Friday, March 29, 2024

Solo performance business comes with strings attached

Lance Tigner

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Lance Tigner has a day job which dovetails nicely with his passion - performing music. Tigner is the owner/operator of On The Mend musical instrument repair company, 610 Easy Street in Wenatchee.
He was born in Wenatchee at St. Anthony's and graduated Wenatchee High School back in the day. He took a few trips around the country, played here and there, lived here and there and is now back in the town where he began playing at age 6.
He learned through private music teachers and some college and is "still learning." Tigner has been both a solo and ensemble performer throughout his career and has been in several bands crossing all genres from jazz, big band and rock among others. He's been a solo and ensemble performer "always."
He states matter-of-factly that the toughest thing about being a solo performer is that "there's nobody else to blame."
That gasoline to and from gigs is not the only or even the major expense of being a solo performer. "Strings, equipment, guitar repairs and maintenance, clothing and continuing education," Tigner said, are his main expenses besides the gas.
Putting a value on his time is a matter of figuring "Experience, validity and market perimeters and expectations," into the equation Tigner said. He doesn't have to pay royalties when he plays other musicians' songs and he does write his own music which can be heard on Bandcamp/LanceTigner.com.
Although some venues like theme parks and orchestra theaters require union membership, "I do not perform at those venues," Tigner said.
Tigner locates future performance stages via, "Word of mouth, friend referrals, internet and visiting venues."
He is geographically limited as to where he will play based on population.
"Population matters, although I have been blessed with a large, loyal, local following." Being in business for himself also means the flexibility of negotiating his fee and allowing for possible discounts if a venue wants him to play multiple nights.
Like all artists, Tigner looks around for inspiration and gets it from "Life experiences, mood swings and associations." Admittedly this type of "company" takes a special dedication and focus. Tigner said if he were to give advice to younger musicians it would be this: "Make sure you are committed. Be prepared to sacrifice societal norms. Unless you become rich and famous, be prepared to have a ‘day job’."
Tigner's day job is musical instrument repair and can be Googled: On The Mend/Wenatchee. "I learned this craft to stay in the industry," concluded Tigner. He can be reached at: (425) 770-3268. On the Mend is open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. M-F. Visit him with your "broken" instrument at 610 Easy Street in Wenatchee. The following is his schedule as of now:
Sat Apr 15 10-11:30am Chelan Earth Day Fest. Chelan
Sat Apr 22 6:30-9:30pm Eastside Coffee & Wine E. Wenatchee
Fri May 5 12-1pm Apple Blossom Fest./Main Stage Wenatchee
Sat May 20 6:30-9:30pm Eastside Coffee & Wine
Fri May 26 6-8pm Rio Vista Winery Chelan
Fri Jun 9 6-8pm Rio Vista Winery
Fri Jun 23 6-8pm Rio Vista Winery
Fri Jul 7 6-8pm Rio Vista Winery
Fri Jul 21 6-8pm Rio Vista Winery
Fri Aug 4 6-8pm Rio Vista Winery
Fri Aug 18 6-8pm Rio Vista Winery
Fri Sep 1 6-8pm Campbell’s Resort Chelan

Solo performance business comes with strings attached

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