Expectations vs. Reality of Being a Full-Time Musician

Posted by Dylan Welsh on Jun 1, 2015 11:00 AM
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expectationImage via youtube.com

There's a reason it's called being a "full-time" musician. You thought 40 hours a week at a job was a lot? Brace yourself for the long haul and grab an Americano, because your "full-time musician" dreams are about to come true – and it might not be quite like you expected!

Traveling

Expectation:

tourbusImage via magnetmagazine.com

I hope your manager's handling the parking...

Reality:

melvins-tour-vanImage via geargods.net

Better bring a toolbox!

 

Your fans

Expectation:

crazy_fansImage via crazytownblog.com

Nothing your security crew can't handle, right?

Reality:

mom_fanImage via vibe.com

As Mr. T once said, "Treat yo mama right!"

 

Your free time

Expectation:

rockstar_partyImage via cocktailsandcountrytales.wordpress.com

Party on, Wayne.

Reality:

Late-night-at-workImage via utahphotojournalism.com

Free time? Oh, you mean that time that I spend writing emails and running SEO on my website?

 

Housing

Expectation:

rockstar_houseImage via travel.ninemsn.com.au

Hmm, not bad, but I wanted a seven-car garage. Sigh...

Reality:

tour_houseImage via audio.thedelimagazine.com

Hey man, back off! You got to use the cymbal bag as a pillow last night! You get the throne tonight!

 

Venues

Expectation:

concert_arenaImage via journalstar.com

Oooh... I don't know if our lighting rig is going to fit. Couldn't we have gotten a bigger space?

Reality:

club_concertImage via youtube.com

Let's be real, a club date is the new arena gig for the working artists of today.

 

Your stage location

Expectation:

lots_of_starsImage via galleryhip.com

Everybody wants to be a star!

Reality:

big_starImage via galleryhip.com

He might not get the shiny outfit, but I bet he pays his bills!

 

Dylan Welsh is a freelance musician and music journalist, based in Seattle, WA. He currently plays in multiple Seattle bands, interns at Mirror Sound Studio, and writes for the Sonicbids blog. Visit his website for more information.

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Topics: Musician Life

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