We Want to Tour the North East of the States *Need Advice*

[Jazzin']

So my bandmates and I (excluding the drummer) have discussed doing a mini tour and road trip around the North East of the States this summer. We have not told the drummer yet just because he is so hard to get in touch with; he never answers his phone. We discussed some of the problems that came up, like how would we bring all our gear with us, where would we sleep, how could we manage to afford this, etc...

The thing is this would probably be a a fun road trip first and a mini tour second. The drummer's father owns a used car dealership and can probably hook us up with a van. The guitarists father lives in Connecticut and could get us gigs in his locale. We could sleep over at his house when we are in that area. He also owns a trailer which he could bring up to Montreal prior to our trip which we could then use to store and transport all our gear for a road trip.

What I ask from my fellow TBers is some advice:

1. Is this sort of thing worth it? Even if we lose money, will the fun and experience we get out of it worth it?

2. What should we do regarding gear transportation? Especially since it's over the boarder. Do we need to declare our stuff at customs? Is it wise to transport gear in a trailer?

3. Should we be paying great deals of money to sleep at hotels, should we sleep in our car, or should we just stay in the Connecticut area and sleep at the guitarist's father's house? What other options are there? (maybe motels?)

4. We would like to play at some bars in downtown places like Manhattan. How can we go about doing this?

5. We are a not very well-known jazz/funk band from the Montreal area. We want to get gigs at bars in the US. How do we get gigs set up at bars we've never been to? How do we know which bars to look for to gig at?

6. All you TBers from the North East area, please give us some locations (bars or halls) which you have gigged at or seen a gig at that would take a jazz/funk band. Location, name of bar, and also a phone#, email or website if possible.

Any advice is welcome. Also if you have any questions about our plans or our band, feel free to ask them. Thanks.

[brianrost]

First thing to know is it's already the middle of May so most clubs are already booked through the summer. You need to plan summer tours in the winter!!! Especially with the level of planning you need to get across the border.

Answers:

1. Yes, a road trip is worth it just so you can get a taste of what it's like, the good AND the bad.

2. If you are coming from Canada into the USA you'll need work permits!!! Yes, customs on the gear will be a big hassle.

3. The Northeast is a pretty big area, staying at a house in CT may still be a 2-3 hour drive from each gig. Motels are $$$$, forget it. Sleep in the van or try to line up a crash with folks from the venues.

4-6. I'll pass on but getting gigs in NYC is unbelievably competitive. You'd be incredibly lucky to get a non-paying opening slot on a Monday or Tuesday.

[Jazzin']

Thanks.



Bump for mother's day.

[Jim Carr]

Think bars at beaches!

I am not a booker or a bar owner. But I have played all over New England (yes, that's what we call it) and the Mid-Atlantic states, but it was 30 years ago!!! Beaches and towns by beaches are were the people are in the summer.

Check out Cape Cod, and coastal resort areas in Newport (Rhode Island), Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and of course Connecticut. Forget NY, although there are lots of beaches on Long Island and in NJ, those gigs are very very hard to land. Get on the phone. Have an online PR package with sound clips.

This is going to be a money losing deal for sure, but if you have the capitol and can line up 5 or 6 gigs, try it. Get insurance up the wazoo, draw up a band agreement, and make a serious money plan. Deal with communication issues within the band, pronto!

About border rules, do a lot of research and get all of it in order in advance. As far as work permits are concerned, that is a big issue. If you can get help from one of the venues, take it.

You might consider coming with minimal gear and getting the rest here. Rent it, or sell the used/new stuff....good luck!

[Jazzin']

Haha. Thanks. Now I'm getting discouraged.

[ntimkovich]

tours are fun, but you will lose money unless you have a REALLY good booking agent, or you have REALLY good friends.

i totally recommend going on tour. it's an experience you will never forget, for better or worse. booking it yourself is very difficult -- be prepared to spend many many hours calling people who will not call you back. MySpace is a good place to start -- I booked a tour out west with a lot of support from MySpacers.

camping out is a good way to save money, and bringing a big cooler with lots of food is another great money saver. the northeast is pretty closely packed compared to the western states, so Gas may not be a big issue for you.

above all, find a good vehicle and be prepared to compromise. nothing ruins a friendship like weeks in a car :0

good luck!
nick

[Bass Boy]

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

Haha. Thanks. Now I'm getting discouraged.

If you aren't yet, wait until you start dealing with the border/customs! Are you in the Guild?

[Jim Carr]

Originally Posted by Bass Boy

If you aren't yet, wait until you start dealing with the border/customs! Are you in the Guild?

Bring instruments, snare, and cymbals. Rent or buy the rest.
Go by automobiles & a van.

[Jazzin']

One final BUMP.