Crazy Weasel (Musician self-care)

Thoughts on MUSICIAN SELF-CARE

I often find myself sitting in front of my computer screen, feeling drained by the endless (and often invisible) work I do to support my career as a professional musician. From hours spent designing posters (I am not a trained digital artist), writing promotional material (I am not a trained publicist), booking gigs (not an agent), organizing my teaching schedule (not a secretary), proposing budgets (accountant? nope), writing grants (not a writer), picking out stage clothes (like, omg, could a real stylist please help me?!), and on and on…I think you see my point. I have had to figure out how to do all of this and more so that I can do what I really feel I was meant to do… create, perform, and teach music.

One day, while typing yet another self-promotional posts for social media (gag), I literally said to myself, “Why am I doing this? I am out of energy for this nonsense.” Then BING! A new message appeared in my inbox. A note from my friend Jeremy Rusu, an incredibly talented multi-instrumentalist, with whom I have the pleasure of working on several occasions. He said he enjoyed a tune I played with Daniel Kelly at a soundcheck before a gig. Jeremy had recorded us, and just for fun, he decided to write up a “big band” arrangement to exercise a talent he had not run with in a while. He gave himself the gift of immersing himself in his beloved musical world, and to take his mind off of a few stressors in his life.

I was so surprised and had no idea what to expect. I opened the audio file. I listened to my tune in this amazing and captivating setting… with a legit Irish band Jeremy created, a brass section, and more. I burst into tears. It was the gift I needed at that exact moment. Music. Creativity. Delight. Joy. Inner Peace. I listened again and again and again and again. I dove in deep to listen for each of the nearly 20 instruments he played. I dove in deep to try to isolate the 40 tracks he had laid down!! (GO BIG OR GO HOME, Jeremy!! Yaaasss!!!)

Yesterday, I should have spent more time planning an upcoming performance, notating some sheet music for my students, drawing up a few chord cards, and making our setlist… but I paused the paperwork to be creative. I spent hours upon hours fooling around with a new graphic program so I could make a video to pair with Jeremy’s arrangement. I nourished myself with something I didn’t have to do. I wasn’t getting paid. There was no deadline to be met. I wanted to. I just wanted to! And it felt pretty great to lose myself in the world of music and creativity I love so much.

Now, to edit this little blog… ah, the paperwork continues.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!

~Gretchen

PS You can buy a digital copy of the “Crazy Weasel!” single on BAND CAMP!