The Key To Seamless International Travel with The Ramona Flowers
When musicians nail grasping the attention of audiences all around the globe, international travel come into play. With opportunities alike, constant touring with shows booked back to back could possibly cause stress and be overwhelming. However, there are many ways to adapt to this kind of change and learn how to manage international traveling seamlessly. We interview The Ramona Flowers to discuss the impact international travel has on artists, experiences abroad, and some insights for fans to take into account when interacting and supporting your favorite artists and bands.
Formed in 2012, The Ramona Flowers is a sensation gaining fans globally included the legendary artist U2. Their talents have taken them to memorable adventures like performing at the Glastonbury Festival 2017, and at the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan in the same year. Their electrifying music video of “Ghost” landed over 1mil views on Youtube alone. Their success has been on a sky-rise high since their debut. Learn more about their dynamic and experiences touring internationally when we interviewed Ed-the drummer from the band.
Tell us about the group. What’s your name, where are you from, what type of music do you make?
We are called The Ramona Flowers. We are from Bristol England and play a blend of Electronic Indie and Synth Pop.
What stage is the group in your career and how long have you been creating music?
We released our debut album “Dismantle and Rebuild” 4 years ago and we’ve been touring, writing and recording ever since. We now spend a large amount of our time either on the road or in the studio.
What was the moment the group realized you had to pursue music as a career?
Speaking for all the guys, I think going into music was a natural step. It certainly was in my life. I don’t think musicians find following that path scary. It’s more of a feeling of fulfillment, excitement, and fun when you step out and begin to learn and develops your craft. Now there’s just an amazing sense of gratitude and privilege to be able to what we do every day of our lives.
Based on where you are now, can you describe what the journey has been like to date?
The journeys been a lot of fun and a great deal more hard work. It’s never easy for artists and musicians to break anywhere in the world. Especially with the state of the industry right now. Being on an independent label up till now has been fun. It’s allowed us greater freedoms and we’re lucky to have gotten ourselves to where we are.
Could you tell us a bit about your first experience performing outside of your home country?
Our first experience touring outside of the UK came in the run up to our debut album being released. Our first gig was in Luxembourg and it was awesome. I remember feeling extremely lucky to be an “international” touring artist. Seems kinda silly now!
How has it been adapting to international audiences versus what you were use to when you first started?
It’s interesting seeing the way gigs are in different countries and in the USA it can even differ state to state. I wouldn’t say we’ve had to adapt much in terms of our approach and performance. Mainly it’s just getting used to the way you are received. As you can imagine a crowd for a show in NYC reacts and interacts with the energy of your performance in a completely different way to a crowd In Tokyo. However, I don’t feel that we do anything differently.
Have you ever experienced culture shock when traveling abroad? If so, can you share with a specific moment?
Absolutely we’ve experienced culture shock. In 2017 we traveled to Japan for the first time to play the Legendary Fuji Rock festival. Nothing can prepare you for what meets you when you step from the plane in Tokyo. You feel totally isolated. The language is not only different but it has an entirely different alphabet and structure. Navigating is a struggle even just to a taxi rank. Add the difference in food, cars, weather, and other small day to day things we take for granted and it is to this day the most alien environment I’ve been dropped into.
How do you prepare for a trip overseas? Is there something you always bring with you?
I’m an old hand at travelling now. I used to be one of those totally disorganized bag packers. Through it in and sit on it to close the case. Now I’m well practiced and more organised. I’m quite boring in terms of what I take with me. The only items I usually pack regardless of destination are Tea Bags ( cliche I know ) and my laptop. No matter where I travel in the world my laptop comes with me. It’s my link to friends and family back home and has also been the life ring of entertainment for many airport delays, mammoth tour bus journeys and dead time before shows.
With traveling internationally to different time zones, how have you managed being jet lagged?
I’m not gonna lie. It doesn’t get easier! In fact at this point I think I’m permanently jet lagged so can’t tell the difference any more. Traveling certainly takes its toll both mentally and physically. Quality of sleep is nearly impossible to maintain and if we aren’t careful band members often crash and burn during spells of heavy traveling. Most of the time we haven’t or have only just got into local time before we’re off again. Yeah it can be grueling.
What’s the inspiration for your music? Has travel influenced your songs, if so, how and why?
The inspiration for our music comes from all of our collective and individual experiences. I guess we can’t avoid having it influenced by our travel. Our schedule has certainly altered the way we actually physically write and create so I guess it must have artistically. I don’t think that any influence would be a deliberate thing, it just kind of happens through exposure.
What advice would you give yourself when you first started after acquiring the experience you have now as an artist and international traveling?
Easy, don’t listen to anyone else’s negative opinions but be open to criticism and advice. Enjoy it and persevere, it’s worth it. As for travelling, I’d tell myself to buy a good pillow, not worry too much about sleeping any time soon and start exercising and working out. Being fit makes a huge difference to long haul.
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