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let me start this off by saying, i am having fun. i get to do what i love, meet a ton of good people, a few weird-beards and a handful of bad apples, but hey, every day is a new adventure. and in the most simplest words, thats what tour is, every day a new adventure.
some days i wake up on a couch or a floor or in a clean hotel or a filthy one. its something ive been doing on and off for over a decade in one form or another. no matter how many times i hear, "oh, you're still doing THAT?!?" i never get tired of it. sure, ill complain about certain aspects here and there, but in the end, if i didnt love it, i wouldnt do it.
that being said, touring is not getting any easier. one would think that with the paths that have been blazed along the way by forefathers, the advent of the internet and a community (or "scene") that is growing in popularity and acceptance that shit would be simple. A to B to C to D. in some aspects, it has gotten easier. instead of depending on lazy or shifty promoters to get out there and do their damn jobs, YOU can now get online and promote more effectively with a blast of myspace bulletins rather than designing flyers, paying to get them printed then going out and hanging them in stores and at shows. kind of a bum out for purists but shit, its a hell of a lot easier, quicker and cheaper. but the one thing that has fucked touring more than any changing trend, is the economy.
i was told by a civilian friend just before i began my pre-sale for my new book to not expect to sell as many as i had before. i instantly thought this was just some hater comment and i snipped back with, "why would you say that?" she said, "no, no offense. its just that the economy is effecting everyone."
i hung up the phone and thought, well, it might effect your business but i highly doubt its going to effect MY book sales. but... it did.
now, you can say well maybe you're falling off, chris, or maybe the bands you like are just putting out shitty records, or maybe people just dont like art anymore. but im sure you know a band or some kind of artist out there... ask them how "business" is going. see, when money is tight, the first things to get "cut", are the expendables; shows, cds, manicures, books, lapdances and art sales.
i have some friends. some are in bands, some that promote, run clubs, design shirts, record bands, print shirts, and write for magazines. some you may have heard of, most, not. every single last one of them have seen falling ticket sales, declining music sales and have taken hits in merch sales.
its not an easy time for artists.
the last time i did a US tour, gas was half the price it is now. that means, if i want to drive in a tiny little 4 cylinder car from chicago to NYC and back, it will cost me $300 in gas, plus shitty hotel if i cant find a place to crash. so when i coast into your town on my tour, it is costing me literally HUNDREDS of dollars for me to just stand in front of you. im not looking for a pity party or a pat on the back, but remember that when you see a little band in front of you on a stage. see, me, i just roll in, open my suitcase, sell some books and roll out. bands, on the other hand, have to carry a bunch of dudes, equipment, merch, set up, tune, play and HOPE someone buys their shit.
wondering why those little bands you love arent coming to your town? well, because no one is showing up. and when no one shows up, no one pays to get in and in turn, no one buys things.
YOU are directly responsible for a band or an artist or this community to thrive and succeed. these things you love, whether it is a painting, a band or ahem, an author... can not survive without your support. if an artist you love has played a meaningful role in your life; a song or an image or a word that has affected your life in a significant and positive way, it would be an awesome gesture if you went out and supported. even if you cant afford to buy things, to just show up and stand there is sometimes enough to make someone smile. just to know that there are still people out there standing by artists in tough times, it makes the drive to the next city that much easier. and please dont think that all people are assholes and take your support for granted. for every douchebag who believe in their own "fame" and trashes a backstage dressing room, there are 4 others that talk about how awesome it was that you knew all the words or took the time after the show to come up to us and tell us that you think what we do is cool.
so for those of you who have come out on this tour, thank you. i make a point to stick around every night and talk to everyone who is willing to talk to me. some nights im tired. some nights im cranky. some nights im hungry. but after ive done my 90 minutes and hugged all the people i can hug, i ALWAYS get back in the car and say, "well, i had fun."
because that IS what it is all about.
sure, the bills need to get paid and the gas tank need to stay filled but you know what, i wouldnt do this if i wasnt absolutely in love with what i do.
they say, "do what you love and the money will follow."
but they never say how long it will take.
 
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