Yeah, that's a good point...

[ He's tempted to ask "do you have any other skills to survive in the meantime" but that seems rude. But then a lightbulb goes off. ]

You could try performing where people aren't actually listening to you! [ The wide grin on his face is earnest, even though it defeats the purpose of a performance. ] Y'know, like a crowded restaurant where everyone's talking too loud! Then you can get paid just to learn the songs.