2008 Woodie Awards
Confessions of a music junkie
Keeping the dream alive
By: Devin Davis
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Sloan Tash graduated with a degree in Recording Arts from Chico State University in 1999. He went out and got a job. And three bands.
"I wanted to stay in the music business," Tash said. "I wanted to have a band, but you can't rely on the rock-star dream."
As a sound engineer, Tash works with other musicians in the Chico area at many different venues. He also occasionally travels with bands as an engineer.
"I'm lucky that I have a job that I really like, and you do have to pay the bills," Tash said. "Last night I could have worked, but instead I chose to play a gig."
It can be difficult to play in a local band, wondering if you are ever going to escape your town. It isn't just a simple phone call to get a gig in the city. You have to get name recognition and get noticed, Tash said.
"You've got to love playing in a band because it can be frustrating at times," Tash said. "Having a job gives you a safety net, something to fall back on."
And that is the bottom line.
Giving up your dreams isn't something that has to happen. Being a rock star is unattainable for most, but that doesn't mean you can't try.
Tash is doing his best, although he is doing it outside of Los Angeles.
"I don't want to live in a big city. I hate L.A.," Tash said with a chuckle.
"The rock-star dream is always there, but for now, Chico has a cool music scene."
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"REM did it, Mick Jagger did it, and you can too."
So you want to be a rock star?
"You have to be a musician with talent, of course, but you also have to have lots of motivation... not just normal motivation, but crazy off-the-charts motivation."
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