The Life and Times of an Indie Band- Part 3

We arrive at Spice, a Thai restaurant. During a sit down meal, the band usually turns off their smart phones and puts them into the center of the table, to ensure that everyone is paying attention. Food is quickly ordered and served. Before we eat, grace is said. Eating is an activity everyone involved enjoys and the food is often shared around the table. Tonight is no exception.
There's no time to tarry, so we quickly walk back to Webster Hall as the doors have started to open as it's already 6:30 PM. The Vespers announce themselves as band members so they can be let in at the stage door.

At some point, it's made known that there are 2 other "local" acts will be performing as well tonight. This does not go over well with the group, as it means they will performing last after 4 other acts. It's felt that the crowd will be burnt out by then. According to all, it's best to go on second, if there are three acts, and second if there are two. Going last with a five act lineup is to avoided at all costs. But, there is no changing things at this juncture.

The set list of what will be played tonight is handled by Callie . Taylor used to perform this important task, but says that the band realized that Callie had the better knack for knowing what was best for the crowd and the venue. Placement of new songs is also critical.

The "dressing room" is a tiny, barely furnished room off of the stage. The only amenity provided is bottled water. Demands for M&M's with the green ones removed  will not be honored tonight.
There's a real camaraderie among the musical acts and they are very gracious and friendly.


The manager of the venue lets everyone know that the show will be starting 10 minutes late. A pretty good crowd has gathered by 7:15 and there's well over a 100 people at one point. Most of them are there to see one of the local acts who has sold many tickets to their fellow students. The record company executive does show up to hear the Vespers play. By the time they do, it's almost 10 PM and the crowd has thinned out . Undaunted by the small crowd, The Vespers give it their all. They know that there might be (and in this case is) someone in the crowd that could be an important industry type.  Just as importantly, there are some in the crowd that came just to see them. They will not be let down.

Then, in what seems like mere minutes, the Vespers are playing their last song. In what will turn out to be over a 12 hour day, the actual performance is probably a little over a half an hour. Before you know it, the load out has been started up.

The Vespers and their partner band for this tour, Caleb, stand outside the venue, in the cold February night, say their goodbyes and wish each other a safe ride to the  venue they'll be playing together the next night in Virginia. Everyone settles back into the van. Bruno announces the meager payout to everyone. This night's check will cover expenses ,but not much more . There's more talk about being the last of 5 acts to play and how that is less than ideal. Pretty soon, the chatter dies down as we head back to New Jersey.Everyone is quickly back on their smart phones.

Later that evening, The Vespers find out that the van Caleb had been driving to Philadelphia has broken down on an interstate in Philadelphia. They do not know if they will be able to make the scheduled gig or not. If they don't what will the Vespers do without the shared drum kit that was in Caleb's van? That's another tale, for another day, on the road.