City or Sea: where should a musician live?

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It's a debate that rages within every musician. I've lived in 4 countries in the past 3 years, and here's what I think.

As I sit here at my table, early on a Sunday morning, I'm thinking about what I seem to be thinking a lot about these days - where is the best place for a musician to live? There is an endless line of things to consider, and the process of adulting (sometimes reluctantly) can be overwhelming. Where do I start?

Livin' in the country

Back in 2012, I was still living in Texas. I had just finished my music degree, I was burned out and fed up. I lived in Tyler, Texas, which is probably as cultured as the vanilla yogurt in my fridge. That may not be a fair assessment - after all, we did have the East Texas Symphony which played...occasionally...and we had touring groups come into the Cowan Center on a regular basis. Tyler, Texas, is about as cultured as any podunk university town, so you can't blame it for the lack of culture.

Me as a dead opera singer in the university production of Ghosts, circa 2011

Living in Texas was cheap, and the vast amount of state parks meant that I always had somewhere new to get inspiration. I draw energy from nature (not in some voodoo metaphysical way, but in an emotional way of recharging and clearing my head), and my time in Texas was incredibly prolific, composition wise. I spent a lot of time studying scores and learning, developing my skills for later use.

We had opera workshops, we had musicals, concerts, recitals, all the usual suspects of a music program. We had recital attendance requirements like most programs - but if you wanted to see a professional opera, or a symphony that played more than 3 times a year, you had to make the long 2.5 hour drive to Dallas. We had virtually no public transit, and certainly nothing that went into the city. I waxed poetic about wanting to live in an urban area that had endless choices for concerts, public transit, and opportunities for young musicians.

Setting up downtown

Over the next 3 years, I lived in Vancouver, Dublin, and now London. While I loved the delicate balance of Vancouver, immigration restrictions meant that I was limited to a one year work visa. I loved being a 20 minute bus ride from downtown, and a 20 minute ride in another direction to the mountains. In all actuality, Vancouver is where my heart is, but because humans are hell bent on making it impossible for other humans to live in countries they weren't born in, it's unlikely that I'll get back there anytime soon.

Living in London has its perks: the West End, countless new music gigs, opportunity, public transit - you name it, we've got it. I'm all about last minute gigs, and the fact that I sing with the London Philharmonic Choir is an amazing, enriching experience that could never be duplicated.

A wild food market has appeared, what do you want to do? Run away? Fight? EAT.

A photo posted by Angelina (@themusicshark) on Mar 14, 2015 at 7:07am PDT

Above: catching some food between rehearsals at the nearby Southbank Centre

And yet, I'm still not satisfied: tickets to gigs are astronomically expensive, my transit is outrageously expensive, and the combination of smog and concrete is enough to drive any creative into madness.

So what's next?

I recently wrote a post over on Polonious Sheet Music about how not to ruin your music career - and in it, I talk about how you shouldn't move to a city because you think you might have better opportunities, because life is fickle and you never know what's around the bend. It may be better to take a step back and really take stock of your life. (Link to post)

I think every musician struggles with the debate of country vs. city. We make pro/con lists that include everything from rent prices and employment opportunities to where the nearest park would be and how long it takes to get into downtown. It's a huge decision, figuring out where to live, and musicians with families have even more to consider. 

I can't make a decision for another musician just as much as someone else's plans wouldn't fit my life. All I can do is give a gentle reminder of things to consider, as a musician, when deciding where to live. Ask yourself these questions - I hope it helps.

1. Where do you feel your most creative? 

2. How long are you willing to commute? 

3. What's the most important project you have in progress or in the cards? 

4. Who would you be able to collaborate with if you moved?

5. When do you have to make a decision? 

The answer

There isn't one, not really. For me, I've learned that while I adore the culture of the big city, I need an escape to remote locations to get my groove back. Obviously, the only real solution for me is to win the lottery and have a house in the city and another in the woods. 

...but seeing as that's unlikely, I'll be thinking a lot about spending more time in creativity-friendly locales. Sometimes, we just need a little peace to regroup and reconsider our lives. I'll let you know when I find it - because I haven't yet. 

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