I’m sorry but being a musician is a job.
> Fat Mike’s main argument — “You are getting into bed with a corporation. You are not an artist. You are an employee.”
He was talking about being an employee, not "having a job". Being signed to a label means that they call the shots, and you record albums when they demand even if you want to tour and you have to write albums that they are happy with.
> them being the favourite band of some of my favourite bands
This is my new feel soo old sentence :(
It comes down to what you mean by "job". As distinct from "work". We all -work- (they certainly do) in the sense that they add value, and are paid for that value.
A "job" though is an indication of who you work for. You might get a job at a bakery, selling buns. You got to work, add value, and are paid by an employer. She decides if you're on the register, or loading the truck, or whatever. You are selling time and she can do (more or less) what she wants either it.
To avoid this lack of personal agency people start their own business. Now "no one tells them what to do". So they don't have a "job" but there's actually more work.
So there's a "job" and there's "work" and they're not the same thing.
The band (correctly) recognised that signing for a label means you are an employee of that label. They may give you some autonomy, but its not all fairies and rainbows - there's a business to feed. So there will be requirements from their side.
Indie bands work a lot more, but they have complete freedom to do whatever however they like. If they serve the customers well, they do well. If they don't, then it reflects in pay this month.
A "job" is when you work for someone else. But when you have autonomy, and do what you love AND make enough to thrive, then you are truly blessed. Its a lot of work, but it doesn't feel like it.