Dodging bullets!

About 5 years ago, I got a call to replace my friend/guitarist/ bandmate Bryden in a very popular Kannada folk rock band. I was excited to start and Bryden warned me to stay away. But this was a huge opportunity for me, to travel, play music, make money. Even my music teacher, Tony had refused to work with this band, and low key mentioned to find something better to do. 

Of course, I didn’t listen, I went to meet this band guy. I was handed a Gibson Les Paul and told to learn about 20 songs. I could feel the pressure on our first meeting itself. I didn’t have a good feeling about it. I learnt 10 songs within the first week, sent them videos of me playing the songs, got appreciated and was asked to meet at the studio. And, off I went. I was told I made it! The payment was also amazing! But felt the air get tense. No one in the studio moved. As though they were afraid of the guy. Then I never got a call back. Apparently, they wanted me to plead my way in. “I did not follow up” 

I didn’t feel good, going by what friends said, a few months later, I called the manager and told him I’m not interested, and to find someone else. 

I was disappointed about this missed opportunity at that time, but watching other friends in that band slaving away was something I couldn’t do. My friend, who plays bass in the band played a show the very next day of his dad’s passing. He broke a finger, played a show with that finger on a cast. This band didn’t cancel the show. Show must go on right? I don’t know if he was forced to play, but I felt the heat right where I was, knowing very well that this was expected of me as well if I was in the band. 

I was called to join that band again last year, this time as an acoustic instrument player. A good eye contact from my friend playing in that band spoke volumes, words were not exchanged. I could see that they were afraid to even meet fans and take pictures when the main band guy was around. I saw all that. Even though the money was better this time, fortunately for me things didn’t work out.  I lost my part in the band. I still thought I lost out on a big opportunity.

Recently Bryden posted this on his page (this is just part of his long rant), mentioning this band guy. 

I felt bad to have missed this opportunity but after Bryden’s post, I feel quite fortunate, to not have worked with this person for too long. 

I got an indirect call again a week ago from the same band, through a familiar friend. I responded with a stern “No”. It never felt better than this. I felt my freedom.