is the perfect timing for you to embark on such a venture , I like to wonder what , besides the inspiring memories and the ongoing vibrations , could stretch the tour vividness just a little more ? What could immortalize the emotional generosity we offered each other , how I could eternalize what has been shared with so much selflessness ? It can be a live album , a recap video , a book … Whatever it might be , I believe it is fundamental to honour that last tour and everyone who made it significant by crafting something that will reflect how singular it has been . In my case , as I
FILLING UP THE TOUR VANS IN AMSTERDAM
Therefore , if all those aforementioned details and structural facets of your preparation are necessary to ensure you can appreciate the tour without losing your mind and prevent daily catastrophes , you need to keep on remembering that your ultimate goal is what is designed to be expressed and shared while you are on stage . It sounds simple , and it is simple , but when you are a DIY and entrepreneur / artist , it is the first thing you tend to deprive yourself of , trust me .
I have enough anecdotes and nonsense I ’ ve dealt with on tours to write a book and do a tour of every comedy club on the planet . So , the way I learned to stop that faraway circus from distracting me is visualization . I will unplug from everything that could come between me and the moment meant to happen . The rest of the musicians have a mandatory one-hour unplugged moment as well . No worries , none of them suffered from missing a cat meme in the meantime . That period of quietness , away from the noise , allows me to align my spirit with the singularity of the country , the city , and the venue , which is indispensable to the type of improvisational and experimental music I do . Otherwise , if I let all those distractions get to me , the creative moment I dearly long to share with others will become sterile and lifeless and every single concert will be the same dull repetition , and I ’ ll turn into an entertainer I ’ ve seen and heard enough of . I still value the beautiful danger of being live , in the “ now ,” in such a way that it is no longer a show but a common experience where we are all welcome to define what we are willing to share over the course of that sonic uplift … And for me , this is an uplifting blessing .
That connection with the people might also explain the reason why I consider going to the merch table after every concert a precious gift . It is where the music and sounds are incarnated , through conversations , hugs , pictures , stories , laughs , cries … I understand some major acts are unable to do so , but too often I see up-and-coming artists snub that post-concert rendezvous . It ’ s not about selling another t-shirt or an additional vinyl . If you care — and I ’ m sure you do — you already crafted meaningful items aligned with the vision of your tour , so the merch table is a perfect rally point . Your presence makes it a little more magic for everyone , you included , as it ’ s all about making your music tangible , human , and accessible . It ’ s my favourite moment of the night , when you can meet new friends , and catch up with old ones . And more often than not , I ’ m the last one being kicked out of the venue . It ’ s a precious moment where time seems suspended for us all to maintain that unique connection a little longer , and that ’ s what makes all the usual touring misadventures and logistical headaches worth it .
Granted , I knew that touring made sense at that time . It might sometimes be unreasonable for variety of factors , maybe it ’ s financially hazardous , strategically unaligned with your creative journey , too mentally demanding , or whatever reasons . But when you are convinced that it
FANS STICKING AROUND TO MEET ALEX IN COLOGNE
like to invite people to get involved , it is always something interactive and open ; a book , with a limited-edition hardcover copy and its digital version , featuring never-before-published pictures , anecdotes , and individual notes from me , the band members , and the fans with their pictures , along with a lathe-cut vinyl featuring one of the songs I played during the tour . But every idea , as long as it ’ s yours , remains the best representation of who you are and who your people are to you . And this is always right on .
In conclusion , no matter what you have to deal with — every touring act has its own share of funny and not-so-funny adventures and misadventures — the most important thing when you envision touring remains being honest with yourself , with your touring companions , and those who care enough about to you and your music to spend their hard-earned money to share a moment with you . The rest , even if essential to consider and manage , has been extensively covered in several other publications . So , I wanted to share a little glimpse of my experience as a touring artist in general and in my recent post-COVID wilderness in particular . Trust yourself . It ’ s a magnificent world out there , but it is up to you to add some of your own colours to it all .
Alex Henry Foster & The Long Shadows appreciate the support of Orange Amplification , Mapex , and Hiwatt on their 2021-22 tour . The band is always back up by these brands : Eastwood Guitars , Roland / BOSS , Earthquaker Devices , Chase Bliss Audio , Novation , Radial Engineering , D ’ Addario , Death By Audio , Sabian , and Vox amps .
Alex Henry Foster is a Canadian singer , musician , writer , and activist who fronted the Juno-nominated alternative band Your Favorite Enemies . His solo debut LP , Windows in the Sky ( Hopeful Tragedy Records ) debuted at number three in the Canadian top 200 charts and stayed in the top-40 for a year after its initial release . Standing Under Bright Lights , a live triple LP and DVD from his sold-out concert at the Montreal Jazz Festival , is also available . His latest release is “ The Power of the Heart .”
www . alexhenryfoster . com .
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