The Crier

Life of a Working Musician

Aaron Gold is not your average Ann Arbor musician

Lisa Hiatt · The Exchange · Mar 19, 2007

Aaron Gold is that guy with the mohawk. Oversized headphones dangle around his neck as he walks. He spends his summers in Prague and plays the didgeridoo for fun. His demeanor is one of nonchalance and confidence.

And he spins fire too.

His appearance is the aesthetic antithesis of the Wall Street stockbroker, but in many senses, he’s just as business savvy. After three years of studying Jazz and Contemplative Studies at the School of Music, Aaron has learned just as much about working in the music world as he has about music theory. Every gig is a learning experience, and every musician he meets is a possible connection.

In his first year at the University, he went to every show held by the Canterbury House concert series. His regular presence made an impression on Nomo’s Ingrid Racine, the director at the time, and she offered him a job running the concert series the following year. “The more involved you are in the scene, the more opportunities you have,” said Aaron.

His involvement with the performance series has allowed him to gain behind-the-scene insight that most musicians never have the opportunity to see. As the director of the series, he’s responsible for the booking and promotion for all of the acts. “It’s helped me as a musician. I know how to deal with a booking agent because I am one,” he said.

As for the promotion of the shows, he’s responsible for advertising and press coverage for all out-of-town acts. And, as a member of three Ann Arbor bands, he has plenty of experience promoting his own shows. My Dear Disco is the brainchild of Aaron and his housemates. It’s become one of the foremost local dance music acts, alongside the Macpodz. He plays drums and percussion in the experimental jazz group, Symbology, and plays weekly with the Canterbury House Jazz Mass ensemble, Quartex.

In addition to the bands and the concert series, Aaron does freelance work in theatrical productions and recordings. In an interview he stressed the value of freelance work: “It’s important to stay as independent as possible. Bands don’t make money. In freelance, you are hired by an already established leader and it can be very profitable.”

His commitment to music has created job opportunities, and versatility in abilities has allowed him to make money solely from music. Talent alone is not sufficient to survive in the music industry. “Music is about performing, not practicing…you can have music chops, but you need social chops. Try to be a good, positive person to be around. You have to be introspective to not be the asshole in rehearsal.”