I am intersted to know who else makes a living from being creative. I am a contemporary jewellery designer and work for myself full time, I've been in business 4 years and it's continually growing.

That's great!

Well, I used to make a living out of music.... kinda.
I was a studio sound engineer/producer in my own studio and I toured with a band. I was hired as a bass player every now and then.
I got really fed up being a sound engineer as it involved working close to 24/7 as a studio hermit, working for other people's music which I often (most of the time) really didn't dig at all. I hardly ever got the time or energy to work on my own music anymore at one point.
And then there was a business partner... well let's just say we didn't get along anymore. So I had to quit, sued the business partner and started a new life.
I found that making a living out of your passions is great, but it's important to not stray away from those passions by taking too many compromises cos it can kill your passions if you're not careful. And maybe more importantly: pick your business partner(s) carefully or do it alone!

Now I have my music for just the love of it. How it should be, really. I'm enjoying myself a lot more these days anyway

I do miss the band tours sometimes though but maybe it'll happen again someday, who knows.... If I got the chance to make a living again from music, I'd still go for it but I'd be a hell of lot more careful!

Sorry for the rambling
[This message was edited Tue Jun 8 0:48:43 2004 by erikd]

Im a musician by profession at the moment. I teach mainly but playing fairly often too. Teaching is great because, as long as there are musicians, people will always wanna learn an instrument. Playing in a band or recording as an artist is great but the work & money isnt half as regular as I would like. There seems to be more work as a music teacher in england than there is for playing music. Ironic when you consider what your students are gonna be able to do once they have learned what they need to know.

I had thought that maybe making music for money would ruin it for me but I just love music so much that I couldnt think of doing anything else for a living (that & the fact that I suck at everything else lol)
[This message was edited Mon Jun 7 17:18:09 2004 by cloud9mission]

cloud9mission said:

I might have some work for you, did you get my orgnote?

Well, as my wife puts it: "we've been eating a little, even without u having a real job..."

So, kind of...I have a indie label, and I play in a band.


nn

http://www.barbarasteeletheband.com

http://www.myspace.com/barbarasteele

Yes. After years of bustin' arse in a kitchen. (thought I wanted to be a chef at one point) i make a living doing what I love.

It can be done. Not always exactly how I pictured myself right about now, but I'm doing it. Having the coolest wife on the planet, helped push me along as well.

Good topic.
Reminded me to thank God this morning.

Not making a living with the music but in Graphic Arts.

To me, "making it" is just being able to pay the bills with music. No record contracts or rock star dreams, just paying the man

i wish.