Life as a Touring Metalcore Musician
In this episode we interview guitarist and screamer Michael Labelle about his experience being on the road with A Skylit Drive.
Michael thank you for coming out today. Thanks for having me.
How long have you been playing in bands for? Ever since I was 14/15 I think. So like 7 years ago.
Yeah.
Where and how did you learn to scream?
It all comes down to trying what works for you. Like everyone who started out I fucked up my voice a few times, eventually I figured out something that doesn’t hurt my throat.
Was it through like YouTube or reading articles?
I mean I’ve watched how to scream videos on YouTube, they only get you so far. Someone trying to explain something like that is very hard to understand.
So you learnt it by just doing it and feeling how your body reacted to it?
Yeah, yeah and then I stumbled on Melissa Cross’ Zen of Screaming videos. She doesn’t really teach you how to scream she just gives you exercises to not fuck up your voice, and those got me through the first shows.
How did the opportunity with A Skylit Drive arise?
It was through a Facebook post, they posted an open audition.
*play audition tape*
What was the next step once they chose you?
They actually sent me a demo of within these walls, I had to record some screams at home and send them over.
What is your average day for music? How long do you practice and what do you practice?
Dude, ever since I started touring I barely do any practicing at home, I just relax. I do think about music all the time I always listen to music, that’s like my practice haha.
In terms of Visa’s and getting into the states to record, how is that process?
It’s really a long process there’s just so many papers, so many people and so much money involved.
What can someone expect to earn from being freshly hired as a professional musician?
It all depends on who you’re working with and how big the artist you’re working with is. I’m actually able to pay my bills with touring so I’m very grateful for that.
What are things you guys do together on your free time on tour?
We usually just go to the gym, or literally try to find the best food place in town. It’s one of the two, go to the gym or find some really great food.
What’s a day like from when you wake up to when you go to bed on tour?
It’s literally same shit different day. You wake up, you usually eat, hang out, talk for a bit, watch shows, get to the venue, take our stuff out, set it up, make sure everything is working, go to the gym, get some food, play the show, pack up, and get on the RV.
What has been the toughest part of the whole process so far?
It’s getting into the States. The business side of the music industry is hectic and everyone is working as hard as they can, so it’s just getting everything together is the hardest thing.
What’s the next step in your career?
Just touring man. That’s where all the fun and the money and everything is in touring. You know, you get to meet new people.
How about showering and personal hygiene? How do you find that playing the hot sweaty summer shows?
Baby wipes dude. I mean we do have a shower but we usually use it for storage and it’s just so small so no one uses it, or you just take a water bottle and rinse off haha.
What is your advice for aspiring musicians?
Literally never stop working. It’s a business and it’s really really, REALLY hard to get into. At the end of the day it’s all about who you know in the industry because it’s such a small world. For new artists you need to set some really really high goals and just keep working until you get them.
Alright, that’s all the questions we have for today. Thank you for being on the show.
Thank you for having me man.
*back massage*
