So, I'll start with the background. I have an extra rig lying around and just bought some licenses for Guitar Pro for myself and my bandmates to provide an arena we can write and collaborate on outside of formal practices. I've been interested in joining a cover band for that side income/experience that comes from playing a long set list/learning a whole lot of material to expand my musical knowledge.
I got in touch with a working band that fits my schedule. About 3 gigs a month, decent pay, established in all the right places. Had a brief conversation with the BL last week after he sent me an example setlist, and he explained that the band all have lives outside the band, he doesn't expect it to be a primary income type gig... A lot of stuff I agree with. I asked him when I could audition, and he asked if I could come in on that friday (it was wednesday afternoon), I told him I'd need more time because I had to learn the material. I asked him to give me a list of 7-8 songs that I could audition with and see if I fit in with the band, feeling confident that I could nail 40 minutes of material. He responded with 'Ok, I'll choose 15 songs'. Ok, whatever, I'll learn as many of them as I can and bring what I'm confident with.
Then the weekend comes. I put myself in a woodshop mindset. And I never get a response from him with any songs.
Finally, on Sunday night, he emails me asking if I could come in this Friday and asks me what songs I knew from the list he originally gave me. I sent him back a shortlist of the songs I've picked up here and there. He told me he would get back to me with the list he wants for Friday.
And now it's Monday, with no response yet. My last email to him was asking to differentiate which artist's versions he was using (all of the titles on the list he gave me were shorthand, and the song 'Good' could be literally anything). At the end of the email, I told him if I didn't hear back from him with a list, I would work on the first set only.
Already feeling a little bit disrespected. The BL seemed very excited when we talked because I am younger (28) and the only people who've been contacting him are older guys and he wants to keep the band on the lower 30s side. He says it's a band where everyone has a professional life, but now he expects me to woodshop during my work week where between work, gym, and commuting, I only have about 2-3 hours a day to practice. Again, do-able for 7-8 songs, but 15-20?
I set up an out for myself when I talked to him, saying I would confirm everything on Wednesday, so they wouldn't be sitting on their thumbs waiting for a Craigslist bassist who wasn't going to show up (based on my own experience with CL tryouts) but I also want a reason to expand my repertoire and make a couple bucks while doing it.
Are these already red flags or am I being too self-centered?
TLDR: I asked for at least a weekend to learn material for an audition, because of my work schedule. BL agrees and then doesn't supply material to learn. Now in the week of the audition, still no material has been provided.
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. especially since both responses were both "Chill out!"
)
