Some time ago, my colleague Christian Henner-Fehr concluded one of his blogs (for readers, who are interested and able to read German, here is the link) with the painful words: "musicians ending up financing their own projects". Obviously, for a long time we are analysing and digging into the daily question how culture is being financed, and the harsh reality in our modern world.
Today over lunch in a Bratislava restaurant, I had somewhat a unusual discussion about a project, which is currently taking place in a recording studio, and which illustrates the wicked vicious circle in which musicians are trapped,... but at the same time, are unpurposely actively collaborating to keep it alive.
A fairly prominent musician (let's call him "M" - not James Bond's supervisor, not is it the author of this article) is hiring people for an orchestra gig. Not very unusual. Indeed. Whether a concert series or a recording session of a few days. All arranged. Until you see the contract, where, besides the usual fee, the musicians are agreeing that payment of the due fees will be effectuated after the end-customer (concert organiser, cd-producer) has paid. There's the little trap.
Money has to be generated somewhere, obviously. The mysterious part is, that somehow the money ... never gets paid. There are musicians, who are still waiting after more than a year for their fee. Usually, if a customer does not pay, you would tend to decline the next time. Yet "M" manages time and time again, to engage the same (victimised) musicians over and over again. Why? Perhaps, believing that this time it will be paid. Anyway, sitting at home and not playing isn't going to earn them anything either. They're too good hearted. And that's becoming their own trap.
Professional musicians are indeed becoming real amateurs: playing for mere fun, without seeing a cent for their job. And sadly enough; these are excellent players. But who will pay for their rent, groceries...??? Mr "M" this is highway robbery of your own kind.
Today over lunch in a Bratislava restaurant, I had somewhat a unusual discussion about a project, which is currently taking place in a recording studio, and which illustrates the wicked vicious circle in which musicians are trapped,... but at the same time, are unpurposely actively collaborating to keep it alive.
A fairly prominent musician (let's call him "M" - not James Bond's supervisor, not is it the author of this article) is hiring people for an orchestra gig. Not very unusual. Indeed. Whether a concert series or a recording session of a few days. All arranged. Until you see the contract, where, besides the usual fee, the musicians are agreeing that payment of the due fees will be effectuated after the end-customer (concert organiser, cd-producer) has paid. There's the little trap.
Money has to be generated somewhere, obviously. The mysterious part is, that somehow the money ... never gets paid. There are musicians, who are still waiting after more than a year for their fee. Usually, if a customer does not pay, you would tend to decline the next time. Yet "M" manages time and time again, to engage the same (victimised) musicians over and over again. Why? Perhaps, believing that this time it will be paid. Anyway, sitting at home and not playing isn't going to earn them anything either. They're too good hearted. And that's becoming their own trap.
Professional musicians are indeed becoming real amateurs: playing for mere fun, without seeing a cent for their job. And sadly enough; these are excellent players. But who will pay for their rent, groceries...??? Mr "M" this is highway robbery of your own kind.
I would like to add, that there are a few very reliable festival organisers too, but these are an exception. For the rest, it's really music at dump prices. And nobody seems to care.
MS
MS
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