Critical Reflection

Here I will reflect on my work placement experience with Michael and the band PaperSailor.

Initially, my goal was to find a position with one of the two established solo artists I had in mind. However, circumstances such as family illness and the coronavirus pandemic necessitated a shift in focus and led me to shadow Michael Wilson, the vocalist/drummer/frontman of the local band PaperSailor, instead. Despite those initial challenges, the experience with Michael provided valuable personal and professional growth.

One of the key skills that I did not foresee I would end up drastically improving was adaptability. Initially, I had set my ambitions to shadow a well-established Italian singer/song-writer Serena Brancale, or the, also widely acclaimed, English singer/composer Tom Rosenthal. My backup options were Carolina Bubbico, Filippo Bubbico and the band Noisy, which were also all based in Italy or England. The non-possibility to travel forced me to adapt quickly to a new environment and adjust my expectations accordingly. By working as an artist assistant for Michael and PaperSailor with tasks such as setting up guitars, editing backing tracks, and inspecting his calendar schedules, I learned to be flexible and responsive to changing situations. In hindsight, I also now realise how having an initial broader choice containing, additionally, local artists or a remote job possibility would have made this assessment more efficient and straightforward.

Furthermore, the placement offered a chance to enhance my time-keeping skills, which were particularly important considering the various life responsibilities of the band members, including familial obligations and employment. Punctuality was essential in ensuring the smooth unfolding of events. I maintained effective communication with Michael through Facebook Messenger, WeTransfer and Dropbox shared folders, ensuring that tasks were completed efficiently and that goals would be met. Keeping track of Michael’s schedule and helping coordinate rehearsals and pre-production studio sessions contributed to the enhancement of my organizational skills.

Moreover, the placement provided unexpected opportunities that greatly enriched my experience. I was pleasantly surprised when Michael asked me to become the lead guitarist of his band PaperSailor. The former guitarist had embarked on a solo project, leaving a vacancy in the band. Michael invited me to give it a try at one rehearsal when my placement was almost over, and to my delight, he was positively impressed with my performance. Currently, we are rehearsing every week, preparing for upcoming performances.

Through this unexpected turn of events, I gained not only valuable experience as a guitarist but also a deeper connection to the band and their music. Overall, my time with PaperSailor has been a remarkable journey of growth and learning, which highlighted the importance of adaptability, perseverance, and grasping unexpected opportunities.

Furthermore, the experience allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of the dynamics within a professional music group of people. The band members, including Michael, had diverse backgrounds, ideas and commitments outside of music. They all had families, and full-time jobs to take care of. This highlighted the importance of effective time management and communication within the band. For instance, rehearsals had to be scheduled well in advance to accommodate everyone’s schedules, and last-minute changes, when occurring, were a real challenge. Learning to navigate these obstacles taught me valuable lessons in teamwork, collaboration and time-keeping.

Continuing my self-reflection, the only skill I was not able to develop during my placement was my know-how of how royalties work. Specifically, I was eager to know how much a modern artist rely on radio airplay and on royalty collections. I am aware that PRS collections are a great way to get follow-up payments after performing, but what I miss to know is how much an artist would gain from radio airplay of their singles, especially when they are signed to a big label.
The band PaperSailor was about to record their next single, but because of my difficult circumstances, I was not able to join them during the studio recording experience. I hope that I will soon come to know more about the unfolding events once their new single will be out and, hopefully, air-played on the radio.

Additionally, being part of PaperSailor’s creative process provided insights into the intricacies of song-writing and performance. I had the opportunity to observe Michael’s song-writing techniques and his approach to writing lyrics and crafting melodies. Moreover, I witnessed first-hand how the band worked together to refine their sound and arrangements during rehearsals. It was fascinating to see how each member contributed to the band’s vision with their ideas and personal knowledge.

In conclusion, my work experience with PaperSailor has been highly educational and revealing. Despite the initial difficulties and unexpected turn of events, the experience has provided me with invaluable lessons and skills that will benefit me in my future music efforts. Not to mention that becoming a PaperSailor band member will offer several more opportunities to grow from now on. From adaptability and time management to creativity and teamwork, I have gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to work efficiently in the music industry. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been part of PaperSailor’s journey and look forward to applying the lessons I learned in my future career pursuits.