Episode 13 - Tongues of Fire - On choosing flexibility to tour over stability, getting creative with marketing and being persistent

What It Takes To Be A Rockstar

This week I talk with Lowell Hobbs of Tongues of Fire about DIY touring, recording in a garage-turned-studio, opening for Modest Mouse and turning down a well paying wedding gig to be able to tour. We also talk about how he tries to get creative and have fun with marketing, how he once sent 100+ emails and didn't hear back from anyone, and how he keeps staying persistent. He also gives some tips and tricks for how to not piss off a soundperson. Enjoy!
About the podcast: Host and musician Melissa Lucciola talks with signed and DIY musicians from around the world about their lives behind the scenes. From maxing out credit cards, sleeping on floors, sharing beds and having the whole band get paid $250 to play Madison Square Garden, you will hear the in's and out's of life on and off the road and the real struggles of the modern day musician.
Check out Tongues of Fire here: https://tonguesofire.com/home
Check out my playlist of all the guests here.
You can watch this full episode on Youtube along with others.
Check out my bands here:
Francie Moon
Gustaf
Crusasis
Support the show

Edited, recorded, mixed and produced by Melissa Lucciola.
This episode is sponsored by SORRY Cables - rad and colorful quality instrument and microphone cables handmade in LA.
Intro song is called "I'm Starting a Podcast" by Tea Eater
Other music is by Pretty World

Capíttulos

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. His history with music and starting the band (00:02:38)

3. On recording in a garage studio (00:09:15)

4. Musicians and marketing (00:11:31)

5. On getting persistent and creating opportunities (00:17:05)

6. Working sound to fund music (00:22:32)

7. Tour finances $$$ (00:24:47)

8. On being a soundguy who also plays in a band (00:28:12)

9. Advice to not piss off the soundperson or venue (00:30:41)

10. SORRY Cables (00:35:51)

11. On working with a small booking agency (00:41:03)

12. On opening for Modest Mouse (00:41:50)

13. You will always care the most (00:46:52)

14. How do you book tours? (00:49:23)

15. Getting into the DIY scene (00:50:41)

16. How do you make merch? (00:51:30)

17. On studio rates $$$ (00:52:53)

18. On running ads online (00:57:20)

19. On turning down a stable gig to tour (01:00:34)

20. The benefits of DIY (01:04:14)

21. Outro (01:07:55)