Julia Conny
11/17/08, 03:00 PM
What does it take to be in the music business? Moreover, what does it take to be a tour manager? So many young, motivated kids want to be one, and only a few get the glory - the van keys, the band bank account numbers and the responsibility with being the go-to man (or woman) on the road. It's not a pretty as it looks, or at least that's what Set Your Goals' tour manager Craig Monahan lets us know in this interview. Well, that and how to deal with those "randos".
Let's get into your background with tour managing, because I know a lot of people are curious as to how you get into it.
Craig: The biggest thing is - and I saw a lot of questions about this - is whether I should go to school for it and get a degree. I do have a bachelor's degree, but it's a degree in history. Nothing to do with music. I graduated college and I was working in an office-based type job and a buddy of mine working for Virgin Records - he was an A&R guy. I owe a lot to him. He hit me up and asked if I wanted to work for Virgin Records on Warped Tour in 2006. I ran the booth in '06, met a bunch of bands, did a lot of work, and then from then on I just had a lot of options. I started touring with a band called Over It. Been out with All Time Low and Just Surrender and then Set Your Goals last year. Like a lot of things in life, it's all about who you know. And then once you have that opportunity and you get your foot in the door, you have to make it right.
How did you get started with SYG?
Craig: I was actually on tour with Just Surrender. They were out with SYG. This was their headlining tour. [SYG] hadn't done Warped Tour, and I had, and they thought my experience would be a good hand on deck.
So, do you think it's beneficial for someone to get involved with other aspects in the music industry first and then move over to tour managing?
Craig: Yes. For me, I was doing merch after I did work for Virgin. I think you have to learn the ropes first so you don't look like an idiot. There's a lot more to it than people think. If you don't really know what you're doing, then it looks poorly to other people, whether it's a stage manager or a promoter at a venue and so forth. I would suggest starting off with merch.
How much do you get paid? Or, I guess people are wondering whether they can tour manager and make a living.
Craig: No, haha. It depends on what band your with ... if your band is on a major label and has a tour budget, you'll probably get a lot more money. I get paid alright with SYG. I love the guys to death. The beauty of the job for me is that I'm a huge SYG fan. I'm on the side of the stage and I'm signing the words too ... secretly. Their work ethic is awesome, and they're great friends.
I can pay my bills, but I'm not rich in any way, shape or form. If you're doing some bigger bands, I know some tour managers that are making 1500 to 2000 a week. I probably make a third of that.
What kind of responsibilities do you have that people may not assume you have?
Craig: It really depends on the band. Like for SYG, we don't have a fully-staffed guitar tech or a stage manager, so in that regard, I'm on stage more than other TM's might be. With more stage hands and guitar techs, you might be handling press and advancing shows. My responsibilities are every where from the financial aspects of shows to dealing with the stage manager or promoter. Letting the guys know they have five minutes till they have to be on stage, to getting the set lists on stage. I'm like a stage manager and a tour manager at this level.
What's the worst part of the job?
Craig: I'm a pretty easy going dude, and I think a lot of times being a TM, you have to be a dick. You have to be stern. I've had times where I have to, you know, mouth off to a lot of people, and it's tough for me at times. I know some TMs that are always the tough guy and people see that. I'm a nice dude until I'm pushed, but for me, that's the hardest thing. And then, telling your friends they have to shape up and do this and do that. That's tough.
Do you run into conflict between what the band wants to do and what you know the band has to do?
Craig: All the time. That's the biggest job, you know? There are times where you have to be at a club at three, it's one and it's a two-hour drive. And are like, "Dude, I'm hungry. I'm starving. We have to stop." And that's where I say, 'No dude, we have to be at the venue, and then you can go do your thing.' If they respect you and they're friends with you, then they will be like, 'Oh, Craig's right.' Depends on the band, though. I've had bands where van or buss call is at 10, and they're there at 9:50. And then I've had bands where I'm running around chasing them at 10:20. It really depends.
[B]Here's a funny question that came from one of our users. I believe it was Justin of The Morning Of that asked. Does your band harass you as much as other bands harass their tour manager?
Craig: No, surprisingly not. They'll mess with me from time to time but we have a good relationship. We're friends, but we are business partners. I know people that wake up stressing their job every day, and I'm not really like that.
And it seems like if your friends with the band, it's gonna make things a lot easier.
Craig: Totally, but I think you have to go in working for them prior to being friends. You bring out your buddy, and they're not doing their job or they think they can just mess around in a tough scenario.
Would you like to keep tour managing, or are you using this as a stepping stone?
Craig: I've been touring with SYG now for over a year. I took off the Saves The Day tour, the Bamboozle Road Show. In my head, I was pretty much like, I should settle down. But then I realized that I missed it when I was home.
Double-edged sword, huh?
Craig: Exactly. I'm 24 now. I'm not gonna tour manager forever. But it's fun for now. I've been to Japan and Australia and I would have never been able to do that. I guess I'll ride the wave until it just gets unbearable.
Who are you contracted to? Is it just with the band?
Craig: No, I'm not contracted. I know some bands may go through a management company. The band hired me, but I'm very close with their management and so forth. We're a team together.
Here's another good user question: What rituals or silly things do you get to witness with SYG on a daily basis?
Craig: Ha. SYG are a funny bunch. They're kinda like kids in 23-year-old bodies. They're great dudes. They're funny. They might be moshing behind the stage just jokingly. Just everything. I'm more of a laid back dude. I can't think of anything specific, but if I think of something I'll let you know. They're definitely goofy though.
What's the best part of your job?
Craig: The friends. I've had the same friends in high school and college, but the friends you make touring... Everyone has the same respect for each other. It's like a family. I feel like I could count on a lot of the guys. I've never been with a group of people that I've been so close with. On a personal or emotional level to whatever, I know they'd have my back. It's hard to explain.
Are there any unspoken rules between tour managers?
Craig: I'd say just everyone in general. It's weird, man. You see these big hardcore dudes just hugging each other, saying "I love you, man." Everyone that's on the road together, it's a bond. It's family. I think everybody understands what you do. The merch guy knows what the other merch guy is doing because he's doing the same thing. We all go through it together.
Have you ever encountered issues between bands?
Craig: Not overly. You're not going to be friends with everyone you go on tour with. Luckily, a lot of tours we've been on, its been tight. You might have a guy who's not so tight with the guitarist of so-and-so, but overall, everyone gets to together. I've never witnessed any true bad blood. If you don't really get along with someone, you say 'what's up' and that's it.
What's been tour favorite tour so far with SYG?
Craig: Well, I missed the Saves The Day tour, and they're my favorite band of all time. The Just Surrender guys are always fun and an awesome gang. I love Paramore. We did a tour wtih Paramore, and I liked the record, but seeing them every night... Hayley's amazing. So chill, so down-to-earth. And she's an amazing performer. After seeing them every night, I realized I love this band. We brought out The Years Gone By guys too. They were great and worked so hard and loved every minute of it.
You also do some managing - Bladow Artist Management. Is that something you started before tour managing?
Craig: I'll tell you the story. When I was working for Virgin in '06, I was on the whole Warped Tour and in NJ. I had been hearing TYGB's name in the industry. They opened up the Ernie Ball stage and I saw them. I thought they were tight and we had some mutual friends. I guess they had someone managing them but they didn't have much direction. So I started handing out their record and introducing them to people and people started to get back to them so I think were into it. I was at Virgin at that point, but I figured, what the heck. I'll help them, they're my friends. Then it became more of a professional relationship. We're all really good friends, but at the same time we know when to put each other in place.
Are you planning to expand the management company more? Any bands you're checking out?
Craig: Not really. More recently we signed, so I feel like I would look for [more bands]. From tour managing SYG to managing them, I don't want to short cut anybody. Until I really feel like I have enough time, which might be in the near future - with TYGB signing and the record being out. I got them to that level and I'll still be with them, obviously.
There is one band I would like to manage and we've talked about it - This Time Next Year. We've got some things going on, so maybe that will work out.
Being a female in the music industry can be a bitch. There's all these lines between being social and being professional. What's your opinion on female in the biz, in regards to touring?
Craig: In touring it's weird. There are girls that work so hard, especially on [Warped Tour] and the tour is so rigorous. They're great. I would take them out on tour. And then you got the girls, the other girls, that nobody wants to be associated with. Wanna be seen backstage on their Sidekicks. You know the type.
I think the biggest thing is to prove yourself. It's nothing against females. I know our band and a lot of bands might not take a girl out because if you're in close quarters, it might not be the most comfortable thing. The biggest thing for a female, and I get asked this question a lot, is that you have become tight with the band as friends. They have to trust you to know you can do a good job. I get hit up so many times by girls who want to do merch, but I think you have to prove yourself more than a male. The opportunity is there. I would take it as be a friend and know what you have to do.
Be professional, essentially.
Craig: Yeah, be professional. You might come out for a week, but you're not gonna work hard and not many people are going to respect you. There are some girls out there that bust their ass. And they're tight and I would hire them.
With part of SYG being straight-edge, does that make your job any easier?
Craig: Actually no, not at all. I'll shed some light on this. There are only two members in SYG that are straight-edge. But the funny thing is, the straight-edge guys rage harder than the ones that party.
I know other straight-edge kids just like that.
Craig: Haha, yeah. I think they just need more excitement to get going. Matt and Junior are the straight-edge guys in the band and they're just as wild.
But yeah, it not any harder. I think it depends on the band. I think if you have a band that has a real problem with drugs or alcohol...
How tough is it for you to control the groupie situation? Do you have to deal with that a lot?
Craig: I do. We do have a lot more female fans recently, I feel, but the majority of their fanbase is dudes, you know? It depends on the tour, but we're pretty strict about where people are allowed. We don't allow people past a certain point, "randos", as we call them. Random girls. Even on a club tour I'm pretty strict about who we are going to give passes too. Especially on a club tour, you can't really have random people backstage. That's a respect issue. It's like etiquette. [The bands] want to hang out and they don't want some groupie, being like, 'Oh my god! Jordan from New Found!'
When they go out on stage, that's where the fans are. Keep the backstage to themselves.
Craig: Yeah, exactly. We don't have a huge issues but I'm sure with a band like All Time Low it's probably crazy. But we are aware of it.
I think that's all I got. This is your interview - anything else?
Craig: I think the biggest misconception about becoming a tour manager is that you're gonna graduate with a music degree, send in your resume, and someone's gonna be like, 'Yeah, lemme take you out!' When you're in a band with people, they have to TRUST you. I'm handling SYG's money everyday. I'm handling thousands of dollars. There's a huge responsibility.
Once you get your foot in the door, you have to make it happen. You branch off and branch off and hopefully climb up the ladder.
You have to make it for yourself.
Craig: SYG is pretty easy to TM for. They're a little wild and they like to have a good time, but they are super business and professional on the same token. I've never been with a band that are more on their game with business. They're very aware of the money and merch. Some bands will be like, 'Oh our TM will work it out.' They know everything, which makes my job easier.
Sounds like that's the best combination you can have.
Craig: Totally. It's not just me making all the decisions. Because then it all doesn't fall on my shoulders if something goes wrong.
Has anything ever gone wrong and you've been to blame for it?
Craig: Not overly. We have a pretty unique how to keep the financial statements and so forth. The littlest thing could screw up the books, so we've had a few issues with that.
Any last words for AbsolutePunk?
Craig: I love AbsolutePunk. Set Your Goals, check it out. They're gonna go to the studio with Mike Green and do the new record. It's tough to say a release time. And the demos are awesome. They have a few.
Recommendations! Who should we listen to?
Craig: Oh man, I should have prepared for this. This Time Next Year. A Loss For Words. Holiday Parade. Farewell. Every Avenue. All those dudes are great.
Let's get into your background with tour managing, because I know a lot of people are curious as to how you get into it.
Craig: The biggest thing is - and I saw a lot of questions about this - is whether I should go to school for it and get a degree. I do have a bachelor's degree, but it's a degree in history. Nothing to do with music. I graduated college and I was working in an office-based type job and a buddy of mine working for Virgin Records - he was an A&R guy. I owe a lot to him. He hit me up and asked if I wanted to work for Virgin Records on Warped Tour in 2006. I ran the booth in '06, met a bunch of bands, did a lot of work, and then from then on I just had a lot of options. I started touring with a band called Over It. Been out with All Time Low and Just Surrender and then Set Your Goals last year. Like a lot of things in life, it's all about who you know. And then once you have that opportunity and you get your foot in the door, you have to make it right.
How did you get started with SYG?
Craig: I was actually on tour with Just Surrender. They were out with SYG. This was their headlining tour. [SYG] hadn't done Warped Tour, and I had, and they thought my experience would be a good hand on deck.
So, do you think it's beneficial for someone to get involved with other aspects in the music industry first and then move over to tour managing?
Craig: Yes. For me, I was doing merch after I did work for Virgin. I think you have to learn the ropes first so you don't look like an idiot. There's a lot more to it than people think. If you don't really know what you're doing, then it looks poorly to other people, whether it's a stage manager or a promoter at a venue and so forth. I would suggest starting off with merch.
How much do you get paid? Or, I guess people are wondering whether they can tour manager and make a living.
Craig: No, haha. It depends on what band your with ... if your band is on a major label and has a tour budget, you'll probably get a lot more money. I get paid alright with SYG. I love the guys to death. The beauty of the job for me is that I'm a huge SYG fan. I'm on the side of the stage and I'm signing the words too ... secretly. Their work ethic is awesome, and they're great friends.
I can pay my bills, but I'm not rich in any way, shape or form. If you're doing some bigger bands, I know some tour managers that are making 1500 to 2000 a week. I probably make a third of that.
What kind of responsibilities do you have that people may not assume you have?
Craig: It really depends on the band. Like for SYG, we don't have a fully-staffed guitar tech or a stage manager, so in that regard, I'm on stage more than other TM's might be. With more stage hands and guitar techs, you might be handling press and advancing shows. My responsibilities are every where from the financial aspects of shows to dealing with the stage manager or promoter. Letting the guys know they have five minutes till they have to be on stage, to getting the set lists on stage. I'm like a stage manager and a tour manager at this level.
What's the worst part of the job?
Craig: I'm a pretty easy going dude, and I think a lot of times being a TM, you have to be a dick. You have to be stern. I've had times where I have to, you know, mouth off to a lot of people, and it's tough for me at times. I know some TMs that are always the tough guy and people see that. I'm a nice dude until I'm pushed, but for me, that's the hardest thing. And then, telling your friends they have to shape up and do this and do that. That's tough.
Do you run into conflict between what the band wants to do and what you know the band has to do?
Craig: All the time. That's the biggest job, you know? There are times where you have to be at a club at three, it's one and it's a two-hour drive. And are like, "Dude, I'm hungry. I'm starving. We have to stop." And that's where I say, 'No dude, we have to be at the venue, and then you can go do your thing.' If they respect you and they're friends with you, then they will be like, 'Oh, Craig's right.' Depends on the band, though. I've had bands where van or buss call is at 10, and they're there at 9:50. And then I've had bands where I'm running around chasing them at 10:20. It really depends.
[B]Here's a funny question that came from one of our users. I believe it was Justin of The Morning Of that asked. Does your band harass you as much as other bands harass their tour manager?
Craig: No, surprisingly not. They'll mess with me from time to time but we have a good relationship. We're friends, but we are business partners. I know people that wake up stressing their job every day, and I'm not really like that.
And it seems like if your friends with the band, it's gonna make things a lot easier.
Craig: Totally, but I think you have to go in working for them prior to being friends. You bring out your buddy, and they're not doing their job or they think they can just mess around in a tough scenario.
Would you like to keep tour managing, or are you using this as a stepping stone?
Craig: I've been touring with SYG now for over a year. I took off the Saves The Day tour, the Bamboozle Road Show. In my head, I was pretty much like, I should settle down. But then I realized that I missed it when I was home.
Double-edged sword, huh?
Craig: Exactly. I'm 24 now. I'm not gonna tour manager forever. But it's fun for now. I've been to Japan and Australia and I would have never been able to do that. I guess I'll ride the wave until it just gets unbearable.
Who are you contracted to? Is it just with the band?
Craig: No, I'm not contracted. I know some bands may go through a management company. The band hired me, but I'm very close with their management and so forth. We're a team together.
Here's another good user question: What rituals or silly things do you get to witness with SYG on a daily basis?
Craig: Ha. SYG are a funny bunch. They're kinda like kids in 23-year-old bodies. They're great dudes. They're funny. They might be moshing behind the stage just jokingly. Just everything. I'm more of a laid back dude. I can't think of anything specific, but if I think of something I'll let you know. They're definitely goofy though.
What's the best part of your job?
Craig: The friends. I've had the same friends in high school and college, but the friends you make touring... Everyone has the same respect for each other. It's like a family. I feel like I could count on a lot of the guys. I've never been with a group of people that I've been so close with. On a personal or emotional level to whatever, I know they'd have my back. It's hard to explain.
Are there any unspoken rules between tour managers?
Craig: I'd say just everyone in general. It's weird, man. You see these big hardcore dudes just hugging each other, saying "I love you, man." Everyone that's on the road together, it's a bond. It's family. I think everybody understands what you do. The merch guy knows what the other merch guy is doing because he's doing the same thing. We all go through it together.
Have you ever encountered issues between bands?
Craig: Not overly. You're not going to be friends with everyone you go on tour with. Luckily, a lot of tours we've been on, its been tight. You might have a guy who's not so tight with the guitarist of so-and-so, but overall, everyone gets to together. I've never witnessed any true bad blood. If you don't really get along with someone, you say 'what's up' and that's it.
What's been tour favorite tour so far with SYG?
Craig: Well, I missed the Saves The Day tour, and they're my favorite band of all time. The Just Surrender guys are always fun and an awesome gang. I love Paramore. We did a tour wtih Paramore, and I liked the record, but seeing them every night... Hayley's amazing. So chill, so down-to-earth. And she's an amazing performer. After seeing them every night, I realized I love this band. We brought out The Years Gone By guys too. They were great and worked so hard and loved every minute of it.
You also do some managing - Bladow Artist Management. Is that something you started before tour managing?
Craig: I'll tell you the story. When I was working for Virgin in '06, I was on the whole Warped Tour and in NJ. I had been hearing TYGB's name in the industry. They opened up the Ernie Ball stage and I saw them. I thought they were tight and we had some mutual friends. I guess they had someone managing them but they didn't have much direction. So I started handing out their record and introducing them to people and people started to get back to them so I think were into it. I was at Virgin at that point, but I figured, what the heck. I'll help them, they're my friends. Then it became more of a professional relationship. We're all really good friends, but at the same time we know when to put each other in place.
Are you planning to expand the management company more? Any bands you're checking out?
Craig: Not really. More recently we signed, so I feel like I would look for [more bands]. From tour managing SYG to managing them, I don't want to short cut anybody. Until I really feel like I have enough time, which might be in the near future - with TYGB signing and the record being out. I got them to that level and I'll still be with them, obviously.
There is one band I would like to manage and we've talked about it - This Time Next Year. We've got some things going on, so maybe that will work out.
Being a female in the music industry can be a bitch. There's all these lines between being social and being professional. What's your opinion on female in the biz, in regards to touring?
Craig: In touring it's weird. There are girls that work so hard, especially on [Warped Tour] and the tour is so rigorous. They're great. I would take them out on tour. And then you got the girls, the other girls, that nobody wants to be associated with. Wanna be seen backstage on their Sidekicks. You know the type.
I think the biggest thing is to prove yourself. It's nothing against females. I know our band and a lot of bands might not take a girl out because if you're in close quarters, it might not be the most comfortable thing. The biggest thing for a female, and I get asked this question a lot, is that you have become tight with the band as friends. They have to trust you to know you can do a good job. I get hit up so many times by girls who want to do merch, but I think you have to prove yourself more than a male. The opportunity is there. I would take it as be a friend and know what you have to do.
Be professional, essentially.
Craig: Yeah, be professional. You might come out for a week, but you're not gonna work hard and not many people are going to respect you. There are some girls out there that bust their ass. And they're tight and I would hire them.
With part of SYG being straight-edge, does that make your job any easier?
Craig: Actually no, not at all. I'll shed some light on this. There are only two members in SYG that are straight-edge. But the funny thing is, the straight-edge guys rage harder than the ones that party.
I know other straight-edge kids just like that.
Craig: Haha, yeah. I think they just need more excitement to get going. Matt and Junior are the straight-edge guys in the band and they're just as wild.
But yeah, it not any harder. I think it depends on the band. I think if you have a band that has a real problem with drugs or alcohol...
How tough is it for you to control the groupie situation? Do you have to deal with that a lot?
Craig: I do. We do have a lot more female fans recently, I feel, but the majority of their fanbase is dudes, you know? It depends on the tour, but we're pretty strict about where people are allowed. We don't allow people past a certain point, "randos", as we call them. Random girls. Even on a club tour I'm pretty strict about who we are going to give passes too. Especially on a club tour, you can't really have random people backstage. That's a respect issue. It's like etiquette. [The bands] want to hang out and they don't want some groupie, being like, 'Oh my god! Jordan from New Found!'
When they go out on stage, that's where the fans are. Keep the backstage to themselves.
Craig: Yeah, exactly. We don't have a huge issues but I'm sure with a band like All Time Low it's probably crazy. But we are aware of it.
I think that's all I got. This is your interview - anything else?
Craig: I think the biggest misconception about becoming a tour manager is that you're gonna graduate with a music degree, send in your resume, and someone's gonna be like, 'Yeah, lemme take you out!' When you're in a band with people, they have to TRUST you. I'm handling SYG's money everyday. I'm handling thousands of dollars. There's a huge responsibility.
Once you get your foot in the door, you have to make it happen. You branch off and branch off and hopefully climb up the ladder.
You have to make it for yourself.
Craig: SYG is pretty easy to TM for. They're a little wild and they like to have a good time, but they are super business and professional on the same token. I've never been with a band that are more on their game with business. They're very aware of the money and merch. Some bands will be like, 'Oh our TM will work it out.' They know everything, which makes my job easier.
Sounds like that's the best combination you can have.
Craig: Totally. It's not just me making all the decisions. Because then it all doesn't fall on my shoulders if something goes wrong.
Has anything ever gone wrong and you've been to blame for it?
Craig: Not overly. We have a pretty unique how to keep the financial statements and so forth. The littlest thing could screw up the books, so we've had a few issues with that.
Any last words for AbsolutePunk?
Craig: I love AbsolutePunk. Set Your Goals, check it out. They're gonna go to the studio with Mike Green and do the new record. It's tough to say a release time. And the demos are awesome. They have a few.
Recommendations! Who should we listen to?
Craig: Oh man, I should have prepared for this. This Time Next Year. A Loss For Words. Holiday Parade. Farewell. Every Avenue. All those dudes are great.