Get in a Van and Tour
By T. Perry Bowers
About 15 years ago I attended a Taxi seminar. Taxi is a service that submits music to films, TV, radio and commercials, etc. Music veteran Michael Laskow founded Taxi with the intent of helping songwriters, artists, bands and composers get their music heard by record labels, music publishers, and supervisors of film/TV projects. Taxi looks for opportunities for musicians and posts these opportunities on their site. You can become a taxi member and submit your music to their postings. Michael came to a hotel in Bloomington, MN to give a talk and hand out awards to locals who had some success with Taxi. A member of the audience stood up and asked him if he knew of a sure-fire way to make it in the music business. Without hesitation Michael said, “get in a van and tour for about five years.” He added this isn’t a sure-fire way to make it (because there isn’t one) but it’s the closest thing there is.
Of course you have to be good and run your business effectively. However the best way of making money is playing shows. You can’t just stay in your hometown because you’ll burn your fans out fast so touring around the country in a van is the only way to move forward. There isn’t enough money in any one town to support an original band. Sure, you can play covers in a different bar every night, but if you want more than this you need to get on the road.
If you make it big your life is going to be about getting in a van and touring anyway. Maybe the van and the venues will get bigger, but it’s the same thing. It’s not glamorous to be a musician. Recently I had the opportunity to be backstage at a Soundgarden show. They played the Orpheum in downtown Minneapolis. Backstage was nothing to write home about. They had a few folding tables and chairs and a cooler full of Sprites and Cokes. It was dirty, dingy and uncomfortable. It’s what you have to look forward to even at the top of your game. If it’s what you want, start practicing now.
If you’re in a band trying to capture the attention of an independent label guess what they want to see? Your van and your tour schedule. They want to know that you don’t have anything holding you back from being on the road at least 200 days per year. If your music is earth shattering and you’re an incredible performer, but your life isn’t set up to allow you to incessantly tour, a label won’t give you the time of day. Good business is all about minimizing risk. If you can show a record label that your business model will minimize their risk, they might be willing to talk to you. If you have limitations (full-time jobs, children, responsibilities, obligations) you will be of no interest to the label. Free your life of distractions if you want to be successful in music.
I’m not going to tell you how to choose a reliable van. You can find information on buying vehicles elsewhere. But like everything, start small. Book a show in a nearby town first. Then book two consecutive shows in two nearby towns. Soon you’ll be out on the road for a couple of weeks at a time. Make connections in these places. Scope out the record stores, radio stations and other venues. Use the road as a method to build your circuit.
Collect email addresses and contact info from the bands you play with. Collect email addresses from the audience. Focus on connecting and building. A funny thing happens when you’re on the road. People take you seriously. There is a certain respect given to those who are not in their hometown. It makes it easier to build your business when you’re on the road.
Being on the road can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be. Truck stop food, beer and other substances can make life on the road hell. If you are disciplined and practice moderation you will be much happier and healthier. If you really want to make it you need to be prepared for the long haul so create a strategy to ensure decent nutrition, proper sleep, exercise time and time for yourself; make it pleasurable. While you’re “practicing” being on the road, take a good hard look at this life. Is it what you want? If you are happy, awesome, you’ve found your calling. If you’re grumpy, tired and lonely, be honest with yourself. It’s not for everyone but touring is what this vocation requires of you.
