Gladius Official

Touring solo artist here - trying to slash my travel (especially lodging) expenses on the road, as I am losing significant portion of my gross $ to travel expenses ( I average 200-300 miles/day on tour!) What kind of vehicle do you travel with? (Do you own or rent?) Do you live/sleep in it? How is it on gas? What do your travel expenses look like? And vehicle/maintenance costs? How often does it break down? (and what do you do THEN -- if you're on tour? rent a car?) If you live (and sleep in) the vehicle, what do you do for: -Power (solar battery? generator? etc?) -AC (when parked/overnight) -Food storage (fridge?) -Cooking (propane stove? etc) So far generally stuck with rental cars (sedans) - for reliability sake, but in 2023 rental prices are obscene! Also, I think I need to avoid sedans-- too fatiguing for long trips... Maybe a van or SUV? (but not a total gas guzzler) Your insight is greatly appreciated!

Thanks for that reply. Any thoughts on going about that? That is, finding suitable agents and effectively pitching them?

If so, I would be very grateful for your insight, as I am trying to determine exactly what logistics do I need to be aware of as a US-based artist as far as: -crossing the US / Canada borders (primarily in the US Northeast, by car) - differences in crossing borders by car vs by plane that I need to be aware of -playing shows in Canada -getting back into the US (to continue touring) -Do you need a Visa of any kind to go into Canada and play a few shows for a few days? If so, how does one go about that? Does it cost anything? -Any other kinds of permits or applications or paperwork necessary? Taxes? -Any hurdle over gear or what about merchandise? -anything else I should know before I go? (cell phone service? Credit card / cash usage, paying for stuff...?) Thanks!

Thank you very much for that detailed response, Notes_Norton

How does one best go about compiling a list of suitable PACs--that are well suited for your act? Are industry directories such as Musical America's very useful when it comes to this? Thinking that is a solo act--assuming your name is not Ed Sheeran--that most likely is the best bet will be to focus on smaller theaters with less than 400 seating capacity, for instance.. (Flamenco fusion solo act here..)

I am researching live performance opportunities with more publicity (ie TV, Radio, etc: KEXP, Austin City Limits, Tonight Show, etc...) Does anybody have here have experience with these? Any thoughts or recommendations as to how to: Compile a suitable list? Effectively reach out to them and give booked? What about the finances for these bookings? Your feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thank you

If so, I would be very grateful for your insight, as I am trying to determine exactly what logistics do I need to be aware of as a US-based artist as far as: -crossing the US / Canada borders (primarily in the US Northeast, by car) - differences in crossing borders by car vs by plane that I need to be aware of -playing shows in Canada -getting back into the US (to continue touring) -Do you need a Visa of any kind to go into Canada and play a few shows for a few days? If so, how does one go about that? Does it cost anything? -Any other kinds of permits or applications or paperwork necessary? Taxes? -Any hurdle over gear or what about merchandise? -anything else I should know before I go? (cell phone service? Credit card / cash usage, paying for stuff...?) Thanks!

Solo flamenco fusion act here - trying to determine: If cruise ships are a suitable market for me to pursue So, how the best go about that process (reach out to Cruise lines directly? Shop for an agent? Etc..) Any other experience or pointers you wish to share? The pay? etc.. Your insight is appreciated!

Touring solo artist here - trying to slash my travel (and especially lodging) expenses on the road. Just got back from summer tour, and upon completing my bookkeeping, realized that I am losing significant portion of my gross $ to travel expenses. (My net was less than half of my gross profit.. after all marketing, merchandising, travel expenses..) What do your travel expenses look like? (Per day/ Per mile/ Etc...) - Gas? Lodging? Food? What kind of vehicle do you travel with? (Do you own or rent?) What do you do for: Lodging? (Hotels? Friends houses? Airbnbs? Vehicle that you can sleep in? Showers? (If you sleep in a vehicle..) Food? (I travel with a cooler.. keeps groceries cold (the airbnbs have fridges/freezers, so I can freeze Keep food cold, and ice packs to use in the cooler overnight etc)) So far generally stuck with rental cars (sedans) - out of concern for reliability / avoiding breakdowns, getting stranded If / when my own vehicle breaks down... Thinking I definitely need to get away from sedans - way too fatiguing to drive in a small vehicle so low to the road all day.. So maybe a van or SUV. Challenge then becomes finding one that's not a total gas guzzler Your insight is greatly appreciated!