Most of the people I know in the technical end of the music business got into the profession because of their love for music. A good portion of these people are competent musicians in their own right and have played and toured with well-known acts, recorded records and CDs and possibly even had a deal of their own. In all likelihood, they still play and record when they are not out making a living on the technical side of the microphone. Supporting oneself as a musician is a difficult task, and while there are many people attempting to make a living just playing music, I would venture to say that many musicians have a second job.
It’s not a bad thing for a musician to have a second career, and second jobs can be anything from painting houses, driving a cab, acting, or serving as a backline tech, truck driver or audio engineer. Most of the musicians I know who choose to make a living utilizing their technical aptitude have done so out of their desire to stay close and to be involved with music, their first profession of choice. This second job as an audio technician may include working in a studio, owning a studio, working for an audio company or even owning a company. Working in a club or venue is also a good way for people to stay connected to their musical aspirations. Even some television and radio work can be a satisfying way to make a living while trying to get a leg up as a musician, but being musical, artistic and technically competent does not necessarily ensure a place in the technical world.
The Intangibles
The competition for jobs is fierce and, on the upside, if one is interested — and regardless of their musical status — there is a plethora of schools offering technical courses and studies in the field of audio. On the downside, graduating from one of these esteemed institutions does not guarantee anyone will have all the necessary skills, aptitude or preparedness to be a live audio technician. Recently, I was contacted by a colleague of mine whom I’ve known for many years. In the past, I had hired him to engineer at a venue where I ran the production. I know for a fact that, as well as being a good guitarist, he can mix live sound, and he is also comfortable in the studio behind a console. As qualified as he is as an engineer, he complained that he was having trouble finding work, and he asked me for my advice in regards to what he might be doing wrong.
Frankly, he wasn’t doing anything wrong, but other than a person’s technical abilities, there is a certain dynamic between a crew that needs to be maintained. This applies to any audio company as well as venues, broadcast stations and studios. That said, I do see a fair amount of applicants, and often I rely upon an intuitive sense as to whether or not a candidate will fit in personally as well as professionally. There have been times when I’ve been wrong regarding the people I chose to hire, so I’m sure that I have probably been just as wrong about the people I have chosen to not hire. C’est la vie. If there’s a point to be made here, it’s that it is not necessarily the applicant who is at fault when failing to get hired for a position, considering there is often the intangible that comes into play between the interviewee and the interviewer. Both parties involved are taking a chance based upon the information they have been given — both emotionally and intellectually.
Send a Cover Letter
In any case, whenever seeking employment, it’s important to send a cover letter with a resume. Regardless of the qualifications listed on the resume, the cover letter acts as a personal introduction and can give the reader a sense of who it is behind the statistics and details of the writer’s achievements and accomplishments. One should target potential employers and not assume that your qualifications will speak for themselves. This is especially true if you happen to be a recent graduate from one of the audio schools and lacking practical experience. Let your would be-employer know why you want to work for them and how you can be of service to their company. For example, your resume may state proficiency with Pro Tools and studio gear, but your intended employer runs a live sound company. While your recording skills may come in handy, he is probably looking for someone who can set up and operate a sound system within a limited time frame and inadequate space.
If you’re fresh out of school, then your resume probably doesn’t have much work-related experience. While it’s beneficial to show that you’ve held other jobs — however unrelated they might be — it’s a good idea to state in your cover letter that you have a strong back and look forward to working 13-hour days. Affirm that you are open to driving and packing a truck, that you are interested in learning how to fly a system and that you’re familiar with reading input and output lists. To top it off, you should make it very clear that you’re willing to work long hours for a flat fee and no real meal break. Make sure that you put it in your cover letter that you understand the function of time-delay in system and that you can recognize particular frequencies. Let your potential employer know how you pride yourself on your neat cable runs and that you receive endless joy from repairing these same cables when broken. Impress them with the fact that you’re the candidate for anything requiring a screw gun and that you own a Leatherman tool and are prepared to use it. (If you don’t know what a Leatherman tool is, then find out immediately and learn how to use it.) Most of all, you should let your prospective boss know that you are aware that not only are you applying for a job, but for a lifestyle as well.
No Such Thing as White Work Gloves
If you do get the call for a meeting with a live sound company, please recognize that, despite your inherent musical ability and wonderful artistic nature, you are applying for a job as a technician and must be willing to get your hands dirty. Remember, there is no such thing as white work gloves.
Even though you are applying for a job in the entertainment business, you’d be ill advised to show up at the interview looking like your favorite guitarist. A suit and tie may not be necessary, but wear something casual and clean to show that you are capable of doing a corporate gig if need be. Be agreeable and open to what is being offered, try to keep your own personal agenda in check and try to avoid giving your new boss a list of stipulations and possible problems that could prevent you from working. Remember, the first step to working is to get the job. After that, you’re on your own, and you have to keep the job, but that’s another story.
