sandandwater | (no subject)

I think it has a lot to do with being in the right place at the right time, really. Getting noticed by people with connections in the business. Being good enough that people talk about you so the connected seek you out.

Probably. Anything worth having is worth working hard for, so I'm gonna give it my best shot and hope it's good enough.

I know the bands we book work their butts off promoting themselves, rehearsing and getting gigs.

There are so many people looking for a break, that's what it takes to edge out the competition.

The part that makes me feel bad for them is even the really talented ones don't always get what they deserve. I think that's why I am always telling people how much Breaker Street delivers.

They deserve all the attention they can get.

They're lucky to have a cheerleader. It's rough going out there.

She smiles.

I'm not a cheerleader. I just believe in them and what they do. They're good. Honestly good. And not in it for the chance of getting famous, they do it because of the music.

I don't wanna be famous. I just want to be able to quit serving drinks and live off my music. Gigs only pay so much.

I don't know what your bar offers but we give our acts one hundred percent of the door. The really good bands, the ones we have regularly, really clean up the nights they play.

Oh, I wish. 'Course I sing where I work. They're not gonna pay me more than they already do. I was lucky to get the gig I have, though. Most of the places here have live music, but it's mostly jazz or country stuff. Not a lot of demand for rock or pop that live DJs don't already take care of. At least not in Chicago.

That's horrible. Considering that my actual salary for waitressing is almost nothing. I make up for it in tips and of course, now I make a bit more since Mike lets me open the bar some nights. I love being there early while the band sets up and does their sound check.

Sound checks are fun.

They are when I've got people with a sense of humor doing them.

She laughs.

Yeah, I would guess so.

I usually run the sound check on the mics for Breaker Street. I know an embarrassing number of theme songs for tv shows.

I've memorized TV themes, commercial jingles, and a heap ton of showtunes.

Morrie likes to try and stump me with his requests. He hasn't managed to yet. The guys are good sports about letting me fool around like that.

Always nice to have good sports.

They're great, really. And playing tonight.

Do you write your own stuff or just do covers?

'Bout half and half. But I'm trying to expand the 'own stuff' percentage. I'm something of a perfectionist, so writing is sometimes difficult for me.

Ro is amazing. They play their own stuff and every time he writes a new song I'm just blown away.

Cover bands are just fun but I really admire people who write their own material.

Anybody that can carry a tune can sing a cover. It takes more talent to actually write something that's yours.

I know. That's why I really love Breaker Street. One of these days I'll have to get you a recording of something they've done.

That'd be great. I'd love to hear them.

Ro and Junie are amazing on vocals. Kreske is the best drummer I've ever seen. I can't say enough about the rest of the guys, really. Oh and Nil...Nil is my hero for eating the canned burger.