“Pretty hungover, huh?” [Tour confessions]
On Sunday, I was a panelist at the University of Michigan’s music conference to share how I make a living as a musician.
Ann Arbor Music Con 2014. Photo credits: Spencer Michaud
When I arrived, I mingled with the attendees and other panelists. One music student asked me if I had any upcoming tours. I shared how I had finished a stretch of dates last night.
“That’s why my voice is a little hoarse, I’m pretty exhausted,” I said.
“Oh, pretty hungover, huh?” the student replied.
I was surprised by this assumption, but maybe I shouldn’t be. People assume musicians party.
Here’s my confession: My tour mates Frances Luke Accord and I drank zero beers while on tour. Brian of FLA didn’t even drink coffee, and all of us limited our caffeine intake.
Why?
We were protecting our voices.
Traveling for gigs is exhausting. The lack of sleep is rough enough on the vocal chords.
Brian, Nick and I all felt vocal fatigue after our first show of the tour at the Elbo Room in Chicago, caused by talking in the loud club to the people who came to the show. I strain my voice by talking over loud music, rarely from singing.
So we immediately had to protect our voices to survive the rest of the week’s shows. Drinking water, eating well, doing vocal warm ups and cool down exercises…
I worry about younger musicians who start the bad habits of drinking excessively before and after their performances. Drinking on the job is a sure way to get fired in the “real” world. In the music, art, or food industries, it’s a sure way to ruin your chances of longevity.
After our last show, Frances Luke Accord and I enjoyed one or two beers at Grizzly Peak while hanging out with friends who attended the show.
One celebratory beer after a successful stretch of gigs. If we had decided to party the first night of tour, I doubt we would have had anything to celebrate in the end.
Brian and Nick from FLA and I enjoying lunch and spring's weather before our Ann Arbor show.
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