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Double Bass First tour - any advice?

A

Alex Jenkins

Jan 22, 2008
83
0
New York, New York
www.myspace.com
#1
Hey all,

My group is looking to head out on our first tour this summer throughout the Northeastern US. We've got a hot bluegrass trio opening up shows for us and we're a 5 piece acoustic indie rock/folky bluegrass band out of NYC. We have taken care of most of the venues and cities we want to hit and have places to stay in these cities. We're looking to hit Boston, New Haven, New York, Philly, Baltimore, DC, and end up down in Greensboro NC and do this in about a week and a half to two weeks. I was wondering if anyone has any advice for us that has done this before and more specifically, what is the best way of getting around without spending too much money? I believe we'll have an suv and a pickup at our disposal, but that's not for sure yet. Any comments/advice/ideas? Thanks!

-Alex
 
#4
Yeah, advance EVERYTHING 2 days before hand. Always be ahead of your schedule when it comes to the details.

One way to preserve sanity is every time you fill the gas tank, treat it like a real break from playing band van. If possible walk around for 5-10 minutes and get your blood moving. It will do more than ease the feeling of being cooped up in a metal box all day, it can really help clear your head just being away from each others stink for a while.
 
#6
I try to walk whenever I'm on tour, lots of walking in the morning when the rest of the band is usually sleeping. I love that. The other thing for me is to have some kind of knowledge of where to find good, nutritious, sustaining food wherever I'm headed.

If there's a tour bus involved, remember the cardinal rule; "No Sh***ing On The Bus". :D
 
#9
"we'll have an suv and a pickup at our disposal, but that's not for sure yet."

If you have access to an SUV rent an enclosed uhaul trailer for drums, cabs, merch and luggage etc so all the band members can ride together in comfort in the SUV. Theres nothing like camaraderie of being on the road. Put all instruments and heads in the SUV also. It would seem that it would cost more to do this but with gas prices the way they are it well might be worth it instead of using two vehichles. After a few years of touring in a van we invested in a trailer and it was well worth it.
 
#10
Stiggs said:
If you have access to an SUV rent an enclosed uhaul trailer for drums, cabs, merch and luggage etc so all the band members can ride together in comfort in the SUV.
Click to expand...

That's how my band is rolling (we're not on tour but we're a serious "weekend warrior" band gearing up for 2- and 3-night "mini-tours" most throughout the summer). We've got a big comfy SUV that seats everyone in the band, and an enclosed trailer where all the gear rides (sound, lights, backline and personal gear). It's a big hit everytime we have to fill up the SUV, no question, but still cheaper than feeding two vehicles or having to rent production everywhere we play.

Also +1 on limiting the partying. Not only bad for your health and stamina, but can really suck up the profits (priced a fifth of Jack lately?)... and potentially land you in legal trouble as well.
 
#11
- Pack more socks / drawers than you think you will need (in case laundry is few and far between)
- air freshener (for when laundry IS few and far between)
- Headphones and NEW music in your iPod (it will get old quickly)
- Books / reading material
- DC / AC cigarette adapter power inverter for chargers / laptops / etc
 
#12
BrianVengeance said:
- Pack more socks / drawers than you think you will need (in case laundry is few and far between)
- air freshener (for when laundry IS few and far between)
- Headphones and NEW music in your iPod (it will get old quickly)
- Books / reading material
- DC / AC cigarette adapter power inverter for chargers / laptops / etc
Click to expand...

I can see that you Have Been There. Brian speaketh the truth. :D
 

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