Melbourne’s much loved folk five-piece, The Paper Kites have enjoyed whirlwind six months since the release of their album States, which included a headline tour of Canada and the USA, as well as an illustrious support slot alongside Canadian singer- songwriter, City and Colour.
Now back on home soil, the band are preparing to bring their mesmerising live show to the Australian masses during a national tour through May- June.
Ahead of the upcoming tour, we asked The Paper Kites vocalist and guitarist Dave Powys to share what he believes to be some of the most important tips for any touring band.
Intro
“These tips are of the practical lifestyle nature, as opposed to the music and gear nature, which I’m sure we’ve all heard enough of. The following is based on lessons learnt from our tour in North America at in October/November last year.”
Keep your toothbrush handy at all times.
“When you’ve been driving for 10 hours straight and your mouth feels like a dead kangaroo baking in the sun on the side of the Hume highway an easily accessible toothbrush can turn you life around. It won’t eliminate the dead kangaroo-itis from your whole body, but it will vastly improve your chances of sanity.”
Take a Frisbee.
“Or similar leisure item for group activity at the hundreds of truck stops and hours of time you will have to kill on the road. We had a beloved Frisbee that got lost for 3 days of hell before we found it again! It was like a 6th band member. When we found it again the jubilation turned to a solemn declaration and an oath, that we would never be careless with frizzo again. You may scoff at the severity of our actions, but the long hours of boredom and sitting around between sound checks can be cured by a frisbee or hacky sack.”
Settle disputes and decisions with games.
“We always decide on who gets the best bed with a simple game of ‘see who can flick a playing card in the bin’ or ‘see who can shoot the cup off someone’s back with BB gun’. This way if there is any bad blood, it’s over a fair and square game, not a personal beef.”
Buy a neck pillow.
“If there is ever a time to be a nanna, and look like a goose this is it. With long flights and hours of driving you’ll be the most comfortable nanna goose in town. No more scrunched up hoodies or bobble head insomnia. Neck pillows are the touring musicians friend.”
Pack for different climates.
“We all know that packing light is essential when touring, so as not to be ridiculed as the princess with the biggest bag, and also to save mulah on baggage costs. So be smart with your pack. From a warm jackets to swimming trunks, the key is minimum options. You don’t need style choice on tour, just the bare minimum. Also take flip flops because your boots don’t breath well in Florida.”
Eat and drink the local specialties.
“On a tight schedule, this can be a small way you can experience the local culture. Always ask people for recommendations, as much as you read online, this is still the best and most authentic way of getting the real deal when it comes to hot wings in Louisiana or pizza in New York.”
Paper Kites National Tour
Thurs 29th May – The Cambridge, Newcastle
Fri 30th May – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Sat 31st May – Transit Bar, Canberra
Sun 1st June – Heritage Hotel, Wollongong
Sat 7th June – The Darwin Railway Club, Darwin
Fri 13th June – The Northern, Byron Bay
Sat 14th June – The HiFi, Brisbane
Thurs 19th June – Artbar at Art Gallery of Western Australia
Fri 20th June – The Prince Of Wales, Bunbry
Sat 21st June – The Gov, Adelaide
Fri 27th June – The Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne
To buy tickets visit www.thepaperkites.com.au
