OT: At a career crossroads...what should I do?

[Hurst2112]

As most of you know, I am a freelance recording engineer. I have been 'happy' with my job up in the cities but now I have a little wanderlust. I had a 5 year plan out of rock n roll school and I am in my 4th year of that. I am not where I wish to be as far as the art of engineering is concerned. I am good enough to work freelance but the opportunities in a small town like Minneapolis are pretty slim (for making a living and not having to work another job to make ends meet).

So of course, I am thinking about moving to CA. I am aware of the differences between the 2 regions, the cost of living, etc. I do, however, have a couple contacts out there (HB area as well as LA). I also feel that my track record and abilities will allow me to prosper as a freelancer out in CA.

The thing about being an engineer is that there are a shitload of bands and only a limited number of engineers in the 'world'. Being in a smaller market, an engineer can't thrive. In a larger city, an engineer can find more work because there are more bands, and the ratio of good engineers usually stays the same. Also, I am not a guy that wants to do whatever it takes to be a staffer at a major studio. I like freelance. I like working with no name bands and making them sound the best they can. While I love the security of being a salaried employee of a studio, I have done that and to be honest, it burns you out and leaves a bitter taste in your mouth if you let the bullshit get to you.


Now then, what would you guys do in my situation? Let it be known that I and the lady have a place to stay for 3-6 months out in HB (Hunnington Beach). Obviously if the engineering thing doesn't pan out right away, I will have to find a normal job to maintain.

With that said...the poll...

[SFL Cat]

If you're free and unattached (no gf, sig other, or children), head to California.

[Yossarian]

Minneapolis are pretty slim

Couldn't you work for His Purpleness?

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Yossarian

Couldn't you work for His Purpleness?

Prince is an odd ball to work for. I have a good friend who was the studio manager out there for about a year. He got fired twice, asked back twice and eventually quit because of the bullshit.

While his studios are up and running again, my chops aren't up to those standards yet. They are, but you have to be the best and I am not there yet. Also, you are on call 24/7 when you work for Prince.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by SFL Cat

If you're free and unattached (no gf, sig other, or children), head to California.

No kids but I gots a lady. Funny thing. She lived in SD for 12 years or so. She wanted to move back for some time. Now, with her friend in HB, the opportunity is almost perfect for us.

Also, there is a guy who bought a console from our old studio that is building a studio about 15 mins away from HB. I have been in contact with him and I could do some freelance there if I busted my ass.

All this hinges on my attitude and desire to continue engineering. I KNOW I could make a living out there. I am just a bit fearful of making that a reality.

[Ksyrup]

You should move to Katy, Texas, and become Jay Phebus' apprentice.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

You should move to Katy, Texas, and become Jay Phebus' apprentice.

I met Jay and have talked to him at length. Great guy.

I am not a live sound guy. Never desired to be one. I should, however, talk to Mike Wagener and ask him if he wants some pointers on how to record and mix a good sounding King's X album.

(Actually belong to a forum that Mike is on from time to time)

[chinaski]

i never encourage anyone to move to LA, its one of the most disgusting places in the world imo. however being a recording engineer, LA is one of the best choices for that profession. very tough choice you have. i voted move to cali. :/

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by chinaski

i never encourage anyone to move to LA, its one of the most disgusting places in the world imo. however being a recording engineer, LA is one of the best choices for that profession. very tough choice you have. i voted move to cali. :/

Understood.

As things are shaping up, we would either move to HB or SD. I have to do some research and find out what would be best for both of us. Thanks for the vote.

[Lorena]

Originally Posted by chinaski

i never encourage anyone to move to LA, its one of the most disgusting places in the world imo. however being a recording engineer, LA is one of the best choices for that profession. very tough choice you have. i voted move to cali. :/

Ouch!! 'Disgusting' I think is a bit harsh. Is it polluted, sure; congested, sure; but damn, there's so much to do out there.

[Mustang]

Learn to play the guitar.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

Now, with her friend in HB, the opportunity is almost perfect for us.

Also, there is a guy who bought a console from our old studio that is building a studio about 15 mins away from HB.

It's true. Everybody has a friend in HB.

15 miles from HB? Well, that's considerably further from HB than, say, where Proof was killed. Or where Detox or Ice(Random Numbers) lives.

[chinaski]

Originally Posted by Dodgerchick

Ouch!! 'Disgusting' I think is a bit harsh. Is it polluted, sure; congested, sure; but damn, there's so much to do out there.

sorry, i knew that was gonna step on someones toes. I really, really hate LA. Ive had too many friends die down in that place, that alone kills me. To me, LA society is everything thats wrong with America. Im way over generalizing, there are of course some good people and places down there, i still have many close friends living there. The pollution is about #5 on my list of reasons to hate LA.

[timmae]

a bit off topic but... have you done any work (or know of) Motion City Soundtrack or The Soviettes? Not sure if you just do certain genres of music or whatever... it seems like there's a decent scene in Minny... with triple rock, etc...

[vex]

All trout, all the time.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by timmae

a bit off topic but... have you done any work (or know of) Motion City Soundtrack or The Soviettes? Not sure if you just do certain genres of music or whatever... it seems like there's a decent scene in Minny... with triple rock, etc...

Funny you should ask.

My old boss at Oarfin Studios worked with the lead singer from Motion City when he was 17 and in another band. Can't remember the band's name. Anyway, Todd, my old boss (he was chief engineer at Oarfin at the time) has kept in contact with the guy.

I know the producer that worked on the Soviettes stuff, Jacques Wait.

in bringin the 2 bands together:

Motion City did their album at a studio in LA that is owned by a guy I know. John Kuchor owned a studio in Minneapolis and moved out there about 2 years ago. He was able to bring the band in for tracking. He asked Jacques to engineer the album. Jacques more of an analog guy and didn't know Pro Tools that well. He basically got fired from the gig. My other friend, Eric was flown out to the studio to engineer the album.

that's a lot of info. To answer your question, I haven't worked with those bands.

btw...the scene is good, but there are tons of bands that don't have the money. Triple Rock is a great venue. Emo/new punk isn't quite my forte but I'd be open to most things. It's just not easy for a young, unsigned band to justify spending $500-700 a day on a studio. Out west, there are more studios available.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

It's true. Everybody has a friend in HB.

15 miles from HB? Well, that's considerably further from HB than, say, where Proof was killed. Or where Detox or Ice(Random Numbers) lives.

I guess I missed that joke.


SHIT! you mean you.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Mustang

Learn to play the guitar.

From Ralph?! or Vai?

I play a bit but not well enough. I need to learn to better tell people that they should learn to play guitar.

[Antmeister]

I didn't vote, because I think there are other areas for you to move. Since you are going to be doing freelancing, I would not suggest Los Angeles unless you are confident enough that you will earn an respectable income to live out there. If you move to Los Angeles, you will soon find out that there are only a few areas where people want to live comfortably and they are expensive.

So my suggestion is to move out to where there are a lot of bands looking for an engineer. Hmmmmmm......did you ever consider Austin, Tx. You know the live music captial of the world. It's not as big as Los Angeles or San Diego, cost of living is reasonable and you will find plenty of bands.

Oh, and we may end up bumping into each other as well.

[Lorena]

Originally Posted by chinaski

The pollution is about #5 on my list of reasons to hate LA.

Absofreakinglutely!! That's the reason Antmeister and I left. We lived in a traffic congested area and while going out on walks, we could smell the nasty smoke coming from vehicles so we decided to move.

I was born and raised in L.A., so it will always have a soft spot in my heart. With all the good L.A. has, there's a lot of bad as well.

Originally Posted by chinaski

I really, really hate LA. Ive had too many friends die down in that place, that alone kills me. To me, LA society is everything thats wrong with America. Im way over generalizing, there are of course some good people and places down there, i still have many close friends living there.

It breaks my heart to hear that, I'm so, so sorry. I don't blame you for disliking L.A. the way you do.

[Raven Hawk]

Gotta do what ya love.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Antmeister71

I didn't vote, because I think there are other areas for you to move. Since you are going to be doing freelancing, I would not suggest Los Angeles unless you are confident enough that you will earn an respectable income to live out there. If you move to Los Angeles, you will soon find out that there are only a few areas where people want to live comfortably and they are expensive.

So my suggestion is to move out to where there are a lot of bands looking for an engineer. Hmmmmmm......did you ever consider Austin, Tx. You know the live music captial of the world. It's not as big as Los Angeles or San Diego, cost of living is reasonable and you will find plenty of bands.

Oh, and we may end up bumping into each other as well.

I have always thought about other places (Nashville, Austin, etc). I just brought the west coast up due to the fact that the lady wants to move back there. Wether it be SD or HB.

I see it as a challenge that I am eager to take on. I am confident in my abilities and pressure to survive has brought me success before.

Added to the decision are the 2 studios I have ties to out there. I can't say that for any other region.

[Antmeister]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

I have always thought about other places (Nashville, Austin, etc). I just brought the west coast up due to the fact that the lady wants to move back there. Wether it be SD or HB.

I see it as a challenge that I am eager to take on. I am confident in my abilities and pressure to survive has brought me success before.

Added to the decision are the 2 studios I have ties to out there. I can't say that for any other region.

Ahh, well if you have ties out there, then you are in a better postion that I thought. I grew up in San Diego county as well and understand the attraction of going back. I just wanted you to be aware of the living conditions out there now. Traffic, pollution, competition, cost of living and educational opportunities (except for the universities and richer community colleges) are horrid in Los Angeles.

With that said, since you have connections, the transition will be a lot easier for you since they can teach you the ins and outs of the city. And it would be a great risk if you believe it will advance you in your career. That's cool that you don't want to work for a studio because your success will only be determined by you and not by someone else's bad decisions. I would suggest visiting the city for about a week or two to get a feel for life there before making the decision however to see if this is the best move for you.

[Buccaneer]

I hated and still hate LA with a passion. But then again, most San Diegans do as well.

[Surtt]

Winter....

[Antmeister]

Originally Posted by Surtt

Winter....

What does David Winter have to do with LA?

[Ksyrup]

How about Nashville? That way you and I can get together for shows once we both move!

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Surtt

Winter....

Believe me, I am sad about the thought of missing upper midwest winters. Seriously.

[Hurst2112]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

How about Nashville? That way you and I can get together for shows once we both move!

Weren't we talking about getting a duplex together?

Nashville is not out of the question when it comes to furthering my career.

[Marc Vaughan]

I've always looked at life changing situations in the simplest manner possible.

* If its something which I think I'll look back on and wonder 'what if' then I'll try it, just so I'll know what would have happened.
* If I don't think I'll ever wonder 'what if' then I'm obviously not particularly interested so don't bother.

(yes I know I'm a simple soul at heart )

[ice4277]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Ice(Random Numbers)

There is a method to the madness, you know.

[ice4277]

dola

Kind of like what Marc said, its a hell of a lot better to take the chance now, than spend the next five years wondering what may have been. You can always move back to the Twin Cities, but you may not always be able to move to Cali to further your career.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Hurst2112

Weren't we talking about getting a duplex together?

Nashville is not out of the question when it comes to furthering my career.

Aside from the country stuff, there are several decent artists that come from that area. Nashville seems to have attracted a decent singer-songwriter/power pop scene.