So I just embarked on my first-ever tour.
I played acoustic, and was accompanied on the journey with my co-bill, The Hillary Reynolds Band.
It was a 10-date Tour de Wisconsin, with deviations to both Chicago and Iowa City. The cities we played included the two aforementioned, Madison, Minocqua, Green Bay, Appleton, and Sturgeon Bay, Door County.
Let me begin by declaring that nothing smells quite like the Midwest. I don't know whether it's the trees, the rolling farmland, the grilled beef patties, the fertilizer, or a combination thereof, but damn-- Wisconsin smells like a hometown. There would be times in the car (once in particular when I was driving from Minocqua) when the pungent aroma of cow defecation was so strong that I became lightheaded. There was another time in Green Bay when a busty and sunburned German lady grilled me the most delicious 1/4 lb grass-fed beef burger on a multi-grain bun with Wisconsin cheddar cheese dripping with grease, and had me wash it down with a New Glarius Totally Naked beer....
....I just about passed out from the glory of it all.
Once, between Madison and Sturgeon Bay, we decided to have a red barn count. I became so stressed out and decided to stop counting when at hour 2 I had counted over 75 barns.
There's just no relaxing when you have to keep track of that many barns.
And there's just no place else like Wisconsin.
I should also mention that nowhere else in the world are there people as kind as Wisconsinites. No matter where we played, we were appreciated and supported. One time, when a latecomer realized there was live music but hadn't come for anyone in particular, he approached our merch table and said, "I have $5. Who can I help out with gas money?"
We're not in New York anymore, Dorothy.
And speaking of which, you know you're not in NYC when the only t-shirt size that's selling is XL.
So basically what I'm saying is, don't worry NY, there were no hipsters in the Midwest to steal your smalls.
Perhaps what was most comforting of all was that at the end of each night, when we loaded the cars and got ready to drive 3 hours to our next location, we could see the stars. We could see the stars, the constellations, hear the crickets, and smell the cow poop.
On another note entirely, I learned a lot about myself this trip-- about myself and where I'd like to go. Which is everywhere.
I learned that I could be on the road every day and be happy. I love motion. I love seeing new places, walking other people's streets, and getting a chance to be them for a day. I enjoy trying food at different venues and cities. Because lets be honest-- when the food is good, it's good. And it's better than having the same thing to eat everyday, which is inevitably what happens when you live in a matchbox in NYC, where it's uncomfortable to cook and you can't afford to eat out. String cheese, for instance. I regularly eat a lot of string cheese.
I also dig the load-in. Setting up the merch table (especially when you have merch to sell) and getting pumped for the stage. I love feeling out the audience, and when they're timid or not particularly responsive, winning them over. It's a terrible feeling when a tough crowd cannot be won. But I suppose therein lies the challenge and the reward when it can be done.
With regards to the actual road, I can't drive for many days in a row without developing some serious shoulder tension. But that's what band mates are for.
And when it comes to having band mates-- I think that's the way to do it. Embarking on this solo tour was an important moment for me because I became transparent. I was able to see clearly all of my flaws and weaknesses, but could also recognize and celebrate my strengths. I am a terrific organizer, a powerful presence on stage, and an honest singer/songwriter. But when it comes to my sound, I want, need, CRAVE the input of fellow musicians. I want their musical dialogue to inform my songs and turn them into an experience. I want a show that from beginning to end captures an audience with its sonic environment and refuses to let them go until the last note. And above all else, I want my audience to believe through our interaction as a group that this music is about and for them. That's what a band can do.
....they can also swap night driving shifts, cook for each other, tell stupid jokes, pass out in huddled heaps on a cold basement floor, pick each other up, and throw high-fives when a show goes well. But those are just the perks :-)
It was difficult being on a solo tour with another band, watching every night as they celebrated their music together. I had my moments where I felt alone and up against the whole world. But honestly, don't we all have those battles with self-doubt? In the end, the completion of those 10 dates made me a stronger performer, a better musician, and significantly more motivated. I need to keep this going so that next summer, I can bring my whole musical crew of comrades along for the ride.
I have been back in NYC for about a week now, and my renewed sense of enthusiasm about music in general has certainly carried over from the tour. I've had full-band rehearsals, am getting ready for a show tomorrow night, and am reeling with excitement over a few new tunes being debuted.
This past Wednesday, I MC'ed a benefit show at Rockwood Music Hall that raised money for 9-11 first responder health care. It was a lovely evening that held 6 performers from start to finish (myself included), and yielded some incredible music and support. At the end of the evening, a mysterious man came up to me and placed in my hand a fist-full of small jewels. You know those one-sided, multicolored gems you used to bedazzle your clothes in second grade? Yup. He handed me a fist-full of dazzling jewels and thanked me for my music. It was bizarre, but also surprisingly welcome. I have decided to take his offering as a token of luck-- an omen that I am doing what it is I am meant to do, and that in doing so, am making others lives a little richer.
Hell-- for all I know, the man may be a leprechaun.
And on that note, keep doing what you love. Who knows, you might find yourself bedazzled.
Over and out,
-<3- Lic
