Travis Vega: Blog

This is a topic mainly talked about with fellow musicians, but its a very public topic as well and I think this will help gain insight to the interesting life of a career musician. I am talking about Two A-Day gigs, as I like to call them. Two A-Days are two gigs in one day simple as that sounds but complex as it stands. One question is often asked in the inner circles is "how do you get those gigs?" I never have the answer, or even a quick response, I base it on business attributes but its also more than that. Instead I will discuss how to achieve such work and how this careful balance needs to be handled, from booking all the way through nutrition of day there is a lot that goes into it.
 
Here are a few steps that I take that help me book Two A-Days...
*Nothing beats great playing/signing/performance, this should be the bottom line in any situation.
*Great customer service, your business side needs to shine here, everything from contacts, call backs, emails,     [...]

I think I hit that moment when I feel that my latest project "New Language" has got some ground. I have 12 tracks that are making the cut, I might have to let them breathe with a few more performances but my overall feeling more than likely will be confirmed. This past weekends performances at Lodi Wine Cellars put the spotlight directly on these new songs and boy did they deliver. I have been really honest with this process and now I am starting to enjoy the vibe of all the tracks together. 
 
It will be time, very soon that the melodies and improved lines will be committed to tape, which will lead to a whole new vibe that excites me so. I am already thinking about the next CD after this one and I might be getting ahead of myself but with all this fun I'm having I can't contain it. For me it boils down to the audiences reaction to the music and I have NEVER had this much attention. 

Its around one month since my last blog and in that time a whole lot happened, most of which I can say with total confidence a lot got done! For many people Christmas time is filled with shopping, family and a little R &R, but for some musicians like myself this time of season is one of our busiest. We get contracted to perform a slough of gigs, so be it in the elements or in a nice warm private party, either way there is a ton of music going around.
 
This season marked my fourth Christmas/Holiday performance which extends from Thanksgiving Weekend to Christmas Eve at Lincoln Center in Stockton Ca. Every year I look forward to performing there not just because of spreading holiday joy, but also the staff from the management all the way to the security are truly wonderful people which I can't say enough about.
 
Wrapping up the season is always bitter sweat, I look forward to the new year, but treasure the moments, the conversations and camaraderie at my time in Lincoln Center. [...]

Here is the latest news on my new projected CD "New Language"..... Ten compositions are already hatched and I am auditioning these live at my shows which are getting great reviews from the audiences. I am beyond thrilled as this project has major fuel in the latter stages of composing and recording. The need to continue to compose is there, so I truly don't know how much material I will end up with, this is a good dilemma to be in. However I do want this CD to get done ASAP, but I have to take the time to do it justice. 

If you see me out performing these new compositions please feel free to let me know what you think!!!

This past weekend was fruitful. Three gigs in three days is a blessing but getting through them can be challenging. I try not to look to far ahead when it comes to these types of scheduling, I notice that if I do I build anxiety within myself and stress over the little things. One of the key elements from letting myself stray is to remind myself that I need to focus on the day and task at hand, allowing me to prepare better for anything the day has in store for me. Perseverance gets me through the schedule knowing that if I take it one day at a time I could tackle the whole weekend with a steadfast resolve.
 
Its a practice of how I live my life daily, to persevere through the challenges, make due while always moving forward.