Yes, but this is not the case. In this case, the singer is arriving late, leaving as soon as the gig is over and not contributing at all to the work that needs to be done.
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Band Diva
- Thread starter SBassman
- Start date
Yes, but this is not the case. In this case, the singer is arriving late, leaving as soon as the gig is over and not contributing at all to the work that needs to be done.
The reason the money sucks these days is:
- The economy is terrible
- DWI fears have reduced the number of people spending money in bars/restaurants at night
- Today's uncreative bar/restaurant owner doesn't know how to do his/her share in drawing people to the venue.
- Today's bar/restaurant owner is losing money.
- This generation values Live Music much less than the previous generation. Many of them actually Prefer a DJ - the scourge of live music today.
- Today's music is far less about musicians playing and far more about sex, violence, and modelling/posing. Thus, again, live music is far less important to this generation.
In my region, venues are reporting more profitable nights with DJs and Karaoke then live bands. Sad.
An easy way to handle the situation is to have a discussion where the only point is to come up collaboratively with the list of the tasks that need to be done, and who's going to do them each night. For example, the singer with the bailing problem helps to assign her own reasons for not bailing right away, so she can't put up a fight, and realizes how much more goes into it than her just popping up on stage when it's convenient. And everyone gets a better awareness about the whole endeavor. Having this plan makes things efficient, and then you can be even more productive when it's a well-oiled machine, leaving you with faster tear-down, or more money/merch opportunities.
(personally I love the idea about no setup on her mic ahead of time--that's a lesson that only needs to happen once--pick the gig that would be least exposure, though)
(personally I love the idea about no setup on her mic ahead of time--that's a lesson that only needs to happen once--pick the gig that would be least exposure, though)
If the bandleader is paying her just to show up and sing, then IMHO it is not her responsibility to go "above and beyond" their agreement. I think it would be a nice goodwill gesture for her to help the guys out, but unless it is part of her arrangement with the bandleader, she is under no obligation to do so.
Yep. Then the other members get upset that they are being treated like pack mules for a diva, and post about it on the internet. Some of them are even smart enough to leave that band and look for one with a fairer work ethic expected for all members.
Well unfortunately its getting to the point where girls think they dont have to do anything and can just get by being, well, being girls.
I wouldn't be worried about approaching in a overly nice manner.
I wouldn't be worried about approaching in a overly nice manner.
Bars look at the bottom line, "How long will it take me to recoup my investment in paying for a band?"
I don't go for the whole "Girls should not be expected to pitch in or lug heavy stuff" bias.
I understand that if a woman/girl is not particularly strong that they might not want to lug a P.A. around. However, that doesn't mean that they shouldn't be pitching in enough to help take down/set up.
In one of my bands, the drummer is a 5'6", 120lb-ish woman and she sets up/takes down her own kit. We help carry the parts in, mostly because we would do that for any drummer (They have enough gear as it is. We can certainly help where possible).
At school, there were a lot of female drummers. Not one of them complained about having to set up gear.
Your singer can get there a bit earlier, set up her mic, and do soundcheck like a proper member of the band. Then, unless there are pressing matters, she can tear down after the set like a member of the band. Regardless of whether they are male/female, they can pitch in somehow.
BTW, I am a gentleman as well. I pull out chairs, open doors, take coats, etc..... I just think that, if you want to be in a band, you act like a member of the band.
I understand that if a woman/girl is not particularly strong that they might not want to lug a P.A. around. However, that doesn't mean that they shouldn't be pitching in enough to help take down/set up.
In one of my bands, the drummer is a 5'6", 120lb-ish woman and she sets up/takes down her own kit. We help carry the parts in, mostly because we would do that for any drummer (They have enough gear as it is. We can certainly help where possible).
At school, there were a lot of female drummers. Not one of them complained about having to set up gear.
Your singer can get there a bit earlier, set up her mic, and do soundcheck like a proper member of the band. Then, unless there are pressing matters, she can tear down after the set like a member of the band. Regardless of whether they are male/female, they can pitch in somehow.
BTW, I am a gentleman as well. I pull out chairs, open doors, take coats, etc..... I just think that, if you want to be in a band, you act like a member of the band.
It all depends on the arrangement with the bandleader. If the "diva" gets paid the same for the gig either way, then why should she feel obligated to perform an hour of backbreaking labor for free?
Likewise, did the OP agree to carry the bandleader's PA, lights, etc. when he joined the band? If not, then I think the OP is perfectly within bounds to ask for a little extra money for roadie services (and of course the bandleader might say "no").
Let me ask you some related questions: Would you quit a band if you found out the bandleader was paying another member more per gig than you? Would you quit your day job if you found out another employee was making more than you? Would you quit your day job because your boss makes you work late but the secretary gets to go home at 5:00?
Life isn't fair.
So the band leader docks her pay when she shows up late/leaves early/doesn't pitch in?
I'm confused then, which is it?
Is it...
The band is a democracy. Everybody pitches in equally. You stage an intervention and tell the "diva" about your sad feelings. She tells you about her childhood trauma and problems at home. Everybody has a good cry and a group hug.
Or...
The band has a "leader" who controls the finances and makes personnel decisions. You're a hired gun. The bandleader can pay the "diva" five times more than you if he wants to, hire a chauffeur, and rent a private dressing room with a bubble bath and bottle of Cristal for her. There's nothing you can do about it; not your responsibility.
Is it...
The band is a democracy. Everybody pitches in equally. You stage an intervention and tell the "diva" about your sad feelings. She tells you about her childhood trauma and problems at home. Everybody has a good cry and a group hug.
Or...
The band has a "leader" who controls the finances and makes personnel decisions. You're a hired gun. The bandleader can pay the "diva" five times more than you if he wants to, hire a chauffeur, and rent a private dressing room with a bubble bath and bottle of Cristal for her. There's nothing you can do about it; not your responsibility.
Exploiter8
Demons run when a good man goes to war
I'm 52. "Back in my day," band members were friends. It seems that nowadays bands are comprised of players with egos bent on taking the fun out of playing music.
Old guy rant over, enjoy the day!
X8
Old guy rant over, enjoy the day!
X8
+1; a true "friend" would not share band dirty laundry on a public internet message board.
1. Quit setting up/checking her mic for her.
2. Pass out pay at the end of the night. If she jets before then, then clearly she is not interested in her portion of the pay. Either distribute it amongst yourselves or (this one is the one I'd prefer) use it to pay for a personal roadie for her for the next gig.
3. Most importantly, tell her this is the new paradigm before it goes into effect. She'll have zero excuses that way.
2. Pass out pay at the end of the night. If she jets before then, then clearly she is not interested in her portion of the pay. Either distribute it amongst yourselves or (this one is the one I'd prefer) use it to pay for a personal roadie for her for the next gig.
3. Most importantly, tell her this is the new paradigm before it goes into effect. She'll have zero excuses that way.
Diva's don't need to work on setting up if they help the guys relax in the hotel room after the gig...
Brilliant.
My secretary makes 5 times less than I do. Why wouldn't I expect to work more? I would not join a BAND where some members made more than others, unless they did something to earn it.
Let me ask you some related questions. Would you be happy and content in your day job if you discovered that someone doing your exact same job was making more money? More on topic, would you be happy and content in your day job if a coworker doing the same job and making the same pay was allowed to work 2/3rds of the hours required by you?
Yes, I have played in bands where musicians are not compensated equally for equal work. Yes, I have worked jobs where employees are not compensated equally for equal work. So long as I am paid the negotiated amount, I am satisfied the situation is "fair."
I am watching baseball right now. By your logic, Derek Jeter should quit the Yankees immediately because A-Rod makes $31m/year and he only makes $15m. All the guys making less than $1m should gang up on Sabathia, Texiera, and Rivera and tell them to hit the road--we don't need you overpaid divas! All the players should be paid exactly the same salary because they all work equal hours--please!
Of course I have days where I feel disgruntled at work, where I think "so-and-so is slacking off," or "I need a raise," or "my boss is an idiot"--it's human nature! The OP has every right to vent about a stressful situation, and am generally supportive.
I have played in bands in which the drummer had "a little sumthin" with the owner/producer and she'd pay him 3x as much as my pay.
I have also played in bands in which the keyboard player would earn 50% more than me because his equipment was more expensive.
In other bands the percussionist got 50-75% of what I was getting because percussionists are not "REAL MUSICIANS".
I could go all night long...
