Jump to content

What would you do; principles or money?


Shaster

Recommended Posts

  • Members

I don't want this to turn into a political discussion, but more of a gig discussion. Here's the deal; I was offered a gig at a place that bears the name of a certain fellow I generally disagree with. Many others love him and that's just fine, but I turned the gig down. I figured that there might be repercussions if others in my muso community saw that I was playing there. I also imagined that just my luck, there would be protests on the day of my gig. I also wondered how I would feel supporting someone I can't get behind - again if you like him, more power to you, it's all good.

 

I know folks that won't play in casinos, or won't play for organized crime and so on. What do you folks think. take the money and run, or put your money where your mouth is? BTW this was for a potential early evening New Year's gig so it was real dough. So far, I have no regrets but I am curious as to what others do, or have done.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

Well, being that it is Canadia...take the money, do the gig and forget who's name is on the front of the building in big gold letters...he holds no political sway where you are, fortunately.

I've gigged for nudist colonies, Hell's Angels Parties, trade unions, corporations...if they pay me, I'm there. I would, however, draw the line at doing a political function for a party I oppose...unless the money was yuuuuuge... ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members
In the early 1980s, Ronstadt was criticized by music critics for playing concerts in South Africa under apartheid.[146][147][148] She was listed by the U.N. as supporting apartheid by performing there. At the time, she stated, "The last place for a boycott is in the arts", and, "I don't like being told I can't go somewhere."

 

I'd rather not have this line in my bio.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

You can just turn down the gig for no reason. But, remember, celebrities take gigs and do commercials for things they don't use or don't believe in. If you consider yourself a "gun for hire" then take the gig and don't worry about it. It's just a job. But if you really have a problem with whatever this person talks about or believes then just tell them you are already booked. Easy peasy nice and easy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

The most lucrative political affiliation in my county -- federally, provincially and locally -- is one that I cannot support. (Hint for Shaster -- they're not currently the government.) Not that they've asked me. I'd play for any of the other parties, again if they asked me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Thanks for the responses. I guess I'm more worried about backlash, than what's left of my principles. I can think of some scenarios where news of my employment at this establishment could cause me to lose gigs with those that are against, umm.... tic tacs. As I said, there are sporadic protests at this venue, and all I need is to be seen on the news, crossing a protest line with my guitar. Not the kind of promo I need. In fact a few years back, I did make the evening news when I played at a labour convention - but labour is okay in my music community, so it was a plus not a minus. Think I'll just leave the gig alone.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

It depends on just how much I dislike them.

 

For example, I wouldn't play for many political figures here in the US - and this isn't the forum to discuss which ones I would refuse.

 

I wouldn't play for an organized hate group rally.

 

I wouldn't book something I think would be detrimental to our career and/or reputation. Not on moral ground, but on good business sense.

 

I'm sure there are a few others - but I can't think of them now.

 

Other than that, I'm in. I've done Casinos, various Religious denominations, Bikers, Nudists, Political rallies, Strip Clubs, and just about everything else. It's a gig, and if I think I can do the gig well, in all likelihood, I'll take it.

 

One more thing. There are gigs that were very unpleasant, usually due to the people hiring us or managing the event/club. In those cases if they ask us back, I raise the price quite a bit, so that if it's going to be a bad gig, at least I'll make good money - but more often than not, they refuse to re-book.

 

I have my ethics, the bar may be low, but there is a limit.

 

Insights and incites by Notes

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • Members

Rondstadt mainly played to mainstream audiences who didn't think to much about politics. Her biggest success doing covers, as far as I know. To walk it back....I think it has to due to "who is your audience?"

If I played for the audience of Rage Against The Machine..I think I would reflect on how I would seem to that audience. The optics. I ,personally, feel if people can behave in a civil manner, I have no problem playing for them, In fact, there is a case for "I need to speak to those who disagree with me...I already know how my own crowd thinks." So, so long as the politician is civil, or the bizness person is civil...why not show some UNDERSTANDING and play? I appreciate those who I respectfully disagree with. I am sort of smart, but still have alot to learn.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

GG, stay away from our political forum!! ;)

 

My response was based on the fact that although Linda Ronstadt was a 'rock chick' going back to the Stone Ponies era, and her early successes were definitely in the rock milieu, but by the 80s, she was going 'mainstream', and a bit off the American charts [Pirates of Penzance on Broadway, and exploring her family's Hispanic roots]...so her career was not going to be damaged playing in S. Africa.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

Pithy and humorous responses fellas, nice job. Oddly enough, the backlash in my musical community is kind of the reverse to what was happening in the McCarthy era. We're such big tree huggers here, I actually know of a few guys that have possibly had their work comprised because they're too far right (and pretty vocal about it). Yoga, tofu, Greenpeace and rain can make for a pretty liberal crowd.

 

I don't have many principles but money is one of them, and I suspect I'll ultimately make more money avoiding the gig than by taking it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

As I've aged, I've gradually become lefter but more relaxed about it. (The contentment of "the world was ever thus".) I don't know what it was like for McCarthy-ites in liberal circles in the 50s -- may have been uncomfortable.

 

But now we're being specifically stirred up and polarized by forces who do not have our best interests at heart.

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-41844025

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I despise the conflation of politics and the arts and I won't perform for any political party. I have a myriad of other ways to express political preference, and I don't care to alienate anyone who may be an audience member. It's not worth the two hundred or three hundred dollar paycheck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members
i wouldnt walk into a building owned by trump let alone soil my instruments in such a filthy hole... but you have to follow your own path... you are the one you have see in the mirror every morning...

 

I wouldn't play for Trump or any politician who I totally disagree with (that means most) but I have played for some local guys who I think were trying to do the right thing.

 

I woldn't play for a hate group, and I don't think they would like what we play anyway.

 

I wouldn't play for an entity that I didn't want my name associated with - but that might possibly be more of a business decision than an ethical one.

 

Notes

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

You are probably correct.

 

But I couldn't ask a small third generation, small, mom and pop piano store to furnish my hotel with grand pianos, and then stiff them after they bought the pianos on credit because of the contract and then have them go out of business due to bankruptcy.

 

I don't think I could be that sleazy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

but back to the original issue: The lounge in question is in the Trump Hotel. So? Working there is not tacit approval of Trump or his agenda, IMHO. Trump isn't the booking agent; nor is it likely that he has a conditional contractual requirement for artists who play in his hotels having to support his political beliefs, especially in a foreign country..

Frankly, it is likely the lounge is run as a separate business and the space is leased to the operators.

I can understand how some overly zealous people or pathetically intelligence challenged ones would deem the act of playing in a lounge that happens to be in his hotel as some sort of political gesture...but golly, it just seems pathetic to me to be that wrapped up in the whole shtick.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...