Hello, everyone. Welcome to the dawn of another new week filled to the brim with music industry advice and conversation. The column you’re about to read was not intended for release today, but after learning of certain events over the weekend that will be described below it seemed a far more fitting topic than what we originally had planned. We hope you agree.
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It’s rare that the topic of these columns can be summarized in two words, but today’s discussion is unlike any other we’ve had to date. As such, the topic is simple and straightforward: Shit happens.
Over the weekend, a folk punk artist from California who goes by the name Sledding With Tigers (AKA Dan Faughdner) embarked on his first nationwide tour of 2014. He was joined by one other solo artist, Just Nick, and together the pair planned to visit over a dozen states between the west coast and midwest in a two week period using only Dan’s car for transportation. The first show was in Arizona, and by all reports things went off without a hitch. The next day, the pair hopped in their car and drove to Oklahoma. There, surrounded by strangers more than a thousand miles from home, the two artists performed by a campfire under a star-filled sky. It was not your typical show, but it was one that almost certainly left a mark on anyone in attendance.
On the morning of their third show, Dan and Nick returned to their vehicle with plans to drive from Oklahoma to St. Louis, Missouri. It was a sunny day, and though they had been on the road a lot in recent days both performers were in high spirits. The first few hours of their drive went fine, but then something awful happened. While driving down an open freeway, the car hit a pot hole that caused the driver to lose control, flipping Dan’s car on its side. No one inside was injured, and no other vehicles were hit, but the car was totaled. Dan called for help, said goodbye to his car, and booked the first flight home to San Diego. He was also forced to cancel all remaining tour dates, which disappointed countless fans.
As soon I heard the story of Dan’s accident, I immediately reached out to see what I could do to help. He assured me everything was okay and that there was nothing to be done, but something inside me said that was not the whole story. I gave Dan a few hours to collect his thoughts, and when the opportunity arose to speak again he had much more to say. The car involved in the accident was also the car Dan depended on to commute between his two jobs every single day. Those jobs help pay rent and fund recordings, which allows Sledding With Tigers to continue being a band. Without a vehicle, Dan was concerned for his livelihood, as well as that of his band. We put our heads together and developed a plan to raise funds, but his frustration over the events of the weekend remain.
The reason I have chosen to share all of this with you is because the problems Dan faces right now are similar to struggles you will face while trying to make your name known. There was nothing Dan could have done to prevent what happened to him, and now it’s entirely on him to choose how he moves forward from this point. It would be very easy to understand his desire to leave music behind if such thoughts were rolling around his mind, but to his credit the events of recent days seem to have only strengthened Dan’s commitment to his fans and his craft. He may not be able to tour, but he still has his guitar and he still has his voice. More importantly, he still has his fans, and though it took a little convincing he eventually came around to the idea of asking them for help. For the next week only, Antique Records will be selling a limited edition shirt commemorating the accident, with all proceeds going to Dan.
In life, as in your career as a musician, things are going to happen you never expected. Sometimes these things will be good, like learning an influential blog picked up your latest single, but more often than not these little surprises will come in the form of something more disappointing, like your third flat tire in two days on a month-long tour. These moments will test your dedication, not only to music, but to the people you’ve chosen to surround yourself with in this business, and only you can decide what you do in that situation. Will you walk away and lick your wounds? Will you push on, channeling the frustration of the day into your work? Will you piss and moan about how everyone has it better than you? The choice is yours, but know up front that whatever you decide will have a major impact on the future of your career in this business.
When hard times come your way, try and take solace in the fact almost everything that could possibly go wrong for you has gone wrong for others in your position, and many have survived. Some gave in as well, of course, but their names are often forgotten far more quickly than those who stick around. You can and will get through whatever comes at you, and if you need help there is a fan base ready to do whatever they are able to assist you in getting back on your feet. In order for that to happen, however, you need to first swallow your pride and admit that you need help. Once you do, people will come to you and ask what can be done.
Hard times do not mean the end is near. Do not let life’s unexpected surprises stop you from chasing your dreams. Take deep breaths and tell yourself you will pull through. Then, once you’ve calmed down, examine the paths to recovery available and choose the one that works best for you and your audience. The rest is up to you.
