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Original poster

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

251 replies

SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease · 02/10/2024 20:44

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?

OP posts:
Autumnalfun · 03/10/2024 20:33

Yeah I’m going for Jason isbell and the 400 unit and this is Amanda shires posting..😀

Original poster
SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease · 03/10/2024 20:46

MonkeyRum · 03/10/2024 17:55

I know someone who toured with a very well known singer for many years. His stories of touring are brilliant and he is stupidly talented, has a really focussed work ethic and is a total perfectionist. He did some massive festivals and big arena gigs all over the world.

I’ve asked him about what his views are on many things including what he thinks of the streaming and internet stuff. He really despises the label fatcats and thinks anything that bypasses them can be a good thing, but I guess if you’re an established artist or band then it’s much easier because you have a fan base who will always buy your stuff.

Coming off the back of my last question…Do you think in years to come that in years to come it’s still going to be possible for bands to “make” the big time? It seems touring is where the money is for most if you can sell out the gigs, but venues seem to be shutting down left right and centre and even smaller festivals seem to be taking a hit. Where do you think it’s all going to go? How will bands get their foot in the door?

I follow one band who are essentially “indie” in every sense, but they recently had a knock back from the support of a larger label because they apparently don’t get the streams they’re looking for on social media!!! (They posted the convo on their Instagram it was quite brutal!) They’d have been massive 30 years ago, I’m sure.

This is a great question. Which I do not have an answer for. I actually have a side project that's another totally different band. This band will fill a particular niche in the genre. Let's see what happens...

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Original poster
SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease · 03/10/2024 20:49

GellerYeller · 03/10/2024 18:20

If I saw you duetting with a Yorkshire Britpop band (that isn’t Pulp) recently then thankyou- you’re so talented and I loved your jacket 😂
We have a friend who is a producer and writer. They have the perfect music career I think, not recognisable but have worked with A List artists globally. Is this something you’d like to do in future? What’s your advice to girls starting out in the industry?

I already songwrite. The royalties received are the closest thing I have to a pension.

For the girls? You really don't have to get your baps out.

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OrchardBlack · 03/10/2024 20:51

Would we actually know who you are if you told us?

Autumnalfun · 03/10/2024 20:53

SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease · 03/10/2024 20:49

I already songwrite. The royalties received are the closest thing I have to a pension.

For the girls? You really don't have to get your baps out.

Show quote history

I’m still thinking Amanda shires, side act the high women? If you are sorry , I think you’re divorced now.

Original poster
SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease · 03/10/2024 20:55

Brandnewskytohangyourstarsupon · 03/10/2024 19:42

I want to ask you about your perception of the impact you have?

For instance, I’ve never been to a live gig and not felt utterly elated and “removed” from the ordinary of every day life.. just for those hours I’m at the gig with you in front of me.

It’s honestly like bands and their music are working some class of magic.

Are you aware that this is what your work can do for people?

possibly, you might be surrounded by yes people who blow smoke up your arse because they are paid to do so, but actually and honestly, from those of us who go to gigs, it truly is like therapy! So thank you, whoever you are.

This one is really interesting. (Keeping it short) I am NOW. So many fans have exclaimed to me what our music means to them. How it's helped, got them through dark times, been the soundtrack for good times etc. It could potentially bring one to tears hearing the impact of what we do, on people's lives. I had no idea that what we do mattered so much to so many people.

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Original poster
SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease · 03/10/2024 20:57

OrchardBlack · 03/10/2024 20:51

Would we actually know who you are if you told us?

If you are a regular listener to BBC 6 Music, or a regular festival goer, then yes. You've definitely accidentally heard our music, (it get used for a lot of stuff).

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Original poster
SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease · 03/10/2024 21:01

anotherside · 03/10/2024 12:24

I read a study somewhere study recently which compared the top 100 pop charts today, 20 years ago and 30 years ago (or something like that). If found something that 30 years ago something like 60% of the top 100 were guitar based (or guitar, drums, bass etc). While today it’s only something like 3%. Maybe a big band like Coldplay are sort of emblamatic of this change, having gone from a bog standard band, to the last ten years seeing many of their songs now being a sort of mishmash of pop, rock, electronic, with loads of electronic sounds covering up the traditional instruments. (And also quite a few collaborations with artists of other genres).
So, why do you think the vast majority of young people are no longer inspired by guitar/rock music, or do you see it as a healthy “correction” of sorts with multiple other music now taking centre stage?

Edited

I've answered this one somewhere on here. In short, bands are expensive. Digital music is cheap. Most young people will be inspired by what's trending and that's currently music made on a laptop. It's not worse music, it's just different, and of this generation.

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OrchardBlack · 03/10/2024 21:02

SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease · 03/10/2024 20:57

If you are a regular listener to BBC 6 Music, or a regular festival goer, then yes. You've definitely accidentally heard our music, (it get used for a lot of stuff).

Show quote history

Playing it fast and loose with the term rockstar 😂

Dymaxion · 03/10/2024 21:04

If someone wanted to work in the industry but not as an artist, what do you think they need skill's wise ? For instance, how did your roadies become roadies , if you know ? Who is in charge of hiring the people who aren't in the band ?

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SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease · 03/10/2024 21:08

@OrchardBlack

Perhaps. It's a bit of fun for the thread.
But "I'm a professional musician in a long standing touring rock band with several albums, radio play and tv shows under our belt. Ask me anything" just doesn't have the same ring.

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Original poster
SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease · 03/10/2024 21:10

Dymaxion · 03/10/2024 21:04

If someone wanted to work in the industry but not as an artist, what do you think they need skill's wise ? For instance, how did your roadies become roadies , if you know ? Who is in charge of hiring the people who aren't in the band ?

There are several ways to approach this question. I'll pick the shortest. I have never met a roadie that has actually used their degree. And they all had one. Some even went to private/boarding school.

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Original poster
SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease · 03/10/2024 21:13

Maviz · 03/10/2024 19:56

Ohhhhhh I need to know who you are!! These threads drive me crazy

Don't worry about it. It's not a guessing game. I'm just here to give you some insight into the music industry. It's a very strange world.

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Autumnalfun · 03/10/2024 21:15

I think it’s fine to call yourself a rock star, whom ever you are, don’t let the bitchy comments make you tone it down. Says more about the poster than you.

Autumnalfun · 03/10/2024 21:16

And if I was you, I’d call myself a rock star. Why the fuck not.

Original poster
SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease · 03/10/2024 21:17

Worldgonecrazy · 03/10/2024 12:47

On tour, do you clear your own plate? Do you eat before or after the show? If after, do you expect a hot plated meal, or raid the load-out sandwiches.

What is the weirdest thing on your dressing room rider?

I was an on tour caterer in the mid 80s/early 90s so saw some extremes of behaviour but still remember the good guys who were polite and appreciative. From your posts, I think you would be the latter?

(and YANBU re Madonna) though I don’t know if it’s her or the people surrounding her (often quite literally)

I'll pick one to answer.
I can't eat 2-3 hours before a show, otherwise I'll feel it. I told you, we rock hard. Other band members happily eat an hour before the show. We use our rider to sustain us until dinnertime, then it's out to hunt for hot food, sometimes we order in (to the venue). I usually have my 'dinner' a couple of hours after the show. Not ideal.

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Original poster
SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease · 03/10/2024 21:23

IjustbelieveinMe · 03/10/2024 11:58

I wondered if it was Billy Duffy, Jarvis Cocker or Guy Garvey lol!

Great thread thank you

@IjustbelieveinMe

You are most welcome.

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Original poster
SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease · 03/10/2024 21:25

Faldodiddledee · 03/10/2024 11:59

You sound very amusing and should definitely write a book!

Ha, thanks. I'm also considering a YouTube channel to talk about this stuff. Whether or not people would be interested to watch is another story.

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DancingTurtle · 03/10/2024 21:53

I'll try my best answer everybody. This works best if you ask one question at a time.

How do you envisage this coordinated taking turns in real time working?

DancingTurtle · 03/10/2024 21:59

Ignore me! You meant each poster should only ask one question, not more than one..?

latestnews · 03/10/2024 22:01

DancingTurtle · 03/10/2024 21:53

I'll try my best answer everybody. This works best if you ask one question at a time.

How do you envisage this coordinated taking turns in real time working?

I’m guessing not one post with five separate questions?

Cosycore · 03/10/2024 22:12

what’s a song you love just now?

mainly cos I find Desert Island Discs so intriguing

Autumnalfun · 03/10/2024 22:19

SweetnSaltyPopcornPlease · 03/10/2024 21:25

Ha, thanks. I'm also considering a YouTube channel to talk about this stuff. Whether or not people would be interested to watch is another story.

Show quote history

I’m not sure, I think fans maybe, a lot of this is intrigue as to who you are. Celebs are interviewed constantly and talk about so much stuff and tell stories. That’s not to say I don’t think it’s interesting, but I think even if Jon Bon Jovi and bono teamed up to do a YouTube channel on it, they may struggle after a couple of episodes..

badgerpatrol · 03/10/2024 22:36

Hi op
What are your favourite talk topics on MN?

And which ones have you never explored?
(Who knew there was a cycling one?)

badgerpatrol · 03/10/2024 22:37

And are you a premium member (with all your money and all...) Grin