Imagine starting work, then clocking off, then discovering you’ve barely made enough money to cover petrol for the drive home. That’s the reality facing many musicians and the subject of an ANU study in partnership with MusicACT.

There is no award rate for musicians, no double time or over time, just uncertainty, prompting researchers at the ANU to examine live music in the Canberra region. 

“Unless you’re a huge famous brand, to get regular work as musicians you have to battle what people might take for granted versus being recognised for the value you bring,” ANU researcher Dr Anna Hartman says. “It’s not just in the live music industry, it’s anything under the arts banner.”

Dr Hartman used to manage a band and clearly remembers when she negotiated for more money – and lost the gig.

“There’s this huge power problem for negotiating for bands that aren’t famous,” she says. “It’s hard for a small band because there’s always going to be another new band that’ll work for free.”

Dr Hartman says there’s a national conversation about having a minimum wage for a gig, however, it’s complex due to the differing reputations of musicians and venue size.

“We want to find out how musicians go about their work – and it is work – and how do you work when you’re producing something the rest of the world doesn’t value in the same way from an economic perspective,” she says. “In France, they’ve got a pension, a dedicated pension fund for the arts.”

Canberra musician Nick Craft, from ‘90s indie pop band Sidewinder, succeeded as a professional musician (with no side-job) but admits being a musician is a “struggle”. These days Nick still releases solo music and is a committee member for MusicACT.

“Some gigs you take a risk by agreeing to take the door takings but other times you’re given a guarantee for whatever’s offered.  The first gig I ever played, the bar owner said ‘you guys haven’t done much promotion, I’m only going to give you $50’.”

That’s not much between four band members, however, It turned out well with the band opting for more lucrative door takings thanks to a legion of fans.

“But there are countless other times when you drive interstate to play for a guarantee and there’s not much of a crowd and you barely make enough for petrol money home. It’s also a gamble for business owners who offer a decent guarantee but the musicians aren’t guaranteed to bring a crowd.”

If you’re a working musician, you can participate in the survey via www.musicact.com.au/anu-research