Occupation: Musician (& part time academic!)

 

Location: London ON

 

First Job: babysitter (haha… those were the days)

 

Best Job: musician (& record store clerk at a great local record store in London: The Village Idiot)

 

Greatest Professional Challenge:  Managing the business end of the band.

 

So, how did you get this awesome gig anyways?  This isn’t the sort of job you apply for, other than, I suppose applying yourself. It’s the sort of job that you commit to, like any passion or small business venture; in my case, I was drawn to playing music and couldn’t stop myself from playing in bands all my life. In the case of my most recent band, I committed myself to trying to get my music out to the greatest audience that I could, which meant dedicating myself to hours of the tedious administrative tasks involved in managing and promoting a band.

 

What do you like best about your job?  Playing live for genuinely enthusiastic and emotionally involved audiences.

 

Any special skills required?  MANY. Aside from the skills associated with my instrument (classical guitar) and all the skills involved in composing, arranging, recording, and producing music, you need an entire skill-set associated with promoting, booking, & managing the band.

 

Favourite experience on the job:  Connecting with the audience: it’s amazing when you see an audience member genuinely moved, or when an audience member can’t help but talk to you about some personal reaction that they’ve had to your music.

 

Advice for people who want your awesome gig:  Do it yourself. Don’t wait for someone to do the work for you; figure out the music business by going out and networking, playing shows, booking tours, recording, promoting your music on Canadian college stations and CBC, etc.

 

Favourite CDN Music Venue:  Aeolian Hall – London ON

 

Favourite Record of the Moment:  Bry Webb – Provider