Why Biting Your Tongue Matters (A Rant)

We've all been there. That moment where you think you need to enlighten the person in front of you about their flaws. They're sitting at a green light, they say something completely out of the realm of fact, their child is sitting in a grocery cart with just a diaper on and nothing else, the person who leaves a 10% tip for what they rave as "the best service they've ever received." More than likely, they do need to be enlightened. There are a million reasons why you shouldn't. Just a couple:

1. You really don't need that black eye
2. They'll be weeded out of the pool eventually
3. If "that" was just said, imagine what their comeback would be
4. Karma

I've come to the conclusion that the last is the most important. I'm a full believer in karma. I am also a believer that people are inherently good. Hell, I'll bet my career on it. Here's some of my circumstances. Many times in the music industry, some of the musician's "employers" don't quite understand how the game works. I wish that I could even begin to list some of the situations, misunderstandings, and downright rudeness that musicians have to put up with . . . wait a minute. . . I can. This is my blog. Let me see . . . 

Solo artists get a bit more flack than bands but bands get their fair share of flack as well. As a solo artist it seems like the first issue is space. Many times I've arrived at a destination only to be shoved in a corner with my PA, having little or no wiggle room. See attached photo to the left. This area, seems to be a consistency for me as a solo artist.  So here's what we're left with. Despite the fact that we can't move, we are unable to prevent feedback. Why? Because the microphone is dry-humping the speaker.  It's true. That's what it's doing. Another issue with this space is the fact that there is nowhere to put any kind of merchandise. This is ridiculous. I know that I'm being paid a minimal wage from the so-called venue but my objective is to provide entertainment so that I can gain fans who would like to purchase my merchandise. This expands my career and helps me grow as an artist. You telling me that I can, "Put my CDs behind me," doesn't do me any good. People want to experience my merchandise. They want to pick up the album, have a gander, feel the shirts, open them up for sizes, sign up on the email list on a flat surface (not hold it so it floats out to Neverland making it illegible). Guess what else I can't put down. Yep, a tip jar. Speaking of, let's get to the nitty-gritty of the tip jar.

The Tip Jar

I played a gig where there was a bit of miscommunication regarding the tip jar. Here's the deal. If people want to tip you, they'll tip you. Might as well provide a place for them to toss some cash. I played a place where I wasn't allowed to put a tip jar out. Are you kidding me?! Of course the claim was, "What am I paying you for?" As I was unable to collect my thoughts at the time being so flabbergasted I am now . . . shall we say, collected. Here's what you're paying me for:

1. My gas to drive to your venue
2. The maintenance on my car
3. The sound equipment that I play through (when you don't have one)
4. The knowledge of 3-5hrs worth of songs that I play
5. My taste in music that is not my own
6. My own music
7. My instruments
8. My acquired ability to read an audience and know what they want to hear
9. Oh yeah . . . my musicianship

So here's the deal. People want to tip. They WANT to show their appreciation to the musician. This particular gig people were literally throwing money at my feet in the middle of songs because there was not a proper vessel to place said-currency in. Far be it from me to tell them that their money is no good and I won't appreciate it. Musicians, most of the time, make an extra 40 to 60% on average as a result of tips. Usually the price agreed upon prior is agreed upon with the understanding that they'll make up what they actually need in tips. Just saying. 

But let's get back to Karma.

So I've played these gigs, shoved in a corner, no tip jar, my merchandise practically stacked up on the hood of my car. That's the thing. I've played them. I've bitten my tongue in unfortunate circumstances and came out the better musician for it. I've made some of my best fans because they happened to show up at that particular place on that particular night out of pure circumstance. Here's something you may not know. When I finish playing and you tell me how "great" I was and how you can't wait to see me again, there's a little something that goes on in the background. MUSICIANS TALK. There is an inner circle and understanding among musicians to share their experiences with other musicians. If your venue doesn't treat professional musicians correctly, you'd better bet that word will get around faster than you can turn off your neon "Open" sign. Professional musicians are just that, professional. We are not some random group that has decided we want to pop in and pluck some strings/ivories. We expect to be treated as such. 

The Bar Tab

Ok here's one more . . . for now. There is a reason that musicians ask for a bar tab. Ok. You had some issues in the past where you hired someone that you shouldn't have. They got drunk and started messing some stuff up, cursing all over the place, and were even unable to finish their set because they got so wasted. Ready for this? They're not professional and YOU made the mistake of not doing your homework. The reason professional musicians ask for a tab is because drinking is a social situation. When people are at your bar and they see a musician drinking they subconsciously think, Yeah. That guy has a drink. We have a drink. Let's engage in what he's doing. This causes them to stay longer, drink more, and spend more money. It doesn't behoove me to get wasted. I can't sell albums or shirts that way. 

Moral? Stand your ground but make sure you have ground to stand on first. Thanks for the rant. It doesn't happen often. But I needed it.

Keep Driving,