Photo credit: Sebastian Buzzalino
Tell us about your tour vehicle. Any notable breakdown stories?
‘08 Dodge Grand Caravan, at this point I’ve replaced almost one of everything but it runs pretty well considering. I had an old bandmate scrape both sides leaving a parking garage in New York, definitely noteworthy because I didn’t scratch either side when I parked it, haha. It’s the perfect size for a 3 piece or less, but I’m getting ready to upgrade soon.
How do you eat cheaply and/or healthy while on tour?
I usually do a $100-200 shop before I go, where I stock up on chia seed, fruit and vegetable pouches and non-pershiable granola bars. The more small, healthy items available – the less shitty gas station decisions are made. There’s some pretty amazing gas stations now with salad bars and most carry even a small variety of smoothies/yogurt for the gut. Generally, we just try and have a salad every day or second day to save our money for beers (kidding, mostly)
How many strings do you break in a typical year? How much does it cost to replace them?
I *almost* never break them, but I sweat like crazy whenever I play a show, so I’m changing them every week when I’m gigging, or every 4/5 shows.
Where do you rehearse?
Drummer’s basement, pretty standard!
What was the title and a sample lyric from the first song that you wrote?
“Living by an empty bottle, drifting down the highway lines
If you as me how things are going, I’ll tell you I’m just fine”
– Saskatoon, first song ever written
Describe your first gig.
Open mic, Mikey’s Juke Joint. Real bad, real loud. The gigs got better and so did I, thankfully.
What was your last day job? What was your favorite day job?
My last day job was administrative in a community centre. I rented, billed and booked several rooms to various groups and coordinated activities at the centre. Before that, I was a journeyman cook for around 8 years, and the various kitchens I worked in were among my fav jobs.
How has your music-related income changed over the past 5-10 years? What do you expect it to look like 5-10 years from now?
In my 8ish year career, it’s gone from a hobby to my full-time gig. I’m paying commissions, band member fees and merch; and the profit margin inches up every year which is always great to see. Like any business, I hope to grow incrementally for another decade.
What one thing do you know now that you had wished you knew when you started your career in music?
It doesn’t matter who doesn’t like you, focus on the folks who do, and the world will surprise you.