How Is the Economy Affecting You?
There’s no way around it. We have a problem.
Arts organizations and venues across the globe are showing signs of a deep financial slide. According to recent reports, the worldwide economic maelstrom has caused the closing of nightclubs, symphonies, theaters, Broadway shows, ballets – and it’s likely that this is just the tip of the iceberg. How many of you have seen a slip in your calls for gigs and contract work?
For many full-time musicians the economy is hitting home, and it’s not likely to let up in the foreseeable future. Top economists continue to extend their estimates on a recovery dates, and even the most optimistic observers believe it will be 2010 before we see signs of a rally.
Obama’s proposed stimulus package will theoretically create jobs that indirectly impact the musician business – specifically 262,000 jobs in hospitality and leisure (an industry that often coincides with entertainment) and 186,000 jobs in education and health services (a broad category that may or may not have any impact on musicians). As for direct, immediate relief specifically for musicians – it doesn’t look like anything is planned, and that isn’t much of a surprise. In capitalism, making a career as an artist has and will likely always be a path ventured at your own risk. There will be no bailouts for musicians. (And in some ways we should be grateful. The alternatives to capitalism have never been good for free speech and the arts.)
There has been recent talk of a cabinet-level Secretary of the Arts (see NPR’s, Does the U.S. Need a Culture Czar?), and while the long-term effects of congealing all the separate federal arts organizations may be good for all of us – it hardly fixes the problem we see ourselves in right now. What we need now is J-O-B-S. Not just for us, but for the over 7% of Americans that used to hire us to play their nightclubs, symphonies, theaters, Broadway shows and ballets. If the audience ain’t workin’, ain’t nobody workin’.
How is the economy affecting you? Maybe you’ve taken on more students lately? Or picked up a day job? Or maybe you’ve got a steady gig and the storm is thankfully passing you by. The recession’s impact on the musician economy will probably go unreported in the press, so our best bet for gauging the impact on our industry is to discuss it amongst ourselves right here – so please leave a comment – even an anonymous one if you prefer.
About the author
My buyers are offering on average $100 less of a guarantee than last year.
Tabs and comp food is also being taken out of contracts and riders.
I value my buyers and my bands and I will work with them through these tough times.
That being said, I’m off this morning to meet with a new sponsor for one of our groups! Diversify income streams!
2/3/2009
I lost a private student because her hours were cut back at work, and a prospective student quit before his first lesson because he lost his job all together. When people have to watch their spending, things like entertainment and culture are usually the first to go.
However, I’ve seen slightly better sales and downloads last month than I did in January last year. So it could also be said that when people are faced with tough times, music is a relatively inexpensive way to find some relief. Now might be a good time to show some good will to your fans/customers because they’ll appreciate it when things are on the up and up.
Of course, we can’t all just be the band on the Titanic and just keep people calm as we go down with the ship… musicians need to survive, too.
2/3/2009
I’ve noticed that teh singer songwriters and R&B musicians I normally play with have a new found tendency to only hire me for shows wiht guarentees… Living in NY this means that many many shows are getting cut out, or they’re using tracks to replace my bass. While last summer I was playing six shows a week, this January I averaged about 3.
2/3/2009
I was working as the music director of an act in Hawaii this past summer, but we were laid off in the fall. I understand we were replaced by a cheaper, one-person act and the languishing tourism economy in Hawaii was cited as the reason.
Elsewhere in the country, my previous clients are essentially in a hiring freeze as music positions are being cut from regional theaters and turnover is slowing considerably (musicians that have steady gigs are holding on to them!).
It’s not all bad news – I did pick up a new student this week and, according to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, tours and theaters are still going strong (at least in Chicago). Nevertheless, the music scenes I’m connected to (including Chicago) are becoming very tight and I’m not getting calls for nearly the # of gigs that I usually do at this time of year. It looks like I’m going to need to pick up some temporary part-time work, which is a little disappointing, but not altogether surprising considering the torrent of bad news coming out of the financial markets. The hard part is finding a part-time job when *everyone* seems to be looking for a part-time job.
On a sidenote, it took me probably half an hour last night to figure out if the title of this post should be “affecting” or “effecting.” Don’t judge.
2/3/2009
I live in the Miami area and I have actually found that the gig calls have been coming in MORE rapidly. In my experience it seems that in a recession, people value entertainment more because it is an escape from reality. In certain areas there seems to be no sign of a recession– even though South Florida is one of the highest ranked areas for foreclosure. Ironic?
2/23/2009
Hey great article I really enjoyed hearing what you had to say. I have some construtive critism tell more statitics and more about the wages of musicians and not just venues and audiences not liking music. BUt keep working on it sounds great
3/17/2009
Great subject. You nailed it on the money, (pardon the pun)but as independent working musicians and artists we are all alone. From childhood until death people can’t grasp the idea that there are those of us out here who perform in bars, restaurants and clubs for a living. All we read and hear about these days are the poor chumps who have lost their days jobs. How about us self employed artists who are losing their gigs? No one gives a rat’s tail about us and I will tell you why. Because we are not respected. From the crabby bar owner to the audience staring at the ball game while you attempt to entertain them, there is and has always been a vast disrespect for those of us in this business.
Just two nights ago I ws informed that my monthly gig in Valparaiso, Indiana would be cancelled due to the recession. This is the fourth steady gig I have lost in the past year. I would be working steadily 3-4 nights a week if the economy hadn’t tanked, but now have to scramble aroud for one nighters. The one thing helping are the outdoor beer garden dates, but those will dissapear in the fall. Also, the club owners are counting their pennies. I have had to work for half just to book shows. It’s pathetic. Normally I get $150 for a three hour show, and some clubs only want to pay $75. It’s sickening.
6/20/2009
Corporate Party gigs were nonexistent in late 2008 all the way through the summer of 2009. But they have started picking up again, one a month in October, November and December, which I am taking as a good sign.
A restaurant I play at had to close its new location, which unfortunately opened right when the economy went south. The business at the remaining location has been down some, but has been picking up for the holidays.
What was supposed to be a 5 week summer tour in Europe with a singer/songwriter I have gone with before dwindled down to just one weekend in the UK at a festival.
My regular Friday night gig doesn’t seem to be down at all, but it is mostly older regulars who have been coming to dance for 30 years and the annual influx of students from UT.
I have been blessed through all of this; I am still playing every Friday and Saturday with a few weeknights thrown in as well. I am grateful for the gigs I have.
12/15/2009
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