MY LIFE AS A PRODUCER... PART 1

Never in my wildest dream, have I imagined myself to be a concert producer...

It happened so fast I am still catching my breath, and pinching myself just to make sure I am not hallucinating or under the influence of alcohol. And yes… I am sober as ever. But I am getting dizzy over all the work and things to be done now that I am a producer.

Last year, I got addicted to watching several bands. Kamikazee… itchyworms… sandwich… and my super fave… sugarfree. After a while, I realized, everytime I bar hop and watch these bands, I get so excited, adrenaline rush talaga! When a thought suddenly pop into my head… why don’t I produce a concert featuring these bands? If I am so addicted to them, why don’t I make a living out of it. Its like hitting two birds with one stone right?

But along the way, I encounted HUGE problems. One, when I got to know the itchyworms and specifically Kerwin, their manager, and opened this wild idea to him, he just said… “mahirap maging producer”! I was hurt, it was as if someone rain on my parade, pop my big red balloon! Although I understood kerwin’s point, it came at a time that my writing career was at its lowest… when I am not enjoying what I am doing anymore… so I was kinda sensitive at that time.

Two, financial problem. When I asked Kerwin for his band’s rate, I got the shock of my life. How the hell will I be able to pay them. Pfftt! There goes my huge red balloon… The light bulb on my head just went black!!!

Although the idea of producing never left my mind. It lurks like a shadow from behind. And the more I think about it, the more exciting it becomes – to the point that I get sleepless nights thinking about it.

Until I had a coffee chat with a friend, Ambie… I sort of blurted the idea to her, and she didn’t laugh. Actually she liked the idea and it made me soooo happy. And from then on, she guided me in this new endeavor.

Sometime in January, I think it was the second week, another idea came into my head. I can still see the scenario…. I was lying on my bed, Ads was sleeping and snoring when it hit me! Bang!!! I like to do a post valentines event. Not for lovers – but for the single girls and boys out there who are alone and lonely during valentines. With a bonus fortune telling for all my single audience [thanks gretel for the inspiration]

I got so excited, that I remember myself hating ads for sleeping because I cannot share with him my idea. The next morning, I contacted a friend who’s into aura reading [ironically, she’s the same person who predicted that I would eventually venture into a business this year]. She liked the idea, recommended a bar where I can stage my event. I called up the bar, set up a meeting with the owner. The next day, I have a concept, a proposal letter, a fortune teller, a bar.

It was happening so fast I’m having palpitations. I also have 2 bands – which took me a while to confirm. One band is so hectic that its giving me a 2am sked. Another band is asking for a very huge amount for TF I cant afford it.

Until… words of wisdom from people who knew how to run this kind of business. I can push through with the event but I will have a hard time looking for sponsors. Usually, events like this are planned 2 months earlier. I only have 3 weeks! This time, the light bulb on top of my head, didn’t go black, it crushed into multiple pieces that I cried ouch!

I’m still up to the challenge… I thought at that time, my brilliant concept will make up for whatever little working time I have left. I got myself a name from DTI – CREATIVE JUICE. Processed all the papers needed, even if I have to wake up at 5am just to go to DTI [thanks again gretel, pardon my being zombie at that time, am not a morning person you know]. Two bands are already confirmed.

But the cold water that suddenly put off the fire and passion I am feeling for the project, was when I received a text from the owner of the bar, and he’s changing the bar fee, into a very huge amount that obviously I cannot afford.

Without a venue, I cannot push through with my event. Now, I am feeling all the pressure. Now, I have to get back to the bands, postpone my deal with them, inform my media partner of the postponement… on top of this I am dealing with a double episode in Homeboy – one is live the other one is scheduled as the last taping – I have only 3 hours of sleep – and now this terrible news. I am back to square one.

My biggest learning – never to trust people who show you a smiling face… no deal is closed until all contracts are signed!

I feel so down… but I won’t be stopped from this producing thing. I am serious, this is not a joke for me… by hook or by crook, I am pushing with this event.

Fast forward to February 10 – God is good… I have a new venue, far better than the venue I had before. My tickets will be out on feb 14. I have people reserving tickets now. I still don’t have a sponsor, but I am praying that they will soon come. My papers are all fixed.

My life as a concert producer… where is it heading… will this be a one-shot-deal for me… or will this be the new career I will be pursuing… abangan ang susunod na kabanata!