Canadian musicians never go on tour without these tour essentials │ Exclaim!

It’s summer, which means artists across the country are touring and heading to music festivals. Canada is a big country, which means long drives and extended periods away from home, making it all the more important for artists to have a few amenities on the road.

We asked some Canadian artists about their road essentials – the things they make sure not to take with them on tour. Their answers ranged from entertainment that helps them pass the time to must-have tools that make shows run smoothly.

Check out the photo gallery below and read past editions of Exclaim!’s Show & Tell here.

Sky
Clamp light

Photo courtesy of the artist

When Toronto-based DJ and producer Ciel is on the road, she inevitably ends up at many dance clubs and late-night parties. Because of these dimly lit venues, she always carries a clip-on light. “In these particularly dark clubs, it’s impossible to find and select the next record from my vinyl bag without the light,” she says. “They clip on easily and are powered by a single AAA battery that lasts forever. A win!” Everyone wins when she spins songs from her prolific recent series of releases, including last year’s Homesickness and this year’s series of singles and EPs.

Under the yeast
Tools, gems and a evil Dead Lunch box

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The members of British Columbia noise rockers Down the Lees each bring their own must-haves with them on tour. Ever-handy drummer Andy Ashley is armed with tools and extension cords, while the obviously more sentimental bassist Chris Carlson brings a jewelry box full of gems given to him by his daughter for good luck. And as for singer and guitarist Laura Lee Schultz: “I bring my evil Dead Lunchbox I’ve had since the 90s to use as our merch box. That’s where your money goes if you buy the ominous, thunderous new EP dirt.

Elisapie
Natural wine

Photo: Camille Gladu-Drouin

Multidisciplinary Inuk artist Elisapie is absolutely everywhere – shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize with her album Inuktitutand even on stamps in Canada Post’s Indigenous Leaders series. And when she’s on the road, you’ll find her with a glass of natural wine. “We’re laid back on tour with this wonderful band,” she says, “but we’re a little picky about wine. Natural wine is our go-to drink for the green room! But I drink herbal tea with a little honey and a little whiskey in cold winters.”

Folding paper‘s Chell Osuntade
Noise-cancelling headphones

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Winnipeg songwriter Chell Osuntade has three words for you: “Noise-cancelling headphones.” He explains, “They’re a lifesaver whether you’re driving or, better yet, flying. You just have to love blocking out the world.” Noise-cancelling headphones are the perfect way to enjoy the skronky, hypnotic post-punk of this summer debut EP. 4TO on Royal Mountain Records.

Future star
Used CDs

Photo: Becca Tobin

Future Star’s Mazda 2 can only play music in two ways: CDs and radio. Since her favorite station, 93.7 JR Country, only reaches the Greater Vancouver area, she prefers used CDs when she’s on the road. “In this picture are three of my favorite CDs: blink 182’s Entry of the state, Jesus Christ Superstar OST and Tim McGraws The greatest hits Vol. 2,” she tells Exclaim! One album she definitely doesn’t have, however, is her tender new piano-pop album It’s time!which “will not be released on CD because I firmly believe that CDs should only be bought second hand unless it is an emergency.”

Nap eyes‘ Seamus Dalton
Kobo eReader

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Touring seems like an adventure, but according to the Nap Eyes drummer, “you have to wait a long time to get to the hour on stage,” which is why he always carries an e-reader with him. “It also makes life in cities even more beautiful,” he points out. “You can read a book that’s set there, your favorite poet from that city, or the history of the local music scene. All things that make the tour more enjoyable.” Perhaps this hunger for literary enrichment explains why the band makes such poetic pieces full of slacker rock sweetness, as can be heard on the upcoming album. The Neon Gate.

Soft cult
Books

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Grunge shoegazers Softcult recently released their EP Heavenincluding a single called “9 Circles”, inspired by Dante’s inferno. So it’s only fitting that this literary inspiration reflects an avid reader, as Mercedes Arn-Horn poses here with both classic (Arthur Miller’s play The Crucible) and contemporary (Kelly Barnhill’s feminist fantasy novel When Women Were Dragons) books.

canyonby Rob Laska
Online Ceramic Hoodie

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If you see Valley singer Rob Laska on tour, you know what he’ll be wearing: this hoodie by the brand Online Ceramics. “I wear it regularly. It’s ripped, it’s all worn out, but I always wear it on every flight and every day of travel,” he says. He describes it as “the perfect level of coziness,” which is also an apt description of Valley’s new album. Water the flowers and pray for a gardenwhich combines the band’s patented modern pop sound with more straightforward rock textures.

Danielle
Travel guitar and books

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You never know when a song will come. That’s why indie rock songwriter Ryan Wayne, formerly of Warped 45s, says, “You won’t get very far without a travel guitar, because inspiration seems to come most often in times of change, transition, and travel. Sometimes waiting for a gig to start, sometimes in a hotel room, sometimes in the backseat.” His approach is clearly working, because he quickly reached back to last year’s album. Crow among the sparrows with a few new singles. As for creative inspiration not Strike, there is still reading: “I especially love Margaret Atwood, Thomas Pynchon, Don DeLillo, Cormac McCarthy, Toni Morrison, Steinbeck, Vonnegut (and) Alice Munroe,” he says.