badash
Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732
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Posted on Apr 30 2009 04:26 PM
I just ran across the locked thread about how to "make it big"  I, as a human being, not even as someone who is currently playing in a band, am very curious about how someone like Ivan has acheived what he has with not just a "day job", but with a real "career". Not meaning to single out Ivan, I just know what he happens to do in the real world. I would be interested to hear from anybody who has not even necessarily achieved domestic or international success, but even just a solid fan base that has allowed them to continue recording without getting in the hole, in this genre, but also maintains a "9 to 5" or what my grandad used to call a "ham and egger" lifestyle...
I understand how self employed graphic artists, computer consultants, etc. can pull it off, but I'm curious about the "Salary-Men" 
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Apr 30 2009 04:39 PM
The real wonder is how Ivan was able to play in the Cossacks, when I believe he was in grad school(is this correct?). That has to be a huge challenge.
Working 8-5 and being in a band is no problem. The problem arises when you get married and the problem worsens when you have kids. So, I guess the solution is to have a cold cold heart that cannot love. However, those with a cold heart probably make awful music.
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badash
Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732
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Posted on Apr 30 2009 04:49 PM
JakeDobner
The real wonder is how Ivan was able to play in the Cossacks, when I believe he was in grad school(is this correct?). That has to be a huge challenge.
Nah... That's easy... At least it would have been for me. Grad school hours, when not engaged in research projects, which were by no means a constant, were pretty easy in terms of when you had to be on campus. I got it down to Tues/Wed/Thurs from 3:00p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (11:00 p.m. on Weds) at one point 
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Staredge
Joined: Sep 27, 2008
Posts: 1149
Damascus, Maryland
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Posted on Apr 30 2009 04:52 PM
Yeah, I'd like to hear about this as well. I didn't realize what Ivan did until he posted his book.......then I was REEALLLY impressed!
— Will
"You're done, once you're a surfer you're done. You're in. It's like the mob or something. You're not getting out." - Kelly Slater
The Luau Cinders
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Stormtiger
Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2681
Ventura, CA
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Posted on Apr 30 2009 05:02 PM
First, Ivan has a big brain. Then he says he barely drinks and doesn't do drugs so he probably has surplus energy and focus. To top it off, his Dad plays in a band with him....talk about support!
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19265
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Apr 30 2009 05:44 PM
Good question. I also point to Ivan's enormous brain and hard work ethic.
I'd like to hear the Volcanos chime in on this. They seem like they've been playing in various bands since forever, and they all have day jobs and families. It must get tough at times.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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Jetpack
Joined: May 28, 2008
Posts: 333
Los Angeles
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Posted on Apr 30 2009 07:48 PM
I know someone may bag on me for saying what I've accomplished, but remember that I have been a 101 member until now without mentioning it until asked! Well no, on another site they may, but not here. Okay, let me state first that as most of you could tell anyone, I am pretty much a nobody, but I do get letters and occasional nude pictures (like the one from Brazil, which I deleted as I think she had an Adam's apple). I never play out (first show in 8 years or so is May 9th- come on out) and have only two CDs besides the compilations I am on. Yet, I have been paid well enough for piece work, especially that CD "Surf Guitar" from the Sharper Image that used existing songs of mine. I have a song right next to Dick Dale (can't remember if he comes up first or I do). My first show was as opener for him years before that. The label set it up. I got hired to make a CD for a different label because the head of a project there had and liked Planet Reverb, my first CD. The money was very good. So was the money for using my tunes as menu and underscore in a Hawaiian adult video-one of the very first if not first in HD! Are you proud, Mom? Anyway, I can only thank my label for getting my name out there. I almost feel bad to say that I never have had to book a show or hustle for work. I didn't do any of it. They have always done it for me or someone called asking for me.
All this was done while I worked 9-6 every 5 days for all these years. And yes, I am in graphics, but I have a place I have to be each morning until night. It's a job like any other. For me, I think the key is having someone else who's money is invested in you working to make sure they get you some success. You are their investment and it's their money on the line. If I had to book things and call musicians and subs all day I would have headaches and stomach aches and not be able to do my job. I quit shows until now due to the flakes I encountered everywhere.
To sum up, to keep my brain band-free at work I would need someone taking care of the band stuff or I'd have to just play only the occasional show, which is what I had done and with this new start, plan to do again. So, there may be a very good reason to still go with a label and distributor in this DIY age. You have to share the money, but you do get a guy coming up to you in a restaurant in front of your date saying, "Hey, I have your CD," and that is priceless. Now, this nobody has to go back to work before the boss walks by!
— www.jetpackband.com
https://www.facebook.com/JetpackTheBand
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badash
Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732
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Posted on Apr 30 2009 08:42 PM
Jetpack
I know someone may bag on me for saying what I've accomplished, but remember that I have been a 101 member until now without mentioning it until asked!
SNIP
yes, I am in graphics, but I have a place I have to be each morning until night. It's a job like any other.
Cool! You are certainly the kind of person I was thinking of when I asked the question, so thanks for taking the time. And I assure you I only pulled out graphics and computer work as examples of work where you can be self-employed and possibly have some flexibility as long as you get the job done. I certainly never meant to exclude two very cool jobs. If you're 9x5x5, you're exactly what I meant.
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Jetpack
Joined: May 28, 2008
Posts: 333
Los Angeles
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Posted on Apr 30 2009 09:30 PM
And _I_ hope I didn't give you the impression I took the graphics comment as a jab. I didn't and I totally get it and agree. I would love to have enough dough coming in as a freelancer that I didn't have a day job, but at a day job I get a steady cheque no matter how busy or slow. I wonder if I would play more or less if I were self employed. I think less, honestly. Freelance seems like more work. More hustling.
— www.jetpackband.com
https://www.facebook.com/JetpackTheBand
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Double-Crown-Records
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1223
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Posted on May 01 2009 12:10 PM
I know it's tough for me with Double Crown - I have a 40 hour/week day job at a company that does passenger ferry service to the San Juan Islands and Victoria (the company website is http://www.whales.com if you're curious), I have a family with 2 kids (who have soccer and swim team practices and games 6 days/week), and I play on two soccer teams year-round. I probably work on Double Crown/Continental stuff about 10-20 hours per week, mostly in the evenings after everyone's asleep. It's tough, and getting tougher each year, to do it all, but I enjoy it all. I am hoping that I can slow down a bit on Double Crown stuff this summer to have more time for family stuff, and to read a few books, but at the same time, I'd really like to make some progress on the Continental magazine book compilation thingie....
— Sean
Double Crown Records
www.doublecrownrecords.com
Surf CD's / Vinyl / Fanzines / DVD's
Aloha Screwdriver - Lunar Wobble CD
The Nebulas - Euphorion LP / CD
Supertubos - The Fourth Drive CD
Continental Magazine - Issue #37 w/17 Song CD
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on May 01 2009 12:11 PM
And you manage to be an incredibly nice guy throughout it all!
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badash
Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732
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Posted on May 01 2009 12:17 PM
Double-Crown-Records
I'd really like to make some progress on the Continental magazine book compilation thingie....
Yeah. That would be cool. When my wife knocked my issue with the Dick Dale album reviews into the toilet (we have a small bathroom and it was on the vanity right next to the toilet), the heartbreak was losing all the newly reviewed/newly released album reviews in the back! I've found lots of cool stuff I never heard after being intrigued by the review 
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Double-Crown-Records
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 1223
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Posted on May 01 2009 12:26 PM
badash
Double-Crown-Records
I'd really like to make some progress on the Continental magazine book compilation thingie....
Yeah. That would be cool. When my wife knocked my issue with the Dick Dale album reviews into the toilet (we have a small bathroom and it was on the vanity right next to the toilet), the heartbreak was losing all the newly reviewed/newly released album reviews in the back! I've found lots of cool stuff I never heard after being intrigued by the review
--So being the true surf music fan you are, you grabbed it out of the crapper, and carefully dried it off, separating the pages so they wouldn't stick together...
— Sean
Double Crown Records
www.doublecrownrecords.com
Surf CD's / Vinyl / Fanzines / DVD's
Aloha Screwdriver - Lunar Wobble CD
The Nebulas - Euphorion LP / CD
Supertubos - The Fourth Drive CD
Continental Magazine - Issue #37 w/17 Song CD
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badash
Joined: Aug 18, 2006
Posts: 1732
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Posted on May 01 2009 12:30 PM
Double-Crown-Records
badash
Double-Crown-Records
I'd really like to make some progress on the Continental magazine book compilation thingie....
Yeah. That would be cool. When my wife knocked my issue with the Dick Dale album reviews into the toilet (we have a small bathroom and it was on the vanity right next to the toilet), the heartbreak was losing all the newly reviewed/newly released album reviews in the back! I've found lots of cool stuff I never heard after being intrigued by the review
--So being the true surf music fan you are, you grabbed it out of the crapper, and carefully dried it off, separating the pages so they wouldn't stick together...
Umm... We're on a well. And we were conserving water... so... No... 
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Rick_Volcano
Joined: Mar 05, 2006
Posts: 289
Detroit
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Posted on May 01 2009 12:52 PM
Brian
I'd like to hear the Volcanos chime in on this. They seem like they've been playing in various bands since forever, and they all have day jobs and families. It must get tough at times.
I consider myself lucky to have a found a group of (responsible adult) guys that have been willing to make time in their schedules to play music. It is tough, at times. Two of the guys are business owners, two have kids, we're all married. So, we can't do every show that we get offered. It takes longer to get recording projects finished. But, everybody seems to sincerely enjoy it and get some kind of personal satisfaction out of it, so we make an effort to allot time for it.
I, too, am in awe of Ivan's big brain. He does an amazing job balancing work, home and band. 
— The Volcanos
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Doctor_Morbius
Joined: Oct 26, 2008
Posts: 608
This Planet Earth
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Posted on May 03 2009 06:40 PM
badash
...
I understand how self employed graphic artists, computer consultants, etc. can pull it off, but I'm curious about the "Salary-Men"
You forgot about self-professed "B" movie actors with big chins.
I've thought about this too. Actually, I've thought a lot about it. Now I'm no dummy mind you, but I have to work at what I achieve. I mean really work, at least if I want to stand out.
I remember when I was back in college the first time. I could make C's by hardly cracking a book. I'd show up for class, take a few notes and study the night before the test. That pretty much guaranteed me a C in most courses for the semester.
To make B's, I had to actually read the book and work at it a tad harder. Not much, but I had to take it up a notch. No biggie as there still wasn't much time invested. I still had plenty of time to chase girls, get drunk, make a fool of myself, etc., etc.
Now here's where it all changes. Here's that special place on the Law Of Diminishing Returns curve where it rears its ugly head. To make A's, I had to work. I don't mean I had to take it up 1 notch above making a B or two notches above making a C. No sir. I mean I had to bust arse! I had to take it up several notches by gawd! I would have to read, reread, and double reread passages in my text books. I had to forgo the extracurricular activities that all young men enjoy and get down to business.
It was in that stage that I became stressed out, actually very stressed out. I'd be rude to people I'd known for years, my sleep patterns became erratic, I became depressed. All of this in order to excel at school.
Now here's the real tickler. I met a girl that had this HUGE .. oh wait, that's another story. I met a beautiful girl that could breeze through her classes and make straight A's like I used to do when I was making C's. No sweat. No stress. She spent most of her time partying, joking around and having fun.
Needless to say I fell in love. And a year later I scraped together enough money to buy an engagement ring and asked her to marry me.
— Cats 'n' Strats, 'cause that's how I roll - I eat reverb for breakfast!
Fenderus Collecticus
Strat Blender Pot Modification HERE
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