This week we did something a little different. We will be back to our normal schedule next week. My friend Crague hit me up and said “no one knows your story” - and as much as I feel like I have told it cumulatively throughout the podcast, he made a good point. We haven’t really devoted any solid time to it. And hey, if you are just showing up here to watch the podcast and don’t know anything about me. That is okay! If you want to know a bit about me - here it is. This episode is brought to you advertisement free by our Patreons!  

This week we welcome Conor McDonnell to the bus! I have known Conor for the past ten years and seeing the accomplishments he has pulled off both professionally and personally are nothing short of impressive. In this episode, we talk about what it takes to go from touring with an artist - to working with them on a very personal level. Touring is already personal, but being the guy who goes with them to private events, parties, and everything else - that takes a true connection. We very much limit our conversations to his jobs within the music industry - but I would encourage you to check out his portfolio for some amazing images in other areas as well.

This week we welcome back our friend Joey. We promised you two episodes, and two episodes you shall get. This week we go a bit deeper into what jobs exist at a venue. This is important for not only touring professionals but anyone out there who might want to start their journey at a venue level. Honestly, it is a lot of information. I am hoping we can get a typed version of this up pretty soon… Joey just has so much to say and I enjoyed the short tangents we went on throughout the episode as well. Thanks again for your time Joey.

This week we are taking a trip down memory lane. Kind of - we are learning like the first 10 episodes. We were lucky enough to connect with Joey Phillips. Joey is the Event Manager at The Forum in Los Angeles. The Forum is a legendary 17,000 capacity, all music venue, that has been open since 1967. Joey takes us through what the heck a venue does. Because if you are like me - you usually just show up at a venue, give them your ticket - and watch the show. However for every touring job, there is a venue counterpart. The venue has to work with the touring team to advance and figure out every aspect of the show. Then on the day of - they have to put it into action. This is the first of two episodes. Next week we will go a bit more in-depth on what each job does. I hope this week can be a level up in your knowledge on what goes on inside of a venue. Maybe working at a local venue first is your path to get into the music industry. Or maybe you have been touring for a while and want to find a way to get off the road. All that info and more on this week's episode.  

In this episode of the Don’t Shit On The Bus podcast we will learn:

• How Joey became the event manager of The Forum

• How venues and touring crews operate together

• What it takes for a venue to run smoothly

• All of the different positions in a venue

(00:00) Intro

(01:04) Joey gets on the bus

(02:06) Why you should listen to Joey

(03:55) History of the Forum

(05:02) What Joey does at The Forum 

(09:13) The Forum Club

(10:56) Positions at a venue

(18:46) How Joey navigated the music industry

(24:37) Why the venue is often overlooked  

(27:30) Doing what it takes to put on a show

(28:54) What is the goal of a venue 

(34:53) Facilities and Live Departments 

(36:23) How touring crews and venue crews work together  

(45:23) What is a drop count 

(57:34) How a touring act can help out a venue 

(59:52) Wrap up notes 

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Joey Philips - Guest

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yosephphillips/

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Don't Shit On The Bus Podcast

► Website: http://www.dontshitonthebus.com

► Spotify: http://bit.ly/DSotBspotify

► Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/DSotBapple

► TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@dontshitonthebus

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/DSotBpodcast

► Instagram: https://instagram.com/DSotBpodcast

► Facebook: https://facebook.com/DSotBpodcast

► Patreon: https://patreon.com/DSotB

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Adam Elmakias - Host

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/elmakias

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elmakias

► Website: https://www.adamelmakias.com

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Edited & Produced by Connor Gaskey

This week we revisit my favorite setup - artist and crew! We have with us all the way from Australia - Ruel and his photographer Michelle Grace Hunder. These two have a relationship that I think everyone hopes to one day have in this industry. Michelle has been Ruel’s photographer for the past six years. It was rad to hear stories about how they bonded on the road and created a family vibe on the road. If you have not listened to Ruel’s music yet, please check it out. It is beautiful. Michelle’s work is lovely as well, with all the links below as usual. Thank you so much to Ruel and Michelle for taking time out of their busy lives to share their thoughts and ideas with us. There really is no better way to do it than going right to the source.  

In this episode of the Don’t Shit On The Bus podcast we will learn:

• How Ruel and Michelle work together creatively

• How family values foster a great touring environment

• The importance of the artist & crew relationship

• The challenges of touring during your teen years

(00:00) Intro

(01:56) Patreon

(03:07) MGH & Ruel get on the bus

(04:18) Shit on the bus story

(08:43) Crazy bus drivers

(10:22) How Michelle and Ruel met

(15:17) Ruel’s career when he was a kid

(19:19) What it's like for Ruel to consistently work with Michelle 

(24:39) How Ruel and Michelle got to the creative teamwork, they're at now 

(26:33) The age gap didn't matter when Michelle works with Ruel

(28:25) Why Ruel is so hands-on for his image

(32:35) Touring with family values

(35:59) Amsterdam Story 

(38:43) Ruel's and Michelle’s connection during a live show 

(48:44) Working remotely

(50:12) Wrap up notes 

(50:18) Shower Shoes 

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Ruel - Guest

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneruel/

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/oneruel

► TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oneruel

Michelle Grace Hunder - Guest

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelleghunder/

► Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/michelleghunder

► Website: https://www.michellegracehunder.com/

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Don't Shit On The Bus Podcast

► Website: http://www.dontshitonthebus.com

► Spotify: http://bit.ly/DSotBspotify

► Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/DSotBapple

► TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@dontshitonthebus

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/DSotBpodcast

► Instagram: https://instagram.com/DSotBpodcast

► Facebook: https://facebook.com/DSotBpodcast

► Patreon: https://patreon.com/DSotB

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Adam Elmakias - Host

► Twitter: https://twitter.com/elmakias

► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elmakias

► Website: https://www.adamelmakias.com

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Edited & Produced by Connor Gaskey

Everyone welcome our first Q & A with a guest host! Drew Magid - another long-time friend. We toured back in 20...11/13 together. Since touring together Drew has stepped it up a notch. He started interning, then did Merch, Production Coordinated, and eventually made his way up to a Tour Manager. Nowadays he is off the road and a manager at Big Loud. This episode was supposed to be Drew and me answering everyone's questions… and we eventually did. However the first half or so we just go over Drew’s journey in the music industry. I think his journey has some great lessons and examples of how working hard pays off. What the heck is it like Tour Managing an artist as big as Imagine Dragons? (I’ll give you a clue it doesn't involve a lot of sleep)

This week we welcome Danny Worspon to the podcast! Danny is a singer/songwriter for Asking Alexandria. This was an off-the-cuff episode with Danny’s crazy energy. We’ve toured together in the past and I’ve witnessed firsthand some adventures with Danny. He has years of touring experience traveling all across the world - this guy definitely does not shit on the bus. Thank you Danny for your time and hope to see you on the road again soon.

This week we welcome Katy Cooper to the podcast! Katy is an accomplished publicist for Big Picture Media. She has a massive list of artists she works with such as Sum 41, Papa Roach, and Lauren Sanderson. She’s incredible at connecting with people and artists - she teaches us how to network. Thank you Katy for your time and for sharing your knowledge.

This week we have Andrew Goldstein - an incredibly talented songwriter/producer who has a rolodex of artists he’s worked with but not limited to Blackbear, Linkin Park, and Demi Lovato. Andrew started his career as a touring musician before eventually making his way to LA to work in the studio. I saw his wikipedia page and damn - this guy has worked with everyone. The more we talked I discovered he went about living in LA the right way. Andrew is a such thoughtful guest to have on and I hope you can take away some knowledge from this episode. Thank you Andrew for your time and for sharing your knowledge.

This week we have the talented Sara Biv on the podcast. Sara is a touring dancer who has worked with artists such as Miley Cyrus, Cardi B, and Major Lazer. In addition to touring as a dancer, Sarah is also a choreographer when she is off the road in LA. I initially met Sara when I was touring with Major Lazer. We knew each other from touring but had never really sat down and had a conversation. I knew I was going to learn a lot from her (because let’s be honest I know nothing about being a dancer on tour other than the fact it is physically demanding) but damn, she taught me so much. Not just what she does - but how she does it, and her mindset. It was a very inspirational interview and I hope anyone who has any intention of making it in the touring world gives this one a listen.  Thank you Sara!