I need your advice: an important step forward in my career!

FunkyMan

FunkyMan

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In summary: I play in one of the 4 bands who have more gigs in my city, but 1 of them go first in the race (Not us), is a band that all my fellow working musicians wanted to be in

My band= X

The most giged band= Y

I'm very happy with "X" because we gig every weekend, and i live as a musician, the singer is a fantastic showman, (he is gay, and sing woman songs, and this fact makes the audience go crazy, honestly an amazing artist) BUT the payment isn't as good as "Y" band pay, they pay like 30% more per show and gig more times per week

So "Y" gig more, pay more, but they're just a band that makes music in the background while everyone dances without paying much attention, their whole life has been so, and always will..

Contrary to "X", we are a real show, everyone gets up from his chair to see us in front and dance, the repertoire is fun to play, has a lot of funk stuff (my favourite food) and this singer has received many offers from big businessman to export that talent, so he's a talent that has bright future ahead (apparently) BUT ultimately has been a discouragement to all of the band, because he drink and smoke A LOT and isn't taking care of his voice, he doesn't reaches high notes anymore, forgets the lyrics etc..

The thing is: "Y" Band owner called me this afternoon asking me to play with them the next year, the bassist is retiring because he is married and has no time for her daughters...

So I have this dilemma: stay in "X", because it could be a band with a more future, more Nationwide projection, (but Honestly this is a lottery that i don't know if it works) or go with "Y", a solid and stable band for many years, pay more, gig more, but do not go more than that, and with a very annoying musical repertoire

I'am very indecisive and don't know what to do, what do you think about it? thoughts?

Thankyou
 
It's a tough decision, and one that ultimately only you can make.

It seems to me by your post above that you have:

X: More fun, you prefer the music, the singer is a great artist but maybe a bit of a flake, the band 'could' have a bright future.

Y: Solid stable band, reliable pay and work, perhaps not the musical fulfillment you're after, but could be a sensible, stable job.

Is that a fair summary?

If so - only you can decide between the two.

:d
 
You have the choice of taking a chance by getting signed with your current band. That's cool, but you have a problem with your singer. Now, if you all could try to work things out with your singer, then everything would be in a better chance to hitting that lottery.

But things don't always work out that way. If you really think you need the more solid job with the better pay, you might want to get in with that new band. The down side to that is you said that band is boring and plays the same stuff.

I'd say try to work stuff out with your singer in your current band, give the ultimatum and see where things lie.
 
I think you answered by yourself, just need our confirmation...

- Do you earn your money with band X?- yup
- Do you really need band Y? - Nope
- Do you like band Y? - Nope
- Is MUSIC important for you, or you see it more like a job? - Music is important

Keep in mind that ypu cannot know what the future will bring to you. There is no safe band mate! The Y band can be jobless from tomorrow.

I would consider this, if the band Y would earn 400% more money. 30% more money is not that much... More gigs will mean also that you will spend more money ;-)
 
if you need it to support yourself, then you might have to go with the money. but if you don't i say go with the one you have the most fun with.
 
Mmmm decisions...decisions...

Music bussines isn´t a safe bet, actually is a matter of choices and risks, tough choices and hard risks, all the time. As nobody could know right now what will happend in the future with either band, my advice is that you choose the band that fills you the best, make a big bet for that band...

As Yoda would say:
"if you made the right decision, time only will tell."

Good luck!.

:)
 
I thought along the same lines as Florin while reading your post, FunkyMan. Since this is your living, do you really want to leave a 'job' that you enjoy just to get a bit more exposure and a bit more money yet be less satisfied with what you do?

It's a great problem to have, really. It may be win/win! You're young and have opportunities that have probably not even shown yet.

As a side note, I am in a similar position professionally - I could implement a few changes and make a LOT more money... But more hours, less time with my wife, more stress, more liability, etc aren't worth it to me at 44 years old. I'm earning a living and am happy and content instead of earning a big bank account and being unapproachable and miserable.

Well-wishes to you either way - you'll make the right decision for yourself!
 
i think im the only one here who would say Try both?

i mean, you could get an insight to band Y to see if its something you'd really want, Maybe you could bring some energy to it where its not just a back ground noise band?

I Mean obviously it depends on strings you have attached weather you have A partner / Kids, ect... and if your able to committ with out letting either band down.

From reading what you say though, You sound very loyal to your current band and like you have a good time with them, Just curious as to what else is out there
 
i think im the only one here who would say Try both?

i mean, you could get an insight to band Y to see if its something you'd really want, Maybe you could bring some energy to it where its not just a back ground noise band?

I Mean obviously it depends on strings you have attached weather you have A partner / Kids, ect... and if your able to committ with out letting either band down.

From reading what you say though, You sound very loyal to your current band and like you have a good time with them, Just curious as to what else is out there
 
harry182 said:
i think im the only one here who would say Try both?
Click to expand...

Impossible. Actually, sometimes both bands gig at the same place, each band needs full time musicians! that's what I most wanted to do :P
 
Florin said:
I think you answered by yourself, just need our confirmation...

- Do you earn your money with band X?- yup
- Do you really need band Y? - Nope
- Do you like band Y? - Nope
- Is MUSIC important for you, or you see it more like a job? - Music is important

Keep in mind that ypu cannot know what the future will bring to you. There is no safe band mate! The Y band can be jobless from tomorrow.

I would consider this, if the band Y would earn 400% more money. 30% more money is not that much... More gigs will mean also that you will spend more money ;-)
Click to expand...

I would exactly say the same thing. Though I would say your singer in Band "X" should be someone to watch out for. He drinks a lot, and doesn't take care of his voice as you say. You should check out if singing is his priority in life. If not, it is better said than done but you have to be ready to look for a replacement vocalist.
 
Its a tough choice...
Try and do both by working out a sub situation with the Y band so you can favor the X band. You can get to play and stay connected to Y but devote your time to following X. You just need to hook up a bass player with Y who would be into you subbing gigs every now and then.
 
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