Craigslist strikes again.  Or, rather, L.A. strikes again on Craigslist.  Things like this are what keep me checking in on it so regularly.

Music Industry Intern Needed

Date: 2011-02-03, 9:45AM PST
Reply to:  [deleted]

Los Angeles based singer/songwriter is looking for a driven individual seeking hands-on experience in the music industry. This internship will give you first hand experience in music venue booking, artist management, public relations, and high level communication with managment team. This individual must have knowledge of local Portland music scene. We are only interested in individuals that are willing to commit to atleast six months of service. Must be interested in pop/acoustic/folk music.

Though this is an unpaid internship, we will compensate the individual a percentage for any booked gigs. Further details are available.
Please attach resume to replied email.
School credit is available.

Thank you.

 

Riiiiiight.  This kind of ad may fly in L.A., which is where the person posting the ad is from, but Portland is definitely not L.A.  Any ‘driven individuals’ who are likely to have that particular set of ‘high level’ skills are most likely going to be other musicians, who will already be using those skills in order to further their own careers, rather than doing all of the busywork that musicians everywhere hate doing for themselves.

I hope the ad works for them, and that they find some poor, unsuspecting college student who will do what they want.  I just can’t imagine anybody being fooled by the spin, that’s all.  The L.A. schmooze machine drives me up the wall.  A musician from New York would never post an ad like this, with that imperious tone, as if they’re doing someone a gigantic favor by allowing them to experience the behind-the-scenes of the music industry by doing a bunch of thankless, shitty tasks.  Give me a break.

Maybe I should place an ad like this on Craigslist in Seattle, asking for someone to help carry my instruments around whenever I play up there.  “Although this is an unpaid position, the individual will be compensated with a drink ticket for every two instruments schlepped.  Must arrive hours before each gig to accommodate sound check.”  Maybe I should just pack up and move to L.A.  If I’m lucky, I might get to learn what the music industry is like by doing somebody else’s work for free.  If the stars align in just the right way, perhaps I’ll be able to have my own music career, and then, God willing, I can dangle the carrot of college credit in front of someone, so that they can call around and find places for me to work and play.

This is gonna be great.  I can hardly wait to start my new life.