It's time for musicians to take a stand. I hear so many musicians complaining about pay. About making 50 75 or 100 bucks a night. If your playing a night club and not making a minimum 175 a night.( Should be 200 at least) a night for a least three nights then don't take the gig. That's per member by the way. For two nights it should 250 per night. Pubs and other smaller venues can be a little less. Bands that are playing for 100 buck per man per night are just screwing it up for everyone else. If you are working for 50 to 100 bucks a night per man and are serious about your music and that is what you think you are worth than you must suck. Sorry to say it but it's the truth. Stand up to these clubs that are raping you. If you are a new band and just trying to break into the scene I can understand having to come in at a lower rate but don't remain there. Once you have proven yourself it's time to bump it up.
The days of the full time musician are going ways of the dinosaur. It does not mean that your pay has to as well. The quality of good bands are going to drop because the great musicians will not work for peanuts. The clubs by not paying what the bands are worth are just shooting themselves in the foot and are not worth playing. People will come for a little while but then if there is no great bands to listen to the people will stop coming.
There is the odd club that pays fair and I applaud them and they are strong clubs because they treat there bands well. It makes the bands want to play. Yes the economy and drinking laws have hurt some clubs and have had to do some cut backs but are still trying to support bands. Others clubs that are still doing well have taken advantage of the situation and are using it to push all musicians under their thumbs. This is where the musicians have to say no.
As impossible has it sounds musicians have to band together ( no pun intended) Start conducting yourselves as business people. I think one of the problems is most musicians think they are not worth the respect they should get. Respect is earned when you lower yourself you lower how everyone sees you. STAND UP START WITH SELF RESPECT FIRST.
You are what you're worth and that also goes morally too.
You have to reinvent yourself do what it takes to survive but don't give in. Stand up believe in yourself.
The days of the full time musician are going ways of the dinosaur. It does not mean that your pay has to as well. The quality of good bands are going to drop because the great musicians will not work for peanuts. The clubs by not paying what the bands are worth are just shooting themselves in the foot and are not worth playing. People will come for a little while but then if there is no great bands to listen to the people will stop coming.
There is the odd club that pays fair and I applaud them and they are strong clubs because they treat there bands well. It makes the bands want to play. Yes the economy and drinking laws have hurt some clubs and have had to do some cut backs but are still trying to support bands. Others clubs that are still doing well have taken advantage of the situation and are using it to push all musicians under their thumbs. This is where the musicians have to say no.
As impossible has it sounds musicians have to band together ( no pun intended) Start conducting yourselves as business people. I think one of the problems is most musicians think they are not worth the respect they should get. Respect is earned when you lower yourself you lower how everyone sees you. STAND UP START WITH SELF RESPECT FIRST.
You are what you're worth and that also goes morally too.
You have to reinvent yourself do what it takes to survive but don't give in. Stand up believe in yourself.
First off 2 thumbs up for not throwing the Dj under the bus like some asshole bands do.
ReplyDeleteAs a musician, Dj, Soundtech I support what you are saying and live by the same rules. If the bands/dj's continue to take less pay the bars/owners will continue to think its ok. The one thing that most bars forget is the less you pay for a band/dj the less quality your going to get.
One last thing, there are lots of places that will pay you the right amount but if your not willing to hit the road, TFB (sorry ken I know you do some spots in Alberta and thats a start) When is the last time you Bands have tried to do a cross Canada tour???? You want to be a full time musician then do it and stop cry'n I've been there I've worked with most of Canada's best Country acts and they all play for the good money (3-5000$) at least 50 weeks out of the year.
In short;
Don't take the gig if the pay isn't there
Wanna be full time, hit the road it can be done
Wanna stay in one place and think you'll be a super star (Whiskey Jane) <--- yeah I went there.......If your a great local band, your a great local band.
Lastly STOP PLAYING COVERS!!!!! the 1980's called and they want their covers back!
If your going to browneyed girl or boot scoot and F'n boogie, OWN the song make it yours, twist it up.
Oh 1 more thing, if you find yourself on stage even at the worst place your playing and while your stumming or drumming and the thoughts in your head are....... What am I going to do with my wife on Sunday, or I cant wait to see my kids Christmas play..... QUIT!! The only think you should be thinking about is the room your in and pleasing the guests.
Love it or hate it I don't care, I know bands can make it I know its hard, but if you love it you'll do it. QQ
-Tyler the Dj
I couldn't agree more. I also think that musicians should stick together to stop these places that are taking advantage of us. I have been saying it for a while. I'm really happy to see that somebody has been able to articulate it very well. If the place does not pay what you are worth don't take the gig. I agree that if we all start doing that the places that want live music will eventually start treating the musicians with respect.
ReplyDeleteArmando Sax