You And Maroon 5

Attention and trust. That’s what’s scarce, that’s what’s rare.  That’s why Maroon 5 get a decent song on the radio and your great song never gets air play.

But that’s what you need.  Attention and trust, not air play.

The question isn’t why is Maroon 5 on the radio and super famous and you’re not…it’s why do people trust them and give them attention (which turns into money)…and then follow that up with why should people trust you and give you their attention.

(Our friends might not be perfect day after day, or as exciting as when we first met them, but we keep giving them more chances because that’s a whole lot easier than finding brand new friends.)

That’s why an artists first hit song/album is usually their best song, because it had to be great in order to make up for their lack of attention and trust from the public.

However, once you have attention and trust, the battle becomes how to still deliver great music when you know you can lean on the attention and trust you’ve earned and it will make up for a certain amount of lack of quality in the music.

If you’ve been around for a while, writing songs, putting out music, you probably have a song that if it were shoved down peoples’ throats through radio, ads, placements, etc, people would like it just fine.  So maybe your song isn’t the problem (…but maybe it is).

You can be trusted. You’re worth giving attention to. You just have to show us why.

I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Late For The Gig

While going to play a gig yesterday, I sat in the worst traffic I’ve ever sat in.  A stretch that should have taken an hour to drive took three and a half hours.

Suppose to be there to load-in (through long halls, lifts, elevators to the 22nd floor) in at 5, show at 8.  Got there at 7:30, still started on time and everyone was happy.  By far the fastest load in and set up of a sound system and lights that has ever happened in the history of music.

But I will say, as I was changing clothes in the bathroom at 7:55, I’ve was never more aware of how haggard I looked…and felt.  Borderline homeless man in a suit.

But the show went on, and people at the event were none the wiser of our stress-fest nightmare situation that we somehow pulled off.

And then I got to thinking…the show has never not happened.

I’ve played a million shows and there have been a million close calls, but I’ve never missed one.

There have been so many times, countless times where I have stressed out and stressed out the people around me because something went wrong, or we’re going to be late, or someone forgot cables or drumsticks.

For what?  For the fear that the show wasn’t going to happen, people would be mad at me, people would think I’m a bad person for not upholding my word to play a show, for not looking professional.

But being professional isn’t about things going right all the time, it’s about making the show happen despite EVERYTHING going wrong.

So here’s to a little less worry and stress about the next gig.  Breathe.  It’s all going to happen…yes, the worry and the stress, but most importantly THE GIG.

I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

The Place Where You Get Good Ideas

The good ideas you have come from the same place you get the bad ideas.

So just keep getting new ideas and you’ll eventually get some good ones.

The bad ones are just badges for not giving up.

So either way today you can get a good idea or earn a badge.

Both have value in the long run.

I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Fun To Be The Dopey One

True story…

“I’m the guy who never knows what’s going on.”

I heard a musician guy say this to a group of his buddies at a coffee shop the other day.  Everyone had a good laugh, and echoed something similar about themselves, desiring to be part of the club.

Why does everyone love that guy so much?

Because he poses no threat.  He’s really kind of a goob, isn’t he? That guy will not rock the/your boat.  He will not impose his strength, whether it’s for or against you.  He’s taken himself off the hook.  He rolls with the wind.  Whatever is comfortable, he’s on board.  

So he makes you feel safe.

But when I think of artist or leader, I don’t think of safe.  I think of creativity, risk, vision, tension, release, purpose, declaration, the edge.

It’s fun to be the dopey guy for a second.

It’s fulfilling to strive to be an artist/leader for a lifetime.

I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Band Money

Tax day. Usually the only day people dedicate their attention to their finances as opposed to what’s going on with the Kardashian’s.

If you’re a band or artist (a business) who brings in more than a couple thousand dollars a month (gross), you need two things.

A business manager and a monthly money meeting.

A business manager is not your uncle who knows how to add, your mom who knows how to pay your cell phone bill because you don’t, or the bass player who took accounting 101 in high school.

You need a pro.  And for the services they provide, it’s some of the best money you can spend on your career.  They are smarter than you, add better, know the laws, know how to save you money, know the tax code, know how to structure the business in the most advantageous way.

They’re worth it.  If you need suggestions, ask me.

Then also, talk about money with your band/team at least once a month.  At the very least, talk about what money is coming in and what expenses are happening.  Hopefully this leads to your team having financial plans/goals/vision…but if nothing else, adopt the baby step of talking about money once a month.

Even if you don’t think you’re organization is making a ton of money, it’s an excellent practice to start now. That way as the money grows, you’ll have good habits already in place…as opposed to bad habits, which will be the result of doing nothing.

I know you hate talking about money but you’re going to have to get over it if you ever want to have any.

I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com

Drip Drop. Drip Drop.

Committing to do something daily that is beneficial to your career is beneficial for your career.

Commitment is beneficial for your mind as well.  We all need a little robotic nature in our lives (…and the truth is some of us need a little less, but go with me…).  It exercises the commitment, loyalty, vision, goal setting muscles in a very simple way.  

But simple things done everyday turn into significant results.

I’m not saying you should release an album every day or vow to play a show every day or spend five hours at the gym every day.

Find something that you can quietly commit to on a daily basis.  Something small.

Reading a blogger, writing a blog, singing a song, writing a poem, sitting outside for 5mins, doing 20 pushups, starting your day with a glass of water.

And you don’t have to be perfect, you just have to commit to not letting yourself off the hook.

When you start doing something everyday you learn how to stick with things in general.  But for whatever simple thing you choose, don’t fool yourself into thinking that just because it’s simple that the voices trying to get you to not do it are going to stop.  They won’t.

But having at least one tiny victory each day will start redefining the fight.

Do something everyday. Starting today.

I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com