Kindness Costs Nothing
Happy Friday!
I opened my eyes this morning and realized it was Friday, and I had not done today's newsletter yet. So I hopped up and grabbed my computer. Days become a blur when we're on the road. We think it's Sunday when it's Monday or Thursday when it's Tuesday. The question, “What day is it again?”, pops up by at least one person every single day.
This first week of tour has really been special. Every show except for one has sold out. We are continually humbled by each and every one of you who come to see us pour our hearts out on stage.
I wanted to write today about the importance of kindness. As many of you know, we don't at all consider ourselves “rock stars.” It takes a village to make a tour happen, to manage budgets, to arrange routing, to set up and put on a show. Our entire crew is so special. This work is not easy in any way, but it is the most fulfilling work for us as artists. There are weeks we have six shows in a row, like this week, for example, and we are playing 25 songs every night, and it can be taxing physically and mentally.
As we've been in and out of venues all week, we've had so many compliment us on how kind we are to their staff, as they share how they are often dismissed, not acknowledged, or are treated like shit. That behavior is unacceptable to me. In addition, there have been two female sound engineers that are doing FOH (that means “front of house” or “running sound” for the non-music lingo readers), and they have been amazing, professional, and have done an exceptional job for the bands who are out with us. Yet, they shared stories of bands who come in and treat them as if they know nothing. While we've come a long way with misogyny in the music industry, there is still quite a ways to go.
Being kind to others costs nothing and creates everything. Especially when it comes to those who are there to help make things run smoothly. If I meet someone whose music I love, and they're a dick, I will stop listening to them. I will not support a show, I will not buy their merch. It's over for me because no one is above or better than anyone.
While we may have a bad day or a bad night, that is no excuse to be unkind. As we go into this weekend, I want to encourage you all to be mindful of your thoughts and actions. Maybe go out of your way to do something everyday as an act of service. I promise, it will make everything around you a little brighter.
Hope to see you on the road! I've included a link with our schedule below.