I'm a rockstar on hiatus - Ask Me (Almost) Anything

[SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease]

I'm a semi-successful musician in a rock band. It's my only occupation, has been for some years. I've been a lot of places, seen a lot of stuff and met a lot of people. Ask me anything. I can't answer everything for various reasons but let's see how it goes...

Are you actually Harry Styles and just being modest re the semi-successful thing?

@Staffy1

If you started before the age of social media, tour and have albums, and a few super fans, why would no one know your faces? Do you perform in costume (e.g. like Kiss, although people still recognised them off stage)?

There are plenty of bands whose music I know well but I couldn't really tell what they look like individually. Unless one were obsessed with a particular member. I have spoken to people who have our album but didn't know my face. I also rarely use the name I am known by.

@serenada

Hey OP! Roskilde was my favourite festival back in the 90s. what year did you play?

We hadn't formed yet in the 90's. We played there in the 2000's.

@SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease

I have some Danish music friends who say it had changed by then - I just remember I went there during my Reading festival days and it was so well done, so organised, and very chilled.

Do you have the same manager / accountant/ lawyer as when you started? Do you resent that the 20% or have they earned it?

@BrogerMaylor

What are your favourite bands/artists? Did you start out playing smaller venues for a while and gradually built up a following?

Weirdly we jumped in at the deep end playing massive festivals and a world tour in our first year. There was a lot of hype surrounding us in the beginning. But during our time we have played small gigs. We love them, they are cosy and I get to meet everyone after the show. I'm quite sociable and love to dance with the crowd to whatever the DJ is playing into the night.

Has anyone on here correctly guessed your identity?

Thanks very much for the advice 😊

@RB68

So what is semi successful - if its how you make your living and you are happy with it are you not successful - lawyers for exaple are all successful some more so than others yes but just cos you are not one of the superstars of Londons top firms doesn't make you unsuccessful.

Anyway my question - do you have a pension!!

I guess in the eyes of many people I would be deemed successful. In my own eyes I have so much yet I want to achieve so sometimes feel far from it. Also, in this digital world, of your not TikTok/Instagram/Twitter famous, you're no-one. So I'll stick with saying semi-successful.

@RB68

So what is semi successful - if its how you make your living and you are happy with it are you not successful - lawyers for exaple are all successful some more so than others yes but just cos you are not one of the superstars of Londons top firms doesn't make you unsuccessful.

Anyway my question - do you have a pension!!

Ah, pension. No. Naughty. But I do have royalties that I am paid several times a year. Not a replacement but it's something.

I have to massively disagree with your advice to not go to music college. I have a degree and a masters degree in classical music and composition from a college of music. I have a fulfilling career teaching, conducting orchestras and writing music for TV and film. I also have plenty of session work and other professional bookings. As do plenty of my fellow alumni who are frequently heard on classic fm or radio 3. Others have gone on to be in bands for artists like Kylie Minogue or become sound engineers etc. No, we're not all in semi successful rock bands nor is there a guarantee that you will be if you go to music college. But I will not have music college dismissed as "nonsense".

Do you know Brian Molko? 😏

@RB68

I have a relative who was a big stage producer for an enormous name in the industry and it always makes me laugh how down to earth everyone is - into astrology and veg gardening and the like - so unbigsuperstar. So what is your ordinary hobby that is very unlike you stage presence?

Daaaaaammn. You got me there, do I have a hobby? Am I a weirdo if I don't? Never really have time anymore. I guess I usually listen to obscene amounts of music. Always searching for something new, inspiring, unknown. I rarely listen to chart music and if I do it's more like homework. Lots of Spotify playlists. I SEE music, so prefer to watch songs than watch tv.

Hi I saw Kasabian on their mid 2000s tour, are you one of The Fratellis? I think Chelsea Dagger is sampled in media clips a lot!

I missed if you didn’t want to answer or it is assumed you are - but are you the lead singer?

Sounds a great life

@Figgygal

Do you have a partner, children? How is your lifestyle compatible ? If not do you hope for it in the future?

I used to have a partner who was extremely jealous. They went crazy after a photo with a fan with their arm around my waist, stuff like that. Didn't like me giving hugs and always thought I was flirting. Good riddance. New partner is amazing.

@thedaytodayyesterday hear hear. My totally unknown / unmolested in the supermarket pal who writes film scores and library music earns c.£400k / year in performance income alone and has a fabulous lifestyle on it. They had to know the formalities to orchestrate etc. Two of their kids are in music school.

@thelikelylass

I'm being a bit rock and roll myself today (lying in bed with a hangover instead of usual domesticity - It feels GREAT) and I am really, really enjoying this. OP which new music do you listen to now? I love Fontaines D.C. and Taylor Swift's new stuff is looking pretty good. Tell us more gossip that's what we really want!

Just skimmed my Spotify playlists and they are Brazilian Samba, Jungle, Garage, 90's dance, 80's electro, reggae, 90's hiphop, new indie rock, 90's metal, 90's hits. And I love being introduced to new music that's not in the charts. I dislike pop, drill (aka 'new' rap), dubstep, jazz, techno.

Is there any classical music you enjoy, or jazz?

@thelikelylass

I'm being a bit rock and roll myself today (lying in bed with a hangover instead of usual domesticity - It feels GREAT) and I am really, really enjoying this. OP which new music do you listen to now? I love Fontaines D.C. and Taylor Swift's new stuff is looking pretty good. Tell us more gossip that's what we really want!

A bit of gossip that won't incriminate anyone: played the same festival as Amy Winehouse. Bumped into her in Spain on the street, both on our own. She was supposed to be on stage and everyone had been looking for her. She was friendly but seemed a bit dazed. Turns out she was always looking for her boyfriend, couldn't focus on work. She missed gigs and flights because of him. She invited me to her dressing room after the show to 'party'. I accepted, knowing I wouldn't go. When everyone around her was drinking etc, how was she expected to stop? Poor girl.

What’s the biggest venue you’ve played.
(Are you Guy Garvey).

What do you think of the end of music magazines? And Q closing this week ?

Did you play at Leeds festival in 2009 or glasto 2011?

@Shell4429

Referring to yourself as a rockstar seems rather conceited. Are you conceited?

Haha, this is actually the first time in my entire life I have referred to myself as a rock star. It's really for the purpose of the AMA. Am I conceited? Well a conceited person would probably say no anyway. But I will say, I don't tell people what I do, I usually say songwriter and don't mention the band. Or I say I work for a record label. And I use a fake name until I know a person better.

Have you met Dolly Parton?