[boyinblue]

Hello folks, nice to join this community, I've been writing and travelling for the last 13 years and mostly playing originals on the streets and cafes or covers in bars. Do any of you have a good idea of what kind of work I could apply for that doesn't require education and might give me time to still write songs? I write every day and am very picky and slow about creating songs, I don't get paid in money for this at all anywhere and after years of experience I rarely play out anymore. I've tried a lot playing covers but it sucks out my inspiration completely. I'm also really lazy and bad at networking, socializing and all that stuff that comes with the business these days, that's why I'm asking. Maybe there is some line of work where you can still have a pen or a dicta-phone and get your ideas down when they arrive? Or some line of work that would be inspiring for a songwriter? It just feels a bit sad having to take away all the creativity time but I'm now 35 and feel like perhaps I should develop some kind of stability. I really don't want to, I would love to just write songs and prose all day, but theses days it seems impossible for someone like me. Appreciate any advice and if you feel like listening to my music for a better answer it's right here: www.tobiasthomhave.com   Thank you and see you around in here!:)

[S.T.C]

Become a Politician...?

[tone]

Hi Tobias

Nice to have you with us. I have to admit I'm slightly confused by your post because I had a listen to a track from your CD, and it seems you've managed already to finance a very professional production - a greater achievement than most of the forum members here.

I understand that playing covers in bars isn't very inspirational, but I guarantee you it's much more inspirational than working in a factory, in a shop, cafe, pub etc etc (I've done all these jobs so I'm talking from experience)

The way I see it is that you have 2 choices. Get out there and play for money and just grin and bear it - at least it's related to songwriting, right? And you can play a few of your own songs at any gig you do (I always do this).

Or you can figure out a way to make money from home, and be your own boss, so when inspiration strikes you can drop everything and start writing. This is how I make most of my money at the moment, but don't be fooled by how perfect it sounds. It's hard work and my income is not guaranteed. A month may go by where I only earn a couple of hundred quid - and that won't even cover half my rent...

I honestly don't think just writing and playing all day is realistic. Any independent artist who gets anywhere these days has to commit time to networking, promoting, schmoozing, getting yourself out there in any way you can. It's not going to come to you. Nobody likes doing it, but I see a marked difference in the musicians I know who do, and those who don't, and it's those that get their hands dirty that stay on the path. The rest tend to fall out of circulation. I know because I've done it myself.

There's no holy grail, just knuckling down. Sorry if that's not what you want to hear, but it's the truth in my humble, but usually correct opinion

[nooms]

personally speaking i think working keeps me sane..
might be tedious but its also inspirational. trouble & adversity are often where the songs live..
i drive early mornings (nhs) and back home in the afternoon, moneys terrible but ..
suspect if i was home all day everyday i would probably disappear up my own pipework.

obstacles and walls to climb arent always a negative,
they're one of  'the mothers of invention' (he tells himself)

[habiTat]

I agree with nooms on this, my job involves hours and hours of driving, combined with some manual work. When I'm alone in my van, driving along I find that I sing to myself and very often come up with new melodies/hooks etc. I then use my voice recorder on my iphone (when parked ) to record the ideas before I forget them. When I later get the chance to sit down with my guitar, I have a little bank of ideas to instantly work from.

In short, driving jobs are boring but good for writing songs if you can get one where you drive alone

[boyinblue]

Thanks you guys, it sounds a good idea driving long distances and at the same time being able to think about songs! Tone what kind of work do you do? I know playing in bars is probably better than most jobs I could get without education, it just drains the inspiration as I see it. But I'm too much of an "either or" kind of guy and know I need to relax, put a grin on and do the mainstream covers for the people once in a while, there's no doubt it makes them happy

[tone]

Well as it happens, more and more of my income is now coming from playing live, but I still make more money at my day job which is...


drum roll


web designer & copywriter

I do this from home on a freelance, self-employed basis. I don't have any qualifications in this area, I taught myself - mainly so I could work from for, for myself. It's working at the moment! But it's sometimes tricky if you have a couple of quiet months back to back.