The Beatles once sung about a "hard day's night" and working "eight days a week". I wonder if they knew that they were essentially summing up the lifestyle of almost every musician out there that's ever needed to take a regular job in order to keep their passion alive?
Liverpool is literally filled with musicians who continuously produce and perform music for our listening pleasure...as well as serving society in other ways. So I've been determined to get to know some of these hidden rock stars and discover their 'side B', because let's face it, they may just one day be doing sellout shows at the Liverpool Echo instead of serving us coffee...
THIS WEEK I CAUGHT UP WITH ROB SAUNDERS, BASS EXTRAORDINAIRE OF POP-FUNK BAND CHASING INFINITY. WHILST A MUSICIAN BY NIGHT, ROB IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT BY DAY, WORKING FOR A SOLICITOR'S FIRM IN THE CITY HELPING THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS KEEP UP TO SPEED DURING THEIR DAY TO DAY TASKS. I QUIZZED HIM ABOUT SOME ASPECTS OF HIS WORKING LIFE, GETTING TO GRIPS WITH HOW THIS IMPACTS ON HIS CREATIVE HABITS.
"I certainly can't say I hate it at all!" he comments unapologetically. "I enjoy the company of my team and other colleagues I come into contact with. It gives me a daily routine and keeps me occupied as well, which keeps me stimulated enough."
And besides appreciating routine, he also quips, "Got to pay for new guitars somehow! And food. Eating's important too."
Rob is a guy who, on the whole, seems altogether laid back and in control of his two very different jobs. There aren't many people who would think that law administration and performing music would ever fit together, but somehow they do for this unfazed individual. It turns out it's all about finding the right balance, which Rob himself seems to have accomplished just fine.
"Time is something you can always dig up when you need it, even if it isn't straight away," he explains. "And even if you're not playing music, it's always a part of your day anyway...whether you're talking about how awesome your favourite act is to a colleague or whether you're simply humming a tune to yourself whilst your email logs on. Music is consistently a part of our lives so enjoy it in whatever form it appears and you shall never feel a lack of it."
And by the same token, having a background in law no doubt has its imaginable perks in making music; particularly when it comes to managing your way through the growingly vulnerable world of copyright and creative licence.
"I wouldn't say no to one day possibly becoming a solicitor of some sort; maybe in commerce, but certainly in intellectual property," Rob says. "As a songwriter it's always been an area of the law that has interested me, and I enjoy being responsible for those types of tasks that arise within the band."
So when he's not writing those catchy pop-hooks or boldly protecting Chasing Infinity's chest of musical treasure, how else does Rob spend his time?
"My typical weekdays consist of going to work of a day and coming back of an evening to relax and enjoy my time with the flatmates. Band practices are obviously a highlight of any weekday evening, and any gigs the band might have on. That also applies for weekends, with the addition of any other musical pursuits, like recording demo tracks for new songs. No one wants to hear me wail whilst they're trying to relax after a hard day at work!"
It wouldn't be surprising to hear that many musicians may find it difficult to find the time for song-writing, rehearsing and recording in the limited spare time they have outside of their job, but Rob doesn't claim to feel hindered or inhibited. In fact, having strict time away from the music may just be a catalyst.
"Working throughout the day actually helps, in the sense that I can come home from work and look forward to whatever recreational activities I have in mind for that evening, whether it's simply picking up my instrument and jamming for a bit or writing up lyrics for a song I may be working on at that period in time.
He admits, "The work itself is not intrinsically inspiring, but inspiration's one of those funny things that can strike you in any place at any time, and it's not been on just one occasion that I've found myself jotting down words or ideas on a notepad at lunchtime."
As much as he enjoys and values his daytime work however, Rob, like so many other musicians, can't deny that performing brings out a stronger side to him.
"The act of performing serves to amplify myself so to speak. The guitar is no less different than it is unplugged, but wire it up and you see the full extent of what it has to offer, what it truly is and can be. This is how I feel about my performing personality; it is the full extent of what you'd find from me in any other environment."
And thankfully, it is this affinity with performing that gives the rest of us music fans much to look forward to.
INTERVIEW BY ADELE HALSALL. IMAGE COURTESY OF THE BAND. Seba Rashii Culture appreciates that people may wish to show their love of this website by quoting or using images from it. This is perfectly fine when the full URL and source page are quoted but malicious copying will not be tolerated and action will be taken. A full URL and link will save you from the wrath of Seba! I may even link to you as well. "Seba Rashii Culture" (c) 2006 - 2012 Seba Rashii Culture and Scattershot Media.
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