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Tiki as a job |
lucas vigor
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2004
Posts: 3453
From: "I've chopped my way through real jungle
|  Posted: 2013-02-04 1:05 pm Permalink
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On 2013-02-04 11:55, Cammo wrote:
"I definitely wouldn't start a tiki band, if money is an issue."
The Buzz makes a great point. I've always wondered what the thinking is behind the Tiki bands. It takes a huge and I mean HUGE amount of practice time, organizing, buying instruments, and even gas to get to all of your gigs. Some of the bands are smart (Martini Kings) and do it on a shoestring and make decent dough by playing a LOT of shows.
What's up with the other groups? What's the goal? It seems like they're losing money every time they play. This music will never be popular enough to sell past the breaking point online either, you can't dance to it and even music nerds barely acknowledge Exotica's existence.
Don't get me wrong; I love Exotica and wish it well, but I just read David Byrne's How Music Works and there simply ain't any cash in the game anymore.
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You are exactly right. Why do we do it? The love of the music. In many cases, we get paid very little, but that money (at least for me) is to pay for the gas, and to bribe the wife....you see, to be allowed to leave the family every week and go play for other people, I better come home with something in my pockets to justify it!
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Hale Tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 19, 2004
Posts: 1413
From: Pittsburgh
| Posted: 2013-02-04 1:07 pm Permalink
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On 2013-02-04 13:01, lucas vigor wrote:
"jack, do you want me to use the spanish accent this time?"
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Huzzah!
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christiki295
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 09, 2003
Posts: 3616
From: LA-2547 mls east Hawaii &5500 Easter Is
| Posted: 2013-02-04 1:39 pm Permalink
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On 2013-02-04 10:03, VeroTiki wrote:
OK--I'm going right to the source of ALL of the Tiki knowledge, experience and passion--you all on TC. I have a question that I hope you can answer. If you could earn a full time living from Tiki, whatever form that takes, what would you do? Any ideas? Thanks in advance!!
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Not so much a job, but starting one's own business.
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Luckydesigns
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 15, 2002
Posts: 1893
From: Costa Mesa
| Posted: 2013-02-04 2:29 pm Permalink
Some 'tiki' bands do very well. Not enough to solely sustain a living on, but a good supplementary income.
And if we didn't play for the love of it, then maybe we're playing music for the wrong reason anyway.
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RevBambooBen
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 12, 2002
Posts: 7198
From: Huntikington Beach
| Posted: 2013-02-04 9:30 pm Permalink
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On 2013-02-04 11:17, bigbrotiki wrote:
I'd be Shag. Otherwise, keep it a hobby.
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Sooooooo True!!!!
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Bamboo Ben
Custom Tropical Decor
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bigtikidude
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 10, 2004
Posts: 8262
From: Anaheim,Ca.
| Posted: 2013-02-04 10:37 pm Permalink
I'd say get into tiki for the fun of it, and to make money as a side job.
There are only a handful out of thousands, that do Tiki for their sole living.
Good luck....
Jeff(btd)
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MadDogMike
Grand Member (3 years) 
Joined: Mar 30, 2008
Posts: 6412
From: The Anvil of the Sun
| Posted: 2013-02-04 10:55 pm Permalink
My dream job would be travel from Tiki bar to Tiki bar working as a "drunk mystery shopper". Of course I'd have to built up a better alcohol tolerance - my one-drink-maximum wouldn't get me very far 
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tobunga
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 12, 2008
Posts: 896 | Posted: 2013-02-05 12:47 am Permalink
Interesting how the replies run the gamut from a straight-forward answer to offering advice on the pursuit of work endeavors and ruminations on the motivations behind what some of us here do already...
I suppose my answer is: I'll stick with making tiki art... I sort of make a part-time living at it already, so I'm half-way there!
Yeah, I guess that's my answer, since my other idea - buying motel and totally tikifying it, complete with a bar/restaurant and gallery - involves me winning the lottery first, which would make the earning a living part irrelevant.
Then I'd start a tiki band.
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Atomic Tiki Punk
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 19, 2009
Posts: 4030
From: Costa Misery
| Posted: 2013-02-05 12:51 am Permalink
I will be there when you open that Motel/Bar Eric!
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Sophista-tiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Sep 13, 2005
Posts: 1598
From: Seattle WA
| Posted: 2013-02-05 6:46 pm Permalink
I've already got the museum thing planned out. I'll let you know if Im hiring. I have a masters in museum studies and the only way to actually make any money working in a museum is to own a traveling exhibit or to be one of the big wigs.http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?topic=21353&forum=1
I make about 1/2 my income from tiki art, but i've been doing it for 25 yrs.
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Atomic Tiki Punk
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 19, 2009
Posts: 4030
From: Costa Misery
| Posted: 2013-02-05 7:43 pm Permalink
I sell my Shelves & frames etc. at Tiki events
& to be honest I don't get what it costs to build the damn things, sooooo
if you got a day job, keep it.
I know alot of Tiki people who make their living doing it and no one is getting rich.
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Mr. NoNaMe
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 10, 2006
Posts: 1866 | Posted: 2013-02-05 9:04 pm Permalink
A theme park similar to Disneyland. This is for adults though. Most "rides" are actually tiki bars. The "rides" with the shortest lines would usually be something along the lines of the Hall of Presidents. The olde timey bus that totes you from end to end of the park because you can't walk any more would be very popular.
There would be regional tiki areas that would make you feel like you were in the Mai Kai, Kahiki or Bali Hai or some such. AND Parrot Head Land where all the Corona drinkers, country music fans and Dead Heads flock to. You'd probably make the most money there! Then there are the South Pacific Islands that would require "jungle cruise" type rides with sharks and headhunters.
I think I've got something here...
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Viva Kate!
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forgotten tikiman
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 18, 2011
Posts: 348
From: Forgotten Tiki Room. Pismo Beach, CA
| Posted: 2013-02-05 9:09 pm Permalink
I would like to have a job like Bamboo Ben. I will fly to Hawaii, build a Tiki bar, shoot the shit, and then come back knowing I'm Bamboo Ben  . Ben is Awesome!!!!! Much respect.
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lucas vigor
Tiki Socialite
Joined: May 12, 2004
Posts: 3453
From: "I've chopped my way through real jungle
| Posted: 2013-02-06 07:33 am Permalink
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On 2013-02-05 21:04, Mr. NoNaMe wrote:
A theme park similar to Disneyland. This is for adults though. Most "rides" are actually tiki bars. The "rides" with the shortest lines would usually be something along the lines of the Hall of Presidents. The olde timey bus that totes you from end to end of the park because you can't walk any more would be very popular.
There would be regional tiki areas that would make you feel like you were in the Mai Kai, Kahiki or Bali Hai or some such. AND Parrot Head Land where all the Corona drinkers, country music fans and Dead Heads flock to. You'd probably make the most money there! Then there are the South Pacific Islands that would require "jungle cruise" type rides with sharks and headhunters.
I think I've got something here...
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I like this!
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AceExplorer
Grand Member (2 years) 
Joined: Apr 03, 2008
Posts: 304
From: Deep in the Jacksonville Florida jungle.
| Posted: 2013-02-06 07:47 am Permalink
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On 2013-02-05 21:04, Mr. NoNaMe wrote:
...The olde timey bus that totes you from end to end of the park because you can't walk any more would be very popular. |
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Replace that old-timey bus with personal reclining lounge chairs on wheels, pushed around by tiki dancer girls with grass skirts and coconut bras (or neither, since you said the place was "for adults," ha...) and I think you've got yourself a deal. Sounds like the makings of a fun tiki event if not a full theme park. We need Bill Gates to sponsor it though -- I think he might need some wild fun and might be willing to spring the $$$ for us all!
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