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When I told my parents I wanted to pursue a career as a guy in a band, they were not thrilled. I suspect similar scenarios have played out in the houses of just about every musician out there. So you'd think that no one would bother writing a helpful little book, explaining the day to day life of a rock musician in terms simple and positive enough that a child might think it was a reasonable job option. Well, you'd be wrong!

I found this little gem the other day, and couldn't believe it - an old book called A Day In The Life Of A Rock Musician. I've been trying to figure out who this could possibly be aimed at, but I'm drawing a blank.

Maybe the most surprising thing about this? The book is almost entirely accurate! When you consider the fact that weird old fashions are cool again, this could almost be a book about one of your favourite Radio 3 bands - did somebody say The Elwins??

So, now that you know how real musicians spend their days, are you surprised? Or is this what you expected?

posted by Graham Wright on Jul 16, 2012

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#1 posted by
kirkofdoom
on Jul 16, 2012

That needs to be your theme song all the time forever.

#2 posted by
laurita.snow
on Jul 16, 2012

that was the best song. pretty amazing.

#3 posted by
kirkofdoom
on Jul 16, 2012

Like, not just on Radio 3. When you play shows. Or are just walking down the street.

#4 posted by
laurita.snow
on Jul 16, 2012

can I sing that when I'm walking down the street sometimes? I promise I'll try to sound like you and credit you.

#5 posted by
marie_curious
on Jul 16, 2012

Thanks Graham, for reminding me that sometimes the "dark and scary" depths of the psyche can be some of the happiest, sunshiney, and melodic places I've ever traversed.

#6 posted by
kidcauley
on Jul 16, 2012

where is the violin in that rock band?

#7 posted by
laurita.snow
on Jul 16, 2012

@ Kid-funny how all of a sudden lots of indie bands have string sections, no? Or at least, it seems that way to me. All of a sudden STRINGS WERE EVERYWHERE. pretty cool :)

#8 posted by
marie_curious
on Jul 16, 2012

I saw a band on Friday (The Rest) that had an absolutely beautiful cellist who was drowned out by their five suerfluous guitarists.

#9 posted by
marie_curious
on Jul 16, 2012

"superfluous"

#10 posted by
kirkofdoom
on Jul 16, 2012

MOAR GEETARS

#11 posted by
kidcauley
on Jul 16, 2012

@laurita - that is because violin is the orignal badass instrument.

#12 posted by
laurita.snow
on Jul 16, 2012

that is a lot of geetarrz. I like guitar, but holly canolli.

#13 posted by
kirkofdoom
on Jul 16, 2012

I was hoping while talking about Edgefest, Graham would elaborate on this tweet:

Yesterday I dropped my band's name to get into Edgefest. I've never done that before. It was exhilarating! It is all I'm doing from now on.

Maybe he'll be on the blog later...

#14 posted by
Chopz87
on Jul 16, 2012

@ Kid C. - Do you like Flogging Molly?

#15 posted by
kidcauley
on Jul 16, 2012

@chopz - not an active listener, but I won't turn it off when it is on. I prefer more trad. interpretations of Irish folk ie. the Chieftains

#16 posted by
Chopz87
on Jul 16, 2012

@ Kid C - I will check them out.

#17 posted by
kidcauley
on Jul 16, 2012

@chopz - here is a tune they did with Bon Iver http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDlF4Nozi2w it is okay.

the song with Paolo Nutini is awesome - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTrmm96h9Zo&feature=related

as well as the one with the decemberists - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldrp7WgDyss

#18 posted by
laurita.snow
on Jul 16, 2012

what a loverly canadian song title this is :)

#19 posted by
Chopz87
on Jul 16, 2012

@ Kid C- Woah, I like a lot of the artist on the record, Imelda May, Secret Sisters, Lisa Hannigan, etc

#20 posted by
laurita.snow
on Jul 16, 2012

Lisa Hannigan...so good...

#21 posted by
Chopz87
on Jul 16, 2012

When the ship comes in is awesome!

#22 posted by
zammachus
on Jul 16, 2012

Hahaha! Awww... Did Lana mispronounce my 'name'? =P

#23 posted by
zammachus
on Jul 16, 2012

Escher

I bought The Rest's album on vinyl. It sounds glorious.

#24 posted by
hedgeway
on Jul 16, 2012

re: The Rest

I've only heard a few songs but they sound so heavily influenced by Animal Collective... it's on my huge list of albums to listen to.

#25 posted by
flagpole music
on Jul 16, 2012

@chopz - there's a Chieftain's album called "Fire In the Kitchen" that is them performing with tons of Canuck bands, mostly from out East in Nova Scotia, etc. the Rankins, Great Big Sea, Leahy, Natalie McMaster & tons more. worth a listen for sure. I also like "tears of stone" which is them with all women performers like Bonnie Raitt, Natalie McMAster, the Corrs. a couple Canadians on that too:)

#26 posted by
Chopz87
on Jul 16, 2012

Thanks Christine!

#27 posted by
zammachus
on Jul 16, 2012

Hedge

Seesaw is on clear vinyl, in case you're interested in that.

#28 posted by
laurita.snow
on Jul 16, 2012

the Chieftains are terrific! and here I was all afraid of telling you guys about liking that stuff; I thought people would think it wasn't cool enough or something...my mistake :)

#29 posted by
zammachus
on Jul 16, 2012

Dammit! I finally get past the hold-wall to update my insurance and the phone's battery gives out.

#30 posted by
Chopz87
on Jul 16, 2012

For Shame Laurita!

#31 posted by
hedgeway
on Jul 16, 2012

@Zamm - Clear vinyl is so pretty... If I like the album then I'll probably end up buying it. My music spending habits are out of control haha.

#32 posted by
flagpole music
on Jul 16, 2012

no worries, Pedro. I don't listen to that as much as I used to but have always loved Irish music. I actually tend a bit more towards Pogues, Waterboys, Bronnagh Gallagher. less traditional but I like it all. Phil Lynott is my hero.

#33 posted by
laurita.snow
on Jul 16, 2012

@ Flapole: you might wanna give Old Blind Dogs a listen, then. Lovely Scottish guys, less trad than Chieftains, but not really rock and roll like Pogues. Somewhere delightfully inbetween. The song 'A Man's a Man for A' That' is like...the example of some good scottish values, at least as I understand them. also, they sing in brogue. HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THAT??

#34 posted by
zammachus
on Jul 16, 2012

Hedge

I ordered mine a couple weeks ago. It was 169 of 300. I don't think they're selling too quickly but if I were you I wouldn't put it off too long.

#35 posted by
laurita.snow
on Jul 16, 2012

A Man's A Man For A That

#36 posted by
kathyjean
on Jul 16, 2012

@laurita: Not sure if you got my question in the last blog.. how long are you going to PEI for? :)

#37 posted by
Chopz87
on Jul 16, 2012

Christine, I LOVE THE WATERBOYS!!

#38 posted by
laurita.snow
on Jul 16, 2012

@ Kathyjean-oops, sorry, don't think I did! I'm in PEI from Wednesday night, July 25th until the afternoon of Sunday the 29th. Are you going to be there as well?? I told my friend whom I'm travelling with that I got a lot of helpful info from you guys and she thanked you enthusiastically!

#39 posted by
zammachus
on Jul 16, 2012

Woowoo! Saving nearly $400 a month!

#40 posted by
zammachus
on Jul 16, 2012

Whoops. I meant year.

#41 posted by
zammachus
on Jul 16, 2012

Geez... How bad would your insurance rates have to be to be able to save $400 a month?

#42 posted by
flagpole music
on Jul 16, 2012

@Pedro - So do I!!!!!!!!! i think i might have "Fisherman's Blues" on a damn audio cassette. i worked at a place called believe in music when all those bands were in their prime (tho, frankly I still think they are) but during that era - Pogues - "Peace & Love", "This Is the Sea", when Commitments was out in theatres.

Do you Hothouse Flowers? they're similar & you might like. Liam O'Maonlai is still active around Dublin. hangs with Glenn Hansard & Mike Scott & those guys. 2 of the girls from Committents have new albums out. Bronnagh Gallagher & Maria Doyle Kennedy (aka Bad Vera from Downton Abbey)@laurita - i'll have a listen. I tend to be more extreme - either the punkier stuff like Pogues or the real tranditional but I like a variety of that Irish stuff. Yort & CNDz1 & Katie Arbo & I were chatting Irish music the other night:)

#43 posted by
kathyjean
on Jul 16, 2012

@laurita: You should try and get out to North Rustico area and go Deep Sea Fishing, if being on a boat doesn't make you seasick. That is where my mommy is from. <3 It's my favourite place on earth.

#44 posted by
TO to LA
on Jul 16, 2012

This song sounds like wintersleep... does holy f*** sample them??

#45 posted by
flagpole music
on Jul 16, 2012

*know* I meant do you know of hothouse flowers. brain moving faster than fingers. once again.

#46 posted by
Chopz87
on Jul 16, 2012

@ Flagpole- I remember seeing Hothouse Flowers on SNL

#47 posted by
laurita.snow
on Jul 16, 2012

@ Kathy-nope, being on a boat does not make me sick, it actually brings me close to bliss :) and your mom is from there? that sounds great!

I would love to try that, but we are staying at UPEI in Charlottetown without a car on a student budget...if there is a way to do that cheaply though, that'd be great! is there any place you'd recommend for me to go to get info online, perhaps? It's kinda funny; she planned the flight stuff and I'm planning our itinerary now because of R3 haha.

#48 posted by
laurita.snow
on Jul 16, 2012

It's great to meet people from there! I have known a grand total of 1 person from the island in my life, and not that well. 'tis a shame!

#49 posted by
darbarspecial
on Jul 16, 2012

Oh Mondays....so sleepy.

#50 posted by
flagpole music
on Jul 16, 2012

@chopz - cool. that was a good performance of theirs. he's done some stuff as ALT with my pal Andy White & Tim Finn (of Split Enz) that interesting.if you hunt around the youtube, there's a spot in Dublin where a bunch of those guys busk over Christmas. I think christmas eve. Bono shows up in one of them. it's pretty freakin awesome.

#51 posted by
laurita.snow
on Jul 16, 2012

@ Kathyjean-are you going to be in PEI at that time??

#52 posted by
kathyjean
on Jul 16, 2012

Laurita: Hope this helps!

And no.. :( I wish. Next year, though.

#53 posted by
Benoit from Ottawa
on Jul 16, 2012

Woah! Petunia!

#54 posted by
Shonica
on Jul 16, 2012

I like this!! Petunia!

#55 posted by
laurita.snow
on Jul 16, 2012

thanks, Kathyjean! i'm not sure how we'd get there, though...dyou think there's a bus? eh, details, details! I appreciate; this sounds like a pretty wonderful thing to do!

#56 posted by
Chopz87
on Jul 16, 2012

this has got to be the most annoying song in R3 history, I hate it with a passion.

#57 posted by
darbarspecial
on Jul 16, 2012

Shhh...Corb Lund is on.

#58 posted by
laurita.snow
on Jul 16, 2012

aiight, off to close up! talk later y'all! thank you again Kathyjean; I really appreciate all the tips!

#59 posted by
Chopz87
on Jul 16, 2012

Say it aint so Darbar!

#60 posted by
kathyjean
on Jul 16, 2012

@laurita let me know if you need anything else!

#61 posted by
darbarspecial
on Jul 16, 2012

@Chopz - I don't really care for the song, I was just sort of making a comment on how quiet that song is.

#62 posted by
Chopz87
on Jul 16, 2012

@ Darbar - It's not quiet enough!

#63 posted by
grub
on Jul 16, 2012

To to la#44,the guitar player from Holly F**k came from Yarmouth Nova Scotia where also the guitar player and the singer of Wintersleep come from.There may be a musical history connection there.

#64 posted by
darbarspecial
on Jul 16, 2012

@Chopz - Haha. I thought you might say that.

#65 posted by
Chopz87
on Jul 16, 2012

;O)

#66 posted by
flagpole music
on Jul 16, 2012

#62 - i second that.off to the store for a moment. then back to lurk & comment off topic:P

incidentally, it is beyond gorgeous here. our brief bout with humidity is gone & it's blue skies, sunny, breezy & 75F/24C

#67 posted by
smalliebigs
on Jul 16, 2012

24C is my happy zone. Last week it got to be too hot to sleep, although now it's grey and rainy and I can only handle so much of that depressing business.

#68 posted by
darbarspecial
on Jul 16, 2012

I am literally falling asleep at my desk doing the head bobbing thing. Good thing I only have 15 min more.

#69 posted by
smalliebigs
on Jul 16, 2012

I love the old Hannah Georgas stuff.

#70 posted by
Chopz87
on Jul 16, 2012

@ Darbar - That's me at work, EVERYDAY!

#71 posted by
Benoit from Ottawa
on Jul 16, 2012

darbar, in French, that kind of bobbing is called "hammering nails" -- "cogner des clous" -- for an obvious reason.

#72 posted by
flagpole music
on Jul 16, 2012

@smallie - we've had less of the heat than the middle of the continent for sure but it did get warmer last week & since we almost never have humidity, it felt worse than usual. but had a bit of rain over the weekend & it's all better. for now.

#73 posted by
darbarspecial
on Jul 16, 2012

Hammering nails seems appropriate and very descriptive. I usuually get a little sleepy between 2:30 and 3 for a bit, but then I am fine. Today has not been the case. I should have had some afternoon coffee today.

#74 posted by
Benoit from Ottawa
on Jul 16, 2012

Wiki gets mature. Worries some people.

#75 posted by
Chopz87
on Jul 16, 2012

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

#76 posted by
flagpole music
on Jul 16, 2012

yeah, if Darbars isn't already snoring this Grey Kingdoms business will take care of it. i was wide awake about 5 minutes ago but boy oh boy....

#77 posted by
StephRamsahai
on Jul 16, 2012

Is that Fez in those pictures in that book!?!?

Also, hello everyone!

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blog post RADIOGRAHAM - A Day In The Life Of A Rock Musician

other posts

RADIOGRAHAM - New Release Tuesday and Polaris Pre Party!

Happiness = Library Voices, Elliott Brood, Said The Whale, Plaskett and more!

All Request Monday!

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