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...

Haha, hi there @HyggeTygge

I have recently discovered that threads from Mumsnet can end up in the Daily Hate. I'm not here for anyone to guess who I am, otherwise my honesty may have repercussions. I only wanted to answer any questions people may have about the music industry. So, touring, tv/radio, live shows, festivals, tour buses, flying, recording, albums and releases, other musicians, photoshoots, foreign countries, hotels, funny stories or general info.

I'll probably ignore pandemic questions only because Covid is boring and music is our great escape.

@Scabber The Earth is not flat, Bill Gates is not trying to kill us all, humans cannot morph into reptiles and no babies were eaten behind a pizza shop. Mental health is A1 so I guess I'm doing very well, thank you for asking!

Fair enough op! Are things slowly getting back to normal in your industry or is it stop-start?

@HyggeTygge November-January is always quiet because artists want to be home for the holidays plus it's too cold for festivals. (Although we have previously toured toasty Australia during that time for several weeks.) I guess the pandemic will determine how much of next years planned touring actually goes ahead.

How do you get paid? Is it by the month or do you get an allowance or huge cuts of ticket sales? I have often wondered that. Do you ever check your account and there is suddenly loads in there? It must be stressful hoping that someone else knows what they are doing with regards to your money, tax etc.

Congratulations btw and I hope you are happy. I sometimes wake up with a song in my head and wish I could get it into the world, you are in the fantastic position that if that happens to you, you could actually make it happen! Brilliant.

@3luckystars

Great question! Several ways:
⁃ Drawings from a Ltd company that pays its employees (band members). The accountant sorts how much and how often so you don’t go broke.
⁃ The publishing label collects royalties paid out twice a year
⁃ All musicians get paid at the same time from PRS and MCPS (more royalties) 3/4 times a year I think.
⁃ Touring and merchandise sales are paid out as and when accounted for several weeks afterwards.
⁃ International payments can take months due to paperwork
⁃ International adverts can take 6-12 months for payment

Some payments come through the record label. PRS are MCPS directly to me. Basically I never have any idea what my yearly earnings will be! So yes, money does just appear in my account and I have to find out what it was from.

@3luckystars

It is very complex and therefore very easy for yourself or an accountant to screw up your life.

And thank you! It takes a bit of courage and a bit of stupidity. I wouldn't change what I do for the world. 

I bloody hope so because I love Reverend and the Makers and Laura os incredible

There's a part 2 to this thread on AMA. See you there!