By Esther Sanchez
In the spirit of celebrating the heritage of rock music that finds its roots in our beloved Coachella Valley, I thought it might be cool to contact a few guys who have performed internationally and have well established roots in the desert rock scene & ask them a question.
“If you could go back in time and give advice to your younger self regarding the music business, what would you say?”
Robbie Waldman (Waxy)
“I would tell myself to only make music with people you trust…..with your life!”
Arthur Seay (House of Broken Promises, Unida)
“I would first say to always remember that this is the “music business.”
You must be willing to take the “Leap of Faith” and sacrifice a lot, if not everything. You must be willing to give up comfort and convenience in order to achieve success. Practice instead of going out every night drinking. Practice instead of going to the river to look at tits!
But, don’t ever forget it’s a business like any other business and if you don’t pay attention and learn the business side then you will get f****d. Even if you do pay attention, you’re still gonna get f****d, but you can minimize that. Get a good entertainment lawyer and pay attention to the contracts. Ask questions and learn so you can look over contracts yourself and know what is going on, then maybe you won’t have to pay a lawyer every damn time!”
“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.” –Hunter S. Thompson (Quote submitted by Arthur Seay)
James Alexander Childs (Lakota, Airbus, Vic du Monte’s Idiot Prayer)
“I would tell myself to get on the road earlier….to not just stay in one area for too long. I would have said to play for yourself, not for others, because if you don’t like what you are doing you can’t expect that anyone else will like it.”
Charles Pasarell (Lakota, Waxy)
I would say, don’t be afraid to branch out. It took me a few years before I really decided to take the plunge to learn different styles of music…..to really challenge myself. Once I started doing that it was a really beneficial thing that caused me to be able to play with different bands and get out of my comfort zone.”
Landerra (Lakota, Odyssey 9, Waxy)
“I would say, focus more! Also, find people who you connect with spiritually and musically to build solid goals with. It’s important to be on the same page. It’s also important to check your ego at the door and remember to have fun. It’s not rocket science! It’s rock n roll and it writes itself if you listen!”
John Garcia (JG Project, Kyuss, Slow Burn, Unida, Vista Chino)
“It’s funny because my first instinct would be to say, ‘Don’t do it!’ Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I have any regrets. I do think though I would tell myself to go to school and get my education first. I would tell myself to become a veterinarian. Because you can always sing.
But, I would also say if you insist on getting into this business then commit…all the way. Be dedicated as much as humanly possible.”
