Kiwi Posted June 5, 2016 Share Posted June 5, 2016 I couldn't handle being a full time musician. How they cope with the financial insecurity, meglomania, game playing and rejection without a reliable gig is beyond me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted June 5, 2016 Author Share Posted June 5, 2016 (edited) Kiwi. Absolutely. It really isn't for everyone. And I'm not even a full time musician yet. I'm just in the scary part. Maybe it's all scary part. Oh. That's the really scary part. Edited June 5, 2016 by markmcclelland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted June 7, 2016 Author Share Posted June 7, 2016 [color=#1D2129][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [font=inherit] [font=inherit]The Madrid trip gathers steam, then it's straight into rehearsals on returning to London. And a few musings on making networking work.[/font][/font][/font][/color][color=#1D2129][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [font=inherit] [font=inherit]https://marksdiaries.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/day-133/[/font][/font][/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dand666 Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 [quote name='markmcclelland' timestamp='1465147044' post='3065596'] Kiwi. Absolutely. It really isn't for everyone. And I'm not even a full time musician yet. I'm just in the scary part. Maybe it's all scary part. Oh. That's the really scary part. [/quote] Dude, once you got regular work in its the easiest and best job in the world. After 4/5 years Im leaving my 'pro' days behind me. Only due to a woman. It took a woman to drag me off the cruise ships and back in the real world. Not going to lie, im going to miss it loads but time to move on I think. Can't maintain a relationship if Im working overseas 10 months of the year unfortunately. Keep at it dude, there is so much work out there its nuts. I was fully booked for 4 years, and had another year in advance booked up. Keep perservering and you'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted June 9, 2016 Author Share Posted June 9, 2016 (edited) Hey Dan Thanks a lot for that mate. I'm persevering at it right now as I type. I've just taken a quick break marketing us to party companies to check in here. But above, I was being just a tad tongue in cheek. But what you say is really good to hear. Talking to people, and on forums as well at times to be fair, I hear a lot of negativity on how hard/impossible it is and I just have to close my ears to it and keep doing what I'm doing. I'm guessing, for want of a better phrase, the other ship sailed. Which would be a real balls if that happened although the thought was massively appreciated as I'm sure you can imagine. Maybe it was all just too quick. This is the last place in the world I would expect an urgent message to pop up and I probably just saw it a little too late. And as I said, I was just out that day until late in the afternoon when I got back and saw it. I almost didn't even go home as I had an invitation to head on out once my marketing meetings and in-person calls finished. That would have meant I wouldn't have seen it until the next day. But still great to see that opportunities are there. As I said, I'll keep making the phone calls, sending the emails and just getting out there by playing gigs, jamming and simply hanging out. Through that lot of activities, connections that lead to something are bound to be made sooner or later. And if nothing else, you've tested and discovered our attitude. Drop everything at short notice? Hell, no problem. We're there. Good to see you found something else you thought was a step up. I'm sure you'll be doing something similar in the not too distant future. Maybe just not on so distant shores. Edited June 9, 2016 by markmcclelland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted June 11, 2016 Author Share Posted June 11, 2016 (edited) [color=#1D2129][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [font=inherit] [font=inherit]This is an epic entry. It covers what's gone down as Trauma Tuesday in The Oxford, Mark cleans up in a casino and Paul Woodage of Cork's Showcase wedding bands comes down for a visit and to see a gig with my first London pro band. The ongoing saga of the wannabe pro bassist.[/font][/font][/font][/color][color=#1D2129][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [font=inherit] [font=inherit]https://marksdiaries.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/day-138/[/font][/font][/font][/color] Edited June 11, 2016 by markmcclelland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted June 14, 2016 Author Share Posted June 14, 2016 [color=#1D2129][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [font=inherit] [font=inherit]Paul gets to see his first Punching Preachers gig, Omater rehearsal then an encounter with a familiar face in The Blues Kitchen[/font][/font][/font][/color][color=#1D2129][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [font=inherit] [font=inherit]http://bit.ly/1UN5mdA[/font][/font][/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted June 18, 2016 Author Share Posted June 18, 2016 [color=#4B4F56][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [font=inherit] [font=inherit]It all keeps coming. We rock one of the biggest bar venues in town, the original project's gearing up quite well and it's straight to the stage when I arrive at my number one jam session.[/font][/font][/font][/color][color=#4B4F56][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [font=inherit] [font=inherit]https://marksdiaries.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/day-149/[/font][/font][/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivansc Posted June 23, 2016 Share Posted June 23, 2016 5 days and no update - Could it be that our Mark is too busy working to post? Fingers crossed mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted June 27, 2016 Author Share Posted June 27, 2016 (edited) [color=#1D2129][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=inherit]Thanks a lot mate. It does happen sometimes. There have been times I've got proper intimidated by how far behind I am and so how much I'm going to have to write to catch up. Well, today's entry is big. The one below, then an epic one to follow immediately.[/font] [font=inherit][font=inherit]This one features that annoying moment when you get offered a great last minute gig and then can't get hold of your band. [/font][/font][/font][/color] [color=#1D2129][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=inherit][font=inherit][url="https://marksdiaries.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/day-154/"]https://marksdiaries.../12/19/day-154/[/url][/font][/font][/font][/color] Edited June 27, 2016 by markmcclelland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted June 27, 2016 Author Share Posted June 27, 2016 (edited) [color=#1D2129][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=inherit][font=inherit]And here it is. My first visit to The London Bass Show. Scott Devine and Geoff Chalmers both make an appearance. Also featuring Billy Sheehan, Divinity Roxx and Stuart Clayton. This is the longest post so far.[/font][/font][/font][/color] [color=#1D2129][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][font=inherit][font=inherit][url="https://marksdiaries.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/day-157/"]https://marksdiaries.../12/19/day-157/[/url][/font][/font][/font][/color] Edited June 27, 2016 by markmcclelland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted July 3, 2016 Author Share Posted July 3, 2016 [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] In this latest entry, I discover I have a great source of contacts in The Blues Kitchen followed by my first music agency tickle. I also put the traumatic London landing to bed in a somewhat emotional late night conversation with Paul, the guy who got me here in the first place. If you've not read that I highly recommend you go and have a look at the beginning of the London Diary. It really is quite something. Someone recently told me it was their favourite part of the whole story so far. That's the thing about this diary writing business sometimes. The worse an experience is, the better a story you get out of it. This is something I am definitely conscious of when sh*t is happening. The first experience was Day 13 of Costa Blanca. Right in the middle of all the sh*t hitting the fan, a big thought came to me saying, 'This is going to be really good in the Diaries.' And it was.[/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] So, here we go. [/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] https://marksdiaries.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/day-158-part-2/[/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stylon Pilson Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 Hi Mark, the first paragraph of Day 168 seems to be duplicated. S.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted July 4, 2016 Author Share Posted July 4, 2016 Hey mate. Thanks a lot for that. I'll get on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 (edited) I'm not sure what a pro is anymore. I would think being in a professional band would be part of it. I would not label my band as professional. We gig a lot but that a line does not mean your professional. Blue Edited July 4, 2016 by blue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 (edited) [quote name='blue' timestamp='1467666875' post='3085291'] I'm not sure what a pro is anymore. I would think being in a professional band would be part of it. I would not label my band as professional. We gig a lot but that a line does not mean your professional. Blue [/quote] I would say you are the very definition of professional blue... your existence is solely sustained by the money you earn from music. Still enjoying the diaries Mark need to catch up on the last few. Edited July 5, 2016 by CamdenRob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted July 5, 2016 Author Share Posted July 5, 2016 Thanks a lot Rob. Loving the support. And Blue, really appreciate you keeping up with what's going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted July 6, 2016 Author Share Posted July 6, 2016 [color=#1D2129][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]The one where Mark gets a new house but doesn't move into it. https://marksdiaries.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/day-169/[/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted July 10, 2016 Author Share Posted July 10, 2016 [color=#1D2129][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [font=inherit] [font=inherit]I move into quite a mad house and then have an emotional then quite fun reunion with Monica. If it wasn't for her, there may well be no ongoing saga of a wannabe pro bass player in London.[/font][/font][/font][/color][color=#1D2129][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [font=inherit] [font=inherit]https://marksdiaries.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/day-179/[/font][/font][/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted July 12, 2016 Author Share Posted July 12, 2016 [color=#1D2129][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [font=inherit] [font=inherit]So many memorable happenings in this one. The new house rocks, first visit to Hampstead Heath, and musical adventures with Francesca. [/font][/font][/font][/color][color=#1D2129][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [font=inherit] [font=inherit]https://marksdiaries.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/day-182/[/font][/font][/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted July 16, 2016 Author Share Posted July 16, 2016 [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] It's starting to look increasingly difficult to fit both work and music in. Maybe one of them will have to go. But how?[/font][/color][color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,] https://marksdiaries.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/day-189/[/font][/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stylon Pilson Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Duplicated paragraph at the end of day 190 again, Mark. Reading these diaries, I really can't imagine how you're managing to cope with it all. All your commitments smashed together with barely a minute to breathe - I wouldn't be able to handle it. S.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted July 18, 2016 Share Posted July 18, 2016 Some hectic days, for sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted July 19, 2016 Author Share Posted July 19, 2016 Mr Stylon, thanks a lot for bringing that to my attention. It's being rectified. And thanks a lot for the thoughts, and just for keeping reading. Yes, it sure can build up at times. And yes Mr Funk. They sure are. But I tell you what guys, this is why I came to London. But yeah, the Preachers, Omater, work building up and up and trying to get to jams as well. Oh, and social bits from time to time. It can build just a little bit sometimes without realising Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markmcclelland Posted July 19, 2016 Author Share Posted July 19, 2016 And while we're on it, here's some more. In which I pretend to start to learn Italian, have some real music reading progress, and the time comes for a couple of stories of near misses. https://marksdiaries.wordpress.com/2015/12/19/day-194/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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