Perhaps. However, it's been how I've been making ends meet for the last two months or so. I've slowly weened myself off of the dreaded (but necessary) service industry job, and, somewhat successfully transitioned into life as a "gigging" (my friend Heather likes to call it "giggling") musician. It's cool. It's endlessly interesting. It sucks. It can be the most thrilling thing in the world and as boring as sitting in a cube farm sipping Starbucks and doing unnatural things to paperclips. In the last two months, I've played in rock clubs sharing the stage with legendary figures in American rock music... and I've also played at restaurants, biker bars, patios, churches (the regular variety and start ups that meet inside and elementary school gymnasiums), yoga festivals in the mountains, a wedding at The Cordillera (of Kobe infamy), the finish line of a singles 5k, a place named "Thunder and Buttons" that was the meeting spot for a local swingers club, and a kitchen.
People would literally walk up in the middle of our set and open the fridge or look in the sink. Adam Stern caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
When left to my own devices as a "freelance" musician, it can feel like a constant hustle. Always networking and promoting, always saying yes -- to anything -- no matter how intimidating-awesome-awful-toxic-exotic. The feeling of succeeding at something that I've been working my ass off for years is incredible. But it can be a scary proposition (not knowing where the next gig will come from) for someone like me who enjoys keeping a house over my head, doing a little traveling, and being able to afford food when I'm hungry. However, it's quite an adventure, and I think that years down the line, I'll be happier sharing stories "from the road" with my pals than admiring my big house and nice cars, though, I'll take that too.
