I'm going to do it.

demensia

demensia

www.lukemacneil.com
You know.. I'm feeling crazy. I'm just gonna do it.
I'm going to sell my car, quit my job, and sell all my crap... and move to the city to try and live the dream.

I have an appointment saturday with a car dealer friend to see if I'll be able to pay off my loan.

I'll definatly have to work some side jobs, but I don't want to spend 40 hours of my life every week doing a job.

Wish me luck. I'll need it.
 
you're still gonna need car and some crap to live your dream.....what's your dream exactly?.....male escort?
 
Heh. Yeah, I'm gonna sell my new car for an old beater... that I can own outright.. I mean, I'll have to get to gigs outside the city.. although boston has amazing public transportation, and a great music crowd.

My dream is to live comfortably, without spending 40 hours of my week making money for someone else.
 
Speaking of that. You know what's dick?

Getting taxed on what you earn, and then getting taxed on what you spend.

I'm going to become an expatriot (?sp) and live among the dolphins in atlantis. Wait, no, there's probably a water tax there too.








and probably a dolphin tax
 
i just graduated with a contemporary music performance degree 2 days ago.

i took recording 1 through 4 and plan on using my studies to their fullest in the next few months to record a cd w/ cello, violin, glockenspiel, acoustic guitar (main instrument), piano, and vocals.

i'm gonna "live the dream" as soon as i have something to give to people to make them piss their pants.
 
demensia said:
...although boston has amazing public transportation...
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HAHAHAHAHAAH!!!!! I ride the T everyday, you'll learn its very poorly maintained, trains always break down, I've seen a few green line trains sitting in arlington station burning, theyre over crowded (think japan) and slow as hell, to get from one end of boston common to the other can take up to 30 mins (btw thats less than a half mile walk)

But yea, If you plan on living the dream int his area, you'll have to get used to that, I'm trying to do it, but don't rely on the T to get you everywhere, espescially gigs, they stop running around or before midnight at alot of stops.

-C$
 
Cyanide-Depende said:
HAHAHAHAHAAH!!!!! I ride the T everyday, you'll learn its very poorly maintained, trains always break down, I've seen a few green line trains sitting in arlington station burning, theyre over crowded (think japan) and slow as hell, to get from one end of boston common to the other can take up to 30 mins (btw thats less than a half mile walk)

But yea, If you plan on living the dream int his area, you'll have to get used to that, I'm trying to do it, but don't rely on the T to get you everywhere, espescially gigs, they stop running around or before midnight at alot of stops.

-C$
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crap.
I never experienced that.
Its still got to be faster than driving though
 
Yeah. Although I suppose I would have a hard time with mic stands, and cords and crap. Guess I will need the car. Damnit.

I've got the crate limo.. which is cool. Battery powered, so it charges up at home and then I can just grab it to play on the street.
 
demensia said:
Yeah. Although I suppose I would have a hard time with mic stands, and cords and crap. Guess I will need the car. Damnit.

I've got the crate limo.. which is cool. Battery powered, so it charges up at home and then I can just grab it to play on the street.
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well it's good to know that you've thought this out thoroughly. :)
 
why boston? tons of other musicians and insanely expensive city. I'd think you'd be far better off being the active music guy in a mid-sized city like Hartford or Albany where you can get steady weeknight happy hour gigs and that.
 
stonepiano said:
why boston? tons of other musicians and insanely expensive city. I'd think you'd be far better off being the active music guy in a mid-sized city like Hartford or Albany where you can get steady weeknight happy hour gigs and that.
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I am assuming he is semi-established in Beantown, if not I would agree with you to an extent.

My situation is different but not as much as one might think: I am a classical guy in Cleveland. I am pretty much on the A List, meaning I get called for the work. However, I would be in trouble without good wheels cause I work all over a 150 mile range. With wheels I can play with a bunch of symphonies around. Since the east Coast is so compact, one can do gigs in Portland, Ct. Rhode Island etc WITH a car.

Most of the classical folks in Boston do this. They wouldnt dream of taking the train with their expensive axes. Sound like Chicago: the L was unreliable, didnt go everywhere, slow, crowded and it shut down at night in Suburbs like Evanston. Basically it sucked, I didnt have a car.
 
yeah, if you're in a good size town...100,000 people...get really well known to them...then start getting the big towns around you, and spread yourself online. you'ld be surprised at how much of your crowd could just hear you on myspace.

if you're music is spreading well, then go to a big city. ny etc...
 
I picked boston because I'm from massachusetts. I have a small following in the suburbs, and I've always wanted to live there.. Plus, I can get a good paying job out there without much trouble if need be. And at first.. Thats what I'll have to do.

I guess I hear you about the subway. But that sucks.
 
demensia said:
Yeah. Although I suppose I would have a hard time with mic stands, and cords and crap. Guess I will need the car. Damnit.

I've got the crate limo.. which is cool. Battery powered, so it charges up at home and then I can just grab it to play on the street.
Click to expand...

It is faster than driving, but if u have a small amp and a bag for you cablkes, your not going to need a pa anywhere (everyplace worth playing in boston has their own) so your small amp would work, bring a wall wart for it to use @ the venue. Also, believe it or not, you need a permit to perform on the street or in the subway. its pretty stupid but the street performers have their own little artist guild type thing, you have to start at shitty spots and work your way up to places like downtown crossing and park street. Thats how it was a few years ago, pretty sure it hasnt changed much now.

Let me know when your gigs are though, I wouldnt mind coming to check it out

-C$
 
I'm still college, just turned 20, live in a music hotbed (Gainesville, FL) in need of a change of scenery. I believe alot of good advice has been posted above. I really think you aren't about to do what you say you're going to do for a couple reasons.

I think everyone gets the occassional "Im ganna do it!" bug, and theres a time for that, but (from the advice of many successful musicians and EVEN MORE unsuccessful musicians who learned this the hard way,) you need to know what your doing when your ganna do it.

Someone said something about not starting in a huge town, probably a good idea for someone playing acoustic solo (very hard to get a following unless you are DAMN FUCKING GOOD).

That brings the part of advice that i get from EVERYONE i talk to in the music business...

YOU HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND GOOD

p.s.
you dont have to sell your car and ride the T to get famous, it starts with a record deal, and if you have something worth marketing and you play the right gigs, then you will be found sooner or later.
 
This is a good thread. :cool:

you dont have to sell your car and ride the T to get famous, it starts with a record deal, and if you have something worth marketing and you play the right gigs, then you will be found sooner or later.
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Yes to an extent. Lemme throw in my two Cents:

You get the record deal by being established, which means payin your dues. I was fortunate enough to get a record deal last month. The key for them taking me seriously: I am a pro with an established track record and some serious credentials. That at least makes the label actually read your letter. You can only get that by putting in the hours and playing 1000s of shows.

Small town vs. Big town is an interesting Catch 22. The big town has more work and more players, the small town less work and less players. Someone mentioned 100,000 people and I think thats a wise thing unless its a big college town. A Gainesville indeed would work. I have lived in many places and my work is about the same in each.

I applaud Demensia's attitude, he is 100% correct. Its either do it or dont, it wont happen half-assed. There are a lot of talented people in any genre, the ones who WORK have the insatiable drive.

I have been a pro all my life, I never had another job. I never say the word "play", I say "work". It's a JOB and should be treated like any other job if at all possible. Once you get the mindset that its your job, there is no turning back. If things are slow that means I get on the phone and get some gigs. Its pretty seasonal for me: the summers suck and October-April is insane.

One mo thing:

Its worth it. :cool: It is worth the sacrifice and the financial nuttiness to be a full-time musician. Trust me.
 
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