gibbo any hints on mixing down recordings ie reverb delay chorus and the like

levi2

[gibbo]

Hi Guys,
Yep, it's the same for us, there aren't any new venues, just lots of interior decorators!
I worked in the studio at Festival Records in Sydney for 3 years. I've done plenty of stints in other "mother ships" over the years and quite a bit of live-sound.
Levi, I'm afraid the old ears ain't what they used to be after a long career in rock bands.
I can certainly answer any questions you have and highly recommend the threads at Front Of House Online's Wild and Wooly forum, especially the tutorial by Ferrit37 at www.fohonline.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=365 for an all round primer on sound, live or home recording. Ferrit has posted just about all the info you'd ever want and I'd just be repeating his advice. My observation about most home recordings is that there's nearly always too much reverb and effects useage in general, less is more! One of the best ways I know to make a recording really shine is to use different reverbs on different parts of the song, ie: use a different reverb on the chorus than on the verse, this always seems to bring the whole song to life on playback. Check out the Wild and Wooly forum at fohonline, you'll find heaps of great stuff and the guys are very helpful to newbies.
Let me know how you go.
Cheers, Dave

[thingyy]

I got a lump sum redundancy from Telecom so I just live off my gigs now.
Paid the house off and life is great. Kids left home.Go surfcasting when I want. My ambiton was to retire at 50 so I'm happy.Moving to Oz next year so I may have to get a part time job till I suss out the music scene over there

[dingadong04]

Hi ya Gibbo i have always been invloved in voluntary youth and community work until about five years ago .I got involved in bands when i 16 i was working in a local youth club where there was a room set aside for bands to rehearse so from then on thats been my source of income and touch wood its served me well, I really should own a big house and two cars but the bar was open.lol

[gibbo]

Hey Ding, I think it's great that you've put in your dues with the community work, good for you!
I know what you mean about the bar being open; I probably should be thinking about houses and cars and all things material but I'm just having too much fun being a musician! What I do have is a lifetime full of fantastic memories and wonderful friends. I know you can't take a lifetime of memories to the bank but it somehow makes it all seem worthwhile. So far, it's been one hell of a ride, I wouldn't have missed it for quids, and it ain't over yet!

[mark]

I have had loads of jobs. Sales Repping,Store Managers, Factory work.Music was just a way for me to relax. I have been relaxing full time for the last 5 years and have never looked back.Music is a great way to make a living and lots of friends. I'll never be rich but i can honestly say that I am Happy.
regards
Mark

[guilty]

I started an apprenticeship at 17 as a linesman for the State Electricity Commission. At 21 and fully qualified I took the plunge and quit my job to tour with my cover band. I've been lucky I guess but since that day I have made my sole income from music. 3 to 5 gigs a week has seen me through paying the mortgage and feeding the family. I'm now 42 and still loving it.

PS. I've only had about 8 weeks holiday in the past 21 years but had 16 weeks paid holidays in 4 years prior to that.

[dingadong04]

Fair play ta ya gibbo yiv started a great wee discussion ..i was just reading thru the replys and mark yer a hundred % happiness is the main thing but then you struck a chord with me ( pardon the pun )lack of holidays .. i know its our choice but the older i get the more i,m sorry i missed out on all the New years eves , boxing nights st paddys nights ..all the big money nights ..the craic was great but my family and friends and neighbours always got together on those occassions and i m sorry i missed them for that was true happiness ..anyway gibbo just my wee thought for the night

[gibbo]

So true, Ding!
It's probably the same for all working musicians; your social life tends to revolve around gigs.
One thing that we used to do here is have an annual get-together of all the musicians and their families. Usually on a week day when the gigs are scarce. It was a great chance to catch up with everyone and meet all the actual people behind the "Here next week!" gig-posters that you see at the venues. The wives and kids all seem to accept the lifestyle but they surely make the most of the chance to have a natter with other gig-widows. My missus works with me and still refers to herself as the midi-widow!
It seems like everyone has similar experiences: no weekends, missed holidays, the simple family occasions that mean so much. I'd probably do it all over again but there really is no substitute for finding a nice balance between the stage and life. Maybe one day we'll get it right!

[dingadong04]

Sure if we get it right gibbo it would,nt be the same ..what would we have to moan about ..lol

[lennon]

Nice to hear what other muso's get up to. I've been playing for the best part of 36 years,mainly weekends, but during the day, I work in a parts department for a well known Swedish car manufacturer, 8-30 to 5-30, 5 days a week, lots of weeks and not many holidays. Every now and again, I think I will give up playing and try to lead a "normal" life. But then reality kicks in and I think, well, what is normal these days ! I have never taken my long suffering wife into town dancing (me dance, thats a laugh), the cinema I saw the first James Bond film in is now a trendy wine bar (I don't like wine), and I wouldn't have a clue where to catch a bus home. I don't mind others knowing how old I am, 51, do any other "well I might do that one day" people think the same. Where HAS all the time gone, and so quickly ?
Regards, Lennon.