Photo Credit: Kristy Cameron

Inspired by the Minutemen song, Evil Monito’s “Tour Spiel” highlights the musician’s life on the road. Each week, we’ll check in with some of our favorite artists touring stateside or abroad. We’ll provide an intimate look into what it’s like to be packed in a van or waiting for a flight with the same people for hours on end. It takes a certain state of mind to survive any lengthy tour. Yet it’s the memorable experiences that make life on the road ultimately rewarding, if not interesting. This week we decided to highlight Rachel Flotard of Visqueen, who flew out to Laos with a philanthropic purpose.  She set out with a few thousand dollars to pave the school’s floors and twenty suitcases full of school and medical supplies for her return trip to aid Ban Na Mouang. 

EM: What is your favorite song to play live? And why?
Visqueen – “Beautiful Amnesia”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I love playing “Tall Grass” because I get to watch Barb shred up an electric cello like the street scene in Fame.

EM: What city did you most enjoy playing on tour? And why was it memorable?

I liked to play Van Advertising Agency, or Van Think Tank. Kicking around Brain teasers like the game “What would you rather do”. An offshoot example, “what would you rather have”. Options: barbed wire hair, or a 10 foot thumb. Permanently.

Photo Credit: Kristy Cameron

EM: What was the strangest town you’ve played in? And why?

Johnson city Tennessee, if by strange you mean great. They have private man dancers that wear grey one-piece sweatsuits like balboa and jazz up the floor right in front of you. Whole set.

EM: What kind of vehicle do you tour in?

I rock a stretch dodge van complete with bungee cord paper towel roll holder and all the comforts of a gas station.


The band, Shonen Knife

EM: Who was your favorite band to play on tour with? And why?

I don’t know. The GBV shows were pretty standout, mainly because I’ve never seen that much beer pass through a group of urinary tracts.  Shonen Knife ruled, because they were smiling, nodding, bowing…and that’s all before we played.

EM: What obscure band did you recently “discover” while on tour?

Uh, I think the James Gang rediscoverd me. I am their dusty highway servant. I’m forwarding them my speeding tickets.

EM: What is your favorite venue to play in?

I love the Triple Rock in MN.  They are hearts with a club built around it, and have tater tots and a juke.

EM: While on tour, what is the band’s consensus as the favorite spot to eat?

The supermarket.

EM: On nights off in-between shows, how do you like to occupy your time?

We play, anyway.

EM: If you or the band had to agree on one “must-read” book for the long trip, what would it be?

Fast Food Nation (by Eric Schlosser). You wont be able to give away your  McBucks fast enough.  Or, The Notebook. We just love romance.

EM: What’s the most unique piece of equipment on your tour?

My poster of cats cleaning (with brooms) adhered to my fender supersonic pro.

EM: What comfort items are a “must” when embarking on a long tour?

Laptop. Earplugs. Eye bandana.

EM: What is the hardest thing about being on the road?

Being away from home.

EM: What’s one amazing location that you fantasize about playing live

Angkor Wat (I just climbed to the top of a temple last night and watched the sun go down.)
Love, from Siem Reap, Cambodia

- Rachel (of Visqueen)

Photo Credit: Kristy Cameron

***
http://www.visqueenonline.com/

http://www.myspace.com/visqueen

via Sylvia Adams, 29 December 2009 2:42pm | |