YEAH COLLEGE!

I guess that I should mention that I graduated from Loyola New Orleans in May (cue the slow clap).  Those who know me also know that I have some very strong opinions about college and my specific experience at Loyola.  I feel that it is time to share some of those insights for all you ambitious high school students out there thinking about music business as a degree/career.  Here goes:

Insight #1: DON’T

Don’t even THINK about getting into this industry if you’re not passionate about it.  The hours are too long, and the pay is too little for you not to love it.

Insight #2: SLEEP IS A FIGMENT OF YOUR IMAGINATION

It will benefit your career (and freak out your roommates) if you develop a nocturnal lifestyle.  Also, learn how to nap anywhere, anytime, and for 5 minutes…you’ll know what I mean when you have 3 night classes a week (and you will).

Insight #3:DON’T BOX YOURSELF IN

If you decide to go after a music industry degree (or something thereabouts), don’t lose your head if you completely change your original direction after your freshman year.  Take all the opportunities you possibly can, and learn about as many different aspects of the industry as possible.  You never know what you will be doing, and you never know who will call you to record their cat snoring and turn it into a sweet remix.  You wanna be that guy that can say, “Yeah, I can do that.”….you may not think so now, but a paying gig is a paying gig.

Insight #4: IF YOU FIND OUT WHAT THE “REAL WORLD” IS, PLEASE TELL ME.

You will hear nothing but advice about how things work in the “real world” for your entire 4 (or however many) years at college.  I have no idea what this means.  Maybe we live in an alternate universe where cats are dogs and dogs are really cats and…oh my god…it’s so overwhelming…balancing check books, oh crap…responsibility…and, and work and stuff.  Seriously…that’s all bullshit.  Everyone will want you to think that college is your little protective nut where you are safe from deathrays or whatever.  Learn how to take care of yourself DURING college…not after.  You do live in the real world…it’s just a little bit different from your mom’s “real world,” is all.

Plenty more to come on the subject of college at a later date.  Feel free to add some advice if you have anything for our youngsters out there.

Fortune Cookie: Write down all the reasons why you want to work in the music industry and all the reasons why not.  If your list of “Why Nots” exceeds that of the “Why Tos”…Welcome.

Listening to:

“Wolf Like Me” – TV On The Radio