I'm happy to report that the people you waved at were me and my two friends Marlee and Nica (Nica asked the first question after the viewing), thank you so much for waving at strangers, it made our day!!
Also, 5 minutes before it started I also forgot what I was doing there, like my thoughts were suppressed by the feeling of excitement, until it started and I was hooked the whole time! Can't wait to watch the rest and to hear what everyone thinks!
Ps.: kinda disappointed you didn't get a picture with your look-alike that isn't sara 😜
''Little did he know that he was actually talking to a superstar''..Exactly..Take selfies together or get things signed...I pity that teenager missed the opportunity of his life also..
Can you tell us more about Heather your musical director? I’ve never heard you guys talk about touring with a musical director before so I’m curious what that role entails!
This is our first time working with Heather. She came to us via another musical director named Max we were working with. Most musical directors of their ilk don't tour with bands so much as they just prepare them for tour. Some bigger acts (the Taylors, Miley's etc) do have MD's in their bands but we have just been using an outside musician director since 2013 to help prepare the band, us and the music for tour. They help take the tracks from the album (we call them stems) and decide what to use for the live show. Often a song on an album will have 100 tracks (different drums, guitars, vocals, keyboards, backing vocals etc) and so some of those parts are played or sung live. But there's only so many hands or voices on stage, so we use playback (a set of computers often side stage) to play some of the keyboards or other parts we want to include live but don't have enough bodies to play. But you can't just play the entire set of tracks, it would be chaos and not sound good. So an MD often helps find the parts that are most important, and in some cases re creates parts, and helps build what's called a show file. That show file is what we all play along to on stage. In Heathers case she also has been helping solo vocal harmonies to divy up between Sara and and I so we know which harmonies to sing. We often lay down multiple harmonies and octaves to layer vocals on an album and so Heather decides what we should sing, what we would play. She helps to find that balance between an organic, rock band that we are and also still add some of the actual sounds and parts from the album into a nice mix that will make for an excellent sounding show and performance. She also helped us craft the set list. So she helped to create acts so the show tells a story and has momentum and doesn't feel unbalanced (too many slows songs together or too many fast songs together can ruin a show/energy). She is helping us to decide which guitars to bring, what keyboards to play. She basically helps get the show ready. In a way the closest parallel would be to call her a producer. Hope this is helpful!
I love the recap Tegan. I can't imagine all the fun but nerves too. I'm so excited for tonight at CIFF. Feel free to wave ;) Me and my besties will be the ones in the front row with masks on (they'll be hiding our giant smiles) and matching TnS shirts/hoodies (custom made). I know High School is going to be amazing and seeing you two there will be even more exciting. I hope you aren't too anxious with the hometown crowd. Also, I hope Sofia is feeling better. Did Georgia stay at the island house with her when you came back to the city to isolate?
Sofia is feeling all better. Took a few weeks but she's back at it. And Georgia had to stay with Sofia. I was headed away so they stuck it out together.
Cool post! Thanks for giving us the life update, I know I appreciated it!
As for the ‘I think I need glasses’ I thought both you and Sara already had glasses? Or was that just Sara? As you (hopefully) remember from when we met on zoom I have glasses (and I’m 15), be glad you don’t have glasses AND braces! (More things to look forward to in October, getting my braces off!) fun fact about me, I’ve actually had glasses since I was in prep (that’s like grade 1 except we have grade 1 after that), so I’ve had glasses since I was 5. not entirely surprising given that both my parents have glasses. Apparently when I was a baby I used to pull the glasses off my parents faces 😂! Speaking of funny things that’s kinda hilarious that you keep waving at strangers. Also if you didn’t gather, my long winded point is you don’t have to be embarrassed about needing glasses. Their accessories now and you get to chose the colour and the shape and all that. From what ‘Deby’ said sounds like you waved at some fan’s who were happy to wave back. Have you gotten any weird looks as you get closer to people? If it’s any consolation without my glasses I’d probably think a total stranger was my mum if she had glasses, blonde hair and Flowy clothes, if I saw the person from enough distance. 😂
Anyway thanks for the post.
Phoenix, he/they/ri/it, 15, Australia
PS: every time I type ‘Australia’ at the end I always think ‘well obviously they knew you’re Australian!’. 😁.
Awesome you met Mae, I saw they were also at the Amazon party and wondered if you'd get a photo together. Really cool insight into the press week for High School! Hope Sofia is feeling better!
Holy guacamole…your trip sounded so busy and hectic! I would be a nervous wreck and probably have a mental breakdown haha. I used to want to be a singer (mainly in Broadway). My stage fright and anxiety disorder stopped that dream pretty quickly. I’m kind of thankful it did because I know I wouldn’t be able to handle everything you through when you are a musician.
It sounds like you a lot of great times and met some amazing folks. I’m sorry that Sofia had Covid. I hope she doesn’t get any long term effects from it. Thank you for writing this long post and telling us what happened! I enjoyed reading it. Take care.
It's definitely a lot. A lot of artists I know really struggle during promo. It's not for everyone. I do thrive because I am so extroverted but even I was pretty tired the last week. Took some recovery time!
Ah, see there’s a stark difference. I am very introverted and anxious around groups of people. Even going to the grocery store is sensory hell. I recently had to take sick leave from work as my anxiety got too bad.
Anyways, I’m really glad you thrive in those sorts of situations!
I agree. Suddenly I could see individual leaves on the trees instead of a green mishmash - I hadn’t even realised I was supposed to be able to see that much detail, or that my eyesight was so bad! It’s such a cool experience when you put on properly prescribed glasses for the first time 😄 Tegan, please get your eyes tested 😉🤓🥸😎🤩
I agree! When I first got glasses as a teenager I couldn’t find any I liked, or particularly suited, so it was for purely practical purposes that I wore them. Everyone said the glasses made me look like a scientist, meaning it as a compliment (intelligence I guess) but it wasn’t necessarily how I identified. Now I have glasses that I feel are an extension of my personality (creativity) and I deliberately wear them in photos etc 😎
yes!! i was so stunned in 4th grade bc i had forgotten you could see things far away. i remember standing on the corner and being able to see the crossing guards face and my mind was blown
This was SO cool, and I loved all the detail. This was really great thanks for this post Tegan. Shame you didn’t get to tell Bella the Ikea story, but you got to meet Mae which is a pretty great alternative so you definitely peaked. 😊👌🏼
PS I never made the Ellie connection myself either, but I can kind of see it and as a Last Of Us fan as well I’d take it as a massive compliment too. Plus being compared to a teenager, like you said, pretty great. 😂🙂
This new video is fun! I’m showing my age here but the intro looped video snips being linked to the loops of the track reminded me of playing Simon. Blue red green blue yellow.
I'm happy to report that the people you waved at were me and my two friends Marlee and Nica (Nica asked the first question after the viewing), thank you so much for waving at strangers, it made our day!!
STOP! REALLY!?!?!?! CUTE! Hi!!!
Hi!!! We'll all be at the Toronto show with vip so maybe there you can wave at us knowingly!? hahaha
Hahah yes! Hi!! ☺️❤️👋🏼
Hiiii!! 🤗
Also, 5 minutes before it started I also forgot what I was doing there, like my thoughts were suppressed by the feeling of excitement, until it started and I was hooked the whole time! Can't wait to watch the rest and to hear what everyone thinks!
Ps.: kinda disappointed you didn't get a picture with your look-alike that isn't sara 😜
The IKEA story!!! LOL. Little did he know that he was actually talking to a superstar 😂 great post Tegan, please keep them that long, just love it 🫶🏻
''Little did he know that he was actually talking to a superstar''..Exactly..Take selfies together or get things signed...I pity that teenager missed the opportunity of his life also..
Can you tell us more about Heather your musical director? I’ve never heard you guys talk about touring with a musical director before so I’m curious what that role entails!
This is our first time working with Heather. She came to us via another musical director named Max we were working with. Most musical directors of their ilk don't tour with bands so much as they just prepare them for tour. Some bigger acts (the Taylors, Miley's etc) do have MD's in their bands but we have just been using an outside musician director since 2013 to help prepare the band, us and the music for tour. They help take the tracks from the album (we call them stems) and decide what to use for the live show. Often a song on an album will have 100 tracks (different drums, guitars, vocals, keyboards, backing vocals etc) and so some of those parts are played or sung live. But there's only so many hands or voices on stage, so we use playback (a set of computers often side stage) to play some of the keyboards or other parts we want to include live but don't have enough bodies to play. But you can't just play the entire set of tracks, it would be chaos and not sound good. So an MD often helps find the parts that are most important, and in some cases re creates parts, and helps build what's called a show file. That show file is what we all play along to on stage. In Heathers case she also has been helping solo vocal harmonies to divy up between Sara and and I so we know which harmonies to sing. We often lay down multiple harmonies and octaves to layer vocals on an album and so Heather decides what we should sing, what we would play. She helps to find that balance between an organic, rock band that we are and also still add some of the actual sounds and parts from the album into a nice mix that will make for an excellent sounding show and performance. She also helped us craft the set list. So she helped to create acts so the show tells a story and has momentum and doesn't feel unbalanced (too many slows songs together or too many fast songs together can ruin a show/energy). She is helping us to decide which guitars to bring, what keyboards to play. She basically helps get the show ready. In a way the closest parallel would be to call her a producer. Hope this is helpful!
Omg this is an amazing answer!!! I love details like this! I had no idea how that worked, great q too. Thanks!!!
Wow sounds like this might be the best tour yet! Can't wait for Oct 26
Thank you for your thoughtful answer!
Have you covered Tiffany I think we're alone now? I'm old and that song would play at the arcade so much lol lots of quarters
We should!!!
Driver license ??!! You too !
I love the recap Tegan. I can't imagine all the fun but nerves too. I'm so excited for tonight at CIFF. Feel free to wave ;) Me and my besties will be the ones in the front row with masks on (they'll be hiding our giant smiles) and matching TnS shirts/hoodies (custom made). I know High School is going to be amazing and seeing you two there will be even more exciting. I hope you aren't too anxious with the hometown crowd. Also, I hope Sofia is feeling better. Did Georgia stay at the island house with her when you came back to the city to isolate?
Oh fun! SEE YOU TONIGHT!!
Sofia is feeling all better. Took a few weeks but she's back at it. And Georgia had to stay with Sofia. I was headed away so they stuck it out together.
Hey Tegan,
Cool post! Thanks for giving us the life update, I know I appreciated it!
As for the ‘I think I need glasses’ I thought both you and Sara already had glasses? Or was that just Sara? As you (hopefully) remember from when we met on zoom I have glasses (and I’m 15), be glad you don’t have glasses AND braces! (More things to look forward to in October, getting my braces off!) fun fact about me, I’ve actually had glasses since I was in prep (that’s like grade 1 except we have grade 1 after that), so I’ve had glasses since I was 5. not entirely surprising given that both my parents have glasses. Apparently when I was a baby I used to pull the glasses off my parents faces 😂! Speaking of funny things that’s kinda hilarious that you keep waving at strangers. Also if you didn’t gather, my long winded point is you don’t have to be embarrassed about needing glasses. Their accessories now and you get to chose the colour and the shape and all that. From what ‘Deby’ said sounds like you waved at some fan’s who were happy to wave back. Have you gotten any weird looks as you get closer to people? If it’s any consolation without my glasses I’d probably think a total stranger was my mum if she had glasses, blonde hair and Flowy clothes, if I saw the person from enough distance. 😂
Anyway thanks for the post.
Phoenix, he/they/ri/it, 15, Australia
PS: every time I type ‘Australia’ at the end I always think ‘well obviously they knew you’re Australian!’. 😁.
We do both wear glasses to watch TV. But I might have to step it up and start wearing them more? Like...might be time for contacts?
Contacts, or a cool pair of glasses to wear all the time?
Unrelated to my post but I wish we could put pictures in the comments!
That's a cool idea! let me ask about it!
Yes! This!!
This is such a nice substack. Loved how detailed it is and how reflective you are of the past two weeks. 💜
Awesome you met Mae, I saw they were also at the Amazon party and wondered if you'd get a photo together. Really cool insight into the press week for High School! Hope Sofia is feeling better!
Side note: any tips for growing out short hair?
Tips for growing out short hair. There is only one. Get a good bunch of hats/toques!
Holy guacamole…your trip sounded so busy and hectic! I would be a nervous wreck and probably have a mental breakdown haha. I used to want to be a singer (mainly in Broadway). My stage fright and anxiety disorder stopped that dream pretty quickly. I’m kind of thankful it did because I know I wouldn’t be able to handle everything you through when you are a musician.
It sounds like you a lot of great times and met some amazing folks. I’m sorry that Sofia had Covid. I hope she doesn’t get any long term effects from it. Thank you for writing this long post and telling us what happened! I enjoyed reading it. Take care.
Riley
It's definitely a lot. A lot of artists I know really struggle during promo. It's not for everyone. I do thrive because I am so extroverted but even I was pretty tired the last week. Took some recovery time!
Ah, see there’s a stark difference. I am very introverted and anxious around groups of people. Even going to the grocery store is sensory hell. I recently had to take sick leave from work as my anxiety got too bad.
Anyways, I’m really glad you thrive in those sorts of situations!
Take care
Getting glasses can change your life!
I agree. Suddenly I could see individual leaves on the trees instead of a green mishmash - I hadn’t even realised I was supposed to be able to see that much detail, or that my eyesight was so bad! It’s such a cool experience when you put on properly prescribed glasses for the first time 😄 Tegan, please get your eyes tested 😉🤓🥸😎🤩
Right? When I got glasses in third grade I said wow! I can see the leaves. My mom was like what?!! You couldn’t see leaves? Nope.
I had a similar experience. Glasses can open up a whole new world visually and also glasses = fashion.
I agree! When I first got glasses as a teenager I couldn’t find any I liked, or particularly suited, so it was for purely practical purposes that I wore them. Everyone said the glasses made me look like a scientist, meaning it as a compliment (intelligence I guess) but it wasn’t necessarily how I identified. Now I have glasses that I feel are an extension of my personality (creativity) and I deliberately wear them in photos etc 😎
I know exactly what you mean lol. They’re part of me. I don’t want contact lenses!
yes!! i was so stunned in 4th grade bc i had forgotten you could see things far away. i remember standing on the corner and being able to see the crossing guards face and my mind was blown
Yep! That’s really how it goes.
I got nervous just reading this! I could never do what you do, and I'm so glad that YOU can - lucky us!
Well I love it, but this job is not for everyone that is for sure!
Wait. Go back. Driving license??
This was SO cool, and I loved all the detail. This was really great thanks for this post Tegan. Shame you didn’t get to tell Bella the Ikea story, but you got to meet Mae which is a pretty great alternative so you definitely peaked. 😊👌🏼
PS I never made the Ellie connection myself either, but I can kind of see it and as a Last Of Us fan as well I’d take it as a massive compliment too. Plus being compared to a teenager, like you said, pretty great. 😂🙂
ha!
Really looking forward to the new show.
This new video is fun! I’m showing my age here but the intro looped video snips being linked to the loops of the track reminded me of playing Simon. Blue red green blue yellow.
ah! yes!