Thanks for being open. I know it can be awkward but folks (like myself) need to learn. We appreciate what you contribute as a creator.
@kiltymacbagpipe
2 жыл бұрын
Music isn’t the road to riches for the vast majority of bands but sometimes you need your side gig, which may be your main gig financially, to make you music happen. The reward of playing music is much more than the money in your pocket. If you include the cost of gear and the hours of rehearsal, it’s nearly always a loss financially but a massive gain in a less fiduciary sense.
@mikefoster5423
2 жыл бұрын
Well said. this is the reality for MOST bands and you really have to do it because you love it plain and simple. You're gonna lose money but if you look at is as a hobby and a passion, it probably comes out cheaper than a lot of other hobbies.
@PhilippeArantesTina
2 жыл бұрын
You know what.. kudos to you for being so clear and direct. Income, money etc is such a taboo for a lot of people and that's why sometimes there's people with a huge pay gap on the same company doing the same exact thing.
@8KilgoreTrout4
2 жыл бұрын
"Some say I'm in it for the moneyyyy! I'm in it for the LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!"
@addison093
2 жыл бұрын
Fluff can you share what the other band members do as a side hustle from the road? Would be useful to know what works for those of us who tour or are maybe just getting into touring but don’t have a successful KZitem channel. Cheers man & great content as always!
@Mandilore89
2 жыл бұрын
That would have to be up to those band members to disclose it with him. Fluff can't just share that info openly without their permission.
@ZackSeifMusic
2 жыл бұрын
Tony has a GREAT podcast interview with Finn McKenty on how he handles his management company.
@ProducerRyan
Жыл бұрын
We respect the hustle, keep working hard brother!
@J-P65
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video and your honesty. The amount of money you are getting for a gig was what my band was getting in the late 80's/early 90's. We were also lucky to break even, although we didn't stay in hotels.
@thomasnickerson9035
2 жыл бұрын
Love all of your videos, but always find these the most interesting. A little peak behind the curtain to a world that most of us would love to experience, but probably will not. Keep up the great work and enjoy the rest of the tour!
@MichaelMitchell9969
2 жыл бұрын
Right on, dude, things are hard these days. Keep keeping on. Totally agree.
@nisterror
2 жыл бұрын
sometimes breaking even its all it takes to fund crazy fun endeavors like touring. Monetarily might not make a ton of sense, but hell the memories, places and people you meet along the way are priceless
@Arfonfree
2 жыл бұрын
I appreciate the insight. I've never been good enough to entertain the thought of making a living from my music, but it was still educational to peek behind the curtain.
@sixsix8six
2 жыл бұрын
at 4:32 I was fully expecting Tony to get out from underneath the covers and stomp out going "FINE!"
@okayguitarplayer
2 жыл бұрын
Appreciate all the effort you put into entertaining us, brother... You're one of my favorites. Keep it coming! Cheers, from Vancouver Island.
@Ispeakbreebree
2 жыл бұрын
For someone like me who doesn’t have passive income, which is something I am constantly looking into and saving capital in order to invest in ways I can generate that for myself, I literally am saving money in order to be able to pay my bills when my band is ready to tour which I’m guessing would be about a year from now at the least. Truly pursuing a lifestyle as a touring musician (especially in metal) is a massive sacrifice unless you are in an extremely favorable situation, which is a situation most of us aren’t in, we need to use our brains and our skills, we need to open our minds and become more productive than ever, this most likely won’t get us into a shiny car or mansion in the future but it possibly could pay our bills if we keep our overhead low and allow us to live a life where we get to express our passion for people who enjoy it, that is all anyone can really ask for. For me that will be enough to make me happy.
@jamowallace
2 жыл бұрын
Perfect, honest video! Keep up the great work my man…
@benbubear8046
2 жыл бұрын
I'm pretty sure I bought the first bit of merch you guys sold in person (kinda) in the UK!
@mikefoster5423
2 жыл бұрын
I find it interesting that Dragged Under operates almost exactly as my small little local/regional band does. We do maybe a dozen shows a year in a good year, so it's nowhere near the same scale, but the band operates as it's own entity and if it makes a couple hundred bucks from a show, that all goes back to the band to pay for albums/recording/merch/etc. The guys in the band are responsible for their own travel expenses, gear, beer, and all that. If one guy wants to get a hotel and another wants to sleep in his car to save a few bucks then that's how we do it. Music is our hobby not our paycheck so we treat it as such.
@rudybanegas204
2 жыл бұрын
I finally listened to Dragged Under, you guys are fire!!! Albums been on repeat for days.
@markototev
2 жыл бұрын
Should also look into blog content in this genre to get google traffic both for affiliate links and ads (get your video reviews in text, do other posts, etc).
@Nrthrn
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this, dude! The more I work with music the more I see this is how things work. And tbh I’m starting to not care that much anymore and just keep moving forward. I have a side-hustle as a freelancer graphic designer and I can work form anywhere. This video gave me hope I can make it happen.
@thiofabian9568
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for such an honest video!
@tres311
2 жыл бұрын
Merch, merch, and more merch
@Sadsoft
2 жыл бұрын
It’s nice to hear about this.
@thejustustrio
2 жыл бұрын
Holy shit! 3000 before taxes from KZitem AdSense? I'd be set! That's all I need!
@Jstall7543
2 жыл бұрын
I couldn’t imagine touring!
@jameslugo
2 жыл бұрын
You’re a gangsta Fluff. Love you brotha.
@jameslugo
Жыл бұрын
Wow that’s cool. I’m so not hip I can’t figure out how to what’s app you.
@himynameis77
2 жыл бұрын
This is a great and informative. Some bands/musicians need to hear this
@jeremyhardt4073
2 жыл бұрын
I love the openness and honesty with sharing your financials. It’s a taboo subject in the world based on capitalism. To see you expose your little world and say, “Hey, I’m not rich, but I maintain the life I want” takes balls in a world driven by $$$.
@timmyjones1921
3 күн бұрын
Thank You .
@andrewhouse3246
2 жыл бұрын
Your honesty is truly who you are, and we love that about you, guess what we dont love...fluff Fischman sold out nukka-
@RiffsAndBeards
2 жыл бұрын
My Fishmans are sold out yes thanks for noticing
@erikracz4162
Жыл бұрын
I watched your video on the Slash Les Paul, I did not know you are in Dragged Under, I have listened to your band, and I like your videos, they are enjoyable.
@anndynegative
Жыл бұрын
You love to see the grind
@christopherJSmokeandMirrors
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video!
@jasonstallworth
2 жыл бұрын
Dude, thanks for sharing this. I also make my living from music (left my corporate job in 2020). Much of my income is from my courses, affiliates from multiple sources, and playing live solo gigs. It's not an easy life but I wouldn't trade it!
@heavymetalmusictheory
2 жыл бұрын
I love the videos that describe things like this. Your KZitem income video was great too!!
@Datimdavis2900
2 жыл бұрын
Welcome to Virginia!
@Sammywashere
Жыл бұрын
You're genuinely so fkn cool - thanks for sharing.
@teddybrosevelt9374
2 жыл бұрын
I think so far I’ve reported two dozen spam comments claiming to be you and stating “this comment has won the magical prize” Can’t stand that crap.
@evanmiller2579
2 жыл бұрын
You are a cool dude. Very transparent. Enjoyed the video. Travel safe!
@ernieb3626
Жыл бұрын
Hey Fluff what a geat Video. I really appreciate how you present your videos. I think Im going to order your pick up to put on a project LP. I have never had a fishman and Had no idea you had a pick up or coffee or anything. thanks again and God Bless your travels.
@Smart-Alex
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for pulling back the curtain! Yeah, everything is expensive but gas is coming down.
@juanduplays
2 жыл бұрын
Stay safe Fluff
@steve_pooch
Жыл бұрын
This is great....I haven't toured since 2015, former member of the Hamer artist roster. When people ask me why I don't play anymore, I let them know I was never able to pay my bills by being in a band I had to spend money to be in. I was also in working self-sustaining bands in the same financial situation as yours.
@csnide6702
Жыл бұрын
for me it was tired of making 35 bucks a night - playing to drunks in crappy bars - when I had just started a family at home.... i was offered a big gig and when I met the "star", i took an immediate dislike to him & turned it down. Still playing since 1979... !
@HANGINWITHTHEDREAMER
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for sharing this video I am struggling with trying to create some passive income because I believe in my heart ❤️ that I have something to offer a brand . Even with my 10 magazine features for which I am incredibly honored at the end of the day I still only get a few tags in the form of support and I am constantly fighting the algorithms for exposure anyway I am a big fan of your content thank you 🙏
@ZO5150
2 жыл бұрын
Preferred budget hotel chain in US? Do you stick to one “reliable” cheap chain, or different hotels based on ratings, recommendations, experience,ext.?
@protoolsfanatic7276
Жыл бұрын
I played in a classic rock-outlaw country band for about 2 years every weekend semi locally while working construction Monday thru Friday and each band member made between 80-200 each depending on the place sometimes driving 2-4 hours each way. Never again lol. Every weekend is too much for a family guy.
@PooNinja
2 жыл бұрын
How to make money on tour? Three words, Merch ,Merch, MERCH!!!!
@PooNinja
2 жыл бұрын
Mailbox money, small steady and growing. 🤘🏽
@GalansKey
Жыл бұрын
как всегда - честно, профессионально и с огромной любовью к музыке. Рад что когда то давно подписался на этот канал - сейчас использую Ампед Рутс для работы и постоянно слушаю Вашу музыку. Удачи и надеюсь когда нибудь услышать встретиться в живую
@samizdat113
2 жыл бұрын
Depends on if you like eating.
@tylergibson7652
2 жыл бұрын
Great video!
@eprohoda
2 жыл бұрын
Rifs,- yo- useful .=)
@dconleygtr
Жыл бұрын
Great topic and thanks for sharing! Your model of "everything goes back into the band" is one my band does as well. If you are allowed to share, it would be interesting to see a follow up video that digs deeper into the overall band/touring/label finances. Since Dragged Under is signed, I am curious if you guys have a 360 deal with the label, if they provide tour support, etc. You explicitly didn't mention any streaming revenue. Is that because you haven't recouped? Again, I get it if those details are NDA as part of the contract.
@JoshRiffMonster
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks dad, I really need it
@AlexhPDX
2 жыл бұрын
It seems like you guys are getting hotel rooms every night, maybe for each member even? That's thousands of dollars you could be taking home at the end of the tour when most of the time there's people willing to put the touring band up for the night. Worst case scenario sleeping in the van a couple of nights. If you have a guarantee of $500-1000 per show, are selling a good amount of merch each night and aren't coming home with money you're probably doing something wrong. It's not the most luxurious way of doing things but that's how most bands that are touring several times a year are coming home with money at the smaller/mid-sized band level
@joeyminotti4538
2 жыл бұрын
Beard related question.. what nose hair trimmer are you using?
@axonathan
2 жыл бұрын
T-shirts were our main money maker back in my days on tour
@freddyleal1756
2 жыл бұрын
You mentioned the band has and runs off a LLC.. Not once did you mention anything about right offs, milage hotels expenses the band puts in, another why dont you run your own LLC for yourself as a muscian/ youtuber/ home studio owner or whatever it is what you do best and benefit off that at the end of the year
@martinclayton7260
2 жыл бұрын
I'd like to get one of your pickups.
@jakubsimek4472
2 жыл бұрын
How about a vlog from the tour? 😀
@corymoore5093
2 жыл бұрын
What do the other band members do? Pretty sure we all sorta understand how you make a living. Are they all KZitemrs as well?
@micktoombs1313
2 жыл бұрын
Go live on one of your songs during the tour
@danyeo
Жыл бұрын
Wow, what’s crazy is a cover band I was in never made less than $800 a show. We made between $800 - $2000. But after that, everyone had their hand out and the singer had a drug habit and was stealing/siphoning off funds and then came the accusations, fights, then the band breaks up.
@DanielJesseLife
Жыл бұрын
So with break even touring. How does that activity affect streaming numbers? Is there a direct correlation to touring translates to an increase in streaming?
@Kahuilla
6 ай бұрын
I toured A LOT over a decade ago and hotel rooms are one of the biggest contributors to decreasing revenue. Did you guys ever consider staying with friends, family, or with the local band members from other bands overnight? Sometimes we would literally ask while playing if someone would let us stay with them overnight lol.
@Lutemann
6 ай бұрын
Jesus, no money? I would never waste my time driving all over hell for free?
@mikaelflodstrom6370
2 жыл бұрын
🔄
@publicInformedofficial
2 жыл бұрын
I love money. I love everything about it. I bought some pretty good stuff. Got me a $300 pair of socks. Got a fur sink. An electric dog polisher. A gasoline powered turtleneck sweater. And, of course, I bought some dumb stuff, too. -- learn more
@TheToecutter69
2 жыл бұрын
Bought your pup fluff! 🤘🏼🤘🏼
@RiffsAndBeards
2 жыл бұрын
I love you
@miniharez
Жыл бұрын
the time has passed for original artists to make money. No more CD sales or huge record deals. thats why you see all the big bands have to tour constantly now. and if you’re an up and coming artist, well you gotta be really really fucking good. I use to have those dreams, but now I play in a cover band in a ski resort town. I make 1500$ a week from 2 band gigs and one solo happy hour acoustic gig. it pays the bills so I dont have to work a real job, and i get to play music all the time, only working 15hrs a week, if you call that work, lol. And that way I now have time to write originally music and record. I got a 10 song album already written, Im just in the process of recording it myself! but Im making music not out of necessity but of passion. but you never know, I could still “make it” 😆
@theinfamoustuba
2 жыл бұрын
This is a little scary. Have we reached the point where touring is not a sustainable business? I think even Misha Mansoor made comments about Periphery's touring not making much, if any, money most of the time. What is the way forward? Sponsored tours? Wealthy benefactors? I have no problem sacrificing a little and working hard to succeed in music, but it's looking like a sustainable career is getting less and less realistic.
@saturnskull1242
2 жыл бұрын
funny you dont have something for beard though, like a signature beard oil etc
@palex313
Жыл бұрын
former road dog, got me with the coffee, ill order a sack
@RiffsAndBeards
Жыл бұрын
MY GUY!
@palex313
Жыл бұрын
@@RiffsAndBeards yeah turned out to be rather good. I don't care for Ethiopian beans as a single source but in the blend it works really, really well. Cheers
@leegollin4417
2 жыл бұрын
6 weeks of hotels = sleep on the bus money. Go home with rent. Do your videos at the venue. I slept on floors of fans and the floors of headliner's crew''s hotel. Once in a while it was luxury at Motel 6.
@leegollin4417
2 жыл бұрын
Mr F
@AlexhPDX
2 жыл бұрын
For real, that's thousands they could be taking home at the end when there's almost always people willing to put you up for the night and let you crash in a spare room or on the floor. Bring sleeping pads and crash anywhere you can
@the_nondrive_side
2 жыл бұрын
Pay to Play to get on the largest tour you can then work it as a stagehand. Farewell Yellow Brick Road lol
@FanaticDrummer
Жыл бұрын
Lots of big artists do clinics before sound check. I’ll just pimp myself out instead.
@DrewKane
Жыл бұрын
Shirts. The answer is shirts. $2 bulk gildan shirts with $0.45 worth of ink sold for $25 or $30. Sell 10-15 of those a night, at least. Add in a $5 profit from any vinyl or CD releases sold, and you can get about $500-$1000 a night in merch sales if you are a touring mid-level band. I have not watched the video. Probably not gonna watch the video.
@camerongrant9356
Жыл бұрын
Being a musician is the lowest paying job in the world when you consider the time and dedication it takes just to be decent never mind the cost of gear.
@LDN76
2 жыл бұрын
All you need to do is break even. Rest is a plus. You just dont make music for the money, you do it for the music. Thats how it should be. If you do make money, it all gied back in the band Simple
@TiffaneeFuller
3 ай бұрын
Do you know any bands that are hiring a tour booking agent for california?
@muurimc
Жыл бұрын
Does all band members have similar side / passive incomes?
@tomaszbaran
2 жыл бұрын
Interesting, thanks for sharing.. question though, why do you choose to go on the road then?:) Sounds so much reasonable to just stay home, do your thing and even afford some time off?;)
@RiffsAndBeards
2 жыл бұрын
Cause going out and seeing the world with the homies is important to me
@officialpoa3171
Жыл бұрын
*You know, that really says nothing for how you can afford all that gear! I mean 1 amp head is like $3,000 + what of you have like 12 of them +. then Guitars ETC... YO your business is yours and none of mine. However if you are going to come on social media and make a public declaration as the subject matter of this video - you might would at least BE 100%! whereas what you described DONT ADD UP.*
@JoshuaJohnMusic
Жыл бұрын
To everyone here, I’m curious: is there a large pay difference between genres? I play in the country scene a lot up in Ohio/the Midwest, and it’s fairly normal to get 200-500$ per member depending on the gig (once you get going.. not so much just starting out) I was quite surprised to hear that these guys do their shows for 500-1000$ total considering the scale of the band. That said, I’m with groups that do 90% covers, and I assume that due to the genre I play, things like beer sales factor in quite a bit more. Can anyone whose been in multiple scenes attest to this?! It’s interesting to see
@GoneFishin610
Жыл бұрын
Cover bands are where the money is. Original bands struggle often to make ticket sales, but people see a Scorpions cover band and then want to come out and drink and listen to tunes.
@benheaver4332
Жыл бұрын
👍🍺
@CCPotato
2 жыл бұрын
You guys are getting paid? 😮
@BatEatsMoth
Жыл бұрын
If it's break-even, then why do it? Which is cheaper: renting an RV or staying in hotels? Just curious, because most musicians telling this break-even story are touring in a van and staying in hotels. If the RV route is more expensive, then why aren't you making use of campgrounds and rest stops? Or maybe modding your van so you can sleep in it? Do you stop at a lot of restaurants? Why? Are you too entitled to brown bag it? Try getting a camp stove if you like hot meals; learn to cook. Or bring a cheap microwave with you; there are plenty of places you can plug in. Or if you can justify the cost, rent an RV with cooking facilities in it. Who is your tour manager? Do you even have one? If you have one, you might want to consider firing them and getting a better one. One who actually knows how to budget a tour so that it produces income. If you don't have the money to organize it that way, then maybe you should work on that before committing to a tour. You're not really a working band if you don't actually get income from your work. It's just a hobby, both in practical and legal terms. I'm from the 80's and 90's. We actually took all this shit seriously back then and didn't try to bend the definitions. I have downloads of my music available for purchase and I've done shows in the past when I had an actual band together, but I don't honestly consider myself to be a professional musician, because I've never actually earned an income from it. All I have is a lot of sunk costs. If I was doing what you're doing, I STILL wouldn't call myself a professional musician. If the business is generating revenue and you're putting it all back into the business, then it's a business in development, not a true professional endeavor. It doesn't become that until you're drawing an actual salary from it. Actual indie professional musicians are a rarity. They're more rare than label-backed bands. You're not in that club. Guys like Adam and Rhett, they're professional musicians; they actually get paid to record and perform live. They make an actual living at it. It doesn't matter who owns the band; if you're not getting paid a wage or salary, you are not a professional musician. If this isn't your main paid occupation, then you are not a professional musician. Don't confuse your aspirations with actuality. You will never get where you want to be by doing that. All I see here is some slackers wasting a lot of money playing rockstar and patting themselves on the backs for a job well done when they haven't actually done any work of real monetary value yet. If you're staying at hotels and eating at restaurants, then this is a road trip party for you, not a profession. You haven't earned those treats yet; you won't until you can add them into your tour budget without sacrificing income. You're a professional KZitemr, maybe a professional teacher, maybe a professional producer if you still do that, but you're not a professional musician; in that regard, you are just a hobbyist aspiring to be a professional, like me. Don't kid yourself about where you are in your journey. Learn to be brutally honest with yourself.
@kelsodelroy
2 жыл бұрын
I've never been about that income. I'm more about the outcome.
@csnide6702
Жыл бұрын
How..? Sell tickets , pack 'em in and play rock n roll.....
@ShadovvV
Жыл бұрын
So.. how do you generate income on the road? You don't. But you do.
@shadow__dancer
2 жыл бұрын
Music is not a career, then. It's an expensive money draining hobby. Man, it sucks to hear the truth of it.
@hannibalbarkas1350
2 жыл бұрын
As I see it touring is basically not a viable business model anymore, it's just for fun if you wanna lol.
@ItsBrynnDiamonds
Жыл бұрын
"2,500 a month"- oh not bad "pretax"- ouch
@NateSapianMusic
2 жыл бұрын
That’s the best part…you don’t!
@FlankinspanK
Жыл бұрын
as a cover band we make 7-800 a show
@TheNomad3000
11 ай бұрын
If you aren’t making any money, why are you touring?
@sacapuntasfregerio4274
7 ай бұрын
So short answer is you don't make money on tour
@RiffsAndBeards
7 ай бұрын
Not a cent.
@fly12k17
7 ай бұрын
That's mean i can't get rich by doing music😢😢
@killerxxxshadow
Жыл бұрын
This is so sad, being a musician and making and showing off music live should be sustainable. You are working countless hours and selling out multi hundred person shows cant break even most of the time. While also doing the back breaking effort of lugging yourself on the road for weeks away from family or home. Musicians and artists need better policy in place to cement their fair share.
@gaefferson1
8 ай бұрын
You make more money the more you play ..
@wheresallthezombies
2 жыл бұрын
Being in touring band sounds like a waste of time. Lol. I’m sure there’s lots of positives but doesn’t seem like the time or effort is worth it.
@AlexhPDX
2 жыл бұрын
Not everything has to bring in a ton of money to not be a “waste of time”. For many, the travel, adventures and playing in front of hundreds of different people every night is worth it
@wheresallthezombies
2 жыл бұрын
@@AlexhPDX yeah that’s literally the only reason you’d want to. I’m not even sure how much of an adventure it would be though. You’re just getting to the next hotel room and venue to play for no money. While being away from your family. You could easily just play regionally and get the same thrill of playing in front of people. You’d probably actually make money.
@AlexhPDX
2 жыл бұрын
@@wheresallthezombies Some people love being on the road, some don't. Lots of bigger, established bands don't do long tours anymore for that reason and just do shorter 1-2 week runs or festival fly-in dates. Just speaking for myself, some of the best times of my life we're on the road playing in bands with my friends. The money side of things hasn't changed too much since the 80's/90s and probably never will. You play music because you love it. For every big arena rock band that made it big from that era there was hundreds of other bands grinding it out on the road
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