What if I hate touring?

[KillerV]

I have been touring pretty much non-stop for the last 5 years. The first 2 was with one band and the rest has been with my current band. It's been pretty succesful, to the point where I could make a decent living off it. Even though we weren't a super-high profile band, we actually do better financially than most bands who share the same scene (I'm from South Africa, BTW) But it's become a drag over the last year or so.

 

I find myself getting really tired of the clubs and bars and only getting out of there by 3:00 in the morning, then having to drive home. I started noticing that whenever a tour is coming up I'm not excited about it anymore, with my first reaction being of wishing it away. My wife, who has been on the road with me for the same amount of time (she's our tour manager) feels the same. With the recession going on we've also had a definite increase in venues screwing us financially, which doesn't help these feelings. Not that I'm comparing myself to him in any way, but I can really relate to what Robbie Robertson says at the end of The Last Waltz. "It's a goddamn impossible way of life."

 

The gigs that I am still very excited about are festivals and a charity/awareness thing we've been doing. Our drummer gets epilepsy and we've hooked up with a national epilepsy organisation, who takes us to schools where we do a show for the kids, which is great. We basically show them that folks with epilepsy can lead a normal life and because drug- and alcohol-abuse and violence are among the main causes for epilepsy in their age group you really get to bring them a positive message. We don't get paid for these gigs, but they put us up with great accomodation and spoil us to death on these tours - it's like being on holiday. I think I just get excited about doing something positive with my music.

 

On the other hand I've started making a good name for myself as a producer with a studio that delivers good work for a very affordable price. It's still growing, but the studio is already bringing in almost double what I make off touring each month. I am more excited about this than I've ever been about touring and my projects are almost all succesfull in terms of sales and radio/TV airplay. The studio is also much more comfortable and I don't have to be away from home all the time.

 

I guess it comes down to having always dreamt about being a touring musician, but it not being all it's made out to be when that dream realized. I'm worried that if I let it go now I'll wake up one day and regret it. I don't want to stop making my own music, but I'm not sure I want to tour anymore. I also still feel very strongly about getting my music out to the rest of the world, even if it's not on a massive scale. My wife and I also found out that we're pregnant just over a week ago (it was planned, btw), which puts everything in a different perspective.

 

I realise that many people would give a lot to be in my shoes and I don't want to come over as spoilt or ungrateful, but I am a bit confused as to what I should do from here on. I would appreciate any advice.

[nuclear arsenal]

especially with the money and baby, i'd focus on the studio work, and tour only when you feel it.

[tom_s252]

My experience, having just come off two of the busiest musical months of my life, is that you have to really love the music you're playing to make everything else worth the bother. If the hours you spend on stage are so utterly life-affirming that you can put up with the crap accommodation, working hours, long drives in the middle of the night etc., then you won't be asking the questions.

 

The people matter, too. As it is, I'm edging closer to leaving my band all the time; the music just ain't good enough to make everything else go away.

[BlueStrat]

Touring does get tiresome in a way that only those of us who have done it for extended periods of time know about. I got burned out after a little over three years, going out for 4-6 weeks, coming home for two days to a week (usually gigging while home) and back out for another 6 weeks.

 

At first it was fun, but the third or fourth time through an area got to have a 'I've been here, done this before' sameness to it. And that's when I realized: without a breakthrough to the next level, it was just going to be a never ending cycle of playing the same 6 or 7 states and Canadian provinces for years. The money wasn't bad (we're talking 80s here, when I was in my 20s making 350-500 a week in 1980 dollars with my rooms and usually one meal a day covered) but unless you have a concrete goal and you're working toward it, touring can be a trap that can become an end in itself, and become just like any other job.

[BlackBelt]

Like everything in life, ones musical career continues to grow. Touring is fun when you do it the first time...then as time goes on it becomes work. Then most just do it to promote items and make a living.

If your career has evolved to doing the studio/producing work you mentioned, it's probably time to close the chapter on touring. Not that you couldn't pick it back up if you had too, but it's probably time to move on to other things that spark your interest and excite you musically.

BTW- It's awesome that your wife not only supported your touring, but was working with you. Thats awesome!

Just my opinion...

[KillerV]

Thank you guys. All very wise words. I think something BlueStrat touched on is a reality for me at this point: Without a significant breakthrough to outside of the country I live in at the moment, this is it for me. I'm touring a lot all over the country and I'm making more money than any of my peers, because I know how to run a business. But the idea of touring and actually doing it are two completely different things. I hate getting sick everytime I'm back home, no matter how good I tried to eat or sleep, only to recover by the time I have to leave again. And, like I said, the recession hasn't been kind to the venues we're usually playing and there aren't any new ones opening.

 

It's fine while I'm doing it and I love the rush that I get on stage, but I find myself wanting to quit this more and more. I'm just afraid that this could be one of those things that you give up only to regret it later when the oppertunities are gone. I guess I'm also struggling with this thing of not wanting to be a quitter when it's not nice. I'm not the kind of guy who changes my mind easily so it's hard for me to understand how I was once excited about this, but not anymore.

 

My gut tells me the studio work is the way forward and I love it and am excited about it, but I also want to keep producing and releasing my own music in some or other way, apart from touring, and possibly generate some income from it. That's a big part of what I think I need to figure out.

 

PS: Yes, my wife is an amazing woman. I don't think I'd ever be able to live my dream in quite the same way if it weren't for her backing me up the way she does. I'm so excited about raising kids with her!

[Marko]

Reading your posts, whatever you decide now, in short-order, you’re going to quit the touring.

 

You may not be there yet, but you’re very close.

 

I also think having the child will influence the decision.

 

It wouldn’t mean you’re a “quitter”, you’ve simply graduated past that chapter in your life.

 

All the best with your family and future endeavors.

[smorgdonkey]

I have always wanted to make my living via music...but not only would I hate the touring aspect I don't even really care about playing live. That's what sucks about the current music 'industry' for me. I had hoped to record then release a song that caught on and I could make money that way but now the money from record sales is crap so...I'm just doing it because I like it. It's all for me. Too bad because I thought that I'd have a few songs that would be great singles for other people or to have on CD and so on.

[oolceeoo]

*chirp chirp chirp*

Birdie says listen to inner ear

The answer is there!

Gold is buried there

Brighter than Sun!

*chirp chirp chirp*

But birdie knows

Man doesn't listen to birdies

*chirp chirp chirp*

[offramp]

Touring is a lonely business.

You are not a lonely man.

And in several months, you're going to be even less lonely.

You won't regret letting it go.

 

And besides... why do you think the studio business is growing the way it is? That's the universe telling you to make the change... you've got a baby coming, and a new life for you and your wife... it's setting you up for success.

 

Every time your baby does something that makes you laugh, you'll not regret giving up touring.

[slight-return]

 

I guess it comes down to having always dreamt about being a touring musician, but it not being all it's made out to be when that dream realized.

 

 

Biz travel in general there

 

It can have its fun moments and such

 

but be in music performance or industrial troublshooting or legal or sales or what-have-you

it can really be more "see the doubletree and the worksite" more than "see the world"

 

(but how do you sell the 80% travel job to the 25 year old? --- yup!)

[daddymack]

You are uniquely fortunate that your wife is able to be with you...imagine how quickly the shine would have worn off if you were on the road without her.

From the scenario you laid out, I would have to say if you do it right, you can possibly work out a win-win situation.

Spend more time producing at home, pick and choose the dates you want to play out, tour on a limited basis. This may not sit well with your band, but, well, remember what comes first...family, of course.

[Ronan Murphy]

I have spent a lot of time touring and a lot of time in the studio (and a lot of time working in studios around the world) and they are all great in their own way.

 

But music rarely pays enough not to love it. I always figure if you are going to do a job that you are not excited to go to, it better at least pay you a ton of money. (for some people begrudgingly going on tour does pay a ton of money.)

[Poker99]

You don't have to quit touring forever.

 

How about doing small tours? Planified tours, like 2-3 weeks?

 

Lets be honest, for most bands touring is a loss loss situation. I tour when I have something to sell, and I go where there is a demand. I won't try to create a demand by touring, I think in 2009 its almost useless to do this. I know too much bands who broke up after a useless tour...

 

 

But I will get on the road for short trips when its really planified & promoted.

[Matximus]

I have no advice.

 

But what you are going through is a common dilemma for people in creative fields. The demands on your personal life can be brutal, especially when you are starting a family. You are luckier than most to have your wife solidly in your corner, sharing your dream.

 

I hope it works out for you. It sounds like you have a good grip on things and the resources to make it work out, whatever you choose to do.

[Blackwatch]

I have to say that I never got it together enough to get out of town with my music, although I did play every weekend and even that got old quick.

The key here IMO is your family, cause I have to tell you, looking at the middle of my 50's.... in the end your family will be all you have. You will look back on your glory days but the true meaning will come from the people that love you.

The Best of Luck...

[Kramerguy]

really simplistic approach:

 

You hate touring? Stop doing it.

 

That's all.

[slight-return]

I think the worst thing about being on the road is that sometimes you will find yourself with two girls

 

....but only 1 cup

[bostonwal]

Like anything you need growth to continue to be interested in what you're doing - just like a regular job. If you're touring the same old places that's going to get old unless you're able to grow into new and larger venues and create a larger and larger audience. It really is just like any other job.

[StringDog]

Perhaps a change in approach. For example web shows, mixed with select gig dates, mixed further with live webcasts. More studio time working on the craft. This may mess with your current earnings until it gels - but the road can wear you down physically & mentally - to a point where the love of music diminishes.

 

These are just ideas. The point is a shift in how you do things may be needed to lay the path for the future.

[Blackwatch]

I think the worst thing about being on the road is that sometimes you will find yourself with two girls

 

You don't have to be on the road for that to happen.........

[kl285528]

maybe you just need a longer break than you've had in a while? That, combined with mini-tours might work. Just saying, sounds like you've been hitting hard for five years - why not take a three to six month hiatus and see where things stand

[grace_slick]

If I ever got good enough or popular enough to tour, I'd do it but...if I didn't like it, I wouldn't do it very long. If I DID like it, I'd do it but not as much as some people. I'd mainly be home, with longish tours 3 times a year or so around the country and/or overseas. It'd be like an extended touring vacation as opposed to a consistant lifestyle of touring.

 

I've got cats at home, you know? They need me. lol I'm also lazy.