Podcast Summary
Father's Day deals, ChatevicShop.com: Customers can get a free Chatevic card and enjoy special gift offers during Father's Day at ChatevicShop.com using the code 'Chatevic's Dads' at checkout. Listener Lowell shared the importance of staying true to oneself and having supportive friends.
ChatevicShop.com is offering exclusive Father's Day card deals along with some freebies. Customers can get a free Chatevic card by using the code "Chatevic's Dads" at checkout. Additionally, there are special gift offers available on the website. The podcast also featured a surprise guest, Lowell, who shared his experiences of meeting famous people and the importance of staying true to oneself. Joe, the podcast host, reminisced about growing up in Smallfield and shared memories of his friend Gary Biddle, who started as a roadie for The Cure and became a close friend. The conversation also touched upon Gary's transition from being a roadie to a musician in his own right and the importance of having good friends who support you.
Formation of Curved Air: Curved Air formed due to childhood encounters and shared musical interests in Crawley, England. They met due to proximity and Catholic background, and their determination and shared passion for music led to their success despite challenges.
The formation of the band Curved Air was influenced by serendipitous encounters and shared musical interests during their childhood in Crawley, England. The band members, including Robert Currie, Michael Dempsey, and Paul Thompson, met each other at a young age due to their proximity and shared Catholic background. Their musical tastes and influences developed over time, leading them to form the band and pursue a career in music. The band's early days were marked by a desire to escape the apathetic and skinhead culture of Crawley in the late 1970s. Despite the challenges they faced, their determination and shared passion for music ultimately led to their success.
Band chemistry: Success in a band relies on the unique chemistry among members, the role of an intermediary or mentor, and the joy and commitment put into the work, with unexpected surprises and happy accidents along the way.
The creative process, especially in a band, is not about instant judgment or perfection. It's about the chemistry among band members, the importance of an intermediary or mentor, and the joy and commitment put into the work. The speaker emphasizes that there are surprises and happy accidents in the studio, and that the feeling of being "all on board" is crucial for success. He also shares that living and creating in Los Angeles, while magical for some, can also lead to destruction. The speaker's personal experiences with The Cure illustrate these points.
Santa Monica's impact on sense of belonging: Despite personal struggles, the speaker found a sense of acceptance and love in Santa Monica's community of musicians and expat Brits, making it feel like home for him despite missing aspects of England.
Living in Santa Monica, California, has been a transformative experience for the speaker. He came to the city during a low point in his life, having left his band, gone through a contentious court case, and lost his son to his ex-wife. Despite starting with very little, he found a sense of acceptance and love among the community of musicians and expat Brits. This experience has made Santa Monica feel like home for him, even though he misses aspects of England. The speaker also shares that he's lived in Santa Monica longer than anywhere else and feels comfortable there, despite common misconceptions about the city's safety. The unexpected connections he made during the pandemic further solidified his attachment to the place. Overall, the speaker's story highlights the power of community and acceptance in shaping one's sense of belonging and home.
Memoir writing challenges: Writing a memoir requires accurate recall of details and conversations, but memory can be slippery and subjective. Obtaining permission to write about people and dealing with inaccuracies can also present challenges.
Writing a memoir involves reconstructing the past from memories that can be slippery and subjective. The author shared his experience of writing about his life before and after his band days, finding it easier to recall the parts that were not contested. However, the most challenging part was the middle section of the book, which required him to remember conversations and details accurately. He emphasized that memory is a slippery thing, and even important events can get lost in the sands of time. The author also discussed the process of getting permission to write about people in his book and the challenges of dealing with people who weren't in it but wanted to be included. He also shared a funny story about a friend who wrote a book for a famous person and discovered that the story he had been told was not true. For the new book, the author is finding it hard to become a journalist and do the necessary research. He concluded by sharing a bonding experience with his son, who helped him with the research. Overall, the author's experience highlights the challenges and rewards of writing a memoir and the importance of accuracy and truth in telling one's story.
Music career experiences: The speaker reflects on his rich history in music, sharing stories of discovery, excitement, and challenges from his early days to aging gracefully in his career, with a deep love and gratitude for the opportunities he's had.
The speaker, who has a rich history in music, reflects on his experiences, from being a young musician to aging gracefully in his career. He shares stories of his early days, including discovering old recordings and the excitement of performing live. He also touches on the challenges of aging and the changing expectations that come with it. Additionally, he shares anecdotes about famous musicians, such as Robert Smith of The Cure, and their unique approaches to performing. Throughout the conversation, the speaker expresses a deep love for music and a sense of gratitude for the opportunities he's had.
Music Industry Challenges: The music industry is unpredictable with long hours, unexpected expenses, and dedicated fans. Significant earnings often come from larger venues, and comedians also face financial challenges with earnings per show and overhead costs.
The music industry, especially for musicians starting out, can be a challenging and unpredictable journey filled with long hours, unexpected expenses, and dedicated fans. David shared stories of his early experiences, including playing on the roof of a hospital and dealing with overzealous fans. He also discussed the financial realities of touring and performing, noting that significant earnings often don't come until larger venues are played. Despite the challenges, David expressed gratitude for the experiences and the fans who have supported him throughout his career. Another interesting topic that came up was the earning potential of comedians, leading to a discussion about how much they make per show and the overhead costs involved. Overall, the conversation highlighted the dedication and resilience required to succeed in the music industry.
Music Industry Challenges: For smaller bands, touring and merchandise sales are crucial sources of income as record sales bring little revenue. Balancing music careers with personal life and feeling connected to places visited can be difficult.
Making a living in the music industry, especially for smaller bands, has become increasingly challenging. Bands now rely heavily on touring and selling merchandise to make ends meet, as there is little to no money in record sales. The industry has become more difficult for artists, especially as they age and their personal lives change. Many bands struggle to balance their careers with family life, and the constant touring can make it hard to feel connected to the places they visit. Despite these challenges, there are still memorable experiences and standout performances that make the journey worthwhile. One example given was a 1985 concert with Culture Club and The Clash in Athens, which was described as insanely exciting, despite the riot that broke out during the show. The interviewee also shared a story about an unexpected encounter with a former band that never made it big, Ricky's band, and how it was a reminder of the unpredictability and interconnectedness of the music world.
Musician's commitment to craft and fans: A musician's dedication to his craft and connecting with fans through live performances can help establish a loyal fanbase and build a successful career, even without gold discs or fame as primary motivations.
For the musician in this conversation, his commitment to his craft and connecting with fans through live performances were key factors in the success of his band, The Cure. Despite not having gold discs or fame as his primary motivation, he recognized the importance of engaging with fans in person and building a loyal fanbase. His dedication to touring and performing live helped establish The Cure as a local band in various places, creating a strong connection with fans that lasted for decades. Additionally, his personal circumstances, including a strained relationship with his family, further fueled his commitment to the band as his surrogate family. Reflecting on his past, he feels humbled and flattered by the success he achieved in his career.
Music's impact on connection: Music connects people, validates feelings, and creates bonds through shared experiences. Making music for the audience and forming friendships within the community are essential aspects of its power.
Music has the power to connect people and provide validation, especially for those who feel isolated or misunderstood. The speaker, a musician, shared his experiences of the impact of music on fans and how it brought him joy to see the connection and appreciation. He emphasized the importance of making music for the audience and the significance of forming bonds through shared experiences. The musician also acknowledged the importance of friendship within the music community and the role of music in providing solace during difficult times. Overall, the discussion highlighted the profound impact of music on individuals and the importance of creating and sharing it with others.