I have a story which I could use some opinions on. Maybe you could also use this thread to talk about similar situations you have found yourself in.
I joined a band years ago (it was fronted by a singer; essentially it's her band and the musicians are whoever she gets to play for her on the night). I became really good friends with her partner and am still good friends to this day.
The singer and her partner had a very messy break up a little while back. The singer caused my friend to lose her house and was the only option left for her is to move to the country. This is a serious break up!
I have spoken to my friend about her thoughts on me still playing in her band and she has said that I should just be a professional and do the gigs and leave it at that. However other friends of mine who play bass and other instruments literally hang up the phone when the singer calls. They are not what I consider serious musicians - in that they have a day job and play once every so often. I want to make music my life and so far that's on track.
This singer has got recording coming up which I said on the phone I'd love to do. I would. Its a great opportunity to get my playing out to the world, but I do feel conflicted about it.
I think I will be left behind if I let myself be caught up with personal issues when I am trying to advance outside of this little town. On the other hand I don't want to lose the respect of my friends by choosing my path.
My bassist friend who hung up the phone on the singer even said "do what you want man, you're a musician that's what you do". So he knows where he stands on this issue, and keep that resolution for himself (which I think is a very mature thing to do), however at some level if he thinks that way about it, he surely would not respect my choice to work with the singer.
If I pass this opportunity, so other drummer will get the job and I will be exactly where I am today.
So there are pro's and con's with both choices I make: do I work with her or not.
I'm leaning towards yes.
I joined a band years ago (it was fronted by a singer; essentially it's her band and the musicians are whoever she gets to play for her on the night). I became really good friends with her partner and am still good friends to this day.
The singer and her partner had a very messy break up a little while back. The singer caused my friend to lose her house and was the only option left for her is to move to the country. This is a serious break up!
I have spoken to my friend about her thoughts on me still playing in her band and she has said that I should just be a professional and do the gigs and leave it at that. However other friends of mine who play bass and other instruments literally hang up the phone when the singer calls. They are not what I consider serious musicians - in that they have a day job and play once every so often. I want to make music my life and so far that's on track.
This singer has got recording coming up which I said on the phone I'd love to do. I would. Its a great opportunity to get my playing out to the world, but I do feel conflicted about it.
I think I will be left behind if I let myself be caught up with personal issues when I am trying to advance outside of this little town. On the other hand I don't want to lose the respect of my friends by choosing my path.
My bassist friend who hung up the phone on the singer even said "do what you want man, you're a musician that's what you do". So he knows where he stands on this issue, and keep that resolution for himself (which I think is a very mature thing to do), however at some level if he thinks that way about it, he surely would not respect my choice to work with the singer.
If I pass this opportunity, so other drummer will get the job and I will be exactly where I am today.
So there are pro's and con's with both choices I make: do I work with her or not.
I'm leaning towards yes.