(Part 2) I'm a rockstar - Ask Me Anything

[SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease]

Hi there,

Some of you may remember when I started an AMA thread called 'I'm a rockstar on hiatus'. I have actually been OFF hiatus for quite a while and have been very busy.

I'm considering publishing my experience in the music industry. I'm making notes about what people want to know. So do you have any burning questions?

What do you turn your amp up to?

Who are you?

What do you think about Dave Grohl?

😂

Not an attack, but have family in the business too and what always strikes me is - how do you deal with lying to keep up an image? What is told to the press is always half truths, omissions or out and out lies. I understand wanting privacy but isn't that hard to live with in a way? Knowing that the person who has fans is just an image, not the real you. Does it get confusing or frustrating having to keep up a level of pretence any time you aren't with those closest to you?
I always get very uncomfortable with how easily bullshit spouts forth from my relatives. Fame seems like multiple personality disorder in a way.
One of them died not long ago and the service was full of utter nonsense based on the image, until one close relative spoke and cut through it all. It was very moving and noticeably real amongst all the fakery.

Omg, I still have your thread in my saved threads!

Would you publish your book under your real name or leave everyone guessing again?!

How do you envision musicians making a living in the streaming age?
What's the best and worst bits about your job?

11 of course 😉
But seriously I think I need a hearing test

That's no fun!

Not surprised, unfortunately.

Twitter got boring so you’re trying mumsnet.

It Is more interesting, it’s true.

I completely understand what you mean. I think the thing to understand is that there are levels to being in the music industry.

The people you are referring to are actually a brand. They have a value, investors and financial targets. Every action, every tweet, every photo affects their brand value, of which they don't want to drop. You can put a price on those lies. You can buy a mansion with those lies. How much money is a lie worth to you?

I'm so glad you got the Spinal Tap reference. I do hope rock and roll life is like that movie.

I'd use my name. I think I have a unique perspective compared to most people in this genre and generation.

We don't. (Make a living from Streaming).

This has a long answer but to keep it short, being on stage in front of thousand of people. It's like nothing else on this earth.

Feeling tired, the days are really long with little sleep. Feeling lonely. My schedule is weird, I don't get to socialise with normal humans as much as I would like.

Someone in my family is a musician who regularly goes on long national/international tours, so I get to hear about the less glamorous side of things in the band, for example the rule that no one takes a shit in the on-board toilet on the tour bus.

What other things would most people not think of fitting their image of the daily life of a rock musician?

We were complaining about our rider the other day. The bread was too soft, makes the sandwich fall apart. It got very Spinal tap.

Do you manage your own social media or have help? Do you consider yourself a brand? I think this must be the biggest change for musicians now. I bet a lot of the legends wouldn’t have made it in the social media age.

Assuming you’re well known…
When strangers talk to you, do you have a well rehearsed spiel and go into autopilot? Just say you’re at the Natural History Museum with your kids (or grandkids). What’s it like in this situation when you just want to enjoy a family day out. Does it get upsetting/ frustrating?

I just can’t imagine being Ed Sheeran and enjoying a day off with my family. It must be so limiting and exhausting- it’s a massive sacrifice and I’m not sure it’s worth it really.

Will you give the mumsnetters a shout out in your book?

also, the worst and best person in the industry you know! Are you allowed to answer this one? 😁

Is it lonely?

EDIT as I see you have already said it is lonely.

So is it worth it? And if so, why?

Far from designer brands and flashy logos, we love vintage shops, charity shops in strange places and antique shops.

Also, we're vampires.

I think I know who you are. I guessed (on your old thread) and then saw you'd PM'd me but deleted your message before I read it!

What everyone wants to know is - what are the mega stars like irl? Who have you toured with who was really lovely or funny or down to earth? Who was sexy as hell? Who surprised you? Would you dish the dirt on the mean ones?

I once had to share a dressing room with a successful Rolling Stones tribute band. They all stood around watching us change and openly discussing which of us they would deign to sleep with. We had to point out that it couldn't happen as none of us would shag such wizened self-absorbed tossers. And they were just a bloody tribute band. I dread to think what the egos of real rock stars are like. But if you felt like sharing - that would sell a few books. You could hint not say, to avoid litigation.

What advice would you give to someone starting out who have their own album albiet its more rock indie asking for a friend I know absolutely nothing about the music industry but I have been around a few people because of my friend. Sadly from an outside perspective I have seen a negative side to the industry with high demands, quite controlling managers and a lot of issues within bands. Also how do you feel your personal relationships have been impacted do you find you can still make time for family and friends how do you manage this?

Maybe writing a book is a rebellion against all that.

I didn’t see your other thread, so apologies if someone asked this already.
What’s your favourite karaoke song?

My second cousins were in a huge 80s band , I remember one driving me home from my nans funeral in his Porsche.
People knew they were attending a funeral yet still hassled them , so you ever really get time to switch off and be the "real you " ?

Do you get time to explore the cities you hit on tour or do you mostly hang out in hotels and sleep