Who's playing tonight?

So, chances are if you're reading this inaugural post, you already know who we are, because we're probably related to you and we sent you the link and made you read it. But on the off chance that you are what's called a "fan" or a "random reader," let me introduce us (the band this blog is about) and myself (the writer of this blog).

"We" are The Staylyns. We are a three-piece rock band based in Austin, Texas. We're one of thousands of bands - maybe in this city alone - who love to play music and do it publicly. We are fortunate enough to do it professionally, though I should probably define "professionally." That means we usually get paid when we play. It doesn't mean we're living on our earnings (yet), but we're not just out there busking, either. We haven't quit our day jobs (yet), but it's more than just a hobby to us. We're trying to "make it" whatever that ends up meaning to us!

Oh, and we write original music, so while we do play a mix of covers and originals at our shows, we're not a cover band, per se. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

I'm Suzy. I play bass in the band and write when I can - this blog, novels, sarcastic Facebook posts, etc. My partners in crime are Johnny (our guitarist, my husband, and the veteran rocker of this band venture) and Joey (our awesome drummer and the one with the best hair without trying). We all sing, we all play our instruments, and we all write songs. I know - crazy, right?! That's just how we roll.

Well, that's who we are! We're "the band" when you go in a club and there's a sign outside that simply says, "Live Music Tonight!"

"So, what's this blog about?" you may be asking. Well, here's what it's not about. We're not Pearl Jam or the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and we're definitely not Taylor Swift, so this blog is not about living the millionnaire rocker lifestyle, a quest for Grammy gold or facing down drug addictions while trying to get through a stadium tour or living in a van. There are tons of books out there with those plotlines if that's what you're looking for.

This blog is about our experiences as a local band playing gigs, producing our own CDs, operating our own business and living for those moments when someone in the crowd sings one of our songs back to us. This is our story of what it's like in the trenches - the ups, the downs, and the "What just happened?" moments. If you've ever wondered what it's like when a band leaves the garage and starts playing for 10 percent of the bar, this is it!