You know when you’re near the end of a relationship? It’s usually when one person suggests to the other, “Maybe we should see other people?” It is pretty much the death knoll and time to start packing your proverbial emotional bags.
Same holds true with bands and solo careers. Once one member is getting that itchy feeling to “do their own thing for a bit,” it pretty much spells permanent trouble.
The big leagues are littered with members who successfully found their own voice, separate from their megagroup: Gwen Stefani and No Doubt, Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac, Fergie and Black-Eyed Peas, Beyonce and Destiny’s Child, Sting and the Police, Eric Clapton and… well, a couple of bands!
Whether it’s always a smart choice is up for debate. David Lee Roth didn’t exactly soar without the back up of Van Halen. Steve Perry of Journey enjoyed moderate solo career success but not nearly as much as the lead singer of his successful stadium rock band. Mick Jagger tried a bunch of times to shake the Stones but just can’t make it stick.
If you find yourself in the position where you’re thinking of breaking off from the band, first ask yourself why:
Do you and your band members have entirely two different visions?
Do you feel more comfortable calling the shots?
Do you have higher aspirations than the rest of your band?
Do you simply want more of the money since you feel like you do most of the work?
Are you sick of your bass player’s girlfriend and her stupid “feedback” at the end of every rehearsal?
All of these are legitimate reasons to strike out on your own (well, you might have to deal with your bass player’s girlfriend or talk to him about it.)
Of course, your confidence and not your ego need to be the main motivator. In other words, the choice can’t be based on your need to have the spotlight all to yourself, without the musical chops to back it up. You need to seriously evaluate what you have to offer musically.
You also need to be motivated enough to do it on your own (musicians often need their band as a way to keep the fire under their butt.) You need to enjoy performing solo (which means getting used to the lack of energy you feel when there is a group sharing the stage with you.)
Ask yourself these serious questions first. Because once you set the ball in motion, it’s seriously difficult to go back. Other band members feel smarted and suspect of you afterwards. Respect can be lost.
But if you really are ready to go, then get the ball rolling!
Filed under: Lessons, Priorities, relationships | Tagged: breakout artist, goals, music goal, solo musician
