I'm sharing this with the org as a constant reminder to myself, to keep me motivated and focused on this goal, and of course to collect any sort of advice anyone could give me.

The reasons:

It has always been a dream of mine to live in England, as I have always felt extremely comfortable and at home whenever I was there, especially in London.

However, the major reason I would like to go there is to simply increase my chance of become at least a semi-successful musician with an audience. I am making some money with music where I live now (Vienna, Austria) and everything is going quite well, especially considering my relatively young age. However, in a couple of years I will probably be a big fish in a small pond, and I don't want to regret I didn't at least try the big sea... Everyone I meet (especially people from the music business) tell me to leave asap, because I may be good enough to "make it" and because the Austrian audience is not big enough for my kind of music.

The plan:

I still study English at university (even though at a slow pace because I'm often quite busy with the music stuff) and I'd probably like to finish my bachelor's degree at least, which will probably take another 2 years max. Then I'll pack my bags and look for a room rent in London. I'll probably have to start with some dodgy job to pay the bills and a simple room, because I don't know anybody in London and I am completely unknown there. I'll really have to start again from scratch.

When I have found a job that will cover the bills, I will look around for opportunities to play live (with several bands, like I do now), get to know people and have a look around the scene. Then I'll try to find a band of my own, play my music live and see how things develop.

Maybe I will "make it", probably not. But I would like to at least try and not just sit here and enjoy my success in Austria.

Good luck Dave.

This is the time in your life to do what you want & follow your dreams.

I too always felt very much at home whenever I was in London. Liking the vibes of a city is very important and probably even more so for an artist so you will hopefully be happy there. And I totally believe in taking chances in life and trying to fulfill your goals/dreams instead of having regrets later in life because of having been not brave enough to go for things . Best of luck Dave and hopefully you will still play in Vienna once in a while when you made it ! And if you ever lose your focus let me know and I will kick your ass .

Very inspiring. Go, Dave!

Just be very realistic about the expense of a town like London. To the extent it is possible, perhaps start building a nest egg now. Also, you might consider exploiting today's technology to begin socializing and building a rep among certain scenes in London now. It's an advantage artists surely would have killed for years ago.

Best wishes !

You know what. I think I'll make one of the characters in the novel I'm writing right now a Dave Reissman fan.

That way , if my book enjoys any success, it helps with the advertising a bit.

Lammastide said:

Very inspiring. Go, Dave!

Just be very realistic about the expense of a town like London. To the extent it is possible, perhaps start building a nest egg now. Also, you might consider exploiting today's technology to begin socializing and building a rep among certain scenes in London now. It's an advantage artists surely would have killed for years ago.

Yeah I guess that's true...

imago said:

You know what. I think I'll make one of the characters in the novel I'm writing right now a Dave Reissman fan.

That way , if my book enjoys any success, it helps with the advertising a bit.

Also, you can charge him for pruduct placement when he makes it big.

Nobody respond to Lammastide!

I'll explain why at a later time.

Serious said:

Lammastide said:

Very inspiring. Go, Dave!

Just be very realistic about the expense of a town like London. To the extent it is possible, perhaps start building a nest egg now. Also, you might consider exploiting today's technology to begin socializing and building a rep among certain scenes in London now. It's an advantage artists surely would have killed for years ago.

Yeah I guess that's true...

It's something to keep in mind for sure, just don't let it deter or worry you.

I was on the poor side when I was that age and it was totally tolerable. It's good for us to go without for a time, makes us appreciate it more when we have more.

And good luck!

Sounds like you've got a good plan. You can do it.

imago said:

Nobody respond to Lammastide!

I'll explain why at a later time.

Sounds like a great plan, I hope you find what you're looking for.

Since you are working on your degree though (good decision to finish it!) , why not start planning for the Spring and Summer months when it comes to music and do something London based then? eg. performing with a band, or finding cheap accomodation while you go to open mics and such, you'll make a lot of contacts and connections that way so that when you finally move there, you won't totally be alone.

CarrieMpls said:

Serious said:

Yeah I guess that's true...

It's something to keep in mind for sure, just don't let it deter or worry you.

I was on the poor side when I was that age and it was totally tolerable. It's good for us to go without for a time, makes us appreciate it more when we have more.

I agree, especially with the bolded part and IMO money and all the luxury stuff is way overrated anyway in our society

Lammastide said:

Very inspiring. Go, Dave!

Just be very realistic about the expense of a town like London. To the extent it is possible, perhaps start building a nest egg now. Also, you might consider exploiting today's technology to begin socializing and building a rep among certain scenes in London now. It's an advantage artists surely would have killed for years ago.

Yeah, I am aware that it's gonna be extremely tough (especially financially), but I'm a very realistic person anyway.

I'm certainly not the deluded "fuck it, let's just rock 'n roll and it's gonna be alright!" sort of musician (which probably held me back from moving to another country all these years anyway). I know this takes a lot of hard work, mental stability and, most of all, luck.

And you're absolutely right about exploiting the internet to make bedding in easier once I'm there! I'll try to hook up with musicians in London and gather some first-hand experience. The only problem is, there so, so many musicians in London, and about 90% of them can't really be taken seriously, because they are either deluded pseudo rockers, crackheads, or wannabe musicians who have never been on a stage in real life yet... It's difficult to filter them out through the internet.

And thanks to all for the support. It's still a year or two away, but I will keep you updated!

In the meantime, if you happen to know anyone who could help me out in any way (cheap accomodation for the first couple of months, contacts, advice for starters .. anything!) I would of course be absolutely chuffed if you'd reach out to me.

In my opinion it is much easier to "make it" in London compared to Austria or Germany, regardless of your field. It IS one of the most expensive places I´ve ever seen regarding rent and other expenses but all of my friends who moved to London permanently are making quite a lot of money these days and tell me to come over as well. (Not that I´d really consider that for myself).

I agree with Serious that the vibe and energy of a city is very important, and maybe you´ll be more focused and inspired there.

London and Brighton are some of the nicest places in England that I´ve visited. Many people call Londoners rude but I find them very polite, charming and friendly (except for when they´re drunk).

That was pretty much my plan when I was younger and I did try it (in 1999). Your plan sounds almost identical to what I had at the time (including going there initially as a student). It was pretty hard and I realized soon I really didn't like playing pop / rock that much in the end.

Few things:

- Living in a different country isn't always easy.

- The truth is that most musicians these days are at least periodically living on benefits and you won't be eligible for most of them as a foreigner.

- Rehearsal rooms are very expensive in most big cities.

- Musicians can be a bit untrustworthy with their promises and people often pretend to have reached higher statuses in the business than what they really have.

- For many playing in cover bands is the only way to really make money from music.

- Living conditions in a city like London can be just plain hideous. When I was over there I realized many musicians had actually moved to the outskirts of the city so that they could do gigs and not have to pay the ridiculous rents.

I guess I still recommend trying it out.

[Edited 3/25/13 10:46am]

novabrkr said:

That was pretty much my plan when I was younger and I did try it (in 1999). Your plan sounds almost identical to what I had at the time (including going there initially as a student). It was pretty hard and I realized soon I really didn't like playing pop / rock that much in the end.

Few things:

- Living in a different country isn't always easy.

- The truth is that most musicians these days are at least periodically living on benefits and you won't be eligible for most of them as a foreigner.

- Rehearsal rooms are very expensive in most big cities.

- Musicians can be a bit untrustworthy with their promises and people often pretend to have reached higher statuses in the business than what they really have.

- For many playing in cover bands is the only way to really make money from music.

- Living conditions in a city like London can be just plain hideous. When I was over there I realized many musicians had actually moved to the outskirts of the city so that they could do gigs and not have to pay the ridiculous rents.

I guess I still recommend trying it out.

[Edited 3/25/13 10:46am]

I guess it's the same over here, only that the scales are different...

I still have to play in three cover bands to pay for my bills, I also teach three times a week.

Maybe I will meet a couple of folks at soul/jazz jam sessions who are just as serious about this as I am (the soul/rnb/jazz/funk scene is not as full of wannabe stars and pathetic drug addicts as the rock scene). Maybe we will start playing a couple of gigs and draw a bit of a crowd. Maybe, about two or three years of playing some exec will have heard from us and will be trying to sort out a deal. Maybe not.

We'll see!

If you are serious - let me know when you get here and I will introduce you to some people.

Remind me - your main instrument and genre?

Our management represent artists and bands of all genres so I am sure I can put you in touch with some cool folks.

this reminds me of my goal as a young girl waiting to graduate high school..

Move to London, Get a fabulous job, meet Nick Rhodes, get married and live happily ever after...

Well, I got the happily ever after, but im WAYYYY off from the plan!!

Good Luck Dave! and I dont mean that as in a, good luck, you'll need it kind of way... I mean I hope you live your dream!!

Well, that sounds exciting. You could try the reality show route again. Try the "x" factor in England.

My brother had to move across country to support his music, but the second most popular area for fans of his band are located here in Seattle! So, don't forget your fan base there in Austria. Cultivate it.

Follow your dream.............

That sounds like a good idea!

Just give it a try, and enjoy it.

Can't you do part of your study in London in an Erasmus program or other exchange student program?

That might get you access to cheap accommodation, e.g. an appartment in International Student House or other student facilities. And you can live in London maybe before you finished your bachelor.

THan at least for a while you can arrange a stay in London, because it is a very expensive city.

Did you make a list of what kind of goals you've got te set for yourself?

- How much savings do you need to survive in London for 6 months?

- How long will it take you to get that amount of money?

- What kind of network do you need for what aim?

- How will you connect with fellow musicians, a band, or other carreer options in music?

- How will you connect with decision makers in music industry that enhance your career?

- How are you going to make money as a musician? (writing, selling music, performing)

- How do you find housing in London and what area is best to live for a musician?

I know one person in London who works in music industry, but I would not know what I should ask from him on your behalf. What kind of stuf do you need to know?

Militant said:

If you are serious - let me know when you get here and I will introduce you to some people.

Remind me - your main instrument and genre?

Our management represent artists and bands of all genres so I am sure I can put you in touch with some cool folks.

Cool!

Main instrument is keyboards/piano and vocals (I also play guitar and bass). I'm now playing all kinds of music (jazz, funk, rock, pop, even house), but I would like to focus my own project on the classical Neo Soul/Funk stuff (á la D'Angelo, Maxwell maybe?). Plus, I feel that's what I'm best at and most comfortable with.

dJJ said:

That sounds like a good idea!

Just give it a try, and enjoy it.

Can't you do part of your study in London in an Erasmus program or other exchange student program?

That might get you access to cheap accommodation, e.g. an appartment in International Student House or other student facilities. And you can live in London maybe before you finished your bachelor.

THan at least for a while you can arrange a stay in London, because it is a very expensive city.

Did you make a list of what kind of goals you've got te set for yourself?

- How much savings do you need to survive in London for 6 months?

- How long will it take you to get that amount of money?

- What kind of network do you need for what aim?

- How will you connect with fellow musicians, a band, or other carreer options in music?

- How will you connect with decision makers in music industry that enhance your career?

- How are you going to make money as a musician? (writing, selling music, performing)

- How do you find housing in London and what area is best to live for a musician?

I know one person in London who works in music industry, but I would not know what I should ask from him on your behalf. What kind of stuf do you need to know?

Yeah, I was thinking about the Erasmus thing too and have already gathered some info on it. The problem is that London universities don't really take English students from other countries, from what I have heard... but that's definitely a good idea.

And all your points are exactly the kind of questions I have been asking myself. I have until then to answer them all and to be sure of which things to do first and when and how...

I don't mind doing a shit job for a year that will pay my bills and not much more. It's what I expect. During that time I hope to get to know fellow musicians who do the same kind of music, jam with them, hand out my demo, and look for bands to play with live (especially at least one band that plays "commercial music", just like I do now with one band).

Here in Austria, it has taken me about 2 years to now play in six different bands covering all sorts of music. The live gigs definitely pay part of my bills. But I'm fully aware I'll have to take it up a couple of notches to survive in London, especially on my own.

Dave1992 said:

I'm sharing this with the org as a constant reminder to myself, to keep me motivated and focused on this goal, and of course to collect any sort of advice anyone could give me.

The reasons:

It has always been a dream of mine to live in England, as I have always felt extremely comfortable and at home whenever I was there, especially in London.

However, the major reason I would like to go there is to simply increase my chance of become at least a semi-successful musician with an audience. I am making some money with music where I live now (Vienna, Austria) and everything is going quite well, especially considering my relatively young age. However, in a couple of years I will probably be a big fish in a small pond, and I don't want to regret I didn't at least try the big sea... Everyone I meet (especially people from the music business) tell me to leave asap, because I may be good enough to "make it" and because the Austrian audience is not big enough for my kind of music.

The plan:

I still study English at university (even though at a slow pace because I'm often quite busy with the music stuff) and I'd probably like to finish my bachelor's degree at least, which will probably take another 2 years max. Then I'll pack my bags and look for a room rent in London. I'll probably have to start with some dodgy job to pay the bills and a simple room, because I don't know anybody in London and I am completely unknown there. I'll really have to start again from scratch.

When I have found a job that will cover the bills, I will look around for opportunities to play live (with several bands, like I do now), get to know people and have a look around the scene. Then I'll try to find a band of my own, play my music live and see how things develop.

Maybe I will "make it", probably not. But I would like to at least try and not just sit here and enjoy my success in Austria.

Follow your dreams man. You got youth, talent, determination, smarts and good looks on your side so you have an excellent chance of doing big things in life.

Just don't get into drugs or excessive drinking and you'll be fine.

P.S

I want to go to London so bad. I'm an black american but i swear that in a past life i was british.

Regardless, one thing i do know is before i die I'm going to see Big Ben, The London Eye and The River Thames in person.

No debate about it.

[Edited 3/25/13 14:04pm]

If we're talking the UK and RnB/soul music you HAVE to contact Dome Records.

http://www.domerecords.co.uk/

They launched Beverly Knight. They handle Rahsaan Patterson and Anthony David's stuff in the UK. Incognito (Bluey) is on their label. Conya Doss, too. Carleen Anderson, George Duke... I think it would be a good home for you.

Decent credentials

And they're good ppl.

I wish you all the best, Dave. You strike me as a very mature young man so I wouldn't worry about you being deluded or throwing too many eggs in one basket. Go for it, man!

.

[Edited 3/25/13 14:58pm]

JoeyC said:

Dave1992 said:

I'm sharing this with the org as a constant reminder to myself, to keep me motivated and focused on this goal, and of course to collect any sort of advice anyone could give me.

The reasons:

It has always been a dream of mine to live in England, as I have always felt extremely comfortable and at home whenever I was there, especially in London.

However, the major reason I would like to go there is to simply increase my chance of become at least a semi-successful musician with an audience. I am making some money with music where I live now (Vienna, Austria) and everything is going quite well, especially considering my relatively young age. However, in a couple of years I will probably be a big fish in a small pond, and I don't want to regret I didn't at least try the big sea... Everyone I meet (especially people from the music business) tell me to leave asap, because I may be good enough to "make it" and because the Austrian audience is not big enough for my kind of music.

The plan:

I still study English at university (even though at a slow pace because I'm often quite busy with the music stuff) and I'd probably like to finish my bachelor's degree at least, which will probably take another 2 years max. Then I'll pack my bags and look for a room rent in London. I'll probably have to start with some dodgy job to pay the bills and a simple room, because I don't know anybody in London and I am completely unknown there. I'll really have to start again from scratch.

When I have found a job that will cover the bills, I will look around for opportunities to play live (with several bands, like I do now), get to know people and have a look around the scene. Then I'll try to find a band of my own, play my music live and see how things develop.

Maybe I will "make it", probably not. But I would like to at least try and not just sit here and enjoy my success in Austria.

Follow your dreams man. You got youth, talent, determination, smarts and good looks on your side so you have an excellent chance of doing big things in life.

Just don't get into drugs or excessive drinking and you'll be fine.

P.S

I want to go to London so bad. I'm an black american but i swear that in a past life i was british.

Regardless, one thing i do know is before i die I'm going to see Big Ben, The London Eye and The River Thames in person.

No debate about it.

[Edited 3/25/13 14:04pm]

Do it, Joey. Just start saving your coins now and do it.