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...

Love this thread! Although I don't know who you are, from what you're describing I just know I'm probably a fan!
I wondered if you have any fan accounts on social media and what you think of the people who create them? My favourite band have a few and I enjoy looking through them now and again and one of the lead singers ex's did a bit of a rant about them calling the people who make them sad and pathetic and I wondered if it was just a bit of a rant or if the bands found them cringey too.

[quote SimonJT]@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]
@SimonJT indeed! We’ve taken our 3 kids to as many festivals as it’s possible/practical to bring them along to since they were born.

Caravans make all the difference and they get really cross when I can’t bring them along on a job or it’s not practical too 😂👌🏼

Do you or other band members feel like the lead singer (whether that's you or not) gets more attention than the others? Does it cause any jealousy?

@tomdillimore mental health is a difficult one. There is actually now loads of help for musicians who are suffering. I've definitely been there but in the middle of a tour there's no way out - of that mental state. Do I have any tips? Drugs and alcohol are not fantastic for you on the best of days, so barring that - having a daily activity? In our band that would include (over the years) exercise, swimming, finding local attractions, meeting fans for lunch or dinner, buying and sending a postcard in every new town, going for walks and exploring, riding a bike. These were all things that kept us sane when the days and weeks rolled into one and became Groundhog Day. A musician at home (not on tour) could do the same thing. Break up the monotony by having something to look forward to and a task to complete. I think it helps. And if you're already feeling low, talk to someone. Another musician will completely understand.

@NoMoreMrNiceGaius

Do you or other band members feel like the lead singer (whether that's you or not) gets more attention than the others? Does it cause any jealousy?

Ha, amazingly there are no egos in our band. The press usually want to talk to 1 or 2 specific people and that's the way the interviews have always been. It's never been an issue though. Some people don't like or aren't comfortable in interviews. My band is pretty laid back about it all.

@Thegreymethod

Love this thread! Although I don't know who you are, from what you're describing I just know I'm probably a fan! I wondered if you have any fan accounts on social media and what you think of the people who create them? My favourite band have a few and I enjoy looking through them now and again and one of the lead singers ex's did a bit of a rant about them calling the people who make them sad and pathetic and I wondered if it was just a bit of a rant or if the bands found them cringey too.

We did but I haven't checked again over the past couple of years so I don't know. I wouldn't never refer to the people who support us, come to our shows, buy our music and spread good things about us on social media as creepy. We're grateful to all our fans. Can't have been nice for fans to hear that 😕

I mentioned earlier that I'll be saying goodbye 1 week after I started this thread which is tomorrow 8pm.

You've been extremely gracious- very enjoyable thread!

@SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease

I mentioned earlier that I'll be saying goodbye 1 week after I started this thread which is tomorrow 8pm.

I have really enjoyed this and playing detective with all the questions and your answers. I think I cracked it.....probably not ha. But thanks for a great thread anyway

Love this thread!
Is your family musical?

As a songwriter, which song or album has been written by and produced by another band do you wish was yours?

By that I mean other bands that write and play their own material.

Gah, really bad English there. I cant even untangle it myself.

I will not have a career in writing!

Thank you for answering my question, you have been so gracious and I'm sure I can speak for all of us when I say we are grateful to you.

So Latitude, I'll have a look at this when things are back to normal. Will you be there? If you were around in the 90's then I will def be aware of and probably a fan, but if you are at a concert and you hear
"It's me!! IT'S ME!! Bluebells are blue from Mumsnet!! It's me, the retired police officer!! IT's Me!!" Remember and wave to me

SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease has your band been named on this thread so far?

Thanks for all your responses on this thread @SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease. It’s been fab and I think everyone has really appreciated your words and your time 😊

You’ve been a real ninja managing to keep your band and identity hidden, can’t have been easy having to double check everything you write 😂

You’ve certainly been doing it right 🤘🏼

Can you reveal (without letting on) what your proudest career moment has been?

Thank you x

@XiCi

SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease has your band been named on this thread so far?

That’s what I thought about asking but wasn’t sure if they would give an answer.

From the posts I was thinking Maximo Park but I’m probably way off

What age did you start learning whatever instrument/s you play?

Have you ever been nominated for the Mercury music prize?

Thanks for a very entertaining thread @SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease!

@BitOfFun

You've been extremely gracious- very enjoyable thread!

Thank you so much! Glad I could provide a touch of enjoyment to your day.

@mooncheese no problem! thanks for joining in

@Butifyoucloseyoureyes

Love this thread! Is your family musical?

Thank you And no not at all. My career choice was quite the disappointment 😂

@ConstanceSalinger

As a songwriter, which song or album has been written by and produced by another band do you wish was yours?

By that I mean other bands that write and play their own material.

That's too hard!!! I don't know. But you have given me something to think about. Maybe Linkin Park, Hybrid Theory? It's rare that I love every song on an album.

RIght, so OP is going at 8?

OP, If you could go to any festival line up in the past which festival would it be and what year? (what line up)

@BluebellsareBlue

Thank you for answering my question, you have been so gracious and I'm sure I can speak for all of us when I say we are grateful to you.

So Latitude, I'll have a look at this when things are back to normal. Will you be there? If you were around in the 90's then I will def be aware of and probably a fan, but if you are at a concert and you hear
"It's me!! IT'S ME!! Bluebells are blue from Mumsnet!! It's me, the retired police officer!! IT's Me!!" Remember and wave to me

😂😂😂😂😂 we are not yet booked to play the next Latitude but things change all the time and I will be sure to look out for you if I end up there.