As a rite of spring, or any other season for that matter, blossom those for whom opprobrium is manifest in declaring who are the true professionals and who are the mere hobbyists. Like a fine muscatel, each year produces another screed upon which those of us who aren't yet important enough to declare our ever move, personal or professional, super important and the necessary glue holding society together, must confront the very nature of our musical and artistic credentials.
Most important indeed.
Two things are, naturally, fundamentally intrinsic to this: money and suffering.
Most of us are convivial, if not occasionally troubled, by the first, and lacking in interest in the second. Consequently, it is framed as paying dues, doing time, and struggling for an admired goal. Nevermind the near astronomical odds of actually "making it." We can dream. And many do. Many also come to the realization that for all their hard work and perseverance, they will never achieve their dreams of being big in the business, at least not as the main act.
Many do stay in the business, but as something else-mainly to help those who still harbor the dream of big things to come. And someone has to fill those occupations that aren't as glamorous, but certainly vital to the machine, such as record execs, PR shills, and the A&R people, assuming they even exist anymore.
As you may note from the tone of this, the idea that only those who spend their lives living hand to mouth, filling odd jobs, and hoping that a health crisis doesn't bankrupt them or worse, are the true professionals, and all the rest of us hobbyists, is the usual tinfoil hat that keeps artists poor and working for "exposure" rather than a decent wage.
That doesn't mean not going to open mics or booking gigs, however much or little you make. The machine does require a dogged perseverance if you want a certain kind or level of fame, just don't be surprised if even after all that, you're still making most of your income from waiting tables, or God forbid, working a mainstream job.
Most art isn't going to pay the bills. Sadly, it probably never will.
And if you feel the need to say that because I choose to go a different route (and I have been paid for my work) I'm just a hobbyist, knock yourself out. I'll still come hear you play and wish you well, having been there.
©2021 David William Pearce
No comments:
Post a Comment