i guess a lot of my viewpoint on living off of music DOES have a lot to do with being from the US. the cost of living has just gone through the roof and artists/musicians have never garnered much in the way of respect or wages in the states unless you are some sort of pop idol, which most people aren't. i have known a few people who have managed to live overseas and done fairly well, as the cost of living seems comparatively lower there (i only have hearsay to base this on, obviously).

so admittedly i am a product of my environment...i concede that. i guess living here i have seen everyone i know, even those i considered "successful" constantly struggling, so that is all i know, ya know? no health insurance, no public transportation in many cities (lots of sprawl and rising gas costs...and even tho i know the rest of the world doesn't have cheap fuel, i have been told mass transportation is more accessible in other countries), and a rising gap between wages and cost of living makes it DAMN hard to live comfortably here and just pursue your music.

so yeah...i gotcha, crime. seeing the world through american eyes again...i admit even my well-read ass can get a bit myopic when it's what i deal with everyday. :(