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On the road doing live shows in 2010: Amanda Rheaume

On the road doing live shows in 2010: how to do it the right way, an artist’s perspective.

Artist: Amanda Rheaume

Note from the Editor:

Many music business consultants are preaching that doing live shows is the only way to build a true fan base and though I hear them preaching, I don’t often see real world examples of artists who are making it work for them to a place where they are truly building a fan base and also either breaking even or taking home a profit in 2010. I thought it would be great to do a series on artists who are making live shows work for them in hopes that they can teach fellow artists out there methods and how to apply the live method in a way that works to build base and break even or make a profit.

General Questions

How long have you been making music professionally (as your main job)? Since 2005
If this is not your ‘day gig’, what do you do other than music to make a living? For supplementary income I do graphic and web design when needed.
Do you still live at home with family? I have my own apartment
Are you signed to any record label or have you been signed to one in the past (major or indie)? No
If not signed, how do you distribute your music (self via website/Paypal, CD Baby, Tunecore etc). CD Baby, iTunes, local stores
Are you currently getting local, national or international terrestrial radio airplay (not satellite or internet)? If yes in what markets? I am getting National airplay on CBC, I also get airplay on college/university/community radio across Canada
What type of music do you create/play (genre)? Pop, Adult Contemporary, Folk-ish
What types of venues do you generally play? Pubs, clubs, bars, halls, churches, festivals, colleges, venues you rent for your show etc? EVERYTHING! HA! Typically clubs, pubs, cafes, festivals.
How many members are in your act? I am a solo artist but hire out musicians as needed. I mostly tour as a duo act w/ my guitar player. For bigger festival gigs I will bring up to 5 band members (drums, guitar, bass, pedal steel)
If more than 1 member, do you all play for a portion of show proceeds after costs are paid or is this a joint effort and everyone is in it to sink or swim (so to speak)? I pay players a flat fee regardless of what I make.
Who is your audience? Men and women ranging between 20-50, music lovers.
When did you start touring and how long have you been doing it for? Since 2006 I believe, with Babes For Breasts.
Do you ever play covers in your show? If so, why? I have played many bar gigs where I ONLY perform cover songs , it is a source of income. Cover sets are not ideal but have really provided me with performance experience and crowd interaction experience as well as helped me get my chops up! If I put a cover song in an original set it is to help relate a brand new audience, give them something they recognize so they can connect in easier. OR if I have done my own version of someone else’s song and made it my own.
I noticed you have recently completed a national tour with your “Loons 4 Tunes” campaign. Can you tell us a bit about that campaign, how you came up with the idea, how you implemented it and how that went for you? I came up with Loons 4 Tunes mid panic attack in bed one night when I realized I was going on tour for 8 weeks in the Spring 2010. I didn’t receive any funding for my Canadian Tour and thought “Hmmm…how am I going to do this?!!” So I came up with what I thought was a silly idea where if everyone I knew gave me $1 it would help me with gas money across Canada and back. Well, the idea really stuck and I fans/friends/family donated enough Loons for all the gas and more! People donated via PAYPAL and at shows. I brought a jerry can to each gig and would mention my Loons 4 Tunes Campaign and if they had any spare Loons to toss them in the gas tank! It was THE only reason why I was able to tour the country this past Spring. I am So grateful for people’s kindness.
Tell me about your live show. What makes it great, compelling and something that makes other people spread the word about you to help you grow your base? I am very passionate and present. I like to sing from a place of joy and try and bring people into the moment and perhaps out of the shitty day they were having. I am a strong guitar player and really feel that through my experiences I can help people connect in with themselves. Also…I don’t just stand still.
Do you think it’s easier for male artists to be on the road as opposed to women? If so why, if not or you think it’s equal, why? I think it is hard for ANYONE to be on the road right now. Long drives, little money. I don’t think its easier or harder for men or women. If you are a nice person strangers will be kind to you and treat you well.
What are the worst mistakes you have made on the road? Back to back shows 14 hours away. Drinking too much!
What are some of the best things you have done that have helped you on the road? GPS! Tim Hortons! Video Blogging everyday…makes things more interesting! Water water water water water water. Give yourself a day off here and there. Budget for a decent hotel a few times. Make friends. Push your mailing list.
What sorts of artists do you think are most successful in a live arena? Are there some genres you feel would do better than others? Artists that are writing and performing from their heart and soul will do the best in a live scenario and in general. Performers/artists that can engage and audience through song and story. Artists that can travel cheap. I think that folk/roots artists have the upper hand because they can tour solo or as a duo and keep costs down. Touring with a full band, PA, gear, band members is too expensive when you are funding everything on your own and trying to build your following.
Can you give our readers some advice and tips for the road? Give us some practical info. Think of things that you never would have thought of when you began to go on the road that you know now that you have done it. ROUTING! Make sure you aren’t driving insane hours all the time. Water. GPS is god. Sending posters in advance is a good idea. If you can afford it hire a good publicist. Research venues before booking them…try to pick places that host acts like your own ie. Don’t book yourself and your acoustic guitar in a rock club capacity 500 if you are just starting.

Booking & Getting Gigs & Funding Shows/Tours and Routing

What is your average cost per show (factoring in paying members, lodging, travel, staging, equipment, gas, visas (if any) etc)? It varies per show and what the situation is. No matter my pay I pay my players $150-$200 (CAD) per show. My van costs me approximately $0.12 (CAD) per km I drive. (Note: CAD is Canadian Dollars)
Do you self fund your tours? If so, how are you able to do that? Does any funding come from a day job or side gig, funding from family, or all from ticket sales, sales of CDs Merchandise or a combo of all etc.? (if you do not do this, skip to next question)I have received funding from FACTOR, Canada Council for touring. I have also set up my own tour fundraiser called Loons 4 Tunes in the past. Guarentees and ticket sales as well as CD sales also fund my touring.
If you do not self fund your tours, where do you get funding from? Do you have sponsors? Do you apply for grants? What is the process you used to get funding and what tips can you give our readers who may wish to secure tour funding? Are there any pitfalls to watch for? Grants grants grants grants grants.
Do you book your own shows? If so tell us about the process and some insight you might be able to give readers regarding methods that worked or didn’t work to self book. I book my own shows. Research the venues, look at what other types of music they book. Don’t book your acoustic show at a heavy metal bar. First time to new towns try and play with someone local or a 50-80 seat venue.
Are there any other resources you have used to get gigs? Share them with us. http://www.indieonthemove.com for US dates, otherwise I look at other artists that are at a similar point in career and see where they are playing.
How do you go about choosing cities to play in and planning your routing? A lot of it depends on venues actually. If there is a really good venue to play I try and work it into my routing. I try not to drive anymore than 8 hours a day, that makes a big impact on routing. I also usually set out the length of the tour and what area I want to cover and that dictates the routing.
Do you recommend Full US or Canada tours or do you think doing an East, West or Central leg only, coming home and going back out to the other zones is more effective cost wise? Personally I think there is SO much ground to cover so doing jaunts in certain areas makes a lot of sense. If you are going to drive out west in Canada it makes sense to go down the west coast of the States. A lot of it depends on how long you want to be on the road for. A problem I run in to is covering the cost of my life (apartment, bills) at home when I am on the road. If I didn’t have any responsibilities in Ottawa I could survive on the road for a long time. And if you’re out and touring and you can keep going it is totally possible.
If you tour overseas, what is some advice you can give to other artists? Is it very costly and how do you save on airfare and accommodation when touring internationally? If you do not tour overseas, why? Never toured internationally. I have performed in The Faroes but it was only a one off gig. If I had had more time to put a tour together in the UK it would have been smart. The flights are normally the most expensive so you might as well try and stay overseas for a longer time.

Promotion/Marketing

What is your primary method of connecting with people to grow your fan base (live shows, online etc.)? LIVE SHOWS. Just showing up. Facebook.
How do you promote your shows to ensure good attendance? Facebook. Publicist if money allows, print, posters.
Do you ever stream your live shows online for those who can’t attend in person? If so what service do you use and do you charge fans to watch the stream online? If so, how do you go about facilitating payments and secure access? NO
Do you sell Merchandise? If so what kind? Which are your best sellers and why do you think they are your best sellers? If you do sell merchandise, who does manufacturing for you? CDs, shirts. I haven’t explored much else.
Does making and selling merchandise supplement any shortfall from low gig attendance? If no one is at your gig who buys your merch? Selling 2 CDs instead of none does help though.
What percentage of your overall music income comes from sales of merchandise? Not sure actually! Around half I’d say.
What percentage of your overall music income comes from ticket sales? 60%
What percentage of your overall music income comes from CD or Digital Download Sales? 5%
Did you get any lucky breaks or benefit from any advantages or opportunities given to you to make the live show work to build your fan base (i.e., television or press exposure, you won a big contests etc.) ? If so, share with us. Print, TV, radio, I have won a big radio competition in 2008 ($40,000 ) CBC is a huge supporter.

Profitability of live shows & touring and how it affects fan base growth

How does touring affect your income bottom line? Is it profitable? It is a dream for me to break even on tour after paying for gas, accomodations, repairs, musicians, gear, food. If it is a CD release tour you might make some money because you have new product.
What was the average turnout per show for the shows you just completed? Between 10-100
Do you find that touring affects your fan base and grows it? Do you think that in 2010 it is more beneficial time and money-wise to grow your fan base online first and then tour when you know there is a demand? Share your thoughts on this. Hmmm I think there is SO much online now and what separates bands/artists from each other is actually showing up.
Do you think it’s easier for a 3-4 piece rock band or solo singer-songwriter to tour where everyone has a vested interest in success? For example if you were a solo recording artist who had to pay ‘hired guns’ and all associated costs (show pay, lodging, travel, visas, per diem, insurance etc) to go out and do your shows, would you still go to the effort to use the live method to work on building/connecting with your fan base?I would cut down on the number of players and tour that way. If you tour with a band the costs go WAY up, lodging, gear, food etc. Even if the band is all in it together and splitting expenses, the expenses are still higher. I currently budget for touring with one hired gun musician as this makes the most sense financially yet still gets the music across the way I envision.

About Amanda Rheaume

Amanda has an amazing ability to write catchy songs yet still hit deep emotions. Her voice is able to deliver power-pop and soulful ballad with equal skill and emotion. Add in to that a beautiful hand-built acoustic that she can make sing, and you’ve got an irresistible package.

Her music has taken her to far flung locals such as Afghanistan, Central America, Alert, and the Faroe Islands. Last spring, Amanda recorded her latest CD “Kiss Me Back” with Jeff Dawson (Holly McNarland, Kelly Rowland, State of Shock) in Vancouver.

Since January 2010 Amanda has toured through Canada and the US to promote her latest release “Kiss Me Back”. Playing 40 shows in 53 days, including two showcases at SXSW in Austin Texas.

Since September 2008, Rheaume has co-written songs with Chantal Kreviazuk, Holly McNarland,and Jeff Pearce from Moist. Over the course of her career Amanda has shared the stage with a number of top international acts including The White Stripes, Finger Eleven, Lucinda Williams, The Trews, Sloan and Ani DiFranco. Her early performing days go as far back as 1999 sharing the stage with veterans Sarah MacLachlan,The Dixie Chicks, and The Indigo Girls at Lilith Fair in Toronto.