News

"Indie Band" Says It Is SOOOO Expensive To Be An Indie Band

12:39 p.m. · January 27, 2012 · by Andrew Winistorfer

Want to read a really annoying article that will infuriate you to no end? Then read this new article on TIME's website that finds an "indie" band called Two Lights complaining about how "expensive" it is to make it as an indie rock band. Basically, all you need to know is that it's really, really tough to make it! Like, so tough, that you need to sign a manager, and you have to record albums in your own apartment!

We've been mentored by former British rock stars, posed for photo shoots, hung out with models, worked with Grammy-nominated producers and rocked some of the top clubs in New York (places like the Mercury Lounge and the Highline Ballroom), opening for some of our favorite bands. This is our dream. We're living it.

And we're broke.

No, we haven't spent all our earnings on drugs and limos and parties (although we have definitely been to some parties...). So far, there haven't really been any earnings. Instead, there have been big expenses. It turns out that breaking into the world of rock and roll is like launching any career in a field with high barriers to entry: It's expensive. And unlike law school or medical school, the school of rock doesn't offer financial aid (not even loans)

The thing that's most infuriating? The fact that it's pretty clear these dudes are having their careers financed by someone. I mean, yeah, you're not doing hookers on hotel rooftops, but come on. You are in a band for a job, at a time when people are unemployed. You could be working on an oil rig, or you know, cleaning up shit, and you are WHINING about how "hard" it is to be in a band. Get angry with me over here.