This is the first tour blog dispatch from lawyer/musician RJ Phoenix. Check out all of his guest blog entries:
post #1
post #2
post #3
A Toronto lawyer is taking a brief break from the long days and hectic schedule of his career, in favour of…well…the long days and hectic schedule of an independent musician on a promo tour.
Rory Dyck, in-house counsel for a Toronto company (and one-time Precedent fashion model), is touring his way back to Toronto from Vancouver. It’s all in support of his new musical project, RJ Phoenix, and an EP he released independently earlier this fall.
We’re curious about what life is like for a musician on the road, so we’ve asked for updates as the tour progresses. Here’s the first dispatch.
Day 1
Made it to the airport. This is starting to feel real. Kathy, the wise-cracking West Jet attendant got us off to a good start. Caddyshack on the in-flight T.V. made the experience complete. On the road with my guitar player/keyboardist/backup singer Graham Goss. It’s great to have a band mate along for the ride. It makes the performance more interesting with someone playing lead parts and singing harmonies — it’s also great to have the banter on the road.
Most of the appearances I’m making are T.V. news or talk shows where I’ll perform a song or two and cut to a quick interview. Our first interview is tomorrow a.m. for a show called “Rock Star Weekly.” A half hour later, we pack up and head to the other side of town for a live performance on ”Urban Rush.” A quick pit stop at a radio station for an on-air conversation and we’re off to Calgary. Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto will follow over the next few days.
Despite my experience doing interviews in my previous life as a full-time musician, this time around is a potentially a more interesting (read: nerve-wracking) experience. There will be no gazing at my guitar while the lead singer in the band rambles on about his or her philosophy of the benefits of yogic meditation on their particular performance style. I am the lead singer in this band. I’m not totally convinced, however, that I’ve given enough thought to my own ideas and philosophies regarding the music I’m making. It leaves me wondering not only what kinds of questions the interviewers might pose — I’m also curious to hear also what answers might come out of my mouth!
Stay tuned…
– RJ Phoenix