Be Honest: Would You Ever Sell-Out?

[dpbass66]

I thought of this video of ex-Journey drummer Steve Smith when I saw this thread.



Is being in one of the world's super-bands (for many years)not a guaranty to wealth?

Maybe the kitchen in the background is not his, or it is his practice shack in his backyard, or he is really just a simple guy, or he spent all his cash.....but I cant help but think, where did all his cash go? Did he ever make much? Interesting.

To answer the OP, I would sell out, not only for the cash but for the experience of world travel, meeting many interesting people, playing arenas, etc., etc. I would use the time traveling and in hotels to practice ALOT. Additionally, if you did sell out and then bowed out of the lifestyle after only a few years, you might make enough contacts and gain enough exposure to establish yourself as a hired gun bassist/producer/writer and make a living doing that.

 

[kuys]

Word.

Note that the stuff that 10-year-old kid likes is probably the most intensely crafted music there is. If it isn't extremely coherent and cohesive, it just won't fly. There's something to be said for that. Without ready accessibility, music can be a solitary exercise similar to masturbation.

On the other hand, music that aspires to be brainy and esoteric CAN'T appeal to everyone because it is often self-consciously disdainful of popular tastes. If it achieves any level of commercial success, it's a fluke and often becomes some 'serious' artist's albatross.

So there's your choice: do you want to make music for the general public who collectively has a lot of money, or do you want to make music for other musicians who collectively have relatively little money?

A successful song with crossover appeal can keep you working (and/or collecting residuals) for a lifetime. I'd make that bargain in a heartbeat, and jam with my buds on the side.

On my yacht.

If you're not trying to please a lot of people with your art, why not just stay home?

That whole statement is hilarious coming from someone who's avatar appears to be Leonard Cohen.