To Work or not to Work?

To work or not to work?

This Blog is mainly about the job of the musician and how we have to work everyone else's 'party time'.

The discussion came up this week, after our usual Band chat regarding Christmas. As a rule, we will work any day of the year, but this year, 2 members want Xmas Eve off. One of them has two children and as we know, there's a lot to do on Xmas eve so he really needs to be home. Our other member wants some time with his partner due to the massive work-load on the run-up to the big day. Both of which is totally fine from my point of view – we work any other day of the year. We'd all happily work Xmas day, but the payment would have to be very very good!

I'm happy to work any day of the year, Xmas eve included, but its given us a good excuse to also host a cosy Christmas eve supper for our family.

We work every other prime date, so it will be quite nice not to. Although, none of us want to make a habit of that as it is our main income and prime dates are not only big sellers and in demand, but also big payers! Being that we are all self-employed musicians, in this industry, you also know, you have to take the work when its there, as you never know when you might have a quiet spell etc. It would also be very silly to turn it away.

Usually, every Fri & Sat in Dec, plus Xmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Years eve and any additional Bank Hol dates (like we had last year, and have again this year) are guaranteed bookings. Although, all of our family and friends know its our job, we all miss out on the usual Saturday Eve get together's which suit all of those who work ie Mon-Fri 9-5pm. Our Bass players family BonFire Party was postponed til the Sunday 6^th this year as we were booked on the 5^th, and the kids didn't seem to mind – nor none of the rest of the family.

Personally, I love working all these prime dates, especially New Years Eve, we always have a blast. We all get on so well and have a good laugh too – all we hope is that the audience are up for some fun too, as they alone can make our night :) Even though, at our NYE 2009 gig in Central London, we came off stage 11.45pm as there was another band who had to set-up to start at 12.15am, meant we actually spent the countdown in a freezing cold fire escape packing up, but it did all make us laugh as it wasn't what any of us had in mind – and we then spent the next 3 hours trying to get out of a 'closed down' London. Ah, the joys! But it does make it interesting and no gig is ever the same.

I've just received and enquiry to perform for a wedding, two days before mine...... was I stupid to say yes, no problem?? Even the other bride was trying to tell me i'd be too stressed to gig that weekend! Na, not me! Bring on the gigs! (Ok, we'll have this conversation again in 6 months time!).

So, the bottom line, our jobs as a musicians: Being prepared to work everyone else's party times!!! and being self-employed, you have to take the money/work when its there!!

Roll on Festive period 2011!!!!