He sits alone at a table smoking a cigarette. 

Well, alone and not alone. 

Throughout the day across from him will sit old friends, lovers, his parents, brothers … the list goes on and on. The only limit being who he can remember well enough to be able to still hear their voice talking back to him in his head. 

His circle of friends, all dead. 

The hours skip by as the conversation partner shifts based on whatever memory finds him in between the smoke rings. If the rare happy one catches him, he still even sings. 

But if you were a fly on the wall, watching him from when the sun comes up until the day is done. 

You’d only see a man sitting smoking cigarette after cigarette. Alone.

With nothing. And no one. 

Ep. 26: Two notes on being a gigging musician. – Inside the Mind of Daniel Thompson

I've been playing my songs (and covers) out in public at venues around this area for the past 20 years. In this episode, I give two notes on what you shouldn't ever do as a gigging musician.Check out more of my work at saintofsixth.com.

1. Ep. 26: Two notes on being a gigging musician. 17:36
2. Ep 25: Ego and the music scene 11:25
3. Ep. 24: Stories I don't often tell. 09:51
4. Ep. 23: Mark Ruffalo and the value of a little hope 06:31
5. So you've quit your drug of choice. 11:10

Written by

Daniel Thompson

One-Time

Monthly

Yearly

You know the cliche of a “starving artist”? It me. Leave a tip if you like my work.

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

$5.00

$15.00

$100.00

$5.00

$15.00

$100.00

$5.00

$15.00

$100.00

Or enter a custom amount

$

---

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly

Popular Posts

Around the Scene: Triad, FRED, Moonrise Maidens and moreApril 16, 2026Daniel Thompson

Betsy Ade, Mangata, These Stolen Moments and Old Brown Shoes play weekend showsApril 1, 2026Daniel Thompson

Introducing 'The Sleeping Saints'April 13, 2026Daniel Thompson

Recent shows: The Ivy Ford Band, The Roundabouts and moreApril 8, 2026Daniel Thompson

Podcast: Two notes on being a gigging musician.April 20, 2026Daniel Thompson

Around the Scene: Crys Matthews, Jake La Botz, Nuke Plant Chickens and local micsApril 24, 2026Daniel Thompson

The void will sing us to sleep.April 8, 2026Daniel Thompson

Welcome to the Between (Anthology)December 16, 2024Daniel Thompson

First Friday Open Mic draws out local musiciansMarch 12, 2026Daniel Thompson