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UNIONS AND SHEDS
More questions. They just keep coming in! One kid thinks that there is a magic wand somewhere that he can get those glamorous laminates with. Another dude is asking for some help with terminology, after he gets done asking a question he should know I can't answer.
I'm a sound guy in my young 20's and I wanted to know what steps I can take to try to get on with a tour?
WELL, DAVE, I HATE TO BREAK IT TO YOU, BUT THE TOURING BUSINESS IS PRETTY MUCH EXCLUSIVELY WORD OF MOUTH.
EVERYONE IN IT HAS CLAWED THEIR WAY UP THROUGH THE CLUBS AND PROGRESSIVELY LARGER VENUES. EXCEPT FOR THE ONES WHOSE DADDIES OWN SOUND COMPANIES.
AND THE ONES WHO ARE CHILDHOOD PARTYING BUDDIES OF THE BANDS, AND JUST KEPT HANGING OUT WITH THEM UNTIL THEY STARTED GETTING PAID.
ALSO, THE PRO TOOLS OPERATORS UNDER THE STAGE ON THE REALLY BIG TOURS.
THOSE BASTARDS!
ONCE YOU HAVE A FEW NOTCHES ON YOUR GUN, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SENDING AROUND YOUR RESUME MIGHT GET YOU SOMETHING, BUT UP UNTIL THEN IT IS NOT BLOODY LIKELY.
MANY TIMES BANDS MEET SOMEONE WHO IS WORKING IN A CLUB, TAKE A LIKING TO THEM, STAY IN TOUCH, AND TAKE THEM ALONG WHEN THEY CAN AFFORD TO.
I have about 4 years under my belt and I have mixed just about every form of music in many different types of venues.
YOU ARE DOING REALLY WELL FOR JUST HAVING BEEN AT IT FOR FOUR YEARS, DAVE!
And, is there any benefit to joining a "union"?
Thanks
Dave
THERE ARE SEVERAL ADVANTAGES TO JOINING A UNION. ONE IS IF YOU ENJOY BUSTING YOUR HUMP MOVING AND LIFTING HEAVY GEAR DURING YOUR PROBATIONARY PERIOD.
ANOTHER ONE IS OCCASIONALLY BEING ABLE TO MIX HOUSE OR MONITORS WITHOUT BEING PARTICULARLY GOOD AT IT.
IF YOU ENJOY CRAPPY COFFEE AND BIG BOXES OF DONUTS, YOU CAN EITHER JOIN THE UNION, OR BECOME A POLICEMAN.
THERE ARE ALSO THE HEALTH BENEFITS THAT FREELANCERS LIVE WITHOUT.
LASTLY, THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF GETTING A FOUR HOUR MINIMUM CALL AND ONLY HAVING TO WORK ABOUT 45 MINUTES OF THAT.
THERE ARE MANY SUCCESSFUL TOURING MIXERS WHO DO NOT BELONG TO THE UNION. IN FACT, I WILL GO OUT ON A LIMB HERE AND VENTURE TO SAY THAT MOST DO NOT.
PARDON ME, I MUST ATTEND TO PILGRIM DENNIS HERE …
Hello OSM!
I really enjoy your humor and wisdom.
THANK YOU!
If possible, could you describe your system? (board/drive/amps/speakers)
NO.
If not on the website, could you just tell me?
NO.
I'm just a local nightclub soundguy, I use A&H boards, Ashly & DBX drive, QSC amps & EAW speakers.
GOOD FOR YOU.
Also, as far as venues are concerned, what the hell is a shed?
IT'S THE THING OUT BACK THAT I KEEP MY LAWNMOWER IN.
JOKE!
A SHED IS A STANDARD SUBURBAN AMPHITHEATRE THAT USUALLY HAS A ROOF OVER THE SEATING, AND THEN AN OUTER LAWN AREA WHERE PEOPLE CAN SIT ON THE GROUND AND ENJOY THE SOUND OF THE DELAY SPEAKERS MOUNTED ON THE EDGE OF THE ROOF, PLUS (IN SOME CASES) EXCITING LIVE FOOTAGE OF THE SHOW ON BIG VIDEO SCREENS.
CAPACITY MAY VARY FROM 5,000 TO 15,000.
THERE ARE CERTAIN PERFORMERS WHO WORK THAT CIRCUIT YEAR AFTER YEAR.
I'M SURE YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE.
IT WOULD EMBARRASS ME TO NAME THEM.
LUV -
- THE OLD SOUNDMAN
