Alaskan singer-songwriter Marian Call has just announced her “49 to 50″ Tour, or “49>50,” in which she will play shows and house concerts in all fifty United States — beginning with Alaska, the 49th state, and ending with Hawai’i, the 50th. Her music has been described by fans as “funky acoustic joy jazz” — she plays eclectic, humorous and heartfelt songs that appeal to crowds of all ages and demographics. Her signature Underwood typewriter, rain stick, and kazoo can be heard in most of her local (and national) performances.
On May 20, 2010 in St. Albert, Alberta, Marian Call will play a backyard house concert beginning at 7pm for a suggested donation of $5-$10 per person. All ages are welcome to attend. Please bring a lawn chair and dress appropriately for the weather. Please email joey@cstsedmonton.org for the street address.
Marian Call is an independent singer-songwriter, and her tour venues will be decided by crowdsourced fan input via Facebook and Twitter. Fans can propose concerts in their area, and the best proposals in each state will become real shows. No booking agent, manager, or label will be involved. Call has designed a simple integrated online system for fans to submit show recommendations and house concert applications. Her “street team” volunteer promoters will also use online forums to get their own posters, web graphics, and online invitations to promote the shows. The tour is designed to be more environmentally friendly, economically friendly, fan-friendly, and sustainable than traditional band tours.
This grassroots-style tour booking is becoming more critical for musicians worldwide as the entire music industry changes. This paradigm shift will be particularly important for Alaskan musicians to navigate, as the cost of touring (and the cost of buying and selling merchandise) is considerably higher for an Alaskan artist than for one based in the contiguous United States. Hence a creative and friendly approach relying on the kindness of strangers and the devotion of local fans in each city.
Marian Call has released two studio albums and more than a dozen singles. Her third fan-funded album, Something Fierce, is scheduled for release this year. For more information or press materials, including music and photographs, visit http://mariancall.com or contact mariancall@mac.com.
Interviews always welcome.