"Money Talks" Interview

Back in September, I did an interview with Alison Hinson from the "Money Talks" show on WMPG, based in Portland, ME. If you missed the show, weren't aware of it at the time, or would otherwise like to listen to it, you can click here for a direct link to the audio file of the show. It should play right in your browser, or you can download it. On a PC, you right-click and choose "save as." I don't know how you Mac people do it. There is a couple minutes' or so worth of lead-in stuff that you can skip through.

The general topics of discussion involve the financial aspects of being a musician. In retrospect, one point that I wish I made clearer is the idea of balancing income with creative output. Unfortunately, performing music that makes money, more often than not, doesn't coincide with performing music that satisfies you as an artist. So there's a balance between doing the "money gigs" and doing things that you really want to do. Your "money gigs" could be anything from playing weddings, sessions, etc. to any old day job that may or may not even have anything to do with music. That's what pays your bills and allows you the freedom to pursue other musical interests that satisy you creativly. That's not to say that I don't necessarily enjoy playing a dinner or wedding gig, but that's not the type of work that inspires me further into a career in music, and there have been many occasions where I've found myself on the job feeling like a musical prostitute, saying to myself: "just think about the money..." In short, the idea is that there is some give-and-take between doing what you have to do to make your income happen and indulging your creative vision, and part of the musical journey is bringing those two sides together as much as possible. Then again, it depends on what you seek to achieve as a musician. I know people, for instance, who are more than happy to play weddings almost exclusively. That ain't me, but to each his own. Music is a wide-open field. All-in-all, though, I have to say that even the "work" aspect of being a musician beats the 9-to-5 rat race.

Thanks to Bobby for calling in. I just wish I had been able to hear what was being said at the time. If you happen to read this, thanks buddy.