Job Vs Music Career

Spicy Lauren

I've just been offered to go on a mini-tour around Ireland as an opening act for a band.

How do I tell my boss I need time off work for 2 weeks? I've almost no days holidays left...

Neurohacker

Here's one way to tell him...



Rock n'Roll!

Spicy Lauren

LOL

Rock n' Roll my arse! I still have rent and bills to pay at the end of the month!

Sean7

I know the feeling, ask if you can get off and if he won't give you it off then tell him that you'll have to hand in your notice because you have to go. If you're lucky he won't be bothered looking for new staff or thinks you can't be replaced easily and just gives you the time off. If you're unlucky he says OK and you've gotta get a new job when you come back but either way you get to go.

WaterfordOnline

I was in a similar situation a few years ago.
I was offered a 32-day tour all over Ireland and was on a contract work in Cork.
I approached the boss and said "I need to take a couple weeks off..." and explained why. He said "You are on contract here. You can't just decide to take off." So, I handed in my notice because I really wanted this tour.
It so happened anyways, cutting it short, that a week before the tour was to kick off, it was cancelled due to The Foot And Mouth thingy.
As a result, I had no tour and lost my job.

Think very carefully about this. What is more important to you? Go on tour and chance the risk of losing your job with rent and bills to pay, or stay with the job and lose the tour?

Ah do it Lauren. I'm really getting sick of the reality/pessism that goes on in Ireland. We're musicians and we have to take a chance now and again.
I've seen you play enough times to think that you could have a career in this industry.
Hand in your notice. I already have it sorted with my job that if I have to leave, I have to reapply, but they'll hire me back. There's so many jobs in this city and at the end of the day, you want to have a career in music. You're going to have to give it more than 4 weeks a year - your holiday time.
Best of luck with it!!

pclancy

When I was 18 a bloke offered me a chance to go on tour with a band in england for 3 months, all accom paid for etc. I said no as Id just started a new job (my first) and knew id lose it if i went. I regret it to this day though, you could be dead in the morning so Id say **** it, unless you're in serious financial commitment world go do it! Try and have something as a backup plan though, make sure you have some idea of what do do if the tour goes arseways. I presume you're getting paid for the tour at least?

Karl Hungus

Do it! I'll come see you if you play Galway.

Plastic Scouser

While I agree that you may regret it if you don't go, I think if you treat the situation with a bit of planning & an intelligent approach, rather than just saying "ah, **** it I'm going" then you could have the best of both worlds.

Prepare your plan before you speak to your boss. Two weeks isn't that long and most people will be sympathetic to the idea of someone going off for this short length of time to fulfil a dream of theirs. Maybe ask your boss if you can take the few days holiday you have left for part of the 2 weeks, then ask nicely if you can have the rest of the time as unpaid leave, or even take some of the time early from next years holidays. Have a plan as to how your work will be covered while you are away and what you'll do before you leave to make everything go smoothly while you're away i.e. make it easy for them to say yes!

If you come across like you've given this proper thought and you approach your boss with a good attitude then you may find that they are more likely to agree to this than you think! Two weeks isn't actually that long after all!

Good luck with it all!

Sofaspud

Are the gigs paid for? I'll assume they are, and also assume that the tour will possibly pay more than the equivalent working time. As people said, if you can't get the time off, hand in the notice, and then risk being a cheeky bugger and reapply when you get back.

Karl Hungus wrote:

Do it! I'll come see you if you play Galway.

How could anyone refuse that offer? If you don't go, I might just have to take your place myself! :rolleyes:

Tbh: a support act on tour generally get paid very little. I'd be bringin a box of cd's if I were you Lauren!

Cactus Col

I suppose it's easier to tell someone else to go for it when they're not in the same situation.

If I were you, and could afford it, I'd go down the unpaid leave route. Or if there are venues (waterford, kilkenny, carlow, etc) close enough you could always try the aul commute for some of the gigs

Spicy Lauren

Thanks all for your thoughts.
I did have a chat with the boss and she was quite understanding.
She offered that I take all my days holidays that were left for the year and then go on unpaid leave for the rest of the tour. This has to be confirmed with the accounts manager who is on holidays at the moment so I'll know better when she comes back... I'll let ye know

Yeah I was planning to sell plenty of EPs (no doubt they will sell quick anyway!) and busk around to get a bit of pocket money. With regards to getting paid for it I am not entirely sure but I'll probably get a few bob and free accomodation. I think it's well worth the experience anyway!! I CANT F*CKING WAIT TO GO!!

Karl Hungus, i'll play the Roisin Dubh on the 19th
WaterfordOnline, in the Forum on the 15th

I'll post out the dates in the gigs section if any of ye are interested!

x
Lauren

Karl Hungus

Spicy Lauren wrote:

Karl Hungus, i'll play the Roisin Dubh on the 19th

Ah well I'm not busy that night. See you there more than likely.

Spicy Lauren

thats next month, not tomorrow

Karl Hungus

Spicy Lauren wrote:

thats next month, not tomorrow

Yeah I know. I did actually read your thread on gigs/events. Besides, it would be a little bit silly of me to assume you were taking about this month when you mention you'll be playing on the 15th... Unless you can travel through space and time.

svengali

If you`re playing up here in injun country, let me know. You`ll be faced with a hungry audience on a saturday night - not for music but for the following day`s roast! We dont eat our own but a well-built singer-songwriter could easily whet our appetite! Best of luck on your gander around the island...