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Let's Go to Europe!

Alexandria chats with Vancouver musician Christina Maria about one of the scariest and most exciting things a singer can do: go on tour.

Touring is an exciting yet terrifying venture. But all serious musicians will eventually spread their wings and fly the coop on to new and exciting endeavours. I’m planning a European tour in 2012.

Jetting off to foreign territory to strum a guitar sounds simple, but it takes immense focus, endless devotion and hard work to make such a goal successful. So, because I am in the beginning stages of planning my first tour, I turned to an artist who has gone through the process.

Vancouver musician Christina Maria moved to Berlin in the summer of 2010 and has toured the Netherlands extensively. She was kind enough to share her experience: what it’s like touring, when you should start considering a tour and how to book gigs as an independent artist.

AM: What's the European music scene like? How does the Vancouver music scene compare?
CM: So far, I feel like in a lot of small- and medium-sized cities in Europe, there's a cozy kind of music scene just like Vancouver. You can go out and you'll see all your friends – or at least bump into people you know. It’s nice in Europe because everything is so close together. It’s great for touring and exploring new scenes. But having said that, there's a secret seclusion that you get in Vancouver that is special, especially when you're creating a new thing.

AM: When did you decide Europe was the next step in your career? How long have you been there and how long are you staying?
CM: I came to visit my brother for Christmas 2010 in Switzerland and just stayed. After my brother went back to Vancouver, I moved to Berlin for a few months, then after running around the globe a bit, I released my album Straight Line with a label called Little Jig in Luzern, Switzerland.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I just followed an invisible path, and so far it’s all worked out. I live near Zurich now and also in Vancouver – I go back and forth about three times a year.

AM: What have you learned about booking gigs?
CM: I've been very lucky to have such a wonderful Swiss booker. It was a really great summer with a handful of great festivals. Otherwise, outside of Switzerland, I book my own shows. The countries here are all different: in Berlin everyone books way far in advance, in Holland it seems to be the opposite. I guess I've learned that if you want to tour somewhere, just book the tour and go. But I live my life so that I don't have very many responsibilities, so I can do that. I can't really have a cat, or a grand piano or anything. 

AM: How do people react to your music in Europe? Are you finding the response to be better or worse?
CM: There are a lot of different audiences in different countries in Europe. Some are more reserved – so far the most reserved is Switzerland – and some more outspoken, but I think in the end it all evens itself out.

The most important thing for me is that I follow my own story. Every artist has their own story and none is the same, and that is so beautiful.

AM: What would you suggest for an artist considering touring Europe?
CM: If you want to – like anything – do it. Of course, I say this having plenty of family everywhere and a European passport. But I've always been one to do what I like, so that would be my advice. It really depends what strikes you. If you think you might want to go to a certain place, I'd go there first. I've spent time in Berlin, Holland and Switzerland, and they're all great and also difficult in different ways. Once you come over and see for yourself, you'll know more what you want out of it. Having family somewhere really helps too.