We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Pete Mancini. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Pete below.

Alright, Pete thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

This is an interesting question. I originally started playing in bands to avoid getting a “straight job” and eventually found myself making a living playing music. It was not easy getting there. It is not easy being a freelancer in a society where recorded music has been devalued to fractions of pennies. Live shows are the bulk of my income. I also work part time as an assistant/tour manager to legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb. Getting that gig was a game changer and I have learned a lot. I also have always taught guitar lessons as a side hustle and that all adds up to what I call a “career in music”.

I love what I do. I love playing shows and I love writing songs. The freelancer life sometimes feels like you’re fighting for every penny. Of course I have wondered what it would be like to have some semblance of stability. These are things you don’t think about when you’re young and feel invincible. As you get older you start to see your friends and peers moving on in life and it’s hard not to compare situations. A dear friend of mine once said “to compare is to despair.”

Another friend of mine told me a story about a comedian who was opening for Jerry Seinfeld. He asked Jerry how he dealt with this very question. Jerry laughed and said “you get to be on the stage, if you want a job go get one.” I am paraphrasing but this helped me gain some perspective. I *get to* do what I love and I am grateful for the opportunity.

Pete, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got into songwriting after a friend passed me a note in high school with some songs I had to check out. One of them was “Theologians” by Wilco. If you have ever had the experience of hearing the right song at a perfect time in your life, you know it can be a powerful, transformative experience. Since then, for better or worse, my life has had a singular focus on writing songs. Initial first stabs at tunesmithing were hit or miss, mostly misses. Eventually I got a few songs together and made my first recordings with my buddies. We had a band called The Double Stops. We got a review in a local music magazine and started playing shows. Eventually that band became Butchers Blind. We recorded two albums and an EP. We played some great shows, including a few opening for some national acts like Blues Traveler and Gin Blossoms. In 2017 I recorded my first solo album, Foothill Freeway. Since then I have released 2 more albums and I am almost done with my fourth. I have toured the country and played some great festivals and theatres. I hope to keep doing it as long as I can.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think people outside of the music industry don’t realize how much work goes into writing and recording an album. Sure, you can make a record at home these days, but if you want your music to sound great you need to go to a studio. Once you are there you have to pay for studio time, mixing, mastering, musicians, manufacturing and eventually promotion. This can total up to many thousands of dollars quickly. I think most of the people who use streaming services don’t realize just how little we get paid for the recordings we worked really hard on. A fraction of a penny per stream doesn’t really add up at the end of the day. Some services pay better than others, but the fact remains that one vinyl or CD sale equals many thousands of streams.

If you love an artist and want them to keep creating, support them by going to shows and buying merch. If you don’t have a CD player or turntable, buy a shirt. If money is tight, you can support artists by simply letting other people know about their work. A like/share costs nothing and word of mouth is worth more than gold in today’s attention-based ecosystem.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Contact Info:

• Website: petemancini.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/pete_mancini
• Facebook: facebook.com/petemancinimusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKRe8f2PZN6UENCe3gQNB2Q
• Other: http://petemancini.bandcamp.com https://www.threads.net/@pete_mancini https://www.tiktok.com/@petemancinimusic

Image Credits
Stan Karwacki