#Kino Kimino

SXSW 2018Rock or Die V with Little Dickman Records

Chris and Amy Dickman of Jersey Shore Indie label Little Dickman Records have been taking good care of bands in Austin for five years now. Their unofficial events showcase badass touring bands from all over the country as well as the bands with releases on their label. We talked to them about how...

Tarra Thiessen

CHECK THE SPREADSHEETSurviving SXSW

I’ve been called a masochist for going to Austin, TX's South By South West festival so many years in a row. SXSW 2018 will be my eighth return trip and this year I’ll be an official artist with all three of my projects - Sharkmuffin, Ex-Girlfriends and Kino Kimino - totaling 17 sets in five days....

Tarra Thiessen

AF 2017 IN REVIEWHardest Working DIY Bands on Tour in 2017

Vanessa Silberman (LA) Over 200 shows Vanessa Silberman is nothing less than a super human. She has been on the road since January, totaling about ten tours solo, as a two piece with LA transplant via Madison drummer Dave Boson, and as a three piece (the Vanessa Silverman Band) featuring Reed...

Tarra Thiessen

CHECK THE SPREADSHEETBest DIY Promoters, Collectives, and Venues of 2017

Ex-Girlfriends tour routes by Tine Hill After spending 21 weeks on tour in 2017 with four bands (playing in Sharkmuffin, Ex-Girlfriends, Kino Kimino and tour mama-gering for The Big Drops) in three different countries, here are my picks for the best promoters, collectives and venues that I’ve been...

Tarra Thiessen

CHECK THE SPREADSHEETBooking Basics

Booking a tour is basically planning a road trip with the goal of playing music every night and (hopefully) making enough money for gas to your next destination. Booking your first tour is a grind, so it’s helpful to have higher purpose that is fun and motivating. Bands usually plan a tour to...

Tarra Thiessen

CHECK THE SPREADSHEETAttitude is Everything

Hello! Thank you for checking the monthly DIY tour guide. I play on tour with three Brooklyn-based bands and have been on the road for at least a week each month this year (aside from one). Going on tour is a goal of many bands and in today's super connected world it is easier than ever to attain....

Tarra Thiessen