One of the things that has always intrigued me in my day job is seeing the differences in attitude to life that the musicians who pass through our doors have. Generally musicians who have reached the point where they need to pay to rehearse have at the very least a degree of basic musical competence. Some are absolutely on a different plane of talent. Most are good enough to at the very least entertain an audience. Some are just starting out on the journey, trying to find their feet. After running a studio for 48 years, I can usually tell what standard a musician is at simply by watching the way they walk through the door. You can usually make a good stab at guessing what genre of music they play as well, although occasionally you get an opera singer turn up on Motorbike in a leather jacket looking like a member of Motorhead.
They say that you should never judge a book by their cover, but when you run a studio, it is a good talent to try and learn. If you get a bunch of accomplished Jazz musicians rehearsing for the London Jazz Festival, the chances are that they turn up and they leave and the only interaction you have is when they pay or when they buy a cup of tea. A bunch of kids, forming a new band, will often need some TLC as they try and work out what sort of sound they want. Sometimes, they even need to be shown how to switch amps on. Some of the accomplished Jazzers, were like that when they first came in 20 years ago!
What is much harder predict is which one of these amazing people will "make it". You may ask what I mean by "Make it. I have often mused on this. To me, a musician "Makes it" when music pays all their bills and will do for the foreseeable future. What is interesting is how many musicians who have 'made it' have side hustles. In fact many who are successful and have done music for years have to some degree fallen out of love with making music and the industry. They still tour and record and do a decent job of it, but the spark and passion is gone. It is their job. Some are the opposite. My mate Lee Thompson of Madness is still as mad about music as he ever has been. He plays with his sons band "The Silencerz" at venues such as the Dublin Castle and DJ's playing Ska at local pubs. To me, Lee is the perfect example of a man who has made the most of his talents. Not only has he played in a major band for the vast majority of his adult life, written some songs that are legendary such as Embarrassment, he has also written books, made films, and put together all manner of interesting and unusual side project bands. What impresses me most though, is that Lee will play at the Dublin Castle with his sons band, then spend the evening drinking with fans in the pub. He doesn't have to, he just enjoys the vibe. He has taken the platform that being the Sax player in Madness has given him and done all manner of other things. He has also been involved in all sorts of charity events and campaigns for great causes.
For me, I have a slightly different talent set. I guess if I have something that I am exceptionally good at (I hope this isn't tempting fate) it is running a music studio. It has been running for 48 years and come through all sorts of crisis and problems. It has become a massive hub for musicians and the music made in Mill Hill has been heard by billions of people. I am lucky. I could only really do that due to the good luck of being born to parents who had a business and encouraged me. When I needed somewhere to rehearse, they gave me the opportunity to use some of the space that their business occupied. They charged a rent and made me get an accountant. They made me do things properly. Sadly (for me), although the band has done well locally, it has not been a major source of income. Most of the time, we spend most of any fee we get in the bar after we play. What we do get though is to see some amazing bands on the bill with us and get to chat to them. The studio has given me great contacts and has not only helped me get our band some fantastic gigs, but we share the love and help our customers to get gigs as well. This week we've seen half a dozen of our regulars play at The Dublin Castle. We also put on and sponsor many local festivals, which gives other musicians a great chance to get exposure.
I was reflecting on how I've used my talents, whatever they are today. I have realised that I am good at two things. The first is networking and putting together great teams. The second is that I keep my eyes open to opportunities and make the most of them. I am generally a disorganised and shambolic person, but I recognise this, so I surround myself with people who are organised, most notably Clare, my wife, who does most of the boring stuff very well and spends her life getting exasperated with me. 25 yeas ago she was furious with me for nominating her as treasurer of the Mill Hill Music Festival without asking her (rightly so). If I hadn't, the festival would have ended then. Over the years, the festival has evolved and we are now planning next years. Such things give me great pride, but I can only take a tiny part of the kudos as we are a team and we are greater than the sum of our parts.
My band is another great example. We have an amazing line up now and I think that the recent gigs may be among the best we've ever done. But the band has a rich history of having brilliant people involved. I have never been embarrassed to ask someone who is good to step in and join. It is a policy that has worked. I wish I had the musical talent many of my customers, but in some ways, having to try harder has served me well and taken my life in directions that have enabled me to make a difference and do things I'd never have dreamed of. I have learned never to get down or disheartened, and to see every obstacle put in my way as the chance to explore an interesting diversion. Often what you find on the scenic diversion is more interesting that what is in the motorway that gets you there more quickly.
So I guess what I am saying is that my secret to success is understanding what I am good at and seeing opportunities where many may simply see obstacles. I wish I was better looking, better educated could sing and play guitar better and had the natural charm of some of my friends. I am naturally abrasive at times when I shouldn't be. But I have made it work for me and try to do the right thing.
I try to do my best. I don't always succeed, but I always try.
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