Ode to the Tour
Why do we tour? So many reasons. I sometimes get asked this question, but how often do I ask myself? Well, here we go.
For me, some of the reasons have changed over the years and some remain the same. There are obvious reasons (well at least to musicians): to attract new audiences, to prepare for an upcoming recording session (no better way than shedding the tunes night after night on stage and then talking about them during the day), presenting recently recorded material. Yes, yes, and yes.
And, early on I realized that touring was a way for me to explore the world, through music and with friends. So much fun! And as I get older, it has become a spiritual retreat for me, where I immerse myself in music for a short period of time, and return to my family and work, with a filled musician’s heart and soul.
At this point it is almost indispensable for me. On tour, I wake up, go for a run, get breakfast with bandmates (who happen to be some of my closest friends), then check out music stores, get coffee (talk about life and music for several hours) and then play all night, while meeting new musicians along the way, in different towns. Conversations on the road and over meals go like this - keto?, to tax preparation for musicians (do you have a spreadsheet, what does your’s look like?), to heated debates on music language and form, to detailed discussions of our running routines and loops (even our shoes and strava profiles). Maybe getting a tutorial on your bandmate’s pedal board. Spending time with long-time bandmates and new ones, hearing about their lives, their inspirations. Then in the afternoon, unloading the van all together, some may say that’s a spiritual activity, other’s - a hassle. I try to think of it spiritually. Zen and Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (that’s one of my dad’s favorite book). Sometimes that works, sometimes not.
And after the gig. One close musician friend who lives in NYC likes to go out each night and see the scene in different towns. We say, “but you don’t like jam bands.” “It’s a bar scene….” “Another jam session.” And he says, “it’s perspective on the music world, and I love taking it in.” Sometimes I go back to the hotel room after the gig, listen to music, inspired, then crash. Sometimes I go out and get my mind blown, by a whole new scene of musicians, a whole new world. Both great.
Every once in a while the stars align and my family can come, and experience it along with me. To see my daughter inspired by music, by musicians, to see my partner enjoying the world through this lens, all the better! Then we go back to the air bnb and cook dinner together (even after he breaks his nose after jumping in the river with one my bandmates)!
I can only tour once a year or so, but it’s part of my make-up. I love traveling, don’t get me wrong. I love a vacation on the beach. And I also love touring! And sometimes, if you are lucky, you can combine all three! Thanks, Andrew, for making it happen!