Put Business Before Ego

Last week I had a nice conversation with Victor Wainwright, recording what will be the podcast that will be released on June 3rd (NHTE Episode 69).

At one point he was talking about something that more and more musicians should be talking about – because they’re doing it.

The concept is playing live shows as yourself, but then going out on the road (to play) with, say, two other bands too.  This way you can conceivably play the same venue three times in a span of time over which you wouldn’t be able to do as a solo act.

Imagine playing a show as yourself today, May 25th, then being able to go back to that same venue playing with another band, say, July 25th, and then with a third band on, perhaps, October 4th.  Do you think that venue would have you back for your solo show as three of those dates?  Of course not.  They don’t want the market to get too watered down, too stale, the “eh, you were just here” mentality.  They want some anticipation to build.

But, under the alternate approach, you get to keep working, have fun playing, and – let’s face it, this is a business – make more money because you’re staying busy.  Does it mean you might play 250 nights a year?  It very well could, yes.  But if that scares you, think of what playing only a third of that looks like.  It looks like someone who venues might not even consider to be a full-time artist and it looks like someone who all of a sudden might have to worry how he or she is going to put food on the table.

Sounds pretty simple, then, right?  Why wouldn’t a hard working musician follow that business plan, is what you’re thinking.

It’s a three letter word: ego.

“I’m not going to do that.  That means that two-thirds of the time, my name isn’t the one getting put on the marquee, getting advertised, being promoted.”  That’s what enough musicians think that it gets in their way of making new connections, seeing the country, and making more money.

Granted, there is always a need to build your brand.  But, if you’re sitting at home wondering why you’re not playing more, yet you’ve turned down an opportunity to go on the road with another band and get some work and make some money, you need just look in the mirror.  The face you’ll see might have the word EGO across the forehead.  Wipe it off and get out there and go discover some new venues and fans.  The pay is likely to come in more than just money.

Don’t just take my word on it, ask Victor Wainwright.  If you can find him out on the road, that is.