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...

@evilharpy

Thanks SweetnSalty, sorry I thought I'd read all your answers but must have missed that one. Love that you said Ireland, I'm Irish and we do go wild at festivals and gigs, even an Abba tribute night

Lake of Stars

I am not sure of the places that you have toured and played, but I do think if you considered this event, it would be in one of the top beautiful settings.

From a financial point of view it is understandable that the overseas bands are not flocking there though.

I am in a neighbouring African country and many people do visit Malawi just for this event.

I will keep my ears open..... . Its cancelled this year of course, but in time to come I may well be in your crowd.

Oops I quoted the wrong thread OP.......

*I really enjoyed the Isle of Wight festival. I love how kooky everyone is, it's full of fairies and glitter beards, stilt-walkers and wonder. And they treat the artists well. Glastonbury as a comparison, has no backstage security around the dressing room, so your stuff isn't safe, no cleaners so the toilets are foul, the artist liaison is always off watching another band so you have no assistance, and there are no activities backstage. A good festival has all these things sorted, because you can be there all day or sometimes 2 days.
*
What activities do they lay on for you backstage at festivals? I'm picturing bouncy castles and face painting like a village fete

[quote SimplySteveRedux]@SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease See, you're the kind of musicians that I respect. You do it because of the music, nothing else, just the sheer passion and with sincerity and integrity. I co-wrote a song 20 years ago (alias) that did rather well but then I fell into my other love as a career and children! You have made me get my gear out though with the plan to just song-write. Thank you!!

Some songwriting questions if I may?

What software do you use, or are you old-school with notation paper?

What's your opinion of artists who use Ableton etc, can't read music, can't play an instrument and yet have number 1s?[/quote]
The artist Tracy Emin, look up her artwork. She also did 'messy bed'.) She is a great example of someone who is doesn't have the same level of skill as say, Magritte or Dali, but she still has her own creative perspective, dedication to her craft, she has something to say and a unique way of saying it, and she inspires other artists. She is no less of an artist. And how boring the world would be if everybody created the same art. It's a good way to understand music and how it has changed over the years. Just because someone plays an instrument it doesn't make their music good, and just because they don't it doesn't make their music bad. And you'll know when you hear a song you like, regardless of how it came together.

Thank you for answering my questions

How much input do you get in your music videos? How does that whole process work? When I was growing up I always thought I'd love to have a job coming up with concepts for music videos, it looks like so much fun.

Have you ever had any weird/creepy/stalky fans?

Sorry if this has been answered, I think I've read through everything, but may have missed some. What instrument/s do you play? Does more than one person in the band sing?

Have you ever performed on a kids tv show?

Thanks for answering my previous question.
Are there any non UK/US bands who you think are under rated here?

Does your band still have the same make up as when you first started, or have you lost/replaced members along the way?

If band members have left, why did they leave and was it because they wanted to try and make it on their own, or had they had enough and now have a really boring job?!

@VimFuego101

*I really enjoyed the Isle of Wight festival. I love how kooky everyone is, it's full of fairies and glitter beards, stilt-walkers and wonder. And they treat the artists well. Glastonbury as a comparison, has no backstage security around the dressing room, so your stuff isn't safe, no cleaners so the toilets are foul, the artist liaison is always off watching another band so you have no assistance, and there are no activities backstage. A good festival has all these things sorted, because you can be there all day or sometimes 2 days. * What activities do they lay on for you backstage at festivals? I'm picturing bouncy castles and face painting like a village fete

Sorry Vim. Just wanted to chime in on this one.

I’ve worked at both Glastonbury and Bestival (previously Isle of Wight) for many years, as well as numerous other festivals, working backstage and as an artist and I couldn’t disagree more with your description of Glastonbury’s provision of services. In my experience it’s probably one of the best in terms of artist liaison and backstage security etc. Also, if you have access to a backstage toilet and hot showers at Glastonbury you will have a luxurious festival 👌🏼

Backstage activities I can think of include thoughtfully built backstage bars with amazing guest DJs and bands along with lovely hangout areas with swing seats and fire pits. The company is always the best bit though.

🙂

@AnotherMarshmallow

Thank you for answering my questions

How much input do you get in your music videos? How does that whole process work? When I was growing up I always thought I'd love to have a job coming up with concepts for music videos, it looks like so much fun.

Me personally, none! Lol. Someone else in the band sorts the video stuff. But the label doesn't get a say so the creative aspect lies within the band.

@PetuniaOhPetunia

Have you ever had any weird/creepy/stalky fans?

Yes! Answered above with a story. But we do adore our superfans.

@Staffy1

Sorry if this has been answered, I think I've read through everything, but may have missed some. What instrument/s do you play? Does more than one person in the band sing?

Depending on the song it can vary who sings. We have one song where everybody sings (which I find hilarious), but it's mostly 1 person with one other doing back up vocals.

@mooncheese

Have you ever performed on a kids tv show?

Yes we have! Lots of fun, and it's actually a super cool thing to be involved with. Weirdly I don't have a copy of it and only saw it once. I'll have to search YouTube. I forgot we did that!

@LockdownMayhem

Does your band still have the same make up as when you first started, or have you lost/replaced members along the way?

If band members have left, why did they leave and was it because they wanted to try and make it on their own, or had they had enough and now have a really boring job?!

We have a different lineup from day 1 but only a superfan would notice because no-one ever mentions it! lol. They left rockworld.

@tomdillimore Hi Tom. Your experience of those 2 festivals backstage will be different form my experience at over a hundred festivals backstage. Glad you enjoyed backstage at Glasto. It would be a boring world if we all viewed everything the same, everyone will have their likes and dislikes. It's all good.

@VimFuego101

*I really enjoyed the Isle of Wight festival. I love how kooky everyone is, it's full of fairies and glitter beards, stilt-walkers and wonder. And they treat the artists well. Glastonbury as a comparison, has no backstage security around the dressing room, so your stuff isn't safe, no cleaners so the toilets are foul, the artist liaison is always off watching another band so you have no assistance, and there are no activities backstage. A good festival has all these things sorted, because you can be there all day or sometimes 2 days. * What activities do they lay on for you backstage at festivals? I'm picturing bouncy castles and face painting like a village fete

So festivals around the world will lay on stuff like barbers and hairdressers, fashion designers who customise new clothing for you to wear on stage, table tennis, masseurs (both sports and relaxation), physiotherapists, freebie tents and goodie bags, luxury toilets and showers with regular cleaners, fusebol tables, luxury seating areas under shade, frisbee, and more.

@BluebellsareBlue

Hi OP!! Morning!!! 👋

I love a lot of different types of music, but the 90's for me were probably my favourite time, counting crows, Shed seven etc.
I joined the police at 19 in 1995 so have only ever "policed" concerts such as T in the Park, and I have never gotten to enjoy a festival as a normal person. (If course I'm not including seeing Buck Fizz at the Cairo Hall when I was 6).
What music festival would be the one you would suggest that I go to and would enjoy?

There are lots of really good UK ones. Of the top of my head, I would recommend Latitude (in Norwich, I think?) it's got a really nice atmosphere, lots to do in between seeing the bands, always an amazing lineup, it doesn't get muddy, it's clean, the sound system is really good and it's not too young or for 'old fogies'. There's something for everyone and it's family friendly.

Clean toilets at a festival. Bliss. That’s when you know you’ve reached adulthood.

Do you think you will continue performing when you are old like the Rolling Stones?

@Snog

Do you think you will continue performing when you are old like the Rolling Stones?

Haha, I like think so.

Do you have other work which you can do at home on your computer?

@tomdillimore As someone who has been to Glastonbury twice with a performer I have to agree with you as well. I took advantage of the free performer childcare last year, bliss!

[quote SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease]@tomdillimore Hi Tom. Your experience of those 2 festivals backstage will be different form my experience at over a hundred festivals backstage. Glad you enjoyed backstage at Glasto. It would be a boring world if we all viewed everything the same, everyone will have their likes and dislikes. It's all good.[/quote]
Ha! Sorry @SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease didn’t realise that @VimFuego101 had quoted you there.

Sorry to hear that Glasto wasn’t so great in terms of artist provision and security. My job makes it a matter of pride, so was sticking up for the festival a bit 😂

Rest assured that my domain is tiptop and maintains the highest regard for the artists 😊👌🏼

Glastonbury is a large city with good and less-good areas i guess 😋

A question around mental health... I’ve worked in some tough jobs at many festivals and toured and been around problematic substance abuse in the industry too. I’ve seen my fair share of mental health issues arising from these contexts and experienced first-hand some awful fall-out from the results...

I’ve always managed to maintain my own mental health rather well (at a guess partly down to a solid, loving and grounded upbringing and avoiding the obvious industry pitfalls...).

I was wondering how you and your team cope with this and if you have any tips for maintaining a healthy head in stressful and ever-changing work environments?

Must be odd with people talking 'bout you, yet they don't know your name.