Walker: West Coast Ranger

Hi!

My name is Coire Walker and I love to make music. I used to live in NYC but now I don’t. I am planning a tour of the west coast because, truthfully, I don’t know where on the west coast I want to live but I do know I want to be closer to family and my roots (look at me getting all real and shit!) I am putting together this tour because it’s the best way to combine my love of music and dreams of sharing it, while also being able to experience the music communities of these beautiful cities firsthand. I hope this approach to traveling will give me a sense of where I'd like to pick back up. It's been a long time since I've been out of the big city grind and I need a little room to breathe. For reals.

The problem is that great adventures cost money, and money is not something that I have a lot of right now. From Seattle to San Diego is about 1,500 miles each direction—actually more with tour spots, coffee shops, local traveling, and looking for parking. All and all I estimate it to be about 4,000 miles! Wow, that’s a lot of miles! My trusty tour vehicle will get about 20MPG, so that’s about 200 gallons of gas roundtrip. The average price of gas nationally is about $2.30 a gallon, so that’s $460—just in gas!

I also need to invest in some musical equipment for the trip. I’ll need some amplification for small gigs since most of the gigs I’ve set up don’t have backline amps. For a portable amp and speaker cabinet capable of handling my monster rock it will set me back about $500, but I like to think of it as moving me forward since this is a longterm investment :)

I know a lot of fine friends along the way that would be able to give me a floor to crash on, however I’ll also be getting some lodging with Airbnb, because sleeping in the dirt is pretty 1800’s. This will run around $450.

This trip also doesn’t factor in food, drink, road tolls, unforeseen expenditures, or hospital bills from audience projectiles. WHEW, touring is expensive!

So what’s the goal?

The original goal was $750--about half of the base costs quoted above (gear, lodging, gas), excluding food, extras, etc. I felt it was much better to set the goal low and achieve it, over setting high and not achieving it.

From the insane generosity of a few great friends this goal was met within a few days of beginning the campaign! For reals--you guys are the best and I will never forget the gesture!!!!!

I haven't crunched all the numbers yet, but I'm estimating this tour to cost somewhere in the $3000 range, sans whatever tips I make from performing. It's going to be neat to do the math all said and done and see how things work out. It's funny how work for something you love still never quite feels like work. Put me in front of a screen in corporate America sending emails and I'd shoot myself--do it for booking agents and it's a beautiful learning process about the industry I've avoided for far too long. Now it's time to get schooled. :)

I got it, Coire--PLEASE stop rambling--I'm sold! How can I help you out?

#1: Donate!

It’s really easy when you impulse buy—do it. Do it. DO. IT. But seriously, I'm not looking for a handout--this is having a hand IN the grand journey of art and self-discovery! This is something bigger than you or I—this is a musical force neither of us can stop. So do it. Nike that shit up. I am rambling again...

#2: Help book me!

Know of a small, intimate venue that you think I’d be a good fit for? Let me know! I am learning that the best venues are from word of mouth, from the suggestions of agents that like my music but cannot book me for various reasons--I am tunneling down into the real dirt! So please, if you know of a cool indie club or cafe that does live music please put me in touch! And then send me your money after you do that.

#3: Let me play for you!

Are you kidding?! OF COURSE I’d love to play for you! I’m not booking huge venues, and right now I’d prefer it that way! I’d much rather play at your home, coffee shop, your friends flatbed trailer…I want receptive eyes and ears, because, again, this is a journey for all of us. This is my calling, and it’s time to make it happen. Damn, here I go getting real again...

What you’ll get:

All supporters get a song and a drink of their choosing, both performed and pour-formed by yours truly! You’ll also get my undying gratitude, which is worth even more than that :)