Unsigned Artists

Singer Ryan Heidorn of Beverly, MA based band After the Sirens took a quick break from the road to chat with UA about being on tour.

* What is the funniest thing/funny story that's happened to you while on tour?

This isn't funny, but it's pretty freaky. After a show in Alexandria, MN, we decided to drive through the night to our next show in WI. We were in the parking lot and put the address of the next venue into our GPS. As we pulled onto the street, the GPS began to "freak out," and had no idea where we were. We decided to drive a bit so that the GPS could figure out where we were. It was a very narrow road and completely dark. Up ahead of us, we saw what looked like a white wall in the middle of the road. We approached slowly and realized it was dense fog. As soon as we reached the fog, we suddenly could not see the road even a couple feet in front of us. We slowed down, but only a few seconds later the fog was gone. We kept driving and eventually had to turn around. We saw the wall of fog ahead again and it was even freakier when we realized we were on a street named something like "Indian Burial Road." Again we passed through the fog in only a couple seconds, but it was so thick that there was no visibility. There was literally a wall of fog randomly in the middle of the road.

Also, when we were in Los Angeles, a friend of ours who works in the music industry got us into an exclusive Hollywood club for a promo event. We looked so out of place in our t-shirts, cut-off jeans and sandals, but we had a great time.

* Craziest way you've passed the time during long car rides?

Besides sleeping, reading, and video games, we pass the time by playing games like Ghost, which is a version of the alphabet game [check it out here]. We're ruthless with Ghost. We also spontaneously burst out in song.

* Most extreme band fund raising technique?

To fund our first EP, we each put some money in an envelope. No one knew what each other put in, so there was no pressure, but we ended up with enough money to record and manufacture the album. We're also known to barter with people at shows to sell our merchandise. And of course, we rob gas stations at gunpoint when our cashbox is empty.

* Best advice to a band with no cash and not much support going on a national tour?

Several months before you want to go on tour, contact a bunch of companies asking for sponsorships. The best sponsorships can be free products (for this tour we were supplied with drumsticks from SilverFox drumsticks, clothes from ASM clothing, and 20 cases of Rockstar energy drink to keep us awake during our long drives). Of course, cash sponsorships are great too!

Also, it's important to realize how little money you need to spend to stay fed on tour. Before you leave, contact everyone you know in and around all the cities you'll be playing at. If someone will let you spend the night at their house, chances are they will also feed you. Don't go out to eat; go to grocery stores and buy granola bars.

Maximize your vehicle's mileage by getting a tune-up before you leave, get regular oil changes, and keep an eye on tire pressure and the air filter. If you have a diesel vehicle, it might also be worth looking into converting the engine to biodiesel.

And the number one recommendation: put out a tip jar at your merch table and appeal to fan's pity from on stage! A few nights ago I said, "Help us stop eating Chex Mix for every meal by filling our tip jar," and we received over $100 in donations. People are generous if you let them know there's a need... a lot of people automatically assume that bands are rich (often this assumption couldn't be further from the truth).

Check out the great live shot of ATS in action on the right (cred:(c) 2007 Lindsay Mae Photography, http://www.myspace.com/photeau)

After the Sirens won't be back in MA till mid October, but until then check them out in TX, FL, GA, NC, VA, NJ, NY, RI, and ME! Keep an eye out on the Boston page here for their hometown shows next month.

Tracy McLaughlin