The ‘New Normal’ is here to stay, so we’re giving you five creative ways to bring back touring as soon as humanly possible.
The spread of COVID-19 has changed the music business in ways we never imagined. Fans and artists alike want things to go back to the way they were before March 2020, but that is a fantasy. The past is dead, and no amount of begging or wishful thinking will resurrect it.
We live in a new reality where the old way of doing things no longer works. We can either complain or adapt, and we at Music Biz believe change is always a positive. Discovering new ways to do things challenges us to be more creative, more inclusive, and more understanding. All of that is something we as a species could use more of right now.
The biggest obstacle the music business faces right now is touring. The vast majority of artists make the bulk of their living by being on the road. There have been no tours for the last three months, and there is only a handful currently scheduled for the fall. Those that are daring to step out and perform again do so with the knowledge their dates may be canceled when the “second wave” of COVID-19 takes the US by storm this fall.
With all the questions and concerns surrounding touring, it’s easy to understand why so few feel comfortable announcing or discussing their plans at this time. Still, the conversations around live music are ongoing, and the fan demand for talent has rarely, if ever, been higher than it is right at this moment.
In this episode of Music Biz, host James Shotwell shares five ways touring can resume in the near future. No solution is perfect. At least one is inarguably terrible. But all these ideas need to be considered and at least attempted if we have any chance of discovering what works best for everyone.
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Touring is an increasingly important element to a successful music career, but getting on the road too early has inevitably lead many promising talents awry.
There are few things more exciting or fulfilling than being on tour. Not only are you afforded the opportunity to perform your music for people who want to hear it, but you can see the world as well. Being on the road allows musicians at every level to see how the rest of the human race lives, and through doing so, many find the inspiration to create their best work.
There is a catch, however, and it’s a big one. Artists who attempt to tour before they have the right elements of their career in place are destined for hardships and failure. You may be able to string together a tour, and you may be able to make a little money doing so, but unless you have plans in place you will, eventually, burn out before your dreams of success in the music business come to fruition. It has happened a million times already, and it will no doubt happen a million more in the future.
In this episode of Music Biz 101, host James Shotwell breaks down the five (5) things every artist and group needs to do before they consider getting on the road.
Holograms of Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly are touring together this Fall. That’s right, holograms are now invading the competitive live music marketplace.
The music industry will always find new ways to make money. Anyone needing proof of this need only know that this Fall, for the first time ever, Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison will be touring together! The two deceased music icons have been resurrected through the power of holograms, and none of us are able to stop someone from trying to cash in on their image in the year 2019.
Today, March 26, news of the impending Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison tour made headlines worldwide. The Rock ‘N’ Roll Dream Tour, which will run through North American and Europe simultaneously (because the stars are not real), launches this Fall. It is the first-ever musical hologram tour, though it will feature a live band and backup vocalists.
Roy Orbison Jr. had this to say in a press statement about the connection between the two musicians:
My father’s music meant the world to not just us Orbison’s but to millions of fans worldwide. Being able to reopen his legendary songbook and again hear his voice bounce off great concert hall walls is both a transcendent and cathartic experience. Dad jammed with Buddy in Lubbock Texas and helped change music history by turning Buddy on to Norman Petty Studios; Buddy later returned the favor by recording two of Dad’s songs on his first Cricket’s album. How beyond cool and special that these two great friends, now get to tour the world together.
Buddy Holly’s widow Maria Elena said:
Buddy and Roy were Texans who shared a mutual respect and admiration for each other’s creative musical genius and brilliant songwriting abilities. I am proud to work with a company like BASE Hologram. Their long-time fans and a new generation of fans will now have the opportunity to see these great legends perform together in a unique setting, showcasing two of the finest, most influential, and beloved artists in music history.
Orbison’s hologram made its live debut last year on a tour, while Holly’s has been in the works for a while.
Threats of holograms going on tour have been circling the music business since a projection of Tupac made its ‘debut’ during Snoop Dogg’s set at Coachella 2012. It looked something like this:
Looks pretty good, right?
The response to the Rock ‘N’ Roll Dream tour could determine whether or not similar tours features other iconic musicians happen in the future. There have been mentions of ‘resurrecting’ everyone from Elvis to Prince, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and even Michael Jackson (though Leaving Neverland may change the likelihood of that last one). Those names, as well as others, could easily sell tickets and generate additional revenue for the families or companies that own the artist’s music/likeness rights.
It’s not likely to be a concern anytime soon, but the rise of holograms could present new challenges to entertainers trying to make a living from live music. If holograms take off, there will be increased competition in the marketplace. Much like tribute acts, holograms offer consumers a chance to see big names for a fraction of the cost to see the actual performer.
On the other hand, the proliferation of holograms in the live music space could also create new jobs. All these performances will require musicians to fill out the sound, and one has to imagine there will be new careers for people able to run and troubleshoot the hologram technology.
Whatever the case, the future first imagined in science fiction works such as Blade Runner is finally here. We might not have flying cars, but we do have the chance to see legends long gone perform once more. Details on how you can see Buddy and Roy can be found on the tour’s official website.
We have made it something of a holiday tradition to find a band we believe them and ask them to detail their safety tips for life on the road in the dead of winter. Bands of all sizes have contributed to this series in the past, and the latest is none of other than fast-rising rock act Civil Youth. Enjoy!
Hello everybody! Civil Youth here to tell you
everything you need to know when it comes to touring during the winter months!
Weather you’re a band or a fan, here’s a side to touring most people might not
think about when driving to their favorite group’s next show….
Smart Routing
-If you’re still an independent band or have any sort of say with your
booking agent, be smart when you’re routing in the Winter months
– If you can be “out” of the storm states as much as
possible and as financially feasible as possible, DO SO. There’s no reason to
stay only north in the states when you can circle the south and stay warm at
least half of the time…
– Look ahead before you travel. Don’t just plug in the next show via GPS
and go. Make sure you’re not taking any highways or roads that are too
dangerous for your vehicle and it’s trailer. Think “how would a trucker
navigate?”
We’ve certainly learned from experience trying to come east through Denver
during January. You run the risk of hitting a storm like we did and getting
trapped on top of a mountain in Vail, CO…
Clothes
–
Tour packing is always “as little as possible” but think about unpacking the
trailer in 10 degree weather and the venue hasn’t turned their heating on yet…
–
Bring gloves, hats, boots and those little warming pads you can essentially put
ANYwhere. They come in handy more than underwear.
–
If you’re smart with your routing and have some hot southern states, don’t
forget about those. It’s a huge jump having a tour start in Florida and end in
Colorado. Pack 80 cold / 20 warm
– Tons of blankets for your feet, if you’re sleeping in the car still, and for
the window to keep as much cold out as possible. (If you’re not idling all
night)
– socks on socks. Once your feet get cold, theres no turning back. Bring double
socks and extra shoes/boots
Van Essentials
– Make sure your vehicle is in top shape, Oil changes, transmission fluids,
antifreeze, windshield wipers and their fluids, good battery
There’s been times where our antifreeze leaked and we had no heating until we
had an off day and took the car to the shop. Waking up in Flagstaff with snow
and no heat SUCKS. We also wasted SO much money 🙁
We also had a bad battery one tour and every time we stopped I had to jump the
van which made me stay out in the cold even longer at 2 am… not fun, especially
in sketchy areas.
–
Tire tread is in good condition and you have chains. Never know what crazy
storms you can hit
– Ice scrapers because no one likes to get snow off of the window with old
boxers
– Lights you can hang in the trailer so you can see during load in. It gets
darker faster in the winter. The quicker youre out of the trailer, the quicker
youre getting to warmth.
Extra
-Coffee,
Emergen-C, Tea, water
These are usually a given, but people tend to get more sick during the winter.
Being on the road when you’re sick is literally the worse thing next to dying.
– Portable grill if you’re hardcore and like to grill in the cold like Evan. He
was a boy scout so get at us.
– Extra car fluids just in case.
– Spare tire and jack
Most importantly:
Be smart
and careful. Shows are what we live for, but if one needs to get canceled, it’s
not the end of the world. Your safety is first. Drive slow, smart, and allow
extra driving time to your next show due to weather, traffic, etc. Don’t get
trapped on a mountain like we did during a blizzard and had to call emergency
service to get us down.
A lot has been written about the supposed dire state of the music industry, but truth be told there are a number of successful and growing companies, including record labels, that are thriving in 2016. In this column we bring together every job opening we can find from the companies responsible for building the future of the business and present them to you, our reader, in hopes of aiding you on your journey to join the global music industry professional family.
Each week we scour the internet for the latest and greatest job postings throughout the music industry. You can help us better serve our community by sending any job openings you find or have to james@haulix.com. Be sure to include the name of the company hiring, a detailed description of the position being offered, a desired start date, contact information, and any additional supplemental information you feel may be needed.
Job summary: TIDAL is looking for New York City’s best producers to manage key company initiatives which include exclusive artist releases, multi-dimensional marketing programs and TIDAL X events and livestreams. Programs are multi-faceted in nature and require cross functional coordination. Ideal candidates will present the ability to breakdown work packages, assess level of effort, and choreograph a subsequent plan of attack. Producers are required to make crucial decisions, often under pressure, and therefore must exemplify a solutions-first approach. They are passionate about process, advocate for great ideas, and seek flawless delivery from start-to-finish. Tidal is seeking people at a variety of experience levels and all are welcome to apply.
Job summary: We are looking for a smart, ambitious, and hardworking Sales Coordinator to join our team based in the Los Angeles office. In this role, you will provide administrative support but also work on a variety of sales and marketing programs across teams in the West region. You will work closely with the Global Revenue Organization and report directly to the Vice President of Sales for the West Region.
Job summary: The Associate Manager, Music will assist Vice President of Music & Production full capacity. The Associate Music Manager of On-Air Promotion is responsible for the procurement and selection of popular and needle drop music, creative direction of original songs, organization and communication with all music production libraries, facilitating music licenses and clearances, developing data for music budgets and reporting of all promo music used for royalty distribution.
Job summary: The Marketing and Communications Manager operates within LOUD’s Production and Installation Marketing team to manage the strategy and execution of all elements of customer-facing mass communication, including electronic and print media, social media and events (trade shows and demos). This position combines elements of creative (content generation), management (of the department) and strategic responsibilities that will drive the company’s appearance and message to the market.
Job summary: The Executive Assistant will assist the SVP, Global Digital Accounts and VP, Research & Analysis with day-to-day administration and supporting tasks related to the preparation and distribution of pertinent department tools & reports to the Sales & Marketing organization.
Job summary: In this dynamic position, the Marketing Coordinator will serve as key component of the marketing team, acting as the administrative support point person for Capitol Music Group’s marketing department. The ideal candidate will possess strong administrative, organizational, and creative skills. Prior marketing and administrative experience in the music/entertainment field is required.
Job summary: ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
Performing live broadcasts that are entertaining and informative.
Preparing and researching for broadcast.Protecting the station’s FCC license.
Monitoring the music and commercial logs for the airshift.
Ensuring that promotions and contests are executed properly.
Operating the control board and performing production work.
Making personal appearances at station events and remote broadcasts.
Create and maintain station(s) website content including email blasts, uploading and editing of audio and video for web use, blogging, loyalty programs, contests, etc.
Design new templates as needed using the content management systems utilized by CBS Radio.
Job summary: As an integral member of the Corporate Sponsorship team, the will play an important role in the maintenance and fulfillment of LA Phil’s corporate program at the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Job summary: The International Marketing team provides international exploitation services for all US based frontline labels within Sony Music USA.This role is a Manager Level position with a potential for Director Level depending on experience. The candidate will be responsible for the development and execution of international marketing and promotion campaigns for Sony US repertoire.
Job summary: As a Digital Marketing Manager you will be part of the Growth and Retention marketing team at Pandora. You will work cross functionally internally and externally with our agency partners, media vendors, brand marketing and marketing analytics team as well as other internal stakeholders to bring our direct response programs to life. We are seeking an experienced candidate that knows performance marketing inside and out and can handle end to end program management including campaign strategy and ideation, tracking and deployment, and can provide campaign insights and results. This role will also include all ad ops responsibilities including trafficking and tracking of campaigns to ensure they meet internal KPI’s.
Job summary: Warner Bros. Television seeks a Director, Music for the TV Music department. To service the clearance and creative needs of the WBTV and WHTV shows, including song placement, acquisition of rights, fee negotiation, and hiring musicians and singers for scoring/recording sessions. Negotiates music library blanket deals and provides back up on artist and writer waivers, Step-Out Agreements and Certificates of Authorship.
Job summary: One of Live Nation joint ventures is seeking a Digital Marketing Coordinator who will support continued development and growth for a diverse roster of artists. Responsibilities will include supporting the digital marketing team, drafting social copy, executing promotional campaigns, designing and implementing creative marketing plans, securing digital retail merchandising, facilitating requests between partners, managers and artists and maintaining artist web and social platforms. This Coordinator will be responsible for shaping both digital strategy and the execution of plans, including social media publishing, on a daily basis.
Job summary: We are presently looking for a Music Editor with knowledge of popular music for a temporary, short term assignment. You must be detail-oriented, self-motivated, and comfortable with technology, and able to maintain focus on tasks and deliverables under tight deadlines.
Job summary: CAA is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve in a support role within our Music Touring department, consisting of Country, CCM, Contemporary, and EDM music. The ideal candidates should be motivated, quick-thinking and open to working in a fast-paced environment while performing administrative tasks. The individual should be flexible, highly organized and have the ability to multi-task. This is a great opportunity to learn the music touring business, as the position can lead to other opportunities within the Music Touring department.
Job summary: he A&R Department operates as the primary source of talent scouting and record making within Warner Music Group. It is A&R that allows us to locate and sign new talent and continue making records for currently signed artists.
Job summary: We are a Brooklyn based music startup, studio and production space. We’re building an app that will offer cultural institutions and artists a new set of tools for the distribution of good music. As one of those cultural institutions, we are also launching a label of our own.
We’re looking for someone to spearhead our marketing strategy. That someone is philosophical about messaging and analytical about results. Cares deeply about music and the people who make it. Is passionate about technology, can keep up with the speed of innovation. Wants to be a part of something positive, and can infect others with their excitement about it.
Job summary: Red Bull’s Artist Marketing department is a team of passionate, arts-driven creators and curators committed to inspiring artist development and innovation in music. The Artist Marketing Manager role at U.S. HQ is focused on artist- and industry-facing custom projects that develop and sustain the brand’s high volume of artist relationships. He/she is an excellent project manager first, an expert at converting creative ideas into realistic timelines with actionable tasks that deliver tangible results. Secondly, he/she is a creative manager with diverse music taste and a solid network of 1:1 music industry and artist relationships.
Job summary: The Coordinator, Warner Music Artist Services will assist the EVP, Warner Music Artist Services, and SVP, Warner Music Artist Services with day-to-day administration and supporting tasks.
Detailed Job Description/ Responsibilities:
Manage executive’s calendars, answering phones, schedule meetings, arrange conference calls, book travel including domestic & international flights, hotel, & transportation, and ordering supplies, etc.
Submit, track, & maintain travel and entertainment expenses.
Plan and coordinate both domestic & international team meetings.
Plan, coordinate and take notes of account and internal meetings.
Aide in the preparation and dissemination of business reviews, Spreadsheets, and ad hoc PowerPoint presentations.
Job summary: The Chief Marketing Officer will oversee all marketing, sales, communications, and customer service functions of the Atlanta Symphony and Atlanta Symphony Hall. In addition, the CMO is responsible for coordination of customer experience with the Woodruff Arts Center team. The CMO will report to the Executive Director, and will be charged with the following overall responsibilities:·
Managing all Atlanta Symphony (ASO) earned revenue streams· Developing and implementing strategies for earned revenue growth across the organization
Overseeing ASO, SH, and ASO Presents (ASOP) brand and imaging in the community and worldwide
Ensuring maximum net profit from ASO popular, special concert, and Chastain Park and Verizon Amphitheater programming
Job summary: A Magic Leap Audio Generalist is a well-rounded professional capable of doing everything necessary to sonify an interactive experience. From working with producers and collaborators to conceptualizing the audio direction; recording and directing dialogue; conceiving and creating music; creating and gathering sound effects; and integrating it all into a realistic, effective and compelling interactive audio environment. The ideal candidate embraces the technical challenges that arise at the cutting edge of a new frontier in computing.
Job summary: We are looking for an outstanding Sales Planner that will join our US Ad Sales team in Seattle. You will be responsible for assisting the full sales cycle from pre-sales through campaign execution. You must be professional, organized and motivated as well as have the drive to succeed in a start-up environment. You will be a reliable support resource who can anticipate client and sales team needs. This role includes analysis, planning, research, project management and brainstorming. Above all, your work will impact the way the world experiences music.
Job summary: The Manager Fan Engagement & Channel Management position exists to (i) ideate and implement artist specific social media, web, and direct to consumer initiatives on behalf of a designated roster of Warner Bros. Records’ artists and (ii) drive fan acquisition, engagement, and retention across all social media platforms. The position will be the main artist contact for all digital fan engagement initiatives.
Additionally, the Manager Fan Engagement & Channel Management position will have a high degree of visibility across all company departments and will manage all aspects of specific WBR artists’ social media projects to ensure all details of the initiatives and goals are delivered in a timely and concise manner. This person will manage timelines, budgets, content/product development, and marketing for the various platforms.
Job summary: We are currently looking for someone who enjoys maintaining productive working relationships, servicing others and listening to gospel music!
On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, host James Shotwell calls Drew Holcomb to discuss his guest’s long history in music. Drew is the frontman for Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, a group which has now been making music and traveling the world for more than 12 years. Drew shares his journey in music, as well as how he met his wife, Ellie, and offers listeners a few hints about where he may take his music in the coming months. Medicine, the latest full-length from Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, is available now wherever music is sold.
The music in this episode is provided by Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors. The opening song is titled “American Beauty” and the closer is called “The Wine We Drink.”
You may already know this, but ‘Inside Music’ is now available on iTunes! Click here to subscribe.
If it’s your first tour, your mind is racing at a thousand miles an hour. You have visions of what you’re going to do while on the road, what you’re going to sell, and what the lifestyle will be like. That said, before you pack another box of CDs or pair of shoes, here are the top three things the experts advise you not to overpack to make your van a little less cramped and your tour a lot more enjoyable.
1. Merch
Yes, you want to have enough albums and T-shirts to last the entire tour, but too much merch takes up a ton of space, and can be a pain on your back and your wallet. Brooklyn hip-hop artistRabbi Darkside remembers, “First time out, I brought, like, 300 CDs. My bags totaled something like 55 kg! Paid a price, too, literally. Flew Ryanair from London to Germany and didn’t realize the luggage weight limits were so low. Ending up spending an arm and a leg to get all my bags to our first destination.”
After that experience, and touring with J-Live, he says, “I’ve studied how people pack, kept track of my own sales, and learned to bring a reasonable amount that turns a solid profit margin. I set realistic sales goals for shows, and cap the amount of physical product.” He also notes that certain items sell better in certain areas: “Having vinyl, especially overseas, has been clutch for me since 2013. I try to pack as many double LPs and seven-inches as I can, and I still can’t bring enough.”
Rabbi Darkside adds that Dropcards come in incredibly handy. “A hundred and fifty of them take up as much space as 10 CDs,” he explains, and although Dropcards retail for less, “it more than evens out because their overhead is so low.”
When it comes to merch, if you’re planning on hitting the road in the near future, start paying attention to how much you sell at shows now, and be realistic about how much you’ll need to take on the road with you.
2. Clothes
Just because you’re going to be gone for a month doesn’t mean you need to pack a month’s worth of clothing. Kristen Marie of the metal band Conquer Divide remembers this being an issue for her band, saying, “We brought way too many clothes on the first tour, and I think we’ve definitely learned how to condense down to the essentials. We also had a giant wardrobe closet in the trailer, which was nice, but took up way too much space.”
Phoenix based hip-hop artist Mega Ran starts his tours with as little clothing packed as possible. “I’ve now realized that packing more than two pairs of socks or T-shirts is pointless. A simple stop at Walmart will do fine for socks, and you’ll pick up tees from the bands you play with at the shows.”
Rabbi Darkside seconds this, saying, “Wherever you’re going, and for however long, you only need clothes for a week. Have some dedicated performance pieces and running/exercise gear.”
SpaceLAB Recordings founder Jake Palumbo adds that the one time he packed too much in the way of clothing, “it made my bags heavier and landed me additional baggage fees when it was time to fly back home, not to mention [it was] annoying carrying [it] on the crowded subway when I got back to NYC. If I’d used my noodle, I could have washed my clothes at almost any hotel we stayed at, and saved money and space.”
3. Exercise equipment
While we like to emphasize the importance of staying healthy on the road, there are smart ways of doing it, and there are cumbersome ways of doing it. Thomas Becker of Kansas City rockersBeautiful Bodies remembers one tour experience that exemplified the latter: “I am throwing my singer [Alicia Solombrino] under the bus here, [but] she decided she wanted to stay in shape on tour, so she brought a personal trampoline on tour with us. The thing took up half the trailer and knocked equipment over day after day. In the end, she only used the thing once on the tour. We now have a ‘no trampolines on tour’ rule.”
Anika Pyle, frontwoman of the Brooklyn punk rock band Chumped, adds that if you don’t already have a workout routine, on tour is probably not the time when you’re going to start one. “I bring my running shoes every time in hopes that I might motivate myself to conquer my laziness and go for a run,” she says. “Never gonna happen.”
Adam Bernard is a music industry veteran who has been working in media since 2000. If you live in the NYC area, you’ve probably seen him at a show. He prefers his venues intimate, his whiskey on the rocks, and his baseball played without the DH. Follow him at @adamsworldblog.
The post you’re about to enjoy was written by Lance Waste, vocalist and founding member of the indie punk band Darling Waste. Lance has spent more than a decade of his life building a career in music, and along the way he has been able to secure some amazing opportunities, including multiple song placements on major television networks. Through it all however, Lance has struggled to continue chasing his dreams while barely making enough to pay his bills and keep a roof over his head. Still, where there is a will there is a way, and in today’s guest post Lance shares the biggest lessons he has learned from his time in music.
After you read Lance’s words, please head over to Bloody-Disgusting and watch the new video from Darling Waste. From there, follow the band on Twitter and give them a ‘Like’ on Facebook. Helping one another succeed is the fastest way for any of us to make it where we want to be, and we thank you for helping us help Lance further pursue his dreams.
Hi there. My name is Lance. Over the past 12 years I’ve been in an indie rock band. I’ve also ran a record label, ran an artist management firm and worked for various labels and management firms. A couple times over the years I’ve been approached to write books on touring or marketing your band and various things like that, but I’m really no expert and I’m not sure I have much to contribute that hasn’t been said a thousand times before. This is a list you’ve probably already read before, and you will probably roll your eyes at how obtuse and general these “Lessons” are, but I promise, they come from a place of honesty. If you follow them, you will succeed.
1. ART COMES FIRST. ALWAYS.
BE ORIGINAL BUT BE ACCESSIBLE. DEFINE WHAT YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU STAND FOR. Work harder than anyone else. be obsessed. The first thing I will say is this. Always put the music first. If you want to be romantic about it, art is the reason we are doing what we do. If you want to be practical about it, you are selling a product. That product is your music. It doesn’t matter how good of a salesman you are or how flashy your pitch and branding is, if the product ain’t there, nobody’s buying. Spend time thinking about who you are, what your music wants to say. Find your voice. Find that line between being original but being accessible. Don’t ape your favorite bands. But find a perfect blend of your influences while finding your original voice. Be tireless in perfecting your craft.
2. LEARN HOW TO PROPERLY RECORD YOUR MUSIC
There are no short cuts while being a DIY musician. You’ve got to write the songs, perform the songs, find like minded individuals who want to play your music, teach them your music, sometimes even write their parts for them and sometimes even teach them how to play their instruments.
When it comes time to record you need to know your stuff as well. You could pay to go into a studio but the reality is you probably won’t have a good enough budget to get the sound you are looking for. So get a DAW, get an interface, get a couple of decent mics and start recording. Just like anything, practice makes perfect. Be diligent. Can’t get the sound you want? Unsure of how something works in your DAW? Youtube it. The answers are all there.
3. BOOK AND PROMOTE YOUR OWN SHOWS
Booking shows in your region is as simple as doing our homework and putting in the calls and emails. Often times I look up bands that are slightly larger than mine, I research their tour schedule and contact all of the venues and promoters they are working with in my region. I ask for available dates and send them a one sheet. Make sure you follow up. Don’t ask for more money than you are worth. If you can only bring 5 people to an out of town show don’t ask for $100 for gas. Why should a club or promoter pay out of their pocket for you to live out your rock n roll fantasy? Take door splits. Ask for food. You may lose a little money the first couple times out but nothing burns a bridge faster than getting a big guarantee you didnt earn.
4. PLAN YOUR LIVE SHOW
Growing up, I loved music, comedy and magic. As i got older, I realised something they have in common: Each artform takes something that involves a ton of preparation and makes it seem effortless. In jazz, you can’t improv and solo before you have mastered the basic track. This is true for live music. You can’t have those “magic moments” during your live show if you don’t have your songs down perfect. Your will see your songs begin to evolve and take on lives of their own the more you play them. Over the years I learned to drive to the next town after the show. This way we would be hours early to the venue. We would have time to meet locals, promote the show, do radio interviews, lineup in store performances and get a great sound check. All while not being rushed or stressed for time.
We play roughly the same set each night. We play around 45-60 minutes if we are headlining and 30-40 if we are opening. We have our first three songs and our last three songs practiced perfectly. They stay the same each show. Then we add in songs to the middle as needed. Before we start our tour we think of what type of set list we would like to have. We plan our lighting schemes (we use foot switches, smoke machines and work lights most of the time), and even plan out the segways and interludes between songs. I like to think of our live show as a Vegas show or a Broadway play. I always want it to be an experience the fans will remember.
5. TOUR SMART
You don’t need to stay in hotels. That drains all of your cash. Sleep in the van. Or set up places to crash with your friends,fans and family. Ask the clubs and promoters for places to crash. Also as I said earlier, I like to drive to the next town after each show. Part of the reason is to have a great show the next day in the next town, but part of it is also to save on places to sleep. Rotate your drivers. One person drives for two hours, the copilot stays awake and plays the music. The Copilot is so vital to keep the driver awake and keep you all alive. Everyone else sleeps in the back. Every two hours, rotate. The Copilot drives, the driver sleeps, and every two hours one of the sleepers becomes the Copilot.
Also, try and plan your routes so there are no days off on tour. Nothing bankrupts a tour more than a day off. No income is coming in, everyone is bored and hungry and spending money. Book every day of the tour. Days off will happen anyway. Vans will break down, clubs will cancel, clubs will close unexpectedly.
6. BUY INTO THE LIFE …..
If you are in this to get rich, get out. Save yourself the years of disappointment. Spoilers: you won’t make millions. Especially if you are in a subgenre. My biggest idols barely make ends meet. Lead singers are living with girlfriend’s parents and their children are on WIC.
On the other end of things, you also can’t half ass this life. If you want to work a full time job, have a nice house and a social life, just resign now to make music a hobby. If you are going for the brass ring, mentally prepare yourself for the life of crashing on couches, eating dollar menus and having no real friends or relationships.
Understand that touring at this level is to grow your name and your brand. It’s to show your music to people and to build a fanbase. Do not tour with the frame of mind that you will make money or even break even. If this is what you want out of life. Do it while you can. Do it full on. Take no prisoners.
7. ….BUT NOT THE LIFESTYLE
You are about to run a sleepless, thankless marathon with no monetary reward. No need to destroy your body in the process. The best way to not become an addict is to never start. Don’t cloud your mind with drugs and drinking. You aren’t a rockstar, no need to party like one. Also, most of them die. And being dead probably sucks, so no need to rush to it.
8. REFUSE DRAMA
When I was young, I would watch football with my dad. I love the endzone celebrations. He loved when a player would score and hand the ball to the ref on his way back to the bench. He loved the quote “Act like you’ve been here before.” The older I get, the more I realize how right he was.
One thing I see at almost every local show is the one band (or one member of one band) kicking off. Getting loud and angry over something stupid. Usually time slots, sound checks, drink tickets etc. For some reason, bands think that being the loudest makes it look like you are important. It is absolutely the opposite. The pros have seen it all before. We all want to play right in the middle of the show, in front of the biggest audience, but at the end of the day, we get that it’s just music, and it’s just not worth getting upset over most nights.
This also goes for drama in your band. If something happens on stage, wait until later to discuss it. Nothing is less professional than a band arguing before, after, or god forbid during the show. Also remember that things seem a lot less dire after a good night’s sleep.
9. BE KIND ALWAYS
One of the keys to our longevity is our kindness. Sure there are people I’ve fought with over the years, promoters and other bands who hate me. You can’t please all the people all the time. But I’ve learned the easiest way to exist in the DIY scene is to hold no grudges. There are promoters and bands I don’t work with anymore. Maybe they screwed us out of money or were just personalities I don’t gel with. That’s fine. I don’t hold any ill will. It’s just entertainment at the end of the day. Kindness is important and will get you far. Don’t yell at the sound guys. Don’t fight with the bartenders. Strive to be the nicest guy in the room. Don’t back down on what your band needs to have a successful show. Don’t be a pushover. But find the nicest way to express yourself.
This goes for your fans as well. Don’t blow them off. The cute ones aren’t your personal playthings. Have restraint. And this should go without saying but never ever ever touch another band’s merch or gear. Ever.
10. TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND ENJOY.
Just by writing a song, releasing an album or getting up on stage in front of people ,you are doing something most people only dream of. If you are on tour, take lots of pictures. Keep a journal. Live blog each day. Record your memories and share them with others. This is a very special time in your life. Meet new people. Explore each new town. These will be the memories you cherish for a lifetime and the stories you tell your family for the rest of your life. Remember, live in the moment, don’t stay mad. Band members will quit. People will flake out on you. Your songs may flop. Fans will abandon you. You will make mistakes. Promoters will fuck you over. And it’s still awesome. Take a deep breath, relax and have fun.
For the better part of the past decade Family Force 5 have been known as a genre-defying rock band with a message of positivity too boisterous to be denied. Their music, much like their live show, is a chaotic combination of everything that influences them channeled through a very focused desire to bring joy to the world. That mission is a far greater undertaking than many may suspect, and its one the band has had to work at each and every step of the way. As much as people may claim they want something that makes them feel good, getting music fans to step outside their comfort zone is typically a fairly difficult task. People like what they like, or so they think, and the men of Family Force 5 offer a gateway to new musical horizons.
Recently, the member of Family Force 5 outlined plans for a fall tour that will see them bringing their unique sound and message to fans across the country. This will be the group’s first proper tour since wrapping a stint on Warped Tour over the summer, and the anticipation for their return is palpable in music scenes from coast to coast. To be aware of Family Force 5 is to know there is music that defies classification, and to understand that enables you as an individual to live outside the stereotypes we see everyday. Family Force 5 are a beacon for individuality, and nearly everyone who enjoys their music does so because it serves as a reminder that is okay to be yourself in every situation you encounter. You might not always fit in, of course, but no one fits in all the time. We are all weird in our own ways, but through the music of Family Force 5 we’re encouraged to celebrate those differences rather than attempt to hide them.
It’s probably clear at this point that we’re big fans of Family Force 5, which is why we jumped at the opportunity to speak to the member known as Fatty about the group’s history, as well as their plans for the new tour. It’s a far more serious interview than most of the coverage you will find on the band, but it’s littered with moments of lightheartedness that remind you to never take life any more seriously than you have to because it’s simply not worth the stress. You can find highlights from our conversation below.
H: Hey there, Joshua. Or do you prefer I call you Fatty? I don’t really know what the social norm is in this situation?
FF5: Fatty is awesome..I’ve been going by it for so long that it’s more like my God-Given name.
H: As we conduct this interview there is less than two weeks to go until your next US headlining tour begins. How are you feeling headed into the fall run?
FF5: I’m super excited for this Fall run: 1. I love to play live music. 2. We’re going to be playing a mix of both old and new music!
H: Fun and high energy stage antics are a staple of the Family Force 5 stage show. What kind of training and/or preparation goes into preparing for a run such as ‘Tour Stands Still.’
FF5: Well, that’s a great question! We’ve definitely gotten a routine down by now; while still trying to keep each tour and set unique to the last show our fans have seen. That being said, it usually starts by brainstorming production, IE: Lighting, Backdrops, Music Interludes, stage props, etc. Then, the final touches of our stage clothes really help polish the look and feel of the tour. We try to keep it different every time
H: Many fans likely last caught you live during your time on Warped Tour over the summer. How was that experience?
FF5: We had a really great turn out at Warped Tour! Being on Main Stage was definitely an honor. Not only did our long time fans come out and fill up our signing line, but we also were able to pick up some new FF5 fans and are very grateful for the experience!
H: How does being on a tour like Warped help with marketing versus spending the summer on the road with two or three other artists? Do you find those festival runs help bring in more new fans than smaller tours, or is it a pretty even mix?
FF5: Warped Tour is a great place to be put in front of fans that would have never seen or heard of our band. On other tours we do it’s usually just the people that have heard of us that come out to see us. But, it really is great to see new faces and win new people over.
H: We’re less than six months from the 10-year anniversary of your label debut, Business Up Front/Party In The Back, arriving in stores. You had already been a band for over a decade when that album dropped, but it’s a special date nonetheless. Have you put any thought into how you might celebrate the occasion?
FF5: Yes, I’m going to buy my wife another dog. We already have two.
H: So much about the alternative music scene has changed since 2006. The number of bands who were popular then and are still going today are very few, and even less have managed to make it this far without a significant hiatus at one point or another. With the exception of your brother Solomon (Soul Glow) departing, FF5 has remained in tact and active through it all. To what do you attribute your continued success?
FF5: Hard work, and the LOVE of music! Plain and simple!
H: With all the fun had, both on stage and through interviews, do you ever worry about whether or not people take what you’re doing seriously? I’ve always found that listeners believe there is a fine line between music that is pure fun and music they write off as cheesy or for lack of a better word, silly.
FF5: For us, people are either Hot or Cold. You either love us, or you don’t love us. But I hope you love us. 😉
H: I’ve been fortunate enough to interview members of the band before, and I’ve read quite a few interviews with you and other members over the years, but for whatever reason I never see people talk about your father, Jerome Olds. I’m only 28, but I have loved his music for a long time. “I’d Rather Be Flying” is a personal favorite. Did you spend much time with him on the road as a child?
FF5: Yes
H: The kind of music you’ve created through Family Force 5 is so distant from the music your father made, but I have always been curious if you’ve considered covering him? I think it might be crazy enough to work.
FF5: we have we just have not done it yet
H: Speaking of potential new music, when will the world hear more original creations from Family Force 5?
FF5:we will be playing new music on the tour we are on right now until the new album comes out
H: What is the creative process like for you? Is songwriting a constant process, or something you specifically set aside time to address?
FF5: It’s a little bit of both. We’re always bouncing ideas off of one another; but we definitely set aside specific writing times through out the entire year.
H: I understand every career is different, but I believe there is something everyone in music can learn from a group currently celebrating two-plus decades together. What comprises the ties that have kept the bond between members of FF5 strong all this time?
FF5: Haha, we haven’t been together for two-plus decades…it’s just coming up on one. But, our friendship, family, and faith definitely helps keep us all together.
H: Looking ahead to the future, what are the biggest goals you have for the group? Continued success is the obvious choice, but I’m looking for specifics.
FF5: Consistently creating inspiring music.
H: I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me. As I mentioned before, I’ve been following you for a while and love to see your continued success. Alternative music needs more artists that believe in the power of simply having a good time, which is one thing I believe FF5 promotes, and I’ve always wanted the chance to take a slightly more serious look at the inner workings of it all. So again, thanks. Before we depart, do you have anything else you would like to share?
FF5: Keep comin’ out to shows!! We love the support! And keep livin’ the dream!
This is the most recent post in our ongoing collaboration with SonicBids. For even more advice on life in music, visit their official blog.
It’s a pretty well-known fact that touring is incredibly expensive. Even if your entire band sleeps in the van every night and survives on a diet of nuts and Top Ramen (not recommended), the cost of gas alone can be completely debilitating. And that’s only if everything goes smoothly – there are always emergencies that can come up, such as van breakdowns, gear malfunctions, or medical emergencies. All of these problems will require money to solve.
However, touring is necessary for almost every artist or band that wants to grow their audience outside of their hometown (thus resulting in more album and merch sales). If your tour goes well, you’ll be able to offset the costs through ticket and merch sales at your shows and hopefully have made more money than you spent by the time you get home. The reality of the situation, though, is that most bands end up losing money on tour the first few times they hit the road, and even established acts sometimes have trouble staying in the green.
If you’re a newer band that wants to get on the road, you’ll need to fundraise a lot beforehand and try to find some creative ways to keep the money coming in. Here are four of the best solutions that my groups and my fellow musician friends have tried.
1. Supplement your tour with alternative performances
If your band has talented players in it, you can find additional performance opportunities that will bring in more income.
Touring as an original band is tough. Even if you’re playing at home where you have a decent following, you may only make $100 to $200 at the end of the night (or even less). Unless you’ve been touring for a while, you’ll likely have even less of a paycheck at the end of the night, simply because your payout is generally proportional to how many people you can bring to the gig.
Freelance musicians commonly supplement their income by playing in bar/casino cover bands or background music acts. These bands are often given a guaranteed rate that’s much higher than the typical original band would make on a given night, plus many will still allow you to sell merch. The only downside is that you typically have to play three or four hours, and that you obviously have to play covers.
Why not combine the best of both worlds? If your band has its original set down super tight and has the chance to practice often enough, consider learning a few hours of classic rock, Top 40s, or jazz standards. When you roll through major markets with good music scenes, you perform your typical set of original material, but when you’re playing in some small town in the middle of nowhere, you can book a bar or restaurant gig that can really bolster your tour funds. If your original music sits somewhere close to the covers you know stylistically, you can still sneak in your original tunes with the covers. And again, many places will allow you to sell merch, so you can still attract fans that generally like and will follow your original music even when playing cover sets.
2. Look for additional opportunities to sell your merch
By selling merch, I mean everywhere, not just at your concerts.
If you’re getting into town fairly early, try to work out a deal at a college campus, coffee shop, or local mall where you can set your merch up for a few hours. Offer them a certain percentage on the money you make, or maybe even offer to play a short acoustic set for free. You’ll want to, of course, offer some sale incentive to anybody walking by who hasn’t heard your music; perhaps they get a free CD when they buy a shirt or sticker, or even a free ticket to that night’s concert. If you get creative with it, you might be able to bring in some extra merch sales to help you with food and gas.
The key is to already have a pretty good idea of who your target audience is, and to try to get into a business that your typical fans would inhabit. People sitting in a small tea cafe probably aren’t going to be interested in your hard-rock album, but the folks at the alternative coffee shop or bar next door might.
If your band is into busking, maybe set up some of your merch next to your tip jar. Just like with selling merch in businesses, location is everything. You might be able to rack up a few sales this way as well.
Additionally, you can try to really push your online merch sales when on the road. Try putting all your items on sale or offering special coupons to people on your mailing list. Alternatively, you can try a promotion such as discounting people’s concert tickets if they buy a shirt online and come to the show wearing it.
3. Pick up a freelance job that you can do remotely
If your band is on the road, it’s likely that everybody either quit their day job or is lucky enough to have a job that they can leave for extended periods of time and come back to when they get home. These days, the internet is such a powerful tool that lots of work can be done online, even from the road.
If any people in your band are skilled freelancers in any field, they might be able to do some of their work while on the road. Since they’ll be making their own money, this might allow them to cover their own food or even chip in for gas, thus making things a little easier on the tour budget. Tasks such as graphic design, blogging, writing, certain marketing gigs, and many more can all be done from any location as long as you have your computer with you. For example, I always take my laptop with me when I go out of town for regional gigs, and will use the excessive amounts of road downtime to write some of these Sonicbids articles.
This won’t be for everybody – lots of folks like treating tour almost like a vacation, and try to enjoy their downtime as much as possible. If you’re like me, however, and get restless in the van or sitting in the hotel, picking up some remote work can help out your band, as well as your band’s budget.
4. Aim to play one gig per day
When you’re driving through the middle of the country, you start running into lots of tiny towns that don’t have music scenes. Naturally, if you don’t already have a nearby following, it’s difficult to bring people out to these shows. As a result, many bands choose to skip these towns and sometimes drive longer hours or take a few days to get to the next major market along the road.
Unless you’re playing pretty large gigs that pay you enough to make it from one bigger town to the next (including food and lodging), you’re going to hemorrhage money if you take this approach. You’re going to be paying lots of money for gas, food, and likely a place to stay every day on the road, regardless of whether or not you play. Every day that you aren’t playing is a day of expenses that you’ll have to make up at the next gig. Again, if your band plays large enough shows to cover said expenses, then you can get away with limiting your gigs to markets where you have a following. However, if you’re like most bands that are still fairly new to the touring game, you should really try to have a gig every single night. Even if it’s a small gig that only pays you $20 or $30, that still offsets some of the expenses that you rack up from traveling.
Dylan Welsh is a freelance musician and music journalist, based in Seattle, WA. He currently plays in multiple Seattle bands, interns at Mirror Sound Studio, and writes for the Sonicbids blog. Visit his website for more information.
