ALEX HENRY FOSTER MEETING FANS POST-SHOW
The other important aspect of touring is how to address what I call the intangible elements : expectations , frictions , tiredness , homesickness , pre-tour commitments not being observed by some , and the vocal frustrations of others . They are the most difficult aspects to deal with once on tour . That ’ s why experience and wisdom come into play here . I always have individual and collective meetings before getting on the road to explain how I see the upcoming weeks , making sure everyone can contribute to the global success and intimate well-being of the tour . I find it critical to do so because the human factor is essential . If your intention is to party , the others ne ed to know . If you need free time , you need to voice it clearly . Everything needs to be on the table because once we are “ on ” – and I ’ ve experienced it over and over – it will become an issue .
And on the road , every little thing can be seen as huge or potentially become the object of a relationship rupture and fiasco . If being in a band is challenging , it also is for so-called solo artists having to deal with musicians , technicians , and a tour manager — who , in my case , is also in the band ( hey Jeff , hope you are recovering well from the last tour , buddy ). So , the more transparent you are with others , the less trouble you ’ ll have to deal with — or at least , you can always refer to that “ let ’ s open our hearts together ” meeting . It makes you feel like you are the boss , which is uncomfortable when you are with your friends , but someone has to maintain the compass ; otherwise , when relationships are challenged , the coherence of the concerts will be greatly affected and the most disastrous consequences of all will follow , as everything you endured to get on the road is for that very moment on stage and communing with your people .
Another important aspect is discipline , a word I never thought I would refer to when I first screamed “ I am an antichrist ! I am an anarchist ” in my first high school band . Discipline is a significant part of your well-being on the road , yet it ’ s the most difficult to maintain
because you are never truly in charge of your daily motion , nor are you in complete fluidity with your best intention .
So , I ’ m trying to set those impossible conditions around things I know will be daily occurrences ; venue arrival , load-in , set up , soundcheck , dinner , show time , load-out , shower , and bus / van call . In my case , I ’ m also trying to add interviews , pre-show meet-andgreets , and after-show merch signings and pictures . Routine is especially important for me because I get anxious when I don ’ t have some structure . When I have structure , I can channel my energy and be more attentive to the pre-exhaustion signs my body and spirit will show me before collapsing . And since I hardly sleep on tour buses ( especially the old ones ), I have to be extra careful to physically and mentally recharge , may it be having a coffee in the city , reading a few pages of a book , or simply going for a walk . That balance becomes a necessity for me , as I have to overlook the tour specifics to be my upbeat self during the tour promotional duties , abandon myself on stage , and share significant moments with the people who came communing with us that night .
That ’ s why establishing a tight-yet-flexible schedule is very important before we hit the road . Even if there ’ s always something unexpected happening , you have a pretty good idea of what the tour will be like , so everyone knows what has been programmed beyond the concerts themselves — interviews , photo sessions , radio performances . Even if the rest of the musicians and crew members don ’ t have to be there , they aren ’ t left wondering what ’ s going on , why I ’ m making coffee at 5:30 a . m . in front of a radio station where I ’ m having a five-minute on-air chat , which inevitably turns into me talking for an hour or so with everyone at the station or why I have to put on makeup at 4 a . m . in the morning ( feels like I need more and more with every passing day and also because live TV cannot be photoshopped afterward ).
Everyone being aware of what ’ s going on
ALEX HENRY FOSTER ( FRONT RIGHT ) WITH HIS BAND & CREW allows a real sense of togetherness and a positive vibe feeds the collective purpose of the tour . I often rent rehearsal studios when we have a few consecutive days off , like we had due to COVID-related cancellations . Not only does it keep things fresh , positive , and creative , but it also offers a sense of camaraderie that forms bonds beyond the immediate tasks and that form friendships beyond the roles . And when there ’ s a real sense of tribe amongst us – musicians , techs , and crews – that is what makes it a rewarding experience . The contrary has its equal measure of frustrations .
Of all the organizational layers and pre-tour setups , I think my biggest personal deadlock remains the side-tour projects and engagements that I am either involved in or looking to accomplish while being on the road ( no wonder I missed my Canadian Musician deadline twice . Thank you , Mike Raine , for your graceful heart !) “ Doing ” has always been my Achilles ’ heel , regardless of being on tour , at home , on vacation , or elsewhere . I need to be “ on ,” to be active somehow , which is a serious issue I have to deal with and a problematic affair for whoever acts as the tour manager — just ask Jeff Beaulieu ( the band ’ s bass player and my partner in many other ventures ).
It usually goes like this : I want to do it all . On-the-road podcasts ? Yes . Daily tour blog entries ? Yes . Special social media on-the-road features ? Yes . Write new songs in the back of the bus ? Yes . A movie about the tour ? Yes . A commented photo book ? Yes . On it goes until it becomes a burden and I start freaking out . Then , it ’ s no longer yes , but rather , fuck . So , I ’ ve learned to balance my emotional need to be active in the projects that I really want to accomplish based on my touring reality and my capacity to accomplish those projects . My willingness and my desires are never the problem , it ’ s everything I can ’ t say no to , which is everything !
40 CANADIAN MUSICIAN