The morning I arrived back to work from Hawaii last week, my C.E.O. asked me to accompany him and the HR rep to a private meeting where they announced that I was to be laid off. Its not too surprising -- the company itself is struggling, which is part of the reason I decided to work there in the first place. Seems strange to say that I was hoping for a layoff, but I was. Except for taking a few long-term trips this last year (Europe and Buring Man), this has been the most overworked year I've ever had. Working full time in the day and maintaining a 4-6 gig a month average as a DJ was no easy task. I was seriously burning out.
My story is no different from many DJ's in Seattle. We are all often struggling to work in the off-hours to pay for our passion. It is extremely difficult, given the city's current political & social climate, to allow for the passion to pay for itself. Every DJ is a promoter. Every promoter is a patron. Our fight is not for fame, but for the freedom to play, to dance, and to live.
So I am blessed once again with the financial freedom, if only for a short while, to figure out how to bring more quality music to YOU, my friends and family in the community, and bring back enough to pay my artists and my bills. So if you ask to be put on the list and I say I cannot, please don't be upset. Remember that you are helping myself and the community grow. And if you really can't pay and want to see the show, I will never turn you away. Please chat with me. There's plenty more the community can use than cash.
