I met again with Daemon Records on Wednesday. It was to talk about a plan for playing out of state. I made it clear to them from the outset that I have no problem with going out of town, but that there was no way for me to do it with a band in tow. They said that wouldn’t be a problem. None of this will begin until September, which is the release date (the 17th) that they’re shooting for. So I won’t even start making calls until next month, really. Also, having the plan is no guarantee of it working… the main problem being that I am completely unknown out of state (in state to an extent), so I have to get the shows booked first. Daemon is going to include a cover letter so it’s clear I’m one of theirs, which will carry a little weight.
I am a different situation for them than they have done before, it seems, and some things are still up in the air as we start the whole thing moving. They don’t normally do booking, but have been talking about possibly starting because they have a lot of connections through artists they have and others that are associated with them. So it’s possible that may be something they do for me, making follow up calls on the press kits to clubs or possibly more, or not. These are all things that will be worked out once Amy gets back next week from Europe. There’s still no contract on any of this, so neither of us is beholden to each other, but work is beginning anyway.
For those of you who are interested and out of state, this will be a mainly southeastern thing at first. I’ll be taking Fridays off and doing two-city jumps on the weekend, possibly taking off Thursday and doing three cities. The main cities involved:
Athens, GA
Augusta, GA
Asheville, NC
Chapel Hill, NC
Charlotte, NC
Columbia, SC
Chattanooga, TN
Knoxville, TN
Nashville, TN
Also, Louisville, Tuscaloosa and some Florida cities, though I was sort of warned off Florida as not being great for touring. No offense to those of you in Florida. Depending on how things are going I could be heading further out, up to Virginia and out to Austin, TX. Also there are still the possibilities of opening slots for other Daemon Artists, which could put me in New York or Boston on one shot deals. I think.
It was really just sort of a strategy talk, the only definite being those first two weekend jaunts, which I need to try and get scheduled around the CD release.
It’s a strange feeling, this whole process. I am excited and leery all at the same time, and my mood is hard to gauge, even for me. I suppose I am too paranoid or jaded to give in to the thing when nothing is actually happening at the moment. That first weekend out on the road will be very strange. But I am cautiously excited about the prospect. I’ll be on the road alone, with my laptop, a million CDs in the car, and a copy of That Thing You Do! to watch in the hotel when I get frustrated.
I want it to work out. I really do. I can taste it.
Everyone can have their shot to find out just how freaking shy I am in person! woowoo!