Yusif! – TOUR TIPS

The alternative, singer/songwriter, Yusif!, has written some pretty awesome Tour Tips. The Seattle based artist has some tour experience, so he has some awesome tips to share. You can check out his tips after the break.

1 – CUTTING COSTS CAN’T BE YOUR ONLY CONCERN.  I know it’s important, but we really found out on the last 3 week trek that buliding in a few treats and amenities is important, no matter how poor you are, no matter how much money you’re losing!  (i.e. pre-plan a motel for one night, or eating at a Red Lobster, or going to a yoga/fitness class).  That would have made things smoother.
2 – MUSICAL CHEMISTRY CAN’T BE YOUR ONLY CONCERN.  Make sure everybody is invested in the trip, financially too (i.e. I’m not buying your breakfast every day).  If you have even one member who is not into what you’re doing it’s going to suck and be a huge drag for everybody.  Being good at playing music and having musical chemistry is important.  AND: you’re going to be living with these people for weeks, months, (years?) so camaraderie and friendship is important, even if you have to cultivate it on the road.
3 – HAVE SOME SOLID WHEELS AND A GOOD MAP.  Trade shifts driving (make sure everyone has a valid license!), make sure your vehicle is in good shape, and make sure you have an iPhone to map stuff because you WILL get lost, you WILL be late, and you WILL fuck everything up if you don’t have an iPhone.
4 – SCHEDULE SOME DAMN DAYS OFF.  We played 18 shows in 20 days last time.  It was really awesome to do that.  And I’d never do it again.  Treat it like a working week– 4-5 days on (maybe 6 sometimes) and 2 days off.  It’s not only important for morale and keeping energy/spirits up, it’s also crucial to connecting with the community you’re in.  Being able to go out to other peoples’ shows, making some friends in a new place, getting a feel for where you are, it’s all good for musical inspiration AND it all helps you prepare for the next time you’re in a city.  Everybody at the venue might hate your show, but the 2 guys you met at Jack in the Box on your day off might buy your Tshirt and CD and be front and center the next time you play in that town.  Plus, there’s something to be said for just enjoying what you do.  Traveling is cool AND touring is hard hard work, and can be really really tough as a new band, so enjoy the occasional magical sunset.  You’ll be playing shows most nights, so you can savor a sunset here and there!  (Even if you’re completely broke.  ESPECIALLY if you’re completely broke!)
5 – KEEP YOUR COOL.  Sometimes tensions can arise, especially on longer trips.  Touring can be stressful and being cooped up in a van all day can suck.  Plus sometimes reality and random events can make life on the road difficult.  I’m talking parking tickets, getting pulled over (only to be threatened with a $1200 ticket, not told what you did wrong, and then to be let go scott-free! Wow), or even things like getting your gear stolen or losing it, dealing with drunk assholes/hecklers, and anything else you can think of that can go wrong.  It’s important to keep a level head when tensions or problems arise.  Go with the flow, be an adult, and handle yourself with integrity, discipline, and intelligence, and you’ll survive to make it home.  Hell, you might even be able to do it again!

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