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BACKSTAGE ACCESS: The life of a touring musician

WEEK 5 FOCUS OF INDUSTRY: Touring Musician This week BACKSTAGE ACCESS talked with Will Glazier, 29, a musician and producer, who is touring all over the

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Will Glazier playing at a concert. Photo courtesy of Will Glazier.
U.S. right now with Michal Menert & the Pretty Fantastics, StarRo, Russ Liquid, Marcelo Moxy & Willdabeast. Every serious musician has most likely pondered the idea of tour. What would it be like to share your music with thousands of people, in places miles and miles away from home? In week five of the tour’s seven week journey, Will shared with me, prior to his show in Colorado that night, what it’s like to be on the road and the importance of touring for aspiring musicians. Featured Professional: Will Glazier About Will, Willdabeast & Michal Menert and the Pretty Fantastics: According to Glazier, he has been playing in bands and performing live music ever since he was 12 years old. He has played and created music with the lead singer of Passion Pit, traveled and performed on Warped Tour in 2004. After to moving to Bellingham to further his pursuit of music, he is now a part of multiple music projects, such as Michal Menert & the Pretty Fantastics, Yogoman, Snug Harbor & Willdabeast. Glazier attended Western in 2011 and completed his audio engineering degree at Fairhaven College. By the end of his Western career, he released his first personal and full length album. “I became enthralled with how to produce music. A couple of silly tracks turned into something amazing,” Glazier said. Will is now performing in both Willdabeast & Michal Menert and the Pretty Fantastics]. The tour started at the beginning of Oct. in Philadephila, PA. and will run until mid-November, ending in San Francisco, CA.
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Michal Menert and the Pretty Fantastics. Photo courtesy of Michal Menert.
“I owe a lot of credit to the people who afforded me these opportunities,” Glazier said. Glazier was invited to play in Michal Menert & the Pretty Fantastics by Michal Menert himself. Menert is the founder of Super Best Records, which Willdabeast recently signed to as of this past week. He was also one of the most integral members of the music project Pretty Lights. Glazier described the music on this tour to be electro-soul. “It’s kind of a blend between future funk and hip-hop,” Glazier said. Life on the Road: The beginning of the tour was an adjustment for Glazier. “The first few weeks were extremely challenging for myself,” Glazier said. “I just had a son and had to leave him behind. It was a little emotional for me.” He said one of the most challenging parts of the beginning was learning to adapt to the 11 other complex personalities on the trip. Now well into the tour, Glazier said that he feels more adjusted. “I think we have really started to hit our stride. Not just with playing music at our highest capacity but also learning to support each other interpersonally,” Glazier said. “I am extremely grateful for that.” According to Glazier, this is what a typically day of tour looks for him:

  • Drive anywhere from three to 10 hours.
  • Load into the venue and assemble the stage around 4 p.m.
  • Sound check around 6 p.m.
  • Run to get food and coffee.
  • Play in Willdabeast and the Pretty Fantastics till around 2 a.m.
  • Pack up till 3:30 a.m.
  • Bus call at 7 a.m.
  • Do it again.
“I maybe get the chance to walk around town for an hour,” Glazier said. The only reason there are days off is to drive across anywhere from four to five states, Glazier said. Glazier and the rest of the crew passes time traveling by writing music, playing video games and sleeping. The Value & Importance of Touring: Glazier said that touring is not always glamorous. He also said that touring is one of the most important efforts that musicians can make to start pushing their music. “The release [of being on stage] is what music is about, “Glazier said. It’s why we create music.” Being able to connect with people, whether it is 50 people or 1500 and feeding off their energy is another reason Glazier loves touring. “It’s the best job in the world,” Glazier said. “Everyone is replaceable other than the person in charge. I am trying to prove myself every single day.” Listen to Willdabeast music here: https://soundcloud.com/willdabeastofficial Listen to Michal Menert and the Pretty Fantastics music here: https://soundcloud.com/michalmenert



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