Summer is here..

Summer is here.. - Trevor Jones's MySpace Blog | - New Album and Summer Plans

Summer is here in Colorado, evidenced by the mojito party about to go down in my parent's house for my best friend from childhood, Mike, who is getting married in July. I admire him and admire his fiance even more for putting up with the guy. I can't see myself getting married, my profession simply prevents it, for one. Put by Tony Montana, a mutual idol for Mike and I both, "In this country, you gotta make the money first."

So how do you make money as a musician? Not by selling physical copies or downloads of your music. We in Frogs have a decent shot at that, only because our record label is small, independent and most importantly, cool. But for most of rock history bands gave all their money to the label who for some reason, wanted it back after recording costs, mastering costs, mixing costs, limousine and cocaine costs, and fluffy pink pillows on the hotel beds during the entire recording process costs were all factored in. Thank the rock gods we live in more moderate times.

No, to make money as a musician you simply play your backside off. This is inevitably a good thing because while you're spending all day writing blogs and updating facebook instead of practicing, a show every night provides three hours of shedding and shredding that makes you think in real time, although you have to be able to take the same musical risks you would in practice so you can grow, even if it means falling flat on your face first. This is a point the industry analyst everyone loves to hate, Bob Lefsetz, makes a lot, that the music is the only thing that can save the music now. I just wonder if we as a people have time for the epic rock song anymore, now that the internet has replaced baseball as our national pastime. Musician's wages haven't gone up since the 70's but that doesn't mean a couple hundred bucks for just a couple hours of indulging in your art is bad pay at all. It's all about the frequency with which you can book and keep gigs. I'm playing at the farmer's market this month, on Sunday's with my keyboard playing alter-ego in the Stereo Assassins, even driving across the state to play two gigs in the same day on some days. A positive attitude and willingness to travel go a long way.

No travelling today, however. I'm playing just up the highway in Denver at Jordan's Bistro with an old friend tonight. First I need a mojito.