What Happens in the Music Business

Because we all need to laugh at ourselves...
This is the music industry.
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    Anonymous asked: Im planning to have a career in the music industry (hopefully as an A&R or an artist manager) but i also wanted to join the marines reserves. The reserve requires that I do drills once a month on the weekends and for a full 2 weeks each summer. I understand that the music industry is very demanding and getting 2 weeks off every year(for 8yrs) might be a little to much to ask for....but will it be possible to do both? Would the drill sessions & risk of deployment hurt my chances of getting a job?

    Firstly, you should be commended on wanting to serve your country! Regardless of anyone’s political ideals, we support you and all our troops.

    A&R is a hard sector to break into, you really only get in by having an impeccable ear, being raised in A&R or finding the next big “thang.” All that aside, I don’t think being a Marine should stop you for working in the music biz. It might be my idealism speaking (shocking, I am a music industry idealist) but I’d like to think that no one would hold it against you. Taking two weeks off is not going to be easy. Technically, you should have enough vacation and sick days to use for those 10 days off. But the fact that it’s two weeks in a row does make it harder. In Europe, a lot of companies allow employees to take long vacations - 2 weeks at a time over the summer. But the US is a little more stringent. I’d like to think some companies will be okay with it, while realistically it may be more of a challenge at other companies (but not necessarily impossible). Maybe try getting the job first and speaking to your boss about your desire to enlist. Once you have proved yourself as a great employee, you may be able to arrange the 2 weeks off in advance, no complaints. On the flipside, if your dream is to be a Marine and that’s what you truly believe in, don’t let a job dictate your moral decisions.

    I’m sorry I can’t give you a concrete yes or no. Ultimately, the decision is yours. I’m sure you didn’t want to hear that, but Young Jedi, it’s your life.

    1. whathappensinthemusicbiz posted this