Since so many musicians who have truly made a name for themselves through their music have began to branch off in other directions: writing, painting, clothing design, producing, etc., I thought it would be interesting to address this. Most especially for touring artists, taking on new projects and spreading yourself too thin may jeopardize the time available to be put into musical development and performance. Yet so many of today’s big names have found a way to cramp more than the mundane twenty-four hours into a day, and they are living out their dreams one at a time, progressing past “just being a rock star.”
Peter Wentz, Fall Out Boy bassist, released a book entitled The Boy With the Thorn In His Side, not to much avail, but much more successfully than if I were to publish a book for sale at this point in my life. The story may not have been award-winning, but his fans are dedicated. He has also started his own record label, his own clothing line, an art gallery, and a night club. He is the true definition of musician entrepreneurship.
Less Than Jake, as a band, started Sleep It Off Records in 2008. They are one of MANY rock bands and hip-hop groups to begin their own independent labels to cut out all of the middle-men and excessive costs that are constantly threatening musicians.
Colin Fragicetto, guitarist for Circa Survive, has designed t-shirts for sale, and most recently has put prints of a recent painting of his up for a price as well. Fragicetto, who is not a big name on his own, has been able to attract the Circa Survive fan-base in order to make some extra cash on the side.
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker’s clothing and accessory line Famous Stars and Straps a.k.a. Famous has been going strong for ten years now, and stood through his unstable music-career moves. The clothes have become popular amongst musicians and extreme sports athletes.
Finally, Andrew McMahon, Lead singer of Jack’s Mannequin (and initially of Something Corporate) River Apparel, his self-proclaimed high-end clothing line for which he designs clothes he and his friends would like to wear. He’s straying away from t-shirts and printing on polos. Andrew has also started his own record label.
If you know of any other artists who have reached out into professional realms beyond their creation/performance, feel free to share about them in the comments section!
Post by Jillian Polak - Meet Me
A young aspiring writer who enjoys all kinds of music, most especially alternative rock.
