Day in the Life of a Touring Musician

We're going on tour again! Dates here: sungazermusic.com/tour
Thanks to Plini for having us, to Jakub Zytecki & his band, and the entire crew for an incredible tour! Thank you to the fans for coming out, you rock.
🥁 Transcriptions + Drumless Tracks: www.shawncrowder.com
🎵 Listen to Sungazer: spoti.fi/2sdTSJ5
👕 Merch: teespring.com/stores/shawn-cr...
📷 Instagram: / shawncrowder

[@Packbat]

Neat vlog - really clear illustration of how much live music events are defined by logistics, too.

[@jas_bataille]

Live music events are defined by almost nothing other than logistics, performance included. Only the talent isn't.

[@fredjennings5312]

Couldn’t get past the dopey outfits.

[@aorock747]

This is what I want. To be 100% dedicated to music like you guys. Even if it's not a super famous band, as long as the bills can be paid by doing what I love the most.

[@thedizzyparker]

There's definitely a middle class music career to be had. How many shows are you doing per month right now?

[@aorock747]

@@thedizzyparker Not even one at the moment. And I'm supposed to be in two bands. Lol! But those two bands feel like it's just a hobby. Problem is, they can't find gigs. The place where I live, it's just too difficult to make music as a career by playing the music that you actually like. You'd have to play covers of those trendy songs at clubs and bars. Which I don't like one bit.

[@soysantim]

As someone who's never been on tour, been able to watch behind the scenes is awesome. Kudos to the energy of you guys, giving maximum effort every night while traveling, moving equipment, smiling at each person who buys merch, etc. This kind of stuff keeps me going and thinking I'm in the right track.

[@dummbobqqqqq]

Why have you never toured?:)

[@HaroldsLastChance]

As a guy that only writes music at home, it's cool to see the side that I have fantasized about for so long but never did it.

[@marksimmons7906]

Saw you guys for the very first time at the Gramercy on May 14th. I came for Jakub and Plini (and Adam) frankly, but you guys turned me. I’m forever a huge fan now. And the audience was so damned good. Everyone was there for the right reason, and it was so awesome to be a part of a fanbase like that.

[@HPMichalke]

Beatiful Video! So much hard hard work. Not to mention the years (!) of practice, research and development that culminate into those precious 45mins of a concert. Chapeau to you, Shawn, and every other musician currently out there trying to bring joy into the lifes of strangers.

[@c0zy__]

sleep in the van -> sleep in a cramped bus that's what i call progress 💪🐟

[@eric9822]

Wow, I literally saw myself in the crowd at the Minneapolis show. My first time on KZbin? Your show was great, probably the most chatting and giggling in a music crowd ever, you and Adam make a great team. I loved where you were playing some funky beat, and Adam asked the crowd to notice that it was only with your left hand. Great show. Jakob Z was amazing as well. Thanks for videos like these.

[@remyleedrums]

the ending made my heart flutter because every tour i do thats the thing constantly running through my head i love it!!! ❣❣❣

[@DanteElephante]

LOVE THE SHIRT! What a great vlog

[@smokeyandthebarelythere4553]

I love life…. My name is Sean Crouter and I am also a drummer😀🤘. Thanks for showing the real life of a performing musician.

[@kaiowens1616]

Mad respect for playing that hard every night after such a crazy year time between every show! Amazing that y’all can make all of the crazy electronics and everything work every night at so many different venues. I know that isn’t easy

[@bikershark9]

I'm stoked that you guys are able to tour and play your music right now, that's awesome and I hope Sungazer continues to grow

[@zakolache4490]

Loved seeing y'all in Denver, can't wait for next time! The schlep is real

[@ShawnCrowder]

so real

[@MusicandTractors]

Awesome to see all that takes place between shows! Thanks for sharing!

[@LestatAlone]

Loved seeing you guys in Detroit! The hard work pays off. You always put on a great show!

[@Project2100]

Keep on rockin'!

[@ra_benton]

Awesome getting this behind the scenes look. I saw your show in San Francisco and it was absolutely amazing! You brought a lot of additional fun things to the live performance that you just can't get listening through the album.

[@t3tratube]

Loved seeing you guys in Dallas. Can't wait for next time!

[@PatrickHaeslerMusic]

I really hope this tour portends a plini/sungazer crossover. The 2 of you are really at the forefront of fusion music right now and a team up would be beastly.

[@Cody_Jay]

I was at the Minneapolis show and I'm so glad I got to say thank you to you for being so inspiring to drummers and musicians everywhere. It's videos like this that prove my point. This is why we do what we do. ❤️

[@jimmydiamonds]

As a former touring musician, it really makes me chuckle that no matter the technological advancements with consuming music, or all the extra contraptions you can use when playing live... It still ends up with a van full of reprobates craving Taco Bell

[@localdrummerweb]

Man thanks for sharing this. The video brings back so many fond memories for me. My experiences on the road were pretty much the same as yours. Crazy to think that no matter the success level, genre, band or home base. Touring is pretty much the same experience for everyone.

[@KeyanHoushmandLive]

Awesome video man, would love to see more stuff like this in the future!

[@ryanhernandez6002]

Really dope vlog man. As a pro musician who’s never been on tour, part of me is like “fuuuuuck that” while the other part is “jealous as shit”. Looks like a ton of work but is totally worth when you have a band who feels like family and everyone else in the other groups are a good hang. Keep rockin’ 🤙🏽

[@hagenzhang7903]

I remember going to the show in Boston on my birthday and it was the most amazing concert I had ever been to! Thanks to sungazer for the best birthday gift i could've asked for

[@seeafish]

Great video Shawn. Your drumming's inspired me a lot and I hope to see you live someday. Hope to catch you guys next time you're in London.

[@f33fifofum]

Fantastic video, great work on the tour

[@byCampo]

love the punch line at the end "all of this for 45min each evening".

[@CameronHops]

saw you in PHX, was a killer show! Nice Suprise to find you on KZbin

[@sandyhanson6082]

I know exactly how it is! I play in a touring band as well called Agent Orange. This is perfect! Thanks 👍

[@ZackSeifMusic]

Great to see a Vlog from another musician's POV! Adam's vlogs were part of why I started my channel and why I've been vlogging for half a decade. Loved the video Shawn!

[@lilmaskreti]

I bought my ticket for the Montreal show just for you guys! It was soooo gooooood! I hope to see y’all again ❤

[@danielelise7348]

& is it worth it? I hear you ask,F*CK YEAH! 🤘🤘❤❤🥁🥁

[@dev_jana]

I was at the Minneapolis show. You guys rocked the joint. This was really cool to see. Thanks for posting!🤘

[@thetej1098]

Brilliant vlog dude, 10/10. Subbed for more!

[@CluelessGent]

That was so cool - THANK YOU! I've always wondered just what life would be like as a touring musician. And now I know. I'm also guessing that y'all aren't getting rich on this tour, so I applaud your dedication to your art!

[@sudarkoff]

Lovely video, Shawn!

[@dagonzalez1757]

I really hope you guys release some footage of your gigs for those of us across the globe

[@ScaredOfClocks]

Bruh, this video just showed up in my recommended. Had no idea who ya were. Then within minutes ya show not only are ya the drummer for Sungazer, but also that you are currently touring with the goat Plini. Big ups to see ya guys touring with the homie. Hope ya guys only get bigger and do more!

[@TN-D18]

Forty years, nothing’s changed. 👍 Cool.

[@tammysmith2553]

Yep! Been there done that back in the early 80s. To think of the dives where we slept and ate. Can't imagine that life at my age now. It was fun then though. Ahhhhh to be young again

[@vicsandSTR]

That’s so cool! I have to do a tour like that at least once

[@bertcano]

#BobSledTime! 🤣 Congrats on the tour dude! This is a sick vid. Thanks for taking the time to share it with all of us! 😁😎

[@aiacusenaduschasames]

absolutely awesome

[@lukekulak7165]

loved that! thanks dude

[@avoqado89]

Please visit Portland soon! I'll see Plini in the fall but I was hoping to see y'all too!

[@PlanetImo]

Fab. I loved this :)

[@MichaelNatrin]

Fantastic video.

[@Jbutterfield10]

That Minneapolis show was awesome!!❤ I’m the guy that came down from Nebraska 😂

[@aarongraves2841]

Gone a long way since Silver creek days! Making us proud!

[@willdavid6697]

Great video!

[@999NINE99]

You really have to love it to live that lifestyle. Your playing shows you do. I bet at times during the day you wish you just would have taken up the guitar.

[@ShawnCrowder]

Or better yet, vocals 😃

[@perpetualgrimace]

Seriously. I play both, and the number one thing I like better about drums is not having to deal with cables. RIP Shawn 😂

[@timoheinrich8763]

I play both, too. And the thing I like better about drums is playing drums :D

[@perpetualgrimace]

@@timoheinrich8763 I like to think that eventually playing guitar will be as much fun as drums, once I suck at it less 😅

[@RCGC01]

Very nice!

[@thesmellycatjazz]

Saw you guys in Orlando. Killer show. Also YEEEEEEEEE!

[@FieroGTXX]

And Id do it all for free to feel like a road guy for just one week. There's so much bedroom jamroom talent that never gets heard. I got a 9to5 job and just play for fun. I understand not everybody gets that chance. But boy, I would literally pay to live out the fantasy of being a tour drummer for a week or two. It's gotta be worth it all when that curtain goes up. Music is life

[@musomuzo]

Dude cool runnings to pump yourselves up😂 so good

[@patrickjones785]

Great video.

[@qwertyqwertz2802]

Saw you in richmond and you guys rocked

[@hurotowel6539]

Doing the works of God 🙏 thank you for showing us the insights!

[@JustinAdie1]

Saw you guys in detroit. Was an awesome show!

[@ScottTWade]

awesome Vlog! thank you

[@diegomonteirobatera]

This was awesome! Please, can you do a (very) detailed rig rundown of your set up? Sendory percussion + Alesis multipad + Ableton setup + Stacks plethora... I want to see it all. But please, after the tour ends and you have some time to rest and be with family first.

[@jonahharre8192]

The legend returns!

[@JoeReeceDrums]

On top of what is a fantastic insight into touring, you sound absolutely fantastic, during the sound check in Chicago, Ooft!

[@Zbigniew_Piatek]

Nice to see Polish names. Best from PL :)

[@mikecrean8849]

This was all very nice and obviously the edited version. Now give us the real deal. The Jack Daniels, the coke, the hot chicks, wrecking the tour bus. Look forward to it !!🙋‍♂️😀🇬🇧

[@InSyncDrums]

I was not ready for that to end! Awesome video brother! You guys are true professionals.

[@gaddmatt]

That 7/8 grid you were using for the flam exercise on the pad at the end ... not sure if that's out of Mangini or what, but has conceptual roots into drum corps grid exercises. Nice tight flams, BTW. *hat tip*

[@tonycarpenter-Makzimia]

Respect :). I toured QLD Australia for 3 months in 1985. 6 gigs a week residencies mostly, but it was brutal even that way. I don't even want to think about the pack ups and downs you handle.

[@drumbird]

Hell yeah, a fellow Nebraskan representing! I'm wondering if I know him! 😂

[@ZackZweifel]

Great video... what I wouldn't do to do it all over again and just be on the road...

[@goldgazebo9196]

I didn't even have to know you were a member of Sunrgazer to know this is a video about Sungazer. The title alone gives it away.

[@wasdroger_]

Everyone who hadn't heard of Jakub Zytecki before. Definitely check out his music. I think anyone who likes sungazer will love his music as well!

[@LorenzoGollia]

That ending made me so emotional

[@hamacaboy]

Amazing video. ❤❤❤to love music is a beautiful thing. I think this is the way to a succesful career if you want it. If you are not willing to do it like this, all in, then you have no business doing anything in life❤❤❤

[@bobberino98]

Was so sad to have our show canceled in San Diego. But I'll catch you guys next time around for sure!

[@Maxiamaru]

God I hope to see you guys live some day

[@aliensporebomb]

Dang, you guys were here in Minneapolis and I was totally clueless. I think I was travelling though. Grumble. Cool video.

[@blingadinghey]

Nice HIFI shirt. Thanks for repping Indy’s finest

[@bedaskun5312]

Did you play the Monomyth riff in the kick drums at 7:27 ? So sick amazing video as always ❤

[@jarahgates7292]

Ayyy I thought someone else would notice it

[@VinayRamakrishnan]

Hi Shawn, This was a great video. Thanks so much for sharing. I was wondering if you could share a short clip on how you route the multiple direct outs on the SPD-SX pro? I picked one up recently and I've been routing them through "phones only". I'm not sure if that's the correct way to do it.

[@luiszuluaga6575]

Wow, your in-ear monitors mix is pretty interesting thing to experience. I toured for 12 years and never used one because I’m edgy like that. Lol! I dig those sounds you put together though. ✊🏼🥁

[@Soundslikesamer]

dude what a cool video

[@Computertipper]

You guys are badass! Question, what drum rug do you use? I’m on the hunt for one that won’t slide while we’re playing. Thank you in advance

[@yomeportobien]

Awesome video. Suscribed

[@ReadySetMoses]

This looks exhauating

[@jimdellavecchia4594]

I was on tour with my band from 1994-1997 and we had one solid rule-NO TACO BELL!!!! When you get a Code Brown we can't pull over

[@KalleBlixtHagholm]

So sad I missed you in Sweden earlier this year. Any plans to return here?

[@igorperez3276]

Nice video

[@bikeenjoyer977]

A full run through of yours and Adams Ableton sessions and if/how you have them synced and your trigger+SPD setup would be s w e e t

[@TheSteelDialga]

I feel like Adam has featured that stuff in a few different videos he's made throughout the years. I don't think there's just a video dedicated to it yet though

[@jas_bataille]

Key takeaways from this video of what's touring life : - 20 min. to set-up and clear the stage with all of you equipment including electronics, snakes and basically everything, yay! - Unintelligible arguments with bandmates after the show - Shitty food - Sleeping in a bunk bed (IF you're lucky and have a proper touring vehicle) Add to this the fact that you're also lucky to wake up at 11 am. The very moment you gain traction on podcasts or the radio, people will call you up at 9am for interviews! Wow it's SO much fun :D (I wanna die just thinking about it while doing showruns at home, plz help). No seriously, it's all worth it!!!

[@junkandcrapamen]

The best sleeps I have are on a tour bus.

[@heyspizzy]

How do you like the wagon compared to a van? We have shared a bus with a headliner before, but never taken out a bandwagon. You mentioned bouncing around, and I feel like that’s a common complaint from friends. We are dogs that love to drive so I feel like the extra cost may not be worth it.

[@exitplan2]

Would it be possible to get info on the company that provided that motor coach?

[@tresjordan982]

You reminded me of why I quit 😂…. It’s not so much all of the crap but the fact that all you get to play is 45 min. When I began as a bar band we played 4 hours a night and it was so much more fun !!

[@hotcherrysoda5981]

did you get any footage of the silent mosh pit in slc?

[@MoonmanSpacejam]

Long story short. Its bad ass

[@syjwg]

Great editing! Soo much work and I really hope you're making a ton of money. But hey, change those clothes.

[@billmint8122]

I feel gyped that Aaron Marshall wasn't playing with Plini at my venue lol